Casina, or The Stratagem Defeated (1-963)

THE PROLOGUE

2

[*]

I bid you, most worthy Spectators, welcome; who most highly esteem the Goddess Faith[*], and Faith esteems you. If I have said the truth, then give me loud applause, that even now, from the very beginning forward, I may know that you are favourably disposed towards me. Those who make use of aged wine, I deem to be wise; and those as well, who, through choice, are the spectators of ancient Plays. Since antique works and words are pleasing to you, 'tis just that ancient Plays should in preference please you; for the new Comedies which come out now-a-days are much more worthless than the new-coined money

[*]. We, since we have heard the report in public, that you ardently wish for the Plays of Plautus, have brought forward this ancient Comedy of his, which you, who are among the older ones, have formerly approved. But I am aware that those who are among the younger ones are not acquainted with it; still, that they may make acquaintance with it, we will carefully use our best endeavours. When this was first represented, it surpassed all other Plays. In those days there was the very elite of the poets, who have now departed hence to the place common to all. But though departed, yet do they prove of advantage to those who are still existing. All of you, with the greatest earnestness, I would have entreated that you'll kindly lend attention to this our company. Dismiss from your thoughts cares and monies due; let no man stand in dread of his duns. 'Tis a holiday this—to the bankers a holiday has been given. 'Tis now a calm; about the Forum these are Halcyon days [*]. Reasonably do they act: during the games [*] they ask no man for money; but during the games to no one do they pay. If your ears are disengaged, give me your attention; I wish to mention to you the name of the Play. "Clerumenæ [*]" this Comedy is called in Greek; in Latin, "Sortientes." Diphilus wrote it in Greek, and after that, over again, Plautus with the barking name [*] in Latin afresh. Pointing to the house of STALINO. An old married man is living here; he has a son; he, with his father, is dwelling in this house. He has a certain slave, who with disease is confined—aye, faith, to his bed, he really is, that I may tell no lie. But sixteen years ago, it happened that on a time this servant, at early dawn, beheld a female child being exposed. He went at once to the woman who was exposing it, and begged her to give it to himself. He gained his request: he took it away, and carried it straight home. He gave it to his mistress, and entreated her to take care of it, and bring it up. His mistress did so; with great care she brought it up, as though it had been her own daughter, not much different. Since then she has grown up to that age to be able to prove an attraction to the men; but this old gentleman loves this girl distractedly, and, on the other hand, so does his son as well. Each of them now, on either side, is preparing his legions, both father and son, each unknown to the other. The father has deputed his bailiff to ask her as his wife; he hopes that, if she's given to him, an attraction out of doors will be, unknown to his wife, provided for him. But the son has deputed his armour-bearer to ask her for himself as a wife. He knows that if he gains that request, there will be an object for him to love, within his abode. The wife of the old gentleman has found out that he is gratifying his amorousness; for that reason, she is making common cause together with her son. But this father, when he found out that his son was in love with this same woman, and was a hindrance to him, sent the young man hence upon business abroad. His mother, understanding this, still lends him, though absent, her assistance. Don't you expect it; he will not, in this Play, to-day, return to the city. Plautus did not choose it: he broke down the bridge that lay before him in the way. There are some here, who, I fancy, are now saying among themselves, "Prithee, what means this, i' faith?—the marriage of a slave [*] Are slaves to be marrying wives, or asking them for themselves? They've introduced something new—a thing that's done nowhere in the world." But I affirm that this is done in Greece [*], and at Carthage, and here in our own country, and in the Apulian country; and that the marriages of slaves are wont to be solemnized there with more fuss than even those of free persons. If this is not the fact, if any one pleases, let him bet with me a stake towards a jug of honied wine [*], so long as a Carthaginian is the umpire in my cause, or a Greek in fact, or an Apulian. A pause. What now? You don't take it? No one's thirsty, I find. I'll return to that foundling girl, whom the two slaves are, with all their might, contending for as a wife. She'll be found to be both chaste and free, of freeborn parents, an Athenian girl, and assuredly of no immodesty at all will she be guilty [*] in this Comedy at least. But i' faith, for sure, directly afterwards, when the Play is over, if any one offers the money, as I guess, she'll readily enter into matrimony with him, and not wait for good omens. Thus much I have to say. Farewell; be prosperous in your affairs, and conquer by true valour, as hitherto you've done [*].

OLYMPIO

Isn't it to be allowed me for myself to speak and think about my own affairs by myself, just as I choose, without you as an overlooker? Why the plague are you following me about?

