Perde 2
[Textpart 3]
But I know too that hope has deceived many who have hoped.
TRACHALIO
Therefore a patient mind is the best remedy for affliction. I’ll go in, unless you wish for anything.
AMPELISCA
Go. (To herself.) I’ll do that which the Priestess requested me, and I’ll ask for some water here at the neighbour’s;
for she said that if I asked for it in her name, they would give it directly. And I do think that I never saw a more worthy old lady, one to whom I should think that it is more befitting for Gods and men to show kindness. How courteously, how heartily, how kindly, how, without the least difficulty, she received us into her home, trembling, in want, drenched, shipwrecked, half dead;
405
not otherwise, in fact, than if we had been her own offspring. How kindly did she herself, just now, tucking up her garments, make the water warm for us to bathe. Now, that I mayn’t keep her waiting, I’ll fetch some water from the place where she requested me. (Knocking at the door of DAEMONES.) Hallo, there, is there any one in the cottage? is any one going to open this door? Will any one come out?
410
[Textpart 4]
Who is it so furiously making an attack upon our door?
SCEPARNIO
Well now, what good news is there? (Aside.) Dear me, a lass of comely appearance, i’ troth.
415
AMPELISCA
Greeting to you, young man.
SCEPARNIO
And many greetings to you, young woman.
AMPELISCA
I’m come to you—
SCEPARNIO
I’ll receive you with a welcome, if you come in the evening, by-and-by, just such as I could like; for just now I’ve no means For just now I’ve no means: This line has greatly puzzled the Commentators. Sceparnio, however, seems to mean that at present he is busy, and cannot attend to her, but that in the evening he will be at her service. It has been suggested that a double entendre is meant; and such may possibly be the case, though the pungency of the passage is lost by reason of the hiatus in the next line. The meaning may, however, be harmless, and he may intend to say that at present he is busy thatching the house, but that at nightfall he will have finished, when she may count upon being hospitably entertained. to receive you, a damsel, thus early in the morning But what have you to say, my smiling, pretty one.
AMPELISCA
Oh, you’re handling me too familiarly.
SCEPARNIO
O ye immortal Gods! she’s the very image of Venus. What joyousness there is in her eyes, and, only do see, what a skin ’tis of the vulture’s tint Of the vulture’s tint: There is a poor joke here upon the words subaquilum and subvulturium. Sceparnio means to describe the complexion of Ampelisca as somewhat resembling the colour of an eagle. By mistake, he happens to mention a vulture, and immediately corrects himself, as, from its sordid habits, he may be deemed to be paying her an ill compliment.,—rather, the eagle’s, indeed, I meant to say. Her breasts, too, how beautiful; and then what expression on her lips!
420
AMPELISCA
I’m no common commodity for the whole township No common commodity for the whole township: Pollucta pago. The portion of the sacrifice to Hercules which was given to the common people was said to be pollucta, whence the present adaptation of the epithet. Echard seems to have contemplated translating this, I’m no pie for every one’s cutting up!; can’t you keep your hands off me?
SCEPARNIO
Won’t you let me touch you, gentle one, in this manner, gently and lovingly?
425
AMPELISCA
When I have leisure, then I’ll be giving my attention to toying and dalliance to please you; for the present, prithee, do either say me Yes or No to the matter for which I was sent hither.
SCEPARNIO
What now is it that you wish?
AMPELISCA
To a shrewd person, my equipment would give indications of what it is I want.
SCEPARNIO
To a shrewd woman, this equipment, too, of mine, would give indication of what it is I want.
