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 May be worthless : It has been suggested by Muretus that this refers to some superstition among the ancients, that those who had carried a torch before the bride at a wedding were doomed to be unlucky in future life; perhaps, however, there is no ground for this supposition, beyond the present passage; as it is not likely that they would have found any free persons to undertake the duty of torchbearer, if they were to be afterwards considered as of such ominous character. , and not esteemed. Then next after that, when you get to the country-house, a single pitcher A single pitcher : To be drawers of water, as well as hewers of wood, was the lot of the unfortunate slave, from the earliest ages of the world. 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.) (Enter CLEOSTRATA and PARDALISCA, from the house of STALINO.) CLEOSTRATA (at the door, to the SERVANTS, within.) Seal fast the store-rooms Seal fast the store-rooms : This passage bears reference to the common practice of the ancients, who were in the habit of sealing boxes and cupboards with the impression of their signets, stamped on wax. So in St. Matthew, xxvii, 66: So they went and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch; and in Daniel, vi., 17: A stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords. , 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. (Enter MYRRHINA, from the house of ALCESIMUS.) MYRRHINA (to her SERVANTS, at the door.) Follow me, my attendants My attendants : It was considered unbecoming for women of rank and character to appear abroad without their 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 Takes effect upon : Calvitur Literally, baulks or impedes. 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.