Perde 4
[Textpart 2]
but where the wormwood grows Wormwood grows: If he really refers here to Pontus. he accidentally hits upon the truth. Ovid, when in banishment there, says, in the Tristia, B. v. El. 13, l. 21, Let the white wormwood first be wanting in the freezing Pontus. The Sharper tries to correct himself by saying he means another Arabia, and not the one generally known, where the frankincense grows., and the wild marjoram which the poultry love.
935
CHARMIDES
An extremely ingenious knave this. But the greater simpleton I, to be asking of this fellow from what place I have come back, a thing which I know, and he does not know; except that I have a mind to try how he will get out of it at last. But what say you further? Whither did you go next from thence?
A SHARPER.
If you give me your attention, I will tell you.
To the source of the river which arises out of the heavens, from beneath the throne of Jupiter.
940
CHARMIDES
Beneath the throne of Jupiter?
A SHARPER.
Yes: I say so.
CHARMIDES
Out of the heavens?
A SHARPER.
Aye, out of the very middle.
CHARMIDES
How now; and did you ascend even to the heavens?
A SHARPER.
Yes: we were carried in a little skiff In a little skiff: Horiola, or horia, was a small skiff or smack used by fishermen. right on, up the river, against the tide.
CHARMIDES
And did you see Jupiter as well?
A SHARPER.
The other Gods said that he had gone to his country-house, to dole out the victuals for his slaves.
CHARMIDES
Then after that—I don’t want you to relate anything more.
945
A SHARPER.
Troth, I’m silent, if it’s troublesome.
CHARMIDES
Why, no decent person No decent person: He is supposed covertly to allude to the disgraceful story at Ganymede being carried off by the eagle to minister to the lust of Jupiter. ought to tell it, who has gone from the earth to heaven.
A SHARPER.
I’ll leave you, as I see you wish it. But point me out these persons whom I am looking for, and to whom I must deliver these letters.
CHARMIDES
What say you? If now perchance you were to see Charmides himself, him, I mean, who you say gave you these letters, would you know the man?
950
A SHARPER.
By my troth now, do you take me to be a brute beast, who really am not able to recognise the person with whom I have been spending my life? And would he have been such a fool as to entrust to me a thousand
Philippean pieces, which gold he bade me carry to his son, and to his friend Callicles, to whom he said that he had entrusted his affairs? Would he have entrusted them to me if he had not known me, and I him, very intimately?
955
