Perde 3
[Textpart 5]
Do you stand there on the spot, where you are.
LABRAX
By my faith, I’ve come scurvily off in many ways. Still, I’m resolved to get the better of them this day by constantly besieging them.
[Textpart 6]
And did the Procurer attempt by force and violence
PLESIDIPPUS
to drag my mistress away from the altar of Venus?
840
PLESIDIPPUS
Why didn’t you kill him on the instant?
TRACHALIO
I hadn’t a sword.
PLESIDIPPUS
You should have taken either a stick or a stone.
TRACHALIO
What! ought I to have pelted this most villanous fellow with stones like a dog?
LABRAX
By my troth, but I’m undone now; see, here’s Plesidippus;
he’ll be sweeping me away altogether this moment with the dust.
845
PLESIDIPPUS
Were the damsels sitting on the altar even then when you set out to come to me?
TRACHALIO
Yes, and now they are sitting in the same place.
PLESIDIPPUS
Who is now protecting them there?
TRACHALIO
Some old gentleman, I don’t know who, a neighbour of the Temple of Venus—he gave very kind assistance;
he is now protecting them with his servants—I committed them to his charge.
850
PLESIDIPPUS
Lead me straight to the Procurer. Where is this fellow?
PLESIDIPPUS
I want none of your healths. Make your choice quickly, whether you lad rather be seized by your throat wrenched Seized by your throat wrenched: Rapin te obtorto collo. Echard has the following Note: When any person was brought before the Praetor, they always threw his gown or cloak about his neck, and led him that way; and this was called rapi obtorto collo., or be dragged along; choose whichever you please, while you may.
LABRAX
I wish for neither.
