Perde 5
[Textpart 1]
Foolishly and unwisely is it done in my opinion, if people are in the habit, if they are expecting a person; of looking out for him; faith, ne doesn’t on that account come a bit the faster. I’m now doing that same thing, in looking out for Sagarinus;
STICHUS
who, still, for that reason won’t come a jot the faster. Troth, I shall just now be taking my place alone, if he doesn’t come here. I’ll now fetch that cask of wine hither from home, and then I’ll take my place. The day, like snow, is melting away apace.
645
[Textpart 2]
Hail! Athens, thou nurse of Greece;
SAGARINUS
country of my master, hail! How joyously do I behold thee. But I have a wish to see how my mistress and fellow-servant, Stephanium, is faring. For I bade Stichus to give her my regards, and to tell her that I should come to-day, so that she might cook a dinner in good time.
650
But, surely, here’s Stichus.
655
STICHUS
A clever thing you did, master, when you presented your servant, Stichus, with this gift. O ye immortal Gods! how many delights do I carry, how many smiles, how many jokes, how many a kiss, dancing, dalliance, and good-fellowship.
655
STICHUS
Right well, Sagarinus, most delightfully; I’m bringing DionysusBringing Dionysus: Dionysus was the Greek name of Bacchus, the God of wine. He alludes to the cadus, or earthenware cask of wine which be is carrying., as my guest and yours. For, i’ faith, the dinner’s cooked; free range has been given me and you at your house. For at our house there’s an entertainment; your master’s dining there with his wife, and Antipho as well;
660
there, too, is my master. This was given me as a present.
665
SAGARINUS
How? Are you dreaming?
STICHUS
I’ faith, I’m telling you the truth.
SAGARINUS
Who then gave you this?
STICHUS
What matters that to you?
I wish us this day to wash away everything of foreign climes.
Leave them alone; let’s now attend to Athens; follow me.
670
Do you at once make haste, and bathe.
STICHUS
Very good follow me, then, this. way in-doors, Sagarinus.
SAGARINUS
Of course, I follow. By my troth, this beginning pleases me as I return home; a happy omen and auguryA happy omen and augury: Bona scaeva strenaque. See the Note to l. 460. has met me in my path.
