Chapter 2

(Enter CLEOSTRATA and PARDALISCA, from the house of STALINO.)

CLEOSTRATA: (at the door, to the SERVANTS, within.) Seal fast the store-rooms, bring back the signet to me.

I’m going here to my next door neighbour; if my husband wants me for anything, take care and send for me thence.

PARDALISCA: The old gentleman ordered a breakfast to be got ready for him to-day.

CLEOSTRATA: Tut! Hold your tongue, and be off. (PARDALISCA goes into the house.) I don’t prepare it, and it shan’t be cooked; since he sets himself against myself and his son, for the sake of his passion and his appetite. A disgraceful fellow that! I’ll punish this lover with hunger, I’ll punish him with thirst, with abuse, with hardships.

By my faith, I’ll thoroughly worry him with disagreable speeches; I’ll make him to pass a life in future just as he deserves—fit food for Acheron, a hunter after iniquity, a stable of infamy!

Now I’ll away hence to my neighbours, to lament my lot. But the door makes a noise; and see, she’s coming out of doors herself. On my word, I’ve not started for my call at a convenient time.

(Enter MYRRHINA, from the house of ALCESIMUS.)

MYRRHINA: (to her SERVANTS, at the door.) Follow me, my attendants, here next door. You there! Does any one hear this that I say? I shall be here, if my husband or any person shall seek me. Did I order my distaff to be taken there? For when I’m at home alone, drowsiness takes effect upon my hand.

CLEOSTRATA: Myrrhina, good morrow.

MYRRHINA: Good morrow, my dear Cleostrata. But, prithee, why are you sad?

CLEOSTRATA: So all are wont to be who are unfortunately married; at home and abroad, there’s always enough to make them sad. But I was going to your house.

MYRRHINA: 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.

CLEOSTRATA: 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.

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

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

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

CLEOSTRATA: My husband has put slights upon me in a most unworthy manner, and I have not the advantage of enjoying my own rights.

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

CLEOSTRATA: 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.

MYRRHINA: Pray, do hold your tongue.

CLEOSTRATA: (looking round.) But here we may speak at present; we are alone—

MYRRHINA: 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.

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

MYRRHINA: 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.

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

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

CLEOSTRATA: What expression?

MYRRHINA: Woman! out of doors with you!

CLEOSTRATA: (in a low voice.) ’St! be quiet.

MYRRHINA: What’s the matter?

CLEOSTRATA: Hush! (Looks in a particular direction.)

MYRRHINA: Who is it that you see?

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

MYRRHINA: You easily prevail; I’m off.

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

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

(Enter STALINO.)

STALINO: (to himself.) 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;

who, since I’ve been in love with Casina, more than in my young days have excelled Neatness herself in neatness; I give employment to all the perfumers; wherever an unguent is excellent, I perfume myself, that I may please her. And I do please her, as I think. But inasmuch as she keeps living on, my wife’s a torment. (Catches sight of his WIFE, and speaks in a low voice.) I espy her standing there in gloominess. This plaguy baggage must be addressed by me with civility. (Going towards her.) My own wife and my delight, what are you about? (Takes hold of her.)

CLEOSTRATA: (shaking him off.) Get you gone, and keep your hand off!

STALINO: O fie! my Juno. You shouldn’t be so cross to your own Jupiter. Where art come now?

CLEOSTRATA: Let me alone. (Moves as if going.)

STALINO: Do stay.

CLEOSTRATA: (still going.) I shan’t stay.

STALINO: I’ troth, then I’ll follow you. (Follows her.)

CLEOSTRATA: (turning round.) Prithee, are you in your senses?

STALINO: In my senses, inasmuch as I love you.

CLEOSTRATA: I don’t want you to love me.

STALINO: You can’t have your way there.

CLEOSTRATA: You plague me to death.

STALINO: I only wish you spoke the truth.

CLEOSTRATA: There I believe you. (Moves on.)

STALINO: Do look back, O my sweet one.

CLEOSTRATA: About as much, I suppose, as you are to me. Whence is this strong smell of perfumes, prithee?

STALINO: (aside.) O dear, I’m undone; to my misfortune, I’m caught in the fact. Why delay to rub it off my head with my cloak? (Rubs his head with his cloak.) May good Mercury confound you, you perfumer, who provided me with this.

CLEOSTRATA: How now, you worthless grey gnat! I can hardly restrain myself from saying what you deserve.

In your old age, good-for-nothing, are you walking along the streets reeking with perfumes?

STALINO: I’ faith, I lent my company to a certain friend of mine, while he was purchasing some perfumes.

CLEOSTRATA: How readily he did trump that up. Are you ashamed of anything?

