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563
(Enter STALINO.)
STALINO
(aloud, to himself.)
It’s a great folly, to my notion at least, for any man that’s in love to go to the Forum
on that day on which the object which he loves is close at hand
1
; as I in my folly have been doing; I’ve spent the day, standing pleading
2
for a certain relative of mine, who, faith, I’m very delighted has lost his cause; so that he hasn’t for nothing chosen me as his advocate to-day.
565
He ought first to ask and make enquiry, whether his mind is at home or not at home, whom he’s choosing for his advocate; if he says it isn’t, without his mind he should send him off home.
(Catches sight of his wife.) But look, there’s my wife before the house! Alas! wretch that I am!
570
I’m afraid that she isn’t deaf, and has heard this.
575
It’s a great folly, to my notion at least, for any man that’s in love to go to the Forum
on that day on which the object which he loves is close at hand
1
; as I in my folly have been doing; I’ve spent the day, standing pleading
2
for a certain relative of mine, who, faith, I’m very delighted has lost his cause; so that he hasn’t for nothing chosen me as his advocate to-day.
565
He ought first to ask and make enquiry, whether his mind is at home or not at home, whom he’s choosing for his advocate; if he says it isn’t, without his mind he should send him off home.
(Catches sight of his wife.) But look, there’s my wife before the house! Alas! wretch that I am!
570
I’m afraid that she isn’t deaf, and has heard this.
575
CLEOSTRATA
(apart.)
By my troth, I have heard it to your great cost.
By my troth, I have heard it to your great cost.
STALINO
I’ll go nearer to her.
(Goes up to CLEOSTRATA.) What are you about, my delight?
I’ll go nearer to her.
(Goes up to CLEOSTRATA.) What are you about, my delight?
CLEOSTRATA
I’ faith, I was waiting for you.
I’ faith, I was waiting for you.
STALINO
Are the things ready now? Have you by this brought over here to our house this female neighbour of yours,
who was to assist you?
580
Are the things ready now? Have you by this brought over here to our house this female neighbour of yours,
who was to assist you?
580
CLEOSTRATA
I sent for her as you requested me; but this companion of yours, your very good friend, was in a pet with his wife about something, I don’t know what; he said, when I went to fetch her, that he wouldn’t send her.
I sent for her as you requested me; but this companion of yours, your very good friend, was in a pet with his wife about something, I don’t know what; he said, when I went to fetch her, that he wouldn’t send her.
STALINO
That’s your greatest fault; you are not courteous enough.
That’s your greatest fault; you are not courteous enough.
CLEOSTRATA
It’s not the part of matrons, but of harlots, to be showing courtesies, my husband, to the husbands of others. Go yourself and fetch her; I wish to attend in-doors, my husband, to what is requisite to be done.
585
It’s not the part of matrons, but of harlots, to be showing courtesies, my husband, to the husbands of others. Go yourself and fetch her; I wish to attend in-doors, my husband, to what is requisite to be done.
585
STALINO
Make haste then.
Make haste then.
CLEOSTRATA
Very well.
(Aside.) Now, faith, I shall inspire some apprehensions in his heart.
I’ll this day render this lovesick man completely miserable.
590
(She goes into the house.)
Very well.
(Aside.) Now, faith, I shall inspire some apprehensions in his heart.
I’ll this day render this lovesick man completely miserable.
590
Casina. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1913.
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