Casina, or The Stratagem Defeated (897b-930)

I’m ashamed to tell it.

Relate it in its order just as you proceeded.

Upon my faith, I am ashamed.

Proceed boldly. After you went to bed, I want you to tell what took place after that.

But it’s a disgraceful matter.

I’ll take care that those who hear it shall be on their guard as to mentioning it.

That’s the principal thing.

You kill me with weariness. Why don’t you proceed?

—Ubi ⋯ us subtus porro ⋯

quid.

Babae!

Quid?

Papae!

⋯ quid est?

Oh, erat maximum. Gladium ne haberet metui; id quaerere occœpi. Dum, gladiumne habeat, quaero, arripio capulum.

Sed, quom cogito, non habuit gladium; nam id esset frigidius.

Eloquere.

At pudet.

Num radix fuit?

Non fuit.

Num cucumis?

Profecto hercle non fuit quidquam olerum; Nisi quidquid erat, calamitas profecto attigerat nunquam. Ita, quidquid erat, grande erat.

Quid fit denique? Edisserta.

[*]—sepit veste id, quî estis. Ubi illum saltum video obseptum; Rogo, ut altero sinat ire. Ita, quidquid erat, grande erat. Tollo ut obvortam cubitissim ⋯ Ullum mutire ⋯

Surge, ut ineam in ⋯ Atque illam in ⋯

Perlepide narrat ⋯

When I addressed Casina, Casina, said I, my dear wife, why do you slight your husband in this fashion? Really, upon my faith, you do this quite without my deserving it, inasmuch as I have given you the preference as my wife.

She answered not a word.

When I attempted a kiss, a beard pricked my lips just like briars.

Forthwith, as I was upon my knees, she struck my head with her feet. I tumbled headlong from the bed; she leapt down upon me and punched my face. From there in silence out of doors I came in this guise; by your leaves I say it; may the old fellow drink of the same cup that I have been drinking of.