Perde 5
[Textpart 2]
Do promise him; I’ll go for you, if you don’t like.
THEUROPIDES
Whip-scoundrel, laughing at me still?
TRANIO
What, because I say that I’ll go to dinner for you?
THEUROPIDES
But you shan’t go. I’ll have you carried to the cross, as you deserve.
TRANIO
Come, let this pass, and say that I shall go to the dinner.
CALLIDAMATES
But why, you greatest of simpletons, have you taken refuge at the altar?
1135
TRANIO
He frightened me on his arrival. (To THEUROPIDES.) Say now, what I have done amiss. Look, now there’s an umpire for us both; come, discuss the matter.
1135
THEUROPIDES
I say that you have corrupted my son.
TRANIO
Only listen. I confess that he has done amiss; that he has given freedom to his mistress; that in your absence
he has borrowed money at interest; that, I admit, is squandered away. Has he done anything different to what sons of the noblest families do?
1140
THEUROPIDES
Upon my faith, I must be on my guard with you; you are too clever a pleader.
CALLIDAMATES
Just let me be umpire in this matter. (TO TRANIO.) Get up; I’ll seat myself there.
THEUROPIDES
By all means: take the management of this dispute to yourself.
TRANIO
Why, this is surely a trick.
Make me, then, not to be in a fright, and yourself to be in a fright in my stead.
1145
THEUROPIDES
I consider now everything of trifling consequence, compared with the way in which he has fooled me.
TRANIO
I’ faith, ’twas cleverly done, and I rejoice that it was done. Those who have white heads ought at that age to be wiser.
THEUROPIDES
What am I now to do
if my friend Demipho or Philonides—