STALINO: Of everything that you like.

CLEOSTRATA: In what dens of iniquity have you been lying?

STALINO: (with an air of surprise.) I, in dens of iniquity?

CLEOSTRATA: I know more than you think I do.

STALINO: What is it that you know?

CLEOSTRATA: That not one among all the old men is more worthless than yourself, an old man.

Whence come you, good-for-nothing? Where have you been? In what den amusing yourself? Where have you been drinking? You are come, on my word; look at his cloak, how it’s creased. (Points at it.)

STALINO: May the Gods confound both me and yourself, if I this day have put a drop of wine into my mouth.

CLEOSTRATA: Very well then; just as you like:

drink, eat, and squander away your property!

STALINO: Hold, wife; there’s now enough of it; you din me too much. Do leave a little of your talk, that you may wrangle with me to-morrow. But what say you? Have you by this time subdued your temper, so as to do that in preference which your husband wishes to be done, rather than strive against him?

CLEOSTRATA: About what matter are you speaking?

STALINO: Do you ask me? About the handmaid Casina—that she may be given in marriage to our bailiff, an honest servant, where she’ll be well off, in wood, warm water, food, and clothing, and where she may properly bring up the children which she may have, in preference to that rascally servant of an armour-bearer, a good-for-nothing and dishonest, a fellow that hasn’t this day a leaden dump of money his own.

CLEOSTRATA: Upon my faith, I am surprised that in your old age you do not remember your duty.

STALINO: How so?

CLEOSTRATA: Because if you were to act rightly or becomingly, you’d let me manage the maid-servants, which is my own province.

STALINO: Why the plague do you wish to give her to a fellow that carries a shield?

CLEOSTRATA: Because it’s our duty to gratify our only son.

STALINO: But although he is an only one, not a bit the more is he my only son than I am his only father.

It’s more becoming for him to conform to me, than for me to him.

CLEOSTRATA: By my troth, sir, you’re providing for yourself a serious piece of trouble.

STALINO: (aside.) She suspects it, I find that. (To his wife.) What, I, do you mean?

CLEOSTRATA: You; but why do. you stammer so? Why do you wish for this with such anxiety?

STALINO: Why, that she may rather be given to a servant that’s honest, than to a servant that’s dishonest.

CLEOSTRATA: What if I prevail upon, and obtain of the bailiff, that for my sake he’ll give her up to the other one?

STALINO: But what if I prevail upon the armour-bearer to give her up to the other one? And I think that I can prevail upon him in this.

CLEOSTRATA: That’s agreed upon. Should you like that, in your name, I should call Chalinus hither out of doors? Do you beg of him, and I’ll beg of the bailiff.

STALINO: I’m quite willing.

CLEOSTRATA: He’ll be here just now. Now we’ll make trial which of us two is the most persuasive. (She goes into the house.)

STALINO: (to himself.) May Hercules and the Gods confound her!—a thing that now I’m at liberty to say. I’m wretchedly distracted with love; but she, as though on purpose, thwarts me. My wife has some suspicion now of this that I’m planning; for that reason is she purposely lending her assistance to the armour-bearer.

(Enter CHALINUS, from the house.)

STALINO: (aside, on seeing him.) May all the Gods and Goddesses confound him!

CHALINUS: (addressing him.) Your wife said that you were calling me.

STALINO: Why yes, I did order you to be sent for.

CHALINUS: Tell me what you want.

STALINO: In the first place, I want you to speak to me with a more cheerful countenance.

CHALINUS: It would be folly for me to be morose toward you whose rule is the strongest.

STALINO: Indeed! I consider you to be an honest fellow.

CHALINUS: So I find.

But if you think so, why don’t you give me my freedom?

STALINO: Why so I wish to do; but it’s of no use for me to wish a thing to be done, unless you aid me with your actions.

CHALINUS: What you wish, I only wish myself to be acquainted with it.

STALINO: Listen then; I’ll tell you. I’ve promised to give Casina as a wife to our bailiff.

CHALINUS: But your wife and your son have promised her to me.

STALINO: I know it;

but whether now would you prefer yourself to be single and a free man, or, as a married man, to pass your lives, yourself and your children, in slavery? This choice is your own: whichever condition of these two you prefer, take it.

CHALINUS: If I am free, I live at my own cost; at present I live at yours. As to Casina, I’m resolved to give way to no born man.

STALINO: Go in-doors, and at once be quick and call my wife here, out of doors; and bring hither together with you an urn, with some water, and the lots.

CHALINUS: I’m quite agreable.

