Casina, or The Stratagem Defeated (177b-220)

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

and I have not the advantage of enjoying my own rights.

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

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.

Pray, do hold your tongue.

But here we may speak at present; we are alone—

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.

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

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.

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

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

What expression?

Woman! out of doors with you![*]

’St! be quiet.

What’s the matter?

Hush!

Who is it that you see?

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

You easily prevail; I’m off.

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

Adieu! (Goes into her house. CLEOSTRATA stands aside.)

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;