Perde 2
[Textpart 2]
As though you meant to say that I wished to chouse you out of the money.
HARPAX
Why, yes; as though you meant to say so; and as though I, on the other hand, meant to suspect it. But what’s your name?
635
PSEUDOLUS
This procurer has a servant of the name of Syrus; I’ll say that I am he. I am Syrus.
PSEUDOLUS
That’s my name.
HARPAX
We are making many words. If your master’s at home, why don’t you call him out, that I may transact that for which I was sent here, whatever be your name?
PSEUDOLUS
If he were within I would call him out. But if you choose to give it me, it will be more truly paid than if you were to give it to himself.
640
HARPAX
But now do you know how it is? My master has sent me to pay this, not to lose it. But I know, to a certainty, that you are in a fever now, because you cannot lay your claws upon it. I shall entrust the money to no person except to Ballio himself.
PSEUDOLUS
But at present he’s full of business: a cause of his is being tried before the judge.
645
HARPAX
May the Gods prosper it! And I, when I shall think that he’s at home, will come again. Do you take this letter from me, and give it him: for in it is the token agreed upon between your master and mine about the damsel.
PSEUDOLUS
For my part, I understand it; the person who should bring the money and the impress of his likeness
hither to us, with him he said he wished the damsel to be sent; for he left a specimen of it here as well.
650
HARPAX
You understand the whole affair?
PSEUDOLUS
Why should I not understand it?
HARPAX
Give him this token then.
PSEUDOLUS
Very well. But what’s your name?
PSEUDOLUS
Get along with you, Harpax, I like you not. By my troth, you really shan’t enter this house, lest you should be doing something in the harpy line In the harpy line: He alludes to his name, as having the Greek verb αρπάζω, to plunder, or to carry off by force, for its origin..
HARPAX
I am wont to carry off my enemies alive from the battle-field; from that circumrstance is my name.
655
PSEUDOLUS
I’ faith, I think that you are much more likely to carry off the brass pots from a house.