STALINO: I’ faith, in some way or other I’ll now ward off this weapon of yours; for if, as it is, I shall not be able to prevail by persuasion, at least I’ll try it by lot. There I shall take vengeance upon you and your abettors.

CHALINUS: Still, for all that the lot will fall to me—

STALINO: Aye, faith, for you to go to perdition with direful torments.

CHALINUS: She shall marry me, contrive what you will, in any way you please.

STALINO: Won’t you away hence from my sight?

CHALINUS: Unwillingly you look upon me, still I shall live on. (Goes into the house.)

STALINO: (to himself.) Am I not a wretched man? Don’t all things go quite contrary with me? I’m now afraid that my wife will prevail upon Olympio not to marry Casina. If that’s done, why look, it’s all over with me in my old age! If she does not prevail, there is still some tiny hope in the lots. But if the lots fail me, I’ll make a pillow of a sword, and lay me down upon it. But see, most opportunely Olympio’s coming out of doors.

(Enter OLYMPIO, from the house, speaking to CLEOSTRATA, within.)

OLYMPIO: By my faith, all in an instant shut me up in a hot furnace, and parch me there for a hard-baked biscuit, good mistress, before you shall gain that point of me which you desire.

STALINO: (apart.) I’m all right. My hope’s realized, according as I hear his words.

OLYMPIO: (at the door, to his MISTRESS, within.) But why do you frighten me about liberty? Why, even though you should oppose it, and your son as well, against your wills and in spite of you both, for a single penny I can become free.

STALINO: (stepping forward.) What’s this? Who are you wrangling with, Olympio?

OLYMPIO: With the same person that you always are.

STALINO: What, with my wife?

OLYMPIO: What wife are you speaking of to me? Really you are a hunter, as it were:

your nights and days you pass with a female cur.

STALINO: What does she say? What’s she talking to you about?

OLYMPIO: She’s begging and entreating of me that I won’t be taking Casina as my wife.

STALINO: What did you say after that?

OLYMPIO: Why, I declared that I wouldn’t give way to Jupiter himself, if he were to entreat me.

STALINO: May the Gods preserve you for me!

OLYMPIO: She’s now all in a ferment; she’s swelling so against me.

STALINO: By my troth, I could like her to burst in the middle.

OLYMPIO: I’ faith, I fancy she will, if indeed you manage cleverly. But your amorousness, i’ faith, is a cause of trouble to me; your wife is at enmity with me, your son at enmity, my fellow-servants at enmity.

STALINO: What matters that to you? So long as (pointing to himself) this Jupiter only is propitious to you, do you take care and esteem the lesser Gods at a straw’s value.

OLYMPIO: That’s great nonsense; as if you didn’t know how suddenly your human Jupiters take to dying.

So after all, if you, my Jupiter, are dead and gone, when your realm devolves upon the lesser Gods, who shall then come to the rescue of my back, or head, or legs?

STALINO: Affairs will go with you better than you expect, if I obtain this—the enjoyment of my Casina.

OLYMPIO: I’ faith, I do not think it possibly can be; so earnestly is your wife striving that she shall not be given to me.

STALINO: But this way I’ll proceed: I’ll put the lots in an urn, and draw the lots for yourself and Chalinus. I find that the business has come to this pass; it’s necessary to fight with swords hand to hand.

OLYMPIO: What, if the lot should turn out different from what you wish?

STALINO: Speak with good omen. I rely upon the Gods; we’ll trust in the Gods.

OLYMPIO: That expression I wouldn’t purchase at a rotten thread, for all people are relying upon the Gods; but still I’ve frequently seen many of those deceived who relied upon the Gods.

STALINO: But hold your tongue a little while. (Pointing.)

OLYMPIO: What is it you mean?

STALINO: Why look; here’s Chalinus coming from the house, out here, with the urn and the lots. Now, with standards closing, we shall fight.

(Enter CLEOSTRATA and CHALINUS, with the urn and lots.)

CLEOSTRATA: Let me know, Chalinus, what my husband wants with me.

CHALINUS: By my troth, he wants to see you burning outside of the Metian gate.

CLEOSTRATA: I’ faith, I believe he does want that.

CHALINUS: But, by my troth, I don’t believe it, but I know it for certain.

STALINO: (aside to OLYMPIO.) I’ve got more men of business than I imagined: I’ve got this fellow, a Diviner, in my house. What, if we move our standards nearer, and go to meet them? Follow me. (Goes up to CLEOSTRATA and CHALINUS.) What are you about?

CHALINUS: All the things are here which you ordered; your wife, the lots, the urn, and myself.

STALINO: By yourself only, there is more here than I want.

CHALINUS: I’ faith, so it seems to you indeed. I’m a stinger to you now; I’m pricking that dear little heart of yours; even now it’s palpitating from alarm.