CHALINUS

Because I'm resolved, just like your shadow, wherever you go, to follow you about. Why troth, even if you are ready to go to the cross, I'm determined to follow you. Hence judge of the sequel, whether you can or not, by your artifices, slily deprive me of Casina for a wife, just as you are attempting.

OLYMPIO

What business have you with me?

CHALINUS

What say you, impudence? Why are you creeping about in the city, you bailiff

[*], so very valuable in this place?

OLYMPIO

Because I choose.

CHALINUS

But why ain't you in the country, at your post of command? Why don't you rather pay attention to the business that has been entrusted to you, and keep yourself from meddling in city matters? Have you come hither to deprive me of my betrothed? Be off to the country—be off to your place of command, and be hanged to you.

OLYMPIO

Chalinus, I have not forgotten my duty. I've given charge to one who will still take care that all's right in the country. When I've got that for which I came hither to the city, to take her as my wife whom you are dying for—the fair and charming Casina, your fellow-servant—when I've carried her off with myself into the country as my wife, I'll then stick fast in the country, at my post of command.

CHALINUS

What, you marry her? By my faith, 'twere better I should die by a halter, than that you should be the winner of her.

OLYMPIO

She's my prize; do you put yourself in a halter at once.

CHALINUS

Fellow, dug up from your own dunghill, is she to be your prize?

OLYMPIO

You'll find that such is the fact. Woe be unto you! in what a many ways, if I only live, I'll have you tormented at my wedding!

CHALINUS

What will you do to me?

OLYMPIO

What will I do to you? In the first place of all, you shall hold the lighted torch for this new-made bride of nine; that always, in future, you may be worthless

[*], and not esteemed. Then next after that, when you get to the country-house, a single pitcher [*] shall be found you, and a single path, a single spring, a single brass cauldron, and eight casks; and unless these shall be always kept filled, I'll load you with lashes. I'll make you so thoroughly bent with carrying water, that a horse's crupper might be manufactured out of you. And then, in future, unless in the country you either feed on pulse, or, like a worm, upon the soil, should you require to taste of any better food, never, upon my faith, is hunger as full of hungriness as I'll make you to be in the country. After that, when you're tired out, and starved with famine, care shall be taken that, at night, you go to bed as you deserve.

CHALINUS

What will you do?

OLYMPIO

You shall be shut up fast in a nook with bars, where you can listen while I'm caressing her, while she is saying to me, "My soul, my own Olympio, my life, my sweet, my delight, do let me kiss your dear eyes, my love! do, there's a dear, let yourself be loved! my own day of happiness, my sparrow-chick, my own dove, my leveret!" When these expressions shall be being uttered to me, then will you, you villain, be wriggling about like a mouse in the middle of the wall. Now, that you mayn't be trying to give me an answer, I'll off in-doors; I'm tired of your talk. Goes into the house of STALINO.

CHALINUS

I'll follow you. Here, indeed, on my word, assuredly you shall do nothing without me for an overlooker. Follows him into the house.

CLEOSTRATA

at the door, to the SERVANTS, within. Seal fast the store-rooms[*], 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.

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. 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! 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.

MYRRHINA

to her SERVANTS, at the door. Follow me, my attendants[*], here next door. You there! Does any one hear this that I say? I shall be here, if my husband or any person shall seek me. Did I order my distaff to be taken there? For when I'm at home alone, drowsiness takes effect upon

[*] my hand.

CLEOSTRATA

Myrrhina, good morrow.

MYRRHINA

Good morrow, my dear Cleostrata. But, prithee, why are you sad?

CLEOSTRATA

So all are wont to be who are unfortunately married; at home and abroad, there's always enough to make them sad. But I was going to your house.

MYRRHINA

And, troth, I was coming here to yours. But what is it that now distresses your mind? For the thing that distresses you, that same is a trouble to me.

CLEOSTRATA

On my word, I do believe you. For with good reason no female neighbour of mine do I love better than yourself, nor any one with whom I have more ties of intimacy, to afford me pleasure.

MYRRHINA

I thank you kindly, and I long to know what this is.

CLEOSTRATA

My husband has put slights upon me in a most unworthy manner.

MYRRHINA

Hah! What is it? Prithee, repeat that same again; for, on my word, I don't in my mind sufficiently comprehend your complaints.

CLEOSTRATA

My husband has put slights upon me in a most unworthy manner, and I have not the advantage of enjoying my own rights.

