Perde 5
[Textpart 1]
How’s this? And is it the fact? Feet-are you standing or not? Or is it this you want, some; one to pick me up here as I lie? But, by my faith, if I do fall down, yours will be the fault. Are you going to go? Heigho! I must wait upon myself.
PSEUDOLUS
This is the great fault in wine; it first lays hold of the feet; ’tis a cunning wrestler. By my faith, assuredly am I now come off right well drenched; with such exquisite viands, with such becoming elegance, in such a delightful place, have we been delightfully entertained.
1250
What’s the need for me to make much prosing? This is the thing for a man, an object for him to pass his life for; here are all pleasures and all delights. I think that the ecstasy is equal to that of the Deities, when the lover embraces his mistress, when he places lip to lip,
1255
when melting kisses are exchanged, when breast is pressed to breast, or else, if they please, they are locked in strict embrace; then for your most loving mistress, with her white hand, to be pledging you in the luscious goblet, for no one there to be disagreable to another, for no one to be indulging in silly conversation;
1260
for unguents and perfumes, ribbons Ribbons: Lemniscos. According to Festus, lemnisci were purple ribbons wrapped round one another, and hanging down from the wreaths which the ancients wore on their heads at their entertainments. From a passage in Pliny it would appear that these ribbons were in general only worn by persons of distinction. The translation of l. 1260 has necessarily been somewhat modified. and festive wreaths, to be provided in profusion; and for the rest of the entertainment, too, to be provided in no niggardly style. That no one may have to question me then, in this manner have myself and my young master been spending this day in jollity.
1265
After I had fulfilled all my task just as I intended, the enemy put to flight, I was leaving them reclining and drinking, each lover with his mistress, and my own mistress there as well, indulging heart and soul. But after I had risen, they begged me to dance. After this fashion (he dances) did I show myself off there quite charmingly, in a master-like style, to wit; for I am
thoroughly acquainted with the Ionian step. Thus, clad in my little mantle, full of fun, I was stepping about, this way. Some of them clapped me, others cried out for me to dance again. In that same Ionian fashion once again did I begin to take a turn; I presented myself to my mistress,
1275
that she might caress me; as I was pirouetting, down I tumbled: that was the funeral dirge The funeral dirge: The word Naenia, or nenia, has several meanings, among others, that of a funeral dirge, which is probably its meaning here. Pseudolus intends to say that his fall, so far as he was concerned, put an and to his enjoying the amusement of dancing any further. for my sport. And so, while I was a-struggling to get up, near—, almost, I mean, I soiled my mantle.
Then, by my troth, I was the cause of plenteous mirth. A goblet was presented me on account of my fall. Forthwith I changed my mantle, and put on this; thence have I come hither, that I might get rid of my surfeit. Now I’m going to my old master, to put him in mind of our bargain. Open-open the door. Hallo, there! Tell Simo, somebody, that I’m here.
1280
[Textpart 2]
The voice of a rascally fellow is calling me out of doors. (He stares at PSEUDOLUS.) But what’s this? How’s this? What is it I see in this guise?
1285
PSEUDOLUS
Your own Pseudolus, drunk, with a chaplet on With a chaplet on: Pseudolus lays some stress on this, as slaves were not permitted to wear chaplets. He, however, presumes on the fact of Simo being in his debt..
SIMO
By my troth, this is free and easy indeed. But see his attitude; is he on my account a bit the more afraid?
I’m thinking whether I shall address him harshly or kindly. But this (pointing to a purse in his hand) that I’m carrying forbids me to use rough measures towards him just now; if there’s any hope for me, centred in this.
1290
PSEUDOLUS
A worthless fellow is coming to meet the best of men.
SIMO
May the Gods bless you, Pseudolus. (PSEUDOLUS eructates.) Foh! go to utter perdition.
PSEUDOLUS
But why should I have that mischance befal me?
1295
SIMO
Why, the plague, in your drunkenness, are you eructating in my face?
1295
PSEUDOLUS
Hold me up, steadily; take care that I don’t fall. Don’t you see me, how drenched and soaking I am?
SIMO
What impudence is this, for you to be going about this way in broad daylight, drunk, with a chaplet on?
PSEUDOLUS
Such is my pleasure. (Eructates again.)
