OLYMPIO
(to one of the MUSICIANS.)
Come, piper, while they are escorting the new-made bride out of doors, make the whole of this street resound with a sweet wedding-tune
1
.
(He sings aloud.)
Io Hymen hymenaee! Io Hymen!
800
STALINO
(accosting him.)
How fare you, my preserver?
OLYMPIO
I’m very hungry, faith; and, in fact, I’m not thirsty a little.
STALINO
But I’m in love.
OLYMPIO
Still, upon my faith, love, I shan’t be making any trial of you. For some time past my inside has been grumbling with emptiness.
STALINO
But why is she now delaying so long in-doors, just as though on purpose?
The greater the haste I’m in, in so much the less is she.
805
OLYMPIO
What if I were even to trill an hymeneal lay?
STALINO
I agree to that; and I’ll help you at these our common nuptials.
OLYMPIO
(STALINO joining, they sing.)
Hymen hymenaee! Io Hymen!
STALINO
Upon my faith, I’m dreadfully done up; one may burst one’s self with singing this hymeneal lay; if I do burst this way
2
, I can’t burst any other, that I may make sure of.
OLYMPIO
Upon my faith, for sure, if you were a horse, you’d never be broken in.
STALINO
On what grounds?
OLYMPIO
You are too hard-mouthed.
STALINO
Have you ever found me so?
OLYMPIO
The Gods forbid! But the door makes a noise; they are coming out.
STALINO
I’ troth, the Gods do will me to be preserved at last. I already smell Casina
3
at a distance.
(They move to a distance.)
Casina. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1913.
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