MYRRHINA

'Tis surprising, if you say the truth; for husbands can scarce obtain from their wives what's their own right.

CLEOSTRATA

Why, against my will, he demands a female servant of me, who belongs to myself, and was brought up at my own expense, for him to give to his bailiff. But he is in love with her himself.

MYRRHINA

Pray, do hold your tongue.

CLEOSTRATA

looking round. But here we may speak at present; we are alone—

MYRRHINA

It is so. But whence did you get her? For a good wife ought to have no property unknown to her husband; and she who has got any, it is not to her credit, for she must either have purloined it from her husband, or obtained it by unfaithfulness. Whatever is your own, all that I take to be your husband's.

CLEOSTRATA

Surely, you're saying all this out of opposition to your friend.

MYRRHINA

Do hold your tongue, will you, simpleton, and attend to me. Do you forbear to oppose him, will you. Let him love on; that which he chooses let him do, so long as nothing's denied you at home.

CLEOSTRATA

Are you quite in your senses? For really, you are saying these things against your own interest.

MYRRHINA

Silly creature, do you always take care and be on guard against this expression from your husband—

CLEOSTRATA

What expression?

MYRRHINA

"Woman! out of doors with you!"

[*]

CLEOSTRATA

in a low voice. 'St! be quiet.

MYRRHINA

What's the matter?

CLEOSTRATA

Hush! Looks in a particular direction.

MYRRHINA

Who is it that you see?

CLEOSTRATA

Why look, my husband's coming; go you in-doors. Make all haste; be off, there's a dear.

MYRRHINA

You easily prevail; I'm off.

CLEOSTRATA

At a future time, when you and I shall have more leisure, then I'll talk to you. For the present, adieu!

MYRRHINA

Adieu! Goes into her house. CLEOSTRATA stands aside.

STALINO

to himself. I do believe that love excels all things and delights that are exquisite. It is not possible for anything to be mentioned, that has more relish and more that's delicious in it. Really, I do much wonder at the cooks, who employ sauces so many, that they don't employ this one seasoning, which excels them all. For where love shall be the seasoning, that I do believe will please every one; nor can there be anything relishing or sweet, where love is not mixed with it. The gall which is bitter, that same it will make into honey; a man from morose into one cheerful and pleasant. This conjecture do I form rather from myself at home than from anything I've heard; who, since I've been in love with Casina, more than in my young days have excelled Neatness herself in neatness; I give employment to all the perfumers; wherever an unguent is excellent, I perfume myself, that I may please her. And I do please her, as I think. But inasmuch as she keeps living on, my wife's a torment. Catches sight of his WIFE, and speaks in a low voice. I espy her standing there in gloominess. This plaguy baggage must be addressed by me with civility. Going towards her. My own wife and my delight, what are you about? Takes hold of her.

CLEOSTRATA

shaking him of. Get you gone, and keep your hand off!

STALINO

O fie! my Juno. You shouldn't be so cross to your own Jupiter. Where art come now?

CLEOSTRATA

Let me alone. Moves as if going.

STALINO

Do stay.

CLEOSTRATA

still going. I shan't stay.

STALINO

I' troth, then I'll follow you. Follows her.

CLEOSTRATA

turning round. Prithee, are you in your senses?

STALINO

In my senses, inasmuch as I love you.

CLEOSTRATA

I don't want you to love me.

STALINO

You can't have your way there.

CLEOSTRATA

You plague me to death.

STALINO

I only wish you spoke the truth.

CLEOSTRATA

There I believe you. Moves on.

STALINO

Do look back, O my sweet one.

CLEOSTRATA

About as much, I suppose, as you are to me. Whence is this strong smell of perfumes, prithee?

STALINO

aside. O dear, I'm undone; to my misfortune, I'm caught in the fact. Why delay to rub it off my head with my cloak? Rubs his head with his cloak. May good Mercury

[*] confound you, you perfumer, who provided me with this.

CLEOSTRATA

How now, you worthless grey gnat!

[*] I can hardly restrain myself from saying what you deserve. In your old age, good-for-nothing, are you walking along the streets reeking with perfumes?

STALINO

I' faith, I lent my company to a certain friend of mine, while he was purchasing some perfumes.

CLEOSTRATA

How readily he did trump that up. Are you ashamed of anything?

STALINO

Of everything that you like.

CLEOSTRATA

In what dens of iniquity have you been lying?