STALINO: Whip-knave—

CLEOSTRATA: Hold your tongue, Chalinus,

OLYMPIO: Do make that fellow be quiet.

CHALINUS: No, that fellow rather (pointing to OLYMPIO), who has learned to misbehave.

STALINO: (to CHALINUS.) Set the urn down here. (CHALINUS puts it down.) Give me the lots: lend your attention now. But I did think, my wife, that I could have prevailed upon you thus far, for Casina to be given me as my wife, and even now I think so.

OLYMPIO.: She, given to you?

STALINO: Why yes, to me—dear me, I didn’t mean to say that. While I meant for myself, I said him; (aside) why really, while I’m wanting her for myself, I’ve already, i’ faith, been chattering at random.

CLEOSTRATA: (overhearing him.) Upon my word, you really have; and you are still doing so.

STALINO: For him—no, no; for myself, i’ faith. Plague take it, at last, with great difficulty, I’ve got into the right road!

CLEOSTRATA: Very often, i’ faith, you are making your mistakes.

STALINO: Such is the case when you desire anything very much. But each of us, both he (pointing to OLYMPIO) and I, apply to you for our rights—

CLEOSTRATA: How’s that?

STALINO: Why, I’ll tell you, my sweet. As to this Casina, you must make a present of her to this bailiff of ours.

CLEOSTRATA: But, i’ faith, I neither do make it, nor do I in tend it.

STALINO: In that case, then, I’ll divide the lots between them.

CLEOSTRATA: Who forbids you?

STALINO: I judge with reason that that is the best and fairest way. In fine, if that happens which we desire, we shall be glad; but if otherwise, we’ll bear it with equanimity. (Giving a lot to OLYMPIO.) Take, this lot—take it; see what’s written on it.

OLYMPIO: (looking at it.) Number one.

CHALINUS: It isn’t fair, be cause that fellow has got one before me.

STALINO: (giving one to CHALINUS.) Take this, will you.

CHALINUS: (taking it.) Give it me. Stop though; one thing has just now come into my mind.

(To CLEOSTRATA.) Do you see that there’s no other lot in there by chance at the bottom of the water.

STALINO: Whip-rascal! do you take me to be your own self? (To CLEOSTRATA.) There is none; only set your feelings at rest.

OLYMPIO: (to CHALINUS.) May it prove lucky and fortunate to me, a great mischance to you!

CHALINUS: I’ faith, it will certainly fall to you, I fancy; I know your pious ways. But stop a bit; is that lot of yours of poplar or of fir?

OLYMPIO: Why do you trouble yourself about that?

CHALINUS: Why, because I’m afraid that it may float on the surface of the water. (They go up to the urn.)

STALINO: Capital!—take care! Now then, both of you, throw your lots in here. (Pointing to the urn.) Look now, wife, all’s fair. (They throw them in.)

OLYMPIO: Don’t you trust your wife.

STALINO: Be of good courage.

OLYMPIO: Upon my faith, I do believe that she’ll lay a spell upon the lots this very day, if she touches them.

STALINO: Hold your tongue.

OLYMPIO: I’ll hold my tongue. I pray the Gods—

CHALINUS: Aye,that this day you may have to endure the chain and the bilboes.

OLYMPIO: That the lot may fall to me.

CHALINUS: Aye, faith, that you may hang up by the feet.

OLYMPIO: Aye, that you may blow your eyes out of your head through your nose.

CHALINUS: (to STALINO.) What are you afraid of? It must be ready by this— (Turning to OLYMPIO.) A halter for you, I mean.

OLYMPIO: (to CHALINUS.) You’re undone!

STALINO: Give attention, both of you.

OLYMPIO: I’ll be mum.

STALINO: Now you, Cleostrata, that you may not say that anything has been done cheatingly by me in this matter, or suspect it,

I give you leave, do you yourself draw the lots.

OLYMPIO: (to STALINO.) You are ruining me.

CHALINUS: He’s gaining an advantage rather.

CLEOSTRATA: (to STALINO.) You do what’s fair.

CHALINUS: (to OLYMPIO.) I pray the Gods that your lot say run away out of the urn.

OLYMPIO: Say you so? Because you are a runaway yourself, do you wish all to follow your example? I wish, indeed, that that lot of yours, as they say that of the descendants of Hercules once did, may melt away while the lots are drawing.

CHALINUS: And you, that you may melt away yourself, and just now be made hot with twigs.

STALINO: Attend, will you, to the business in hand, Olympio!

OLYMPIO: Yes, if this thrice-dotted fellow’ll let me.

