Perde 2
[Textpart 3]
May the Gods confound me for calling you back. I had nothing to say to you, only do be off.
ASTAPHIUM
Why did you call me back then, you worthless and good-for-nothing fellow? A delay to me which has produced fully a mile’s delay to you.
DINARCHUS
But yet why was she standing here so long before the house? Some one, I don’t know who, she certainly was waiting for; the Captain, I suppose. That’s it; see now, how, just like vulturesJust like vultures: Vultures were supposed, some days beforehand, to scent out a place where a dead carcase was about to be. Pliny the Elder mentions this belief., a whole three days beforehand they foresee on what day they are to have a feast. They’re all agape for him; on him are all their minds fixed.
335
No one will be giving any more attention to myself, when he comes, than if I had been dead two hundred years ago. How delightful a thing it is to keep one’s money! Ah wretched me! after it’s done I’m punished, who lost what I once had.
340
But now, if any great and splendid fortune should chance to fall to my lot, now, after I know it, what sweets and what bitters come of money, by my troth, I’d so keep it, I’d live in a manner so sparing, that—in a few days I’d make there to be none at all. I’d then confute those who now censure me.
But I perceive that this tide-like door is opening (the door of PHRONESIUM’S house is opened), which sucks up whatever comes within its bolts.
350
[Textpart 4]
Please now, is my door apt to biteApt to bite: Taubmann has a notion that this remark refers to the inscription often set up in the Roman vestibules: Cave canem, Beware of the dog., that you are afraid to come in, my love?
DINARCHUS
Behold the spring! How all blooming it is! how fragrantly does it smell! how brightly does it shine.
PHRONESIUM
Why so ill-mannered, as not, on your arrival from Lemnos From Lemnos : This may be intended as a hit at the people of Lemnos, who were remarkable for their rude and unpolished manners., to give a kiss to your mistress, my Dinarchus?
355
DINARCHUS
O dear, by my troth, I’m being punished now, and most terribly—
PHRONESIUM
Why do you turn yourself away?
DINARCHUS
My greetings to you, Phronesium.
PHRONESIUM
Greetings to you as well. Will you dine here to-day, as you’ve arrived in safety?
DINARCHUS
I’m engaged.
360
PHRONESIUM
Where will you dine then?
360
DINARCHUS
Wherever you request me; here.
360
PHRONESIUM
You’ll give me pleasure by doing so.
DINARCHUS
I’ troth, myself still more. You’ll give me your company to-day, I suppose, my Phronesium?
PHRONESIUM
If it could possibly be done, I would.
DINARCHUS
Give me my shoesGive me my shoes: Soleas. These were a kind of slipper or sandal much in use among the Romans in the house; but it was considered effeminate to wear them in the street. They were taken off when persons reclined on the triclinia, or couches, at meals. Dinarchus is calling to the servant to fetch his slippers, as he is going to leave the entertainment given him on his return by Phronesium. This appears to be set out on the stage in the front of the house; but there is probably some portion of the Play lost here, in which Phronesium orders it to be laid out. The last Scene in the Asinaria is somewhat similar. then—make haste, remove the table.