STALINO

with an air of surprise. I, in dens of iniquity?

CLEOSTRATA

I know more than you think I do.

STALINO

What is it that you know?

CLEOSTRATA

That not one among all the old men is more worthless than yourself, an old man. Whence come you, good-for-nothing? Where have you been? In what den amusing yourself? Where have you been drinking? You are come, on my word; look at his cloak, how it's creased. Points at it.

STALINO

May the Gods confound both me and yourself, if I this day have put a drop of wine into my mouth.

CLEOSTRATA

Very well then; just as you like: drink, eat, and squander away your property!

STALINO

Hold, wife; there's now enough of it; you din me too much. Do leave a little of your talk, that you may wrangle with me to-morrow. But what say you? Have you by this time subdued your temper, so as to do that in preference which your husband wishes to be done, rather than strive against him?

CLEOSTRATA

About what matter are you speaking?

STALINO

Do you ask me? About the handmaid Casina—that she may be given in marriage to our bailiff, an honest servant, where she'll be well off, in wood, warm water, food, and clothing, and where she may properly bring up the children which she may have, in preference to that rascally servant of an armour-bearer

[*], a good-for-nothing and dishonest, a fellow that hasn't this day a leaden dump of money his own.

CLEOSTRATA

Upon my faith, I am surprised that in your old age you do not remember your duty.

STALINO

How so?

CLEOSTRATA

Because if you were to act rightly or becomingly, you'd let me manage the maid-servants, which is my own province.

STALINO

Why the plague do you wish to give her to a fellow that carries a shield?

CLEOSTRATA

Because it's our duty to gratify our only son.

STALINO

But although he is an only one, not a bit the more is he my only son than I am his only father. It's more becoming for him to conform to me, than for me to him.

CLEOSTRATA

By my troth, sir, you're providing for yourself a serious piece of trouble.

STALINO

aside. She suspects it, I find that. To his wife. What, I, do you mean?

CLEOSTRATA

You; but why do. you stammer so? Why do you wish for this with such anxiety?

STALINO

Why, that she may rather be given to a servant that's honest, than to a servant that's dishonest.

CLEOSTRATA

What if I prevail upon, and obtain of the bailiff, that for my sake he'll give her up to the other one?

STALINO

But what if I prevail upon the armour-bearer to give her up to the other one? And I think that I can prevail upon him in this.

CLEOSTRATA

That's agreed upon. Should you like that, in your name, I should call Chalinus hither out of doors? Do you beg of him, and I'll beg of the bailiff.

STALINO

I'm quite willing.

CLEOSTRATA

He'll be here just now. Now we'll make trial which of us two is the most persuasive. She goes into the house.

STALINO

to himself. May Hercules and the Gods confound her!—a thing that now I'm at liberty to say. I'm wretchedly distracted with love; but she, as though on purpose, thwarts me. My wife has some suspicion now of this that I'm planning; for that reason is she purposely lending her assistance to the armour-bearer.

STALINO

aside, on seeing him. May all the Gods and Goddesses confound him!

CHALINUS

addressing him. Your wife said that you were calling me.

STALINO

Why yes, I did order you to be sent for.

CHALINUS

Tell me what you want.

STALINO

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.

STALINO

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?

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.

CHALINUS

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.

CHALINUS

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.

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.

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

[*], with some water, and the lots.

CHALINUS

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.

CHALINUS

Still, for all that the lot will fall to me—

STALINO

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.

STALINO

Won't you away hence from my sight?

CHALINUS

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.

OLYMPIO

By my faith, all in an instant shut me up in a hot furnace, and parch me there for a hard-baked biscuit

[*], good mistress, before you shall gain that point of me which you desire.

STALINO

apart. I'm all right. My hope's realized, according as I hear his words.

OLYMPIO

at the door, to his MISTRESS, within. But why do you frighten me about liberty? Why, even though you should oppose it, and your son as well, against your wills and in spite of you both, for a single penny

[*] I can become free.

STALINO

stepping forward. What's this? Who are you wrangling with, Olympio?

OLYMPIO

With the same person that you always are.

STALINO

What, with my wife?

OLYMPIO

What wife are you speaking of to me? Really you are a hunter, as it were: your nights and days you pass with a female cur

[*].

STALINO

What does she say? What's she talking to you about?

OLYMPIO

She's begging and entreating of me that I won't be taking Casina as my wife.

STALINO

What did you say after that?

OLYMPIO

Why, I declared that I wouldn't give way to Jupiter himself, if he were to entreat me.

