Perde 5
[Textpart 4]
As many as there are fingers on your hand. The Greek song is, Drink either your five cupsEither your five cups, etc.: These words are in Greek. Eustathius and Athenaeus say that this Greek song bears reference to the proportions of water that should be mixed with the wine. It seems, however, here to mean that there’s luck in odd numbers when you are drinking. or your three, but not your four.
SAGARINUS
I pledge you. Do you take for yourself the tenth part from the fountainFrom the fountain: The fons in this case was probably a pitcher of water which they had on the table. Sagarinus seems to recommend him, in mixing, only to take one-tenth part of water. Sober people generally mixed in the proportion of three-fifths water and two-fifths wine., if you are wise. Here’s luck to you, luck to us; here’s luck to thee, luck to me; luck to our Stephanium as well.
STICHUS
’Tis bravely done. I pledge you in a goblet.
SAGARINUS
Keep your wine;Part of line 712 in the Latin. I’d very much like something by way of a relishBy way of a relish: By pulpamentum Sagarinus seems to mean some dainty, by way of a relish; at least, Stichus so understands him, as he points to the nuts, beans, figs, lupines, and olives on the table, and tells him that he will get nothing else..
STICHUS
If you are not satisfied with what’s here, there’s nothing else. Take some waterTake some water: He probably tells him to take some water if he feels queer, or, in our vernacular, seedy, from taking too much wine; which he has some reason to suppose, from the other calling for a pulpamentum. Anchovy toast is an item of our favorite pulpamenta..
SAGARINUS
You say right; I care for no dainties.
Drink away, PiperDrink away, Piper: He thinks that the Piper is inclined to shirk his goblet, and to show that he himself is not flagging in spirit, tries to keep him up to the mark.; drink, if you do drink. I’ faith, this must be drunk—don’t shirk it. (Holds the goblet to the PIPER.) Why flinch at what you see must be done by you? Why don’t you drink? Do it, if you are to do it. Take it, I tell you, for the public pays for this. That’s not your way to shirk your drink. Take your pipesTake your pipes: The Tibicines, Pipers or flute-players, among the Greeks and Romans, were in the habit of playing upon two pipes at the same time. These were perfectly distinct, and were not even, as has been supposed by some, connected by a common mouth-piece. The Romans were particularly fond of this music, and it was introduced both at sacrifices, funerals, and entertainments. See a comical story about the Roman Tibicines in the Fasti of Ovid, B. 6, l. 670 et seq. From the present specimen they appear to have been merry souls, occupying much the same place as the country fiddlers of modern times. out of your mouth.
715
STICHUS
When he has drunk, either do you mind my rulesMind my rules: It is pretty clear, that in his zeal, and to show that there is no flagging in him, Sagarinus has been overdoing it, perhaps helping himself out of his turn; on this, the other threatens to resign his office of master of the ceremonies., or else I’ll give up.
I don’t wish us to drink this straight out; we shall soon be about nothingSoon be about nothing: Nulli rei erimus posteà. This is the proper reading, which has been restored by the research of Ritschel. It is difficult to say precisely what he alludes to, but most probably he means, at this rate our supply will soon be exhausted.; for, by my faith, almost all in a moment, the cask might be turned head downwardsTurned head downwards: He says that the cadus, or earthenware cask, will soon at this rate be capable of being turned upside down without any risk of spilling the wine.
720
SAGARINUS
How now? Although you did make a fuss about it, still it didn’t hurt you. Come, Piper, when you’ve done drinking, put back your pipes to your lips; quickly puff out your cheeks, just like a reptile serpentA reptile serpent: The head of the serpent is said to swell, or puff out, when it infuriated..
Come now, Stichus, whichever of the two breaks order, shall be fined a cup.
725
STICHUS
You propose a good regulation. You ought to have your way, who only ask what’s fair.
SAGARINUS
Mind it then; if you offend, I’ll forthwith take the forfeit on the spot.
STICHUS
You ask what’s quite right and just.
SAGARINUS
Here’s to you first of all.Part of line 728 in the Latin.
STICHUS
’Tis a droll thing this, for two persons, rivals of each other, to be courting,
to be drinking from one goblet, and to be kissing one wench. ’Tis worthy of remark this: I am you, you are I; of one accord are we. With one mistress are we both in love; when she’s with me, still she’s with you; and when she’s with you, she’s with me as well; neither of us envies the other.
730
SAGARINUS
Come, come, there’s enough of it; I don’t want it overdone to weariness. I’d now like some other sport.
STICHUS
Drink on, if you are drinking.
710
SAGARINUS
There shall be no skulking in me.
710
