Casina, or The Stratagem Defeated (981b-1010)

How, the Bacchantes?

Why, that cannot be.

By my troth, you are in a fright.

What I?

I’ faith, do tell no lies, for it’s quite clear. ⋯]

[⋯ who even made a notorius man of me with his flagrant acts.][*]

Won’t you hold your tongue?

I’ troth, I certainly shall not hold my tongue; for with the greatest earnestness you begged me to ask for Casina as my wife.

That I did

on account of my love for you.

I’ faith, of her rather. (Turning to CHALINUS.)

He’d have been making an attack upon you, in fact.

I been doing these things that you mention?

And do you ask me that?

If indeed I have done so, I’ve been doing wrong.

Just come back in-doors here; I’ll remind you, if you have forgotten anything.

Troth, I think, I’ll believe you in preference as to what you say.

But, wife, do grant pardon to your husband for this; Myrrhina, do entreat Cleostrata! If ever, from this time forward, I love Casina, or even think of it, should I love her, I say, should I ever hereafter, in fact, be guilty of such a thing, there’s no reason, wife, why you shouldn’t lash me with twigs as I hang up by the arms.

On my word, I do think that forgiveness may be granted for this.

I’ll do as you request me.

On this account with the less difficulty do I now grant you this pardon, that, from being a long one, we mayn’t be making this Play still longer.

You are not angry?

I am not angry.

Am I to trust your word?

You may my word.

No person ever did have a more amiable wife than I’ve got.

Keep to her, then.

Come you, give him back his walking-stick and cloak.[*]

Take them, if you wish.

Upon my faith, a great injustice has really been most egregiously done me; I’ve been married to two husbands; neither has behaved to me as to a new-made bride.