STALINO

May the Gods preserve you for me!

OLYMPIO

She's now all in a ferment; she's swelling so against me.

STALINO

By my troth, I could like her to burst in the middle.

OLYMPIO

I' faith, I fancy she will, if indeed you manage cleverly. But your amorousness, i' faith, is a cause of trouble to me; your wife is at enmity with me, your son at enmity, my fellow-servants at enmity.

STALINO

What matters that to you? So long as pointing to himself this Jupiter only is propitious to you, do you take care and esteem the lesser Gods at a straw's value.

OLYMPIO

That's great nonsense; as if you didn't know how suddenly your human Jupiters take to dying. So after all, if you, my Jupiter, are dead and gone, when your realm devolves upon the lesser Gods, who shall then come to the rescue of my back, or head, or legs?

STALINO

Affairs will go with you better than you expect, if I obtain this—the enjoyment of my Casina.

OLYMPIO

I' faith, I do not think it possibly can be; so earnestly is your wife striving that she shall not be given to me.

STALINO

But this way I'll proceed: I'll put the lots in an urn, and draw the lots for yourself and Chalinus. I find that the business has come to this pass; it's necessary to fight with swords hand to hand.

OLYMPIO

What, if the lot should turn out different from what you wish?

STALINO

Speak with good omen. I rely upon the Gods; we'll trust in the Gods.

OLYMPIO

That expression I wouldn't purchase at a rotten thread, for all people are relying upon the Gods; but still I've frequently seen many of those deceived who relied upon the Gods.

STALINO

But hold your tongue a little while. Pointing.

OLYMPIO

What is it you mean?

STALINO

Why look; here's Chalinus coming from the house, out here, with the urn and the lots. Now, with standards closing, we shall fight.

CLEOSTRATA

Let me know, Chalinus, what my husband wants with me.

CHALINUS

By my troth, he wants to see you burning outside of the Metian gate

[*].

CLEOSTRATA

I' faith, I believe he does want that.

CHALINUS

But, by my troth, I don't believe it, but I know it for certain.

STALINO

aside to OLYMPIO. I've got more men of business than I imagined: I've got this fellow, a Diviner, in my house. What, if we move our standards nearer, and go to meet them? Follow me. Goes up to CLEOSTRATA and CHALINUS. What are you about?

CHALINUS

All the things are here which you ordered; your wife, the lots, the urn, and myself.

STALINO

By yourself only, there is more here than I want.

CHALINUS

I' faith, so it seems to you indeed. I'm a stinger to you now; I'm pricking that dear little heart of yours; even now it's palpitating from alarm.

STALINO

Whip-knave—

CLEOSTRATA

Hold your tongue, Chalinus,

OLYMPIO

Do make that fellow be quiet.

CHALINUS

No, that fellow rather pointing to OLYMPIO, who has learned to misbehave

[*].

STALINO

to CHALINUS. Set the urn down here. CHALINUS puts it down. Give me the lots: lend your attention now. But I did think, my wife, that I could have prevailed upon you thus far, for Casina to be given me as my wife, and even now I think so.

OLE.

She, given to you?

STALINO

Why yes, to me—dear me, I didn't mean to say that. While I meant for myself

[*], I said him; aside why really, while I'm wanting her for myself, I've already, i' faith, been chattering at random.

CLEOSTRATA

overhearing him. Upon my word, you really have; and you are still doing so.

STALINO

For him—no, no; for myself, i' faith

[*]. Plague take it, at last, with great difficulty, I've got into the right road!

CLEOSTRATA

Very often, i' faith, you are making your mistakes.

STALINO

Such is the case when you desire anything very much. But each of us, both he pointing to OLYMPIO and I, apply to you for our rights—

CLEOSTRATA

How's that?

STALINO

Why, I'll tell you, my sweet. As to this Casina, you must make a present of her to this bailiff of ours.

CLEOSTRATA

But, i' faith, I neither do make it, nor do I in tend it.

STALINO

In that case, then, I'll divide the lots between them.

CLEOSTRATA

Who forbids you?

STALINO

I judge with reason that that is the best and fairest way. In fine, if that happens which we desire, we shall be glad; but if otherwise, we'll bear it with equanimity. Giving a lot to OLYMPIO. Take, this lot—take it; see what's written on it.

OLYMPIO

looking at it. Number one. CHA. It isn't fair, be cause that fellow has got one before me.

