Perde 2
ASTAPHIUM
In sober truth.Part of line 302b in the Latin.
STRATILAX
Aye, but that garden wallThat garden wall: Maceria. This was a wall made of loose tiles or bricks, laid on each ether without mortar. that’s in our garden says so, which is becoming every night less by a brick, over which he travels to your house on the road to destruction.
ASTAPHIUM
The wall’s an old one; it isn’t wonderful if the bricks, being old, do tumble down.
305
STRATILAX
And says thee, hussy, that old bricks do tumble down? By my fakes, may never any mortal man henceforth trust me upon the two grand pointsThe two grand points: Alciatus thinks that the two things here mentioned are yes and no. Turnebus thinks that they mean things human and divine., if I don’t inform of these goings on of yours to my elder master.
ASTAPHIUM
Is he a savage as well?
STRATILAX
Why, he didn’t get his money by enriching harlots, but by thriftiness,
and living hard; which now, however, is being carried off to you, abominable jades. (Takes her by the shoulders and shakes her.) There’s for thee, six-clawed hussy; a wretched life to both of ye. Am I to keep mum about these matters? But, lookye now, I’ll be off to the Forum at once and tell these goings on to the old gentleman, that he mayn’t somehow be cherishing within this mattingWithin this matting: In segestro. He seems to derive his metaphor from the usage in gardening of covering up trees with straw or bass matting, and of insects getting into the folds and hatching their eggs and swarming there. a whole swarm of misfortunes.
ASTAPHIUM
Upon my faith, if this fellow were living on mustard, I don’t think he could possibly be as snappish. But, i’ troth, how much a well-wisher to his master he is. Still, although he is a savage, I trust that he can be changed by coaxing, allurements, and other arts of the courtesan. I’ve seen a horse from unruly become tamed, and other brutes as well.
315
Now I’ll go back to see my mistress. But see, my plague’s coming out. (The door of PHRONESIUM’S house is opened.) He’s coming out with a sad air; he hasn’t even yet had a meeting with Phronesium.
320
[Textpart 3]
I do believe that the fishes, that are always bathing as long as they live, do not take so long in bathing as this Phronesium does in bathing. If women could be loved on as long as As long as: Warner says that he does not well comprehend this passage. The meaning, however, seems to be, that if women could be courted as long a time as they took in bathing, then lovers would certainly be keeping baths, or becoming bath-men, that they might be able for so long a time to enjoy the opportunity of courting them. they take in bathing,
DINARCHUS
all lovers would be becoming bath-keepers.
325
ASTAPHIUM
Can’t you endure waiting for a short time even?
DINARCHUS
Why, ’pon my faith, I’m wretchedly tired with waiting already.
ASTAPHIUM
I, as well, shall be obliged to go bathe from weariness
DINARCHUS
But, i’ faith, Astaphium, prithee do go in-doors and tell her
that I’m here. Do go at once, and persuade her that she has bathed long enough by this.
330
DINARCHUS
And do you hear as well?
ASTAPHIUM
What do you want?
