Perde 1
[Textpart 1]
If, master, by your being silent, I could be informed what miseries are afflicting you so sadly,
PSEUDOLUS
I would willingly have spared the trouble of two persons—of myself in asking you, and of yourself in answering me. Since, however, that cannot be, necessity compels me to enquire of you. Answer me: What’s the reason that, out of spirits for these many days past,
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you’ve been carrying a letter about with you, washing it with your tears, and making no person the sharer of your purpose? Speak out, that what I am ignorant of, I may know together with yourself.
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CALIDORUS
I am wretchedly miserable, Pseudolus.
PSEUDOLUS
May Jupiter forbid it!
CALIDORUS
This belongs not at all to the arbitration of Jupiter;
under the sway of Venus Under the sway of Venus: The youth of both sexes, from the tenth to the eighteenth year, were supposed to be under the dominion of Venus, to whom they offered their clothes, dolls, and toys, on arriving at puberty. am I harassed, not under that of Jove.
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PSEUDOLUS
Is it allowable for me to know what it is? For hitherto you have had me as chief confidant in your plans.
CALIDORUS
The same is now my intention.
PSEUDOLUS
Let me know then what’s the matter with you. I’ll aid you either with resources, or with my efforts, or with good counsel.
CALIDORUS
Do you take this letter: do you thence inform yourself what misery and what care are wasting me away.
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PSEUDOLUS
Compliance shall be given you. But, prithee, how’s this?
CALIDORUS
What’s the matter?
PSEUDOLUS
As I think, these letters are very loving; they are climbing on each other’s backs.
CALIDORUS
Are you making sport of me with your foolery?
PSEUDOLUS
I’ faith, I really do believe that unless the Sibyl Unless the Sibyl: The Sibyl, being gifted with prophecy, might know the meaning of that which could not be read. The 23rd line has been somewhat modified in the translation. can read them, nobody else can possibly interpret them.
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CALIDORUS
Why speak you unkindly of those sweet letters— sweet tablets too, written upon by a hand as sweet.
PSEUDOLUS
Troth now, have hens, prithee, such hands?
For certainly a hen has written these letters.
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CALIDORUS
You are annoying me. Either read it or return the letter.
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