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(Enter CHALINUS, from the house.)
STALINO
(aside, on seeing him.)
May all the Gods and Goddesses confound him!
May all the Gods and Goddesses confound him!
CHALINUS
(addressing him.)
Your wife said that you were calling me.
Your wife said that you were calling me.
STALINO
Why yes, I did order you to be sent for.
Why yes, I did order you to be sent for.
CHALINUS
Tell me what you want.
Tell me what you want.
STALINO
In the first place, I want you to speak to me with a more cheerful countenance.
In the first place, I want you to speak to me with a more cheerful countenance.
CHALINUS
It would be folly for me to be morose toward you whose rule is the strongest.
It would be folly for me to be morose toward you whose rule is the strongest.
STALINO
Indeed! I consider you to be an honest fellow.
Indeed! I consider you to be an honest fellow.
CHALINUS
So I find.
But if you think so, why don’t you give me my freedom?
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So I find.
But if you think so, why don’t you give me my freedom?
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STALINO
Why so I wish to do; but it’s of no use for me to wish a thing to be done, unless you aid me with your actions.
Why so I wish to do; but it’s of no use for me to wish a thing to be done, unless you aid me with your actions.
CHALINUS
What you wish, I only wish myself to be acquainted with it.
What you wish, I only wish myself to be acquainted with it.
STALINO
Listen then; I’ll tell you. I’ve promised to give Casina as a wife to our bailiff.
Listen then; I’ll tell you. I’ve promised to give Casina as a wife to our bailiff.
CHALINUS
But your wife and your son have promised her to me.
But your wife and your son have promised her to me.
STALINO
I know it;
but whether now would you prefer yourself to be single and a free man, or, as a married man, to pass your lives, yourself and your children, in slavery? This choice is your own: whichever condition of these two you prefer, take it.
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I know it;
but whether now would you prefer yourself to be single and a free man, or, as a married man, to pass your lives, yourself and your children, in slavery? This choice is your own: whichever condition of these two you prefer, take it.
290
CHALINUS
If I am free, I live at my own cost; at present I live at yours. As to Casina, I’m resolved to give way to no born man.
If I am free, I live at my own cost; at present I live at yours. As to Casina, I’m resolved to give way to no born man.
STALINO
Go in-doors, and at once be quick and call my wife here, out of doors; and bring hither together with you an urn
1
, with some water, and the lots.
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Go in-doors, and at once be quick and call my wife here, out of doors; and bring hither together with you an urn
1
, with some water, and the lots.
295
CHALINUS
I’m quite agreable.
I’m quite agreable.
STALINO
I’ faith, in some way or other I’ll now ward off this weapon of yours; for if, as it is, I shall not be able to prevail by persuasion, at least I’ll try it by lot. There I shall take vengeance upon you and your abettors.
I’ faith, in some way or other I’ll now ward off this weapon of yours; for if, as it is, I shall not be able to prevail by persuasion, at least I’ll try it by lot. There I shall take vengeance upon you and your abettors.
CHALINUS
Still, for all that the lot will fall to me—
Still, for all that the lot will fall to me—
STALINO
Aye, faith, for you to go to perdition with direful torments.
Aye, faith, for you to go to perdition with direful torments.
CHALINUS
She shall marry me, contrive what you will, in any way you please.
She shall marry me, contrive what you will, in any way you please.
STALINO
Won’t you away hence from my sight?
Won’t you away hence from my sight?
CHALINUS
Unwillingly you look upon me, still I shall live on.
(Goes into the house.)
Unwillingly you look upon me, still I shall live on.
(Goes into the house.)
STALINO
(to himself.)
Am I not a wretched man? Don’t all things go quite contrary with me? I’m now afraid that my wife will prevail upon Olympio not to
marry Casina. If that’s done, why look, it’s all over with me in my old age! If she does not prevail, there is still some tiny hope in the lots. But if the lots fail me, I’ll make a pillow of a sword, and lay me down upon it. But see, most opportunely Olympio’s coming out of doors.
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Am I not a wretched man? Don’t all things go quite contrary with me? I’m now afraid that my wife will prevail upon Olympio not to
marry Casina. If that’s done, why look, it’s all over with me in my old age! If she does not prevail, there is still some tiny hope in the lots. But if the lots fail me, I’ll make a pillow of a sword, and lay me down upon it. But see, most opportunely Olympio’s coming out of doors.
305
Casina. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1913.
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