Perde 5
[Textpart 4]
I’ faith, I’m of that opinion, kinsman.
ADELPHASIUM
I’m dreadfully afraid
what this business can mean, my sister; so astounded am I, I stand here without my senses.
1250
HANNO
Damsels, give me your attention. In the first place, if it could possibly come to pass, for the Gods not to send upon the innocent what is undeserved, that could I have wished to happen; now for the good the Gods bestow upon me, upon yourselves and upon your nurse And upon your nurse: Matri. This may either mean their own mother, the wife of Hanno, if then living, or their nurse Giddeneme: as mater is used in the latter sense by Plautus in the Prologue to the Menaechmi., ’tis due that we should give to the Deities our endless thanks,
since the immortal Gods approve and reward our piety. You are my daughters, both of you, and this is your relation, Agorastocles, the son of my cousin.
1255
ADELPHASIUM
Prithee, are they deluding us with imaginary joys?
AGORASTOCLES
Really, so may the Deities preserve me, this is your father. Give him your hands.
ADELPHASIUM
Welcome, father! unhoped-for by us, allow us to embrace you!
ANTERASTYLIS
Welcome, father! much wished and longed for!
1260
We are both your daughters;
AGORASTOCLES
Who’ll be for embracing me in the next place?
HANNO
Now am I happy! Now with this delight do I allay the miseries of many a year.
ADELPHASIUM
We hardly seem to believe this.
HANNO
I’ll tell you something to make you believe it the more:
why, it was your nurse who recognized me first.
1265
ADELPHASIUM
Prithee, where is she?
1265
HANNO
She’s at his house.
AGORASTOCLES
Pray, why does it please you to clasp his neck so long,
before he has betrothed you to me?
