Perde 3
[Textpart 1]
I’ faith, I should like to look over this house; just knock at the door, and call some one to you from within, Tranio.
TRANIO
Why just look now, again I don’t know what I’m to say. Once more, now, are the surges bearing me upon the self-same rock. What now? I’ faith, I can’t discover what I am now to do; I’m caught in the fact.
THEUROPIDES
Just call some one out of doors;
ask him to show us round.
680
TRANIO
Hallo there, you! (Turning round) But there are ladies here; we must first see whether they are willing or unwilling.
680
THEUROPIDES
You say what’s good and proper; just make enquiry, and ask. I’ll wait here outside until you come out.
TRANIO
May all the Gods and Goddesses utterly confound you, old gentleman!
in such a fashion are you thwarting my artful plans in every way. Bravo! very good! Look, Simo himself, the owner of the house, is coming out of doors. I’ll step aside here, until I have convened the senate of council in my mind. Then, when I’ve discovered what I am to do, I’ll join him. (THEUROPIDES and TRANIO stand at a distance from SIMO’s house, in opposite directions, THEUROPIDES being out of sight.)
685
[Textpart 2]
I’ve not enjoyed myself better at home this year than I have to-day, nor has at any time any meal pleased me better. My wife provided a very nice breakfast for me; now she bids me go take a nap. By no means! It instantly struck me that it didn’t so happen by chance.
690
SIMO
She provided a better breakfast than is her wont; and then, the old lady wanted to draw me away to my chamber. Sleep is not good Sleep is not good: It was a custom with the Romans to take a nap at noon, after the prandium. The modern Italians have the same practice, and call it the siesta. Simo has his private reasons for thinking that this nap is not wholesome in his own case. after breakfast—out upon it! I secretly stole away from the house, out of doors. My wife, I’m sure, is now quite bursting with rage at home.
695
TRANIO
A sore mischance is provided for this old fellow by the evening; for he must both dine and go to bed in-doors in sorry fashion.
700
SIMO
The more I reflect upon it in my mind: if any person has a dowried wife, sleep has no charms for him.
I detest going to take a nap. It’s a settled matter with me to be off to the Forum from here, rather than nap it at home. And, i’ faith (to the AUDIENCE), I don’t know how your wives are in their behaviour; this wife of mine, I know right well how badly she treats me,
705
and that she will prove more annoying to me hereafter than she has been.
710
TRANIO
If your escape, old gentleman, turns out amiss, there’ll be no reason for you to be accusing any one of the Gods; by very good right, you may justly lay the blame upon yourself. It’s time now for me to accost this old fellow.
’Tis down upon him Down upon him: Hoc habet. Literally, he has it; a term used by the Spectators, when a gladiator received a wound at the gladiatorial games.. I’ve hit upon a plan whereby to cajole the old fellow, by means of which to drive grief By means of which to drive grief: He plays upon the resemblance of the words dolo and dolorem. away from me. I’ll accost him. (Accosting him.) May the Gods, Simo, send on you many blessings!
715
SIMO
Not amiss. What are you about?
TRANIO
Holding by the hand a very worthy man.
