Perde 2
[Textpart 4]
The Priestess there of Venus, requested me to fetch some water from your house here.
430
SCEPARNIO
But I’m a lordly sort of person; unless you entreat me, you shan’t have a drop. We dug this well with danger to ourselves, and with tools of iron. Not a drop can be got out of me except by means of plenty of blandishments.
AMPELISCA
Prithee, why do you make so much fuss about the water—a thing that even enemy affords to enemy?
SCEPARNIO
Why do you make so much fuss about granting a favour to me, that citizen grants to citizen?
435
AMPELISCA
On the contrary, my sweet one, I’ll even do everything for you that you wish.
SCEPARNIO
O charming! I am favoured; she’s now calling me her sweet one. The water shall be given you, so that you mayn’t be coaxing me in vain. Give me the pitcher.
AMPELISCA
Take it (gives it to him): make haste and bring it out, there’s a dear.
SCEPARNIO
Stay a moment; I’ll be here this instant, my sweet one. (Goes into the cottage.)
AMPELISCA
What shall I say to the Priestess for having delayed here so long a time? How, even still, in my wretchedness do I tremble, when with my eyes I look upon the sea. (She looks towards the shore.)
440
But what, to my sorrow, do I see afar upon the shore? My master, the Procurer, and his Sicilian guest. both of whom wretched I supposed to have perished in the deep. Still does thus much more of evil survive for us than we had imagined. But why do I delay to run off into the Temple, and to tell
Palaestra this, that we may take refuge at the altar before this scoundrel of a Procurer can come hither and seize us here? I’ll betake myself away from this spot; for the necessity suddenly arises for me to do so.
455
[Textpart 5]
O ye immortal Gods, I never did imagine that there was so great delight in water; how heartily I did draw this.
SCEPARNIO
The well seemed much less deep than formerly. How entirely without exertion did I draw this up. With all deference With all deference: Praefiscine. This word was generally used as being supposed to avert the evil eye, when persons spake in high terms of themselves. There is some drollery in Sceparnio using it, when speaking in disparagement of himself. to myself, am I not a very silly fellow,in having only to-day made a commencement of being in love Of being in love: Not for the pleasure of loving, but for the comparative ease of drawing the water, which was probably one of his employments.? (Turning slowly round, he holds out the pitcher.) Here’s the water for you, my pretty one; here now, I would have you carry it with as much pleasure as I carry it, that you may please me.
460
(Stares around him.) But where are you, my tit-bit? Do take this water, please; where are you? (Again looks about.) I’ troth, she’s in love with me, as I fancy; the roguish one’s playing bo-peep Playing bo-peep: Both Horace and Virgil mention the game of hiding, or bo-peep, as a favorite one with the girls of their day. Where are you? Are you going now to take this pitcher? Where are you, I say? You’ve carried the joke far enough. Really, do be serious at last. Once more, are you going to take this pitcher? Where in the world are you?
465
(Looks about.) I’ troth, I don’t see her anywhere, for my part; she’s making fun of me. I’ faith, I shall now set down this pitcher in the middle of the road. But yet, suppose any person should carry away from here this sacred pitcher of Venus, he would be causing me some trouble. I’ faith, I’m afraid that this woman’s laying a trap for me,
470
that I may be caught with the sacred pitcher of Venus. In such case, with very good reason, the magistrate will be letting me die in prison, if any one shall see me holding this. For it’s marked with the name; itself tells its own tale, whose property it is. Troth now, I’ll call that Priestess here out of doors,
475
that she may take this pitcher. I’ll go there to the door. (He knocks.) Hallo there! Ptolemocratia. (Calling aloud.) Take this pitcher of yours, please; some young woman, I don’t know who, brought it here to me. (A pause.) It must then be carried in-doors by me. I’ve found myself a job, if, in fact, of my own accord, water is to be carried by me for these people as well.
480
[Textpart 6]
The person that chooses himself to be wretched and a beggar, let him trust himself and his life to Neptune. For if any one has any dealings at all with him, he sends him back home equipped in this guise.
485
LABRAX
(Surveying himself.) By my troth, Liberty, you were a clever one, who were never willing Who were never wiling: He probably alludes to some current proverb of the day, which may, with considerable truth, have said that liberty forsakes a man when he goes or board ship. to put even a foot, I’ faith, on board ship with me.
But (looking round) where’s this guest of mine that has proved my ruin? Oh, see, here he comes.
