Perde 1
[Textpart 1]
You seem, Grumio, as though you envied me, because I enjoy myself and you are wretched. It is quite my due. It’s proper for me to make love, and for you to feed the cattle; for me to fare handsomely, you in a miserable way.
GRUMIO
O riddle for the executioner Riddle for the executioner: Riddled with holes by the scourge of the executioner., as I guess it will turn out; they’ll be so pinking you with goads, as you carry your gibbet You carry your gibbet: Bearing his own cross; a refinement of torture which was too often employed upon malefactors. along the streets one day, as soon as ever the old gentleman returns here.
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TRANIO
How do you know whether that mayn’t happen to yourself sooner than to me?
GRUMIO
Because I have never deserved it; you have deserved it, and you now deserve it.
TRANIO
Do cut short the trouble of your talking, unless you wish a heavy mischance to befall you.
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GRUMIO
Are you going to give me the tares for me to take for the cattle? If you are not, give me the money. Go on, still persist in the way in which you’ve commenced! Drink, live like Greeks,
eat, stuff yourselves, slaughter your fatlings!
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TRANIO
Hold your tongue, and be off into the country; I intend to go to the Piraeus to get me some fish for the evening. To-morrow I’ll make some one bring you the tares to the farm. What’s the matter? Why now are you staring at me, gallows-bird?
GRUMIO
I’ faith, I’ve an idea that will be your own title before long.
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TRANIO
So long as it is as it is, in the meantime I’ll put up with that before long.
GRUMIO
That’s the way; and understand this one thing, that that which is disagreable comes much more speedily than that which you wish for.
TRANIO
Don’t you be annoying; now then, away with you into the country, and betake yourself off.
Don’t you deceive yourself, henceforth you shan’t be causing me any impediment. (Exit.)
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GRUMIO
Is he really gone? Not to care one straw for what I’ve said! O immortal Gods, I do implore your aid, do cause this old gentleman of ours, who has now been three years absent from here, to return hither as soon as possible, before everything
is gone, both house and land. Unless he does return here, remnants to last for a few months only are left. Now I’ll be off to the country; but look! I see my master’s son, one who has been corrupted from having been a most excellent young man. (Exit.)
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[Textpart 2]
I’ve often thought and long reflected on it,
PHILOLACHES
and in my breast have held many a debate, and in my heart (if any heart I have) have revolved this matter, and long discussed it, to what thing I’m to consider man as like, and what form he has when he is born?
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I’ve now discovered this likeness. I think a man is like unto a new house when he is born. I’ll give my proofs of this fact. (To the AUDIENCE.) And does not this seem to you like the truth? But so I’ll manage that you shall think it is so.
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Beyond a doubt I’ll convince you that it is true what I say. And this yourselves, I’m sure, when you have heard my words, will say is no otherwise than just as I now affirm that it is. Listen while I repeat my proofs of this fact;
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I want you to be equally knowing with myself upon this matter. As soon as ever a house is built up, nicely polished off Polished off: From this passage it would seem that pains were taken to give the houses a smooth and polished appearance on the outside., carefully erected, and according to rule, people praise the architect and approve of the house, they take from it each one a model for himself. Each one has something similar, quite at his own expense; they do not spare their pains.
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