Perde 1
[Textpart 2]
Here is no arable, but the field is pasture land. If
ASTAPHIUM
you desire some ploughing, you had better go to thoseGo to those: The whole of this passage has been somewhat modified in the translation, as the meaning of Astaphium is gross in the extreme, and so much to the discredit of Dinarchus, that any compassion for the ill-treatment he afterwards experiences would be quite thrown away upon him. who are in the habit of ploughing; we hold this public emolument, the right of pasturage; those are farmers of other taxes.
150
DINARCHUS
Full well enough do I know both sides.
ASTAPHIUM
I’ troth, it’s that way you are a gentleman at ease, since you’ve been going wrong both in that direction and in this. But the acquaintance of which do you like the best?
DINARCHUS
You are the more exacting, but they are perjured.
Whatever’s given to them is lost outright, nor with themselves is there any show at all of it; you, if you gain anything, do at least drink and feast it away. In short, they are unprincipled; you are good-for-nothings, and full of airs.
155
ASTAPHIUM
All this abuse which, Dinarchus, you are uttering against us and them, you utter against yourself, both as respects us and them.
ASTAPHIUM
I’ll tell the reason;
because he who accuses another of dishonesty, him it behoves to look into himself. You who are so prudent, have got nothing from us; we, who are good-for-nothings, have got all out of you.
160
DINARCHUS
O Astaphium! you were not in the habit of speaking to me in that fashion formerly, but courteously, when I myself possessed that which is now in your possession.
ASTAPHIUM
While he’s alive, you may know a person; when he’s dead, you may keep yourself quiet.
I used to know you when you were alive.
165
DINARCHUS
Do you consider me to be dead?
165
ASTAPHIUM
Prithee, how can it be plainer? He who formerly was esteemed a first-rate lover, for him to be bringing to his mistress nought but lamentationsNought but lamentations: Meras querimonias Literally, mere complaints..
DINARCHUS
I’ faith, through your own faults it was done, who in former days were in haste to plunder me. You ought to have done it leisurely, that, unscathed, I might last the longer for you.
ASTAPHIUM
A lover is like an enemy’s fortress.
170
DINARCHUS
On what ground?
170
ASTAPHIUM
The sooner the lover can be taken by storm, the better it is for the mistress.
DINARCHUS
I confess it; but far different is the friend from the lover. I’ faith, for sure, the oldest friend’s the best one possible for a man.
