T. Maccius Plautus Casina 2.1

CLEOSTRATA

(at the door, to the SERVANTS, within.)

Seal fast the store-rooms ¹ , bring back the signet to me.

I’m going here to my next door neighbour; if my husband wants me for anything, take care and send for me thence.

145

PARDALISCA

The old gentleman ordered a breakfast to be got ready for him to-day.

CLEOSTRATA

Tut! Hold your tongue, and be off. (PARDALISCA goes into the house.) I don’t prepare it, and it shan’t be cooked; since he sets himself against myself and his son,

for the sake of his passion and his appetite. A disgraceful fellow that! I’ll punish this lover with hunger, I’ll punish him with thirst, with abuse, with hardships.

150

By my faith, I’ll thoroughly worry him with disagreable speeches; I’ll make him to pass a life in future just as he deserves—fit food for Acheron, a hunter after iniquity, a stable of infamy!

153155

Now I’ll away hence to my neighbours, to lament my lot. But the door makes a noise; and see, she’s coming out of doors herself. On my word, I’ve not started for my call at a convenient time.

160