Perde 4
CALLICLES
As her own son?
805
Ye Gods, by my trust in you I do appeal to you, how much more easily does another than she to whom it belongs, bring forth another’s child! She, by the labours of another, has brought forth this child without pain. A child blest indeed! two mothers it has got, and grandams twoAnd grandams two: Plautus must, of course, mean two grandmothers by the mother’s side alone; otherwise there was nothing wonderful in a child having two grandmothers.. I’m now afraid how many fathers there may have been. Do see, please, the shocking deeds of women!
805
A MAID-SERVANT of Callicles.
I’ troth, this fraud relates rather to the men than to the women. ’Twas a man, and not a woman, that caused her pregnancy.
810
CALLICLES
I know that too. You were a trusty guardian for it.
A MAID-SERVANT of Callicles.
He can do the most, who is strong the most. He was a man; he was the strongest; he prevailed; what he wanted, he carried off.
CALLICLES
And, i’ faith, he too brought a heavy mishap, in fact, upon yourself.
A MAID-SERVANT of Callicles.
The thing itself experienced, I myself fully know that, even if you had held your tongue.
815
CALLICLES
Never, this day, have I been able to made you declare who he was.
A MAID-SERVANT of Callicles.
I’ve held my tongue; but now I shan’t hold my tongue, since he’s here; it’s necessary I should tell.
DINARCHUS
I’m petrified; in my wretchedness, I dare not move myself; the matter’s all out! The trial’s now going on here for my life!
These are my misdeeds, this is my folly. I’m in dread how soon I may be named.
820
CALLICLES
Speak out, who was it, debauched my maiden daughter?
A MAID-SERVANT of Callicles.
I see him near you. A supporter of the wallSupporter of the wall: Dinarchus, in his fright, is sneaking close to the wall. The servant espying him, sneeringly calls him patronus parieti, the patron or supporter of the wall..
CALLICLES
Hussy, who was it?In the translation this interjection breaks up the lines of the maid servant, resulting in three parts to line 822. For purposes of clarity, the lines above on 822 have been re-joined and this portion has been moved here.
DINARCHUS
I’m neither alive nor dead, nor know I what I am now to do; neither know I how to go away hence, nor how to accost him; I’m numbed with fear.
CALLICLES
Will you tell me, or no?
825
A MAID-SERVANT of Callicles.
It is Dinarchus, to whom you first betrothed her.
825
CALLICLES
Where is this person whom you mention?
DINARCHUS
Here I am, Callicles. (Falling on the ground.) By your knees I do entreat you that you will bear with wisdom that which was done in folly; and that you will pardon me that, which, losing my senses, I did through the bad influence of wine.