STALINO

giving one to CHALINUS.Take this, will you.

CHALINUS

taking it. Give it me. Stop though; one thing has just now come into my mind. To CLEOSTRATA. Do you see that there's no other lot in there by chance at the bottom of the water.

STALINO

Whip-rascal! do you take me to be your own self? To CLEOSTRATA. There is none; only set your feelings at rest.

OLYMPIO

to CHALINUS. May it prove lucky and fortunate to me, a great mischance to you!

CHALINUS

I' faith, it will certainly fall to you, I fancy; I know your pious ways. But stop a bit; is that lot of yours of poplar or of fir?

OLYMPIO

Why do you trouble yourself about that?

CHALINUS

Why, because I'm afraid that it may float on the surface of the water. They go up to the urn.

STALINO

Capital!—take care! Now then, both of you, throw your lots in here. Pointing to the urn. Look now, wife, all's fair. They throw them in.

OLYMPIO

Don't you trust your wife.

STALINO

Be of good courage.

OLYMPIO

Upon my faith, I do believe that she'll lay a spell upon the lots this very day, if she touches them.

STALINO

Hold your tongue.

OLYMPIO

I'll hold my tongue. I pray the Gods—

CHALINUS

Aye,that this day you may have to endure the chain

[*] and the bilboes[*].

OLYMPIO

That the lot may fall to me.

CHALINUS

Aye, faith, that you may hang up by the feet.

OLYMPIO

Aye, that you may blow your eyes out of your head through your nose.

CHALINUS

to STALINO. What are you afraid of? It must be ready by this— Turning to OLYMPIO. A halter for you, I mean.

OLYMPIO

to CHALINUS. You're undone!

STALINO

Give attention, both of you.

OLYMPIO

I'll be mum.

STALINO

Now you, Cleostrata, that you may not say that anything has been done cheatingly by me in this matter, or suspect it, I give you leave, do you yourself draw the lots.

OLYMPIO

to STALINO. You are ruining me.

CHALINUS

He's gaining an advantage rather.

CLEOSTRATA

to STALINO. You do what's fair.

CHALINUS

to OLYMPIO. I pray the Gods that your lot say run away out of the urn.

OLYMPIO

Say you so? Because you are a runaway yourself, do you wish all to follow your example? I wish, indeed, that that lot of yours, as they say that of the descendants of Hercules

[*] once did, may melt away while the lots are drawing.

CHALINUS

And you, that you may melt away yourself, and just now be made hot with twigs.

STALINO

Attend, will you, to the business in hand, Olympio!

OLYMPIO

Yes, if this thrice-dotted

[*] fellow 'll let me.

STALINO

May this prove lucky and fortunate to me.

OLYMPIO

Yes indeed; to me as well.

CHALINUS

Not so.

OLYMPIO

By my troth, yes, I say.

CHALINUS

By my troth, yes, for myself, I say.

STALINO

to OLYMPIO.He'll be the winner; you'll live in wretchedness. Do you give him a punch in the face this instant! Well, what are you about?

CLEOSTRATA

to OLYMPIO. Don't you raise your hand.

OLYMPIO

to STALINO. With clenched or open hand am I to strike him?

STALINO

Do just as you please.

OLYMPIO

striking CHALINUS. There's for you, take that!

CLEOSTRATA

to OLYMPIO. What business have you to touch him?

OLYMPIO

Because my Jupiter pointing to STALINO commanded me.

CLEOSTRATA

to CHALINUS. Do you slap him in the face in return. CHALINUS strikes OLYMPIO in the face.

OLYMPIO

calling out to STALINO. I'm being murdered, I'm being punched with his fists, Jupiter!

STALINO

to CHALINUS. What business had you to touch him?

CHALINUS

Because this Juno of mine pointing to CLEOSTRATA ordered me.

STALINO

I must put up with it, since, as long as I live, my wife will have the mastery.

CLEOSTRATA

to STALINO. He pointing to CHALINUS ought to be allowed to speak as much as that fellow.

OLYMPIO

Why by his talk does he occasion me an unlucky omens

STALINO

I think, Chalinus, you should be on your guard against a mishap.

CHALINUS

Full time, after my face has been battered!

STALINO

Come, wife, now then draw the lots. To the SERVANTS. Do you give your attention. To CLEOSTRATA. And give it, you, as well.

OLYMPIO

Where I am I know not. I'm undone, I've got my heart full of maggots, I think; it's jumping about already; with its throbbing it beats against my breast.