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322
(Enter DINARCHUS, from PHRONESIUM’S house.)
DINARCHUS
I do believe that the fishes, that are always bathing as long as they live, do not take so long in bathing as this Phronesium does in bathing. If women could be loved on as long as
1
they take in bathing,
all lovers would be becoming bath-keepers.
325
I do believe that the fishes, that are always bathing as long as they live, do not take so long in bathing as this Phronesium does in bathing. If women could be loved on as long as
1
they take in bathing,
all lovers would be becoming bath-keepers.
325
ASTAPHIUM
Can’t you endure waiting for a short time even?
Can’t you endure waiting for a short time even?
DINARCHUS
Why, ’pon my faith, I’m wretchedly tired with waiting already.
Why, ’pon my faith, I’m wretchedly tired with waiting already.
ASTAPHIUM
I, as well, shall be obliged to go bathe from weariness
I, as well, shall be obliged to go bathe from weariness
DINARCHUS
But, i’ faith, Astaphium, prithee do go in-doors and tell her
that I’m here. Do go at once, and persuade her that she has bathed long enough by this.
330
But, i’ faith, Astaphium, prithee do go in-doors and tell her
that I’m here. Do go at once, and persuade her that she has bathed long enough by this.
330
ASTAPHIUM
Very well.
(Going.)
Very well.
DINARCHUS
And do you hear as well?
And do you hear as well?
ASTAPHIUM
What do you want?
(Comes back.)
What do you want?
DINARCHUS
May the Gods confound me for calling you back. I had nothing to say to you, only do be off.
May the Gods confound me for calling you back. I had nothing to say to you, only do be off.
ASTAPHIUM
Why did you call me back then, you worthless and good-for-nothing fellow? A delay to me which has produced fully a mile’s delay to you.
(Goes into the house of PHRONESIUM.)
Why did you call me back then, you worthless and good-for-nothing fellow? A delay to me which has produced fully a mile’s delay to you.
DINARCHUS
(to himself.)
But yet why was she standing here so long before the house? Some one, I don’t know who, she certainly was waiting for; the Captain, I suppose. That’s it; see now, how, just like vultures
2
, a whole three days beforehand they foresee on what day they are to have a feast. They’re all agape for him; on him are all their minds fixed.
335
No one will be giving any more attention to myself, when he comes, than if I had been dead two hundred years ago. How delightful a thing it is to keep one’s money! Ah wretched me! after it’s done I’m punished, who lost what I once had.
340
But now, if any great and splendid fortune should chance to fall to my lot, now, after I know it, what sweets and what bitters come of money, by my troth, I’d so keep it, I’d live in a manner so sparing, that—in a few days I’d make there to be none at all. I’d then confute those who now censure me.
But I perceive that this tide-like door is opening
(the door of PHRONESIUM’S house is opened), which sucks up whatever comes within its bolts.
350
But yet why was she standing here so long before the house? Some one, I don’t know who, she certainly was waiting for; the Captain, I suppose. That’s it; see now, how, just like vultures
2
, a whole three days beforehand they foresee on what day they are to have a feast. They’re all agape for him; on him are all their minds fixed.
335
No one will be giving any more attention to myself, when he comes, than if I had been dead two hundred years ago. How delightful a thing it is to keep one’s money! Ah wretched me! after it’s done I’m punished, who lost what I once had.
340
But now, if any great and splendid fortune should chance to fall to my lot, now, after I know it, what sweets and what bitters come of money, by my troth, I’d so keep it, I’d live in a manner so sparing, that—in a few days I’d make there to be none at all. I’d then confute those who now censure me.
But I perceive that this tide-like door is opening
(the door of PHRONESIUM’S house is opened), which sucks up whatever comes within its bolts.
350
Truculentus. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1913.
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