Casina, or The Stratagem Defeated (421b-468b)

Very well. (Goes into the house.)

Let us, as well, go in-doors; let’s entreat them to make all haste.

Am I delaying at all?

For in his presence (pointing to CHALINUS) I don’t want there to be any further conversation. (They go into the house.)

If now I were to hang myself, I should be losing my pains,

and besides my pains, putting myself to the expense of purchasing a rope, and doing a pleasure to my evil-wishers. What need is there for me, who, indeed, am dead even as it is? At the lots I’m beaten; Casina’s to be married to the bailiff. And this now is not so much to be regretted, that the bailiff has got the better,

as the fact that the old man so vehemently desired that she shouldn’t be given me, and should marry him. How frightened he was, how in his misery he did bustle about, how he did caper about after the bailiff had won. By-the-bye, I’ll step aside here; I hear the door opening.

My well-wishers and friends[*]are coming out. Here in ambush I’ll lay in wait against them.

Only let him come into the country; I’ll send the fellow back into the city to you with his porter’s knot[*], as black as a collier.

So it ought to be.

I’ll have that done and well taken care of.

I intended, if he had been at home, to send Chalinus to cater with you; that, even in his sadness, I might, in addition,inflict this misfortune upon our foe.

I’ll betake me back again to the wall; I’ll imitate the crab. Their conversation must be secretly picked up by me;

for the one of them is tormenting me, the other wasting me with anguish. Why, this whip-rascal is marching along in his white garb[*], a very receptacle for stripes. My own death I defer; I’m determined to send this fellow to Acheron before me.

How obsequious have I been found to you! A thing that you especially

desired, that same have I put in your power; this day the object that you love shall be with you, unknown to your wife.

Hush! So may the Deities kindly bless me, I can hardly withhold my lips from kissing you on account of this, my own delight!

What? Kiss him? What’s the meaning of this? What’s this delight of yours?

Do you love me at all now?

Aye, by my faith, myself even less than you. May I embrace you?

You may.

How, when I touch you, I do seem to myself to be tasting honey!

I really do think he intends to choke the bailiff.

Away with you, you lover; get off, with your too close acquaintanceship!

I’ faith, I think that[*] this very day they’ll be making terms. Surely,this old fellow is an universal admirer.

This is the reason, this is it why he made him his bailiff; some time ago, too, when I came in his way, he wanted to make me his chamberlain upon the like terms.

How subservient have I proved to you to-day, how attentive to your pleasure!

How surely, so long as I live, will I prove more of a well-wisher to you than to my own self!

How will I this day give full many a kiss to Casina! How will I, unknown to my wife, right pleasantly enjoy myself!

Oho! Now, faith,at last I’ve got into the right track.