On what grounds? OLYMPIO You are too hard-mouthed.STALINO Have you ever found me so?OLYMPIO The Gods forbid! But the door makes a noise; they are coming out.STALINO I’ troth, the Gods do will me to be preserved at last. I already smell CasinaAlready smell Casina: Some Commentators explain this passage as one of indecent allusion, but there is really no occasion for such a construction; no doubt, the bride was usually perfumed to the highest pitch, and Stalino may very naturally say that he smells her at a distance. at a distance. (They move to a distance.)

(Enter, from the house, two FEMALE SERVANTS leading CHALINUS, veiled and dressed in women’s clothes, as CASINA.)TWO MAID-SERVANTS Move on, and raise your feet a little over the thresholdA little over the threshold: When the bridal procession left the house of the bride, and when it reached that of the husband, the bride was lifted over the threshold by pronubi, men who had been married to only one wife, that she might not touch it with her foot, which was deemed an evil omen., newly-married bride; prosperously commence this journey, that you may always be alive for your husband, that you may be his superior in power, and the conqueror, and that your rule may gain the upper hand. Let your husband find you in clothes; you plunder your husband; by night and day to be tricking your husband, prithee, do remember.OLYMPIO(to STALINO.) Upon my faith, at her downright peril, the instant she offends me ever so little!STALINO Hold your tongue. OLYMPIO I shall not hold my tongue.STALINO What’s the matter OLYMPIO These wicked jades are wickedly teaching her wicked lessons.STALINO Instead of being all ready, they’ll be bringing this matter all into confusion for me. They are striving at that, wishing for it, that they may have it all undone.TWO MAID-SERVANTS Come, Olympio, as soon as you please, receive this wife of yours from us.(They present CHALINUS to him.)OLYMPIO Hand her to me then, if you are going to hand her to me at all to-day.(They hand CHALINUS to him.)STALINO(to the FEMALE SERVANTS.)Be off in-doors.TWO MAID-SERVANTS Prithee, do deal gently with her who is so young and inexperienced. STALINO It shall be so. Farewell; be off now.TWO MAID-SERVANTS Farewell.(They go into the house.)STALINO Is my wife now gone?OLYMPIO She’s in the house; don’t be afraid.STALINO Hurra! Now, faith, I’m free at last. (Addressing himself to CHALINUS as CASINA.) My sweetheart, my spring-flowerMy spring-flower: Verculum. Literally, My little spring. The Roman names of endearment seem to have been generally very silly ones., my little honey!(Embraces him.)OLYMPIO But, hark you! you’ll beware, if you are wise, of some mishap: she’s mine.STALINO I know that; but mine’s the first enjoyment.OLYMPIO(holding him the torch.)Hold this torch for me.STALINO Why, no, I’ll hold her in my arms in preference. All-powerful Venus, a happy existence hast thou given me in giving me the possession of her! A dear little body! a dear little honey! (Hugs CHALINUS, who pretends to struggle.) OLYMPIO(shouting aloud.) O my dear little wife! (Jumps about on one leg.) STALINO What’s the matter?OLYMPIO She has trod upon my toes.