STALINO: May this prove lucky and fortunate to me.

OLYMPIO: Yes indeed; to me as well.

CHALINUS: Not so.

OLYMPIO: By my troth, yes, I say.

CHALINUS: By my troth, yes, for myself, I say.

STALINO: (to OLYMPIO.) He’ll be the winner; you’ll live in wretchedness.

Do you give him a punch in the face this instant! Well, what are you about?

CLEOSTRATA: (to OLYMPIO.) Don’t you raise your hand.

OLYMPIO: (to STALINO.) With clenched or open hand am I to strike him?

STALINO: Do just as you please.

OLYMPIO: (striking CHALINUS.) There’s for you, take that!

CLEOSTRATA: (to OLYMPIO.) What business have you to touch him?

OLYMPIO: Because my Jupiter (pointing to STALINO) commanded me.

CLEOSTRATA: (to CHALINUS.) Do you slap him in the face in return. (CHALINUS strikes OLYMPIO in the face.)

OLYMPIO: (calling out to STALINO.) I’m being murdered, I’m being punched with his fists, Jupiter!

STALINO: (to CHALINUS.) What business had you to touch him?

CHALINUS: Because this Juno of mine (pointing to CLEOSTRATA) ordered me.

STALINO: I must put up with it, since, as long as I live, my wife will have the mastery.

CLEOSTRATA: (to STALINO.) He (pointing to CHALINUS) ought to be allowed to speak as much as that fellow.

OLYMPIO: Why by his talk does he occasion me an unlucky omens

STALINO: I think, Chalinus, you should be on your guard against a mishap.

CHALINUS: Full time, after my face has been battered!

STALINO: Come, wife, now then draw the lots. (To the SERVANTS.) Do you give your attention. (To CLEOSTRATA.) And give it, you, as well.

OLYMPIO: Where I am I know not. I’m undone, I’ve got my heart full of maggots, I think; it’s jumping about already;

with its throbbing it beats against my breast.

CLEOSTRATA: (putting her hand into the urn.) I’ve got hold of a lot.

STALINO: Draw it out, then.

CHALINUS: (to OLYMPIO.) Are you not dead now?

OLYMPIO: Show it. (She shows it.) It’s mine.

CHALINUS: Really this is an unlucky mishap.

CLEOSTRATA: You are beaten, Chalinus.

STALINO: Then I’m glad that we are to survive after all, Olympio.

OLYMPIO: Through my own piety and that of my forefathers has it happened.

STALINO: Wife, go in-doors and make ready for the wedding.

CLEOSTRATA: I’ll do as you bid me.

STALINO: Do you know that it’s to a distance in the country, at the farm-house,that he is to take her?

CLEOSTRATA: I know.

STALINO: Go in-doors,and although this is disagreable to you, still take care and attend to it.

CLEOSTRATA: Very well. (Goes into the house.)

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

OLYMPIO: 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.)

(CHALINUS, alone.)

CHALINUS: (to himself.) 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. (Sees STALINO and OLYMPIO, coming out.) My well-wishers and friends are coming out. Here in ambush I’ll lay in wait against them. (Goes on one side.)

(Enter STALINO and OLYMPIO, from the house.)

OLYMPIO: 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.

STALINO: So it ought to be.

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

STALINO: 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.

CHALINUS: (apart, retreating to the wall of the house.) 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.

OLYMPIO: 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.

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

CHALINUS: (apart.) What? Kiss him? What’s the meaning of this? What’s this delight of yours?

OLYMPIO: Do you love me at all now?

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

OLYMPIO: You may. (STALINO embraces him.)

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

CHALINUS: (apart.) I really do think he intends to choke the bailiff.

OLYMPIO: (pushing STALINO away.) Away with you, you lover; get off, with your too close acquaintanceship!

CHALINUS: (apart.) 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.

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

STALINO: 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!

CHALINUS: (apart.) Oho! Now, faith,at last I’ve got into the right track.

It’s himself that’s dying for Casina. I’ve caught the fellows.

STALINO: Even now, by my troth, am I longing to embrace her; even now to be kissing her.

OLYMPIO: Do let her be brought out first from the house. Why the plague are you in such a hurry?

STALINO: I’m in love.

OLYMPIO: But I don’t think that this can possibly be managed to-day.

STALINO: It can, if, indeed, you think that you can possibly receive your freedom to-morrow.

CHALINUS: (apart.) Why, really, I must make still better use here of my ears; now, in one thicket, I shall be cleverly catching two boars.

STALINO: (pointing to the house of ALCESIMUS.) At the house of this friend and neighbour of mine there’s a place provided; I have confided to him all my amorousness: he said that he would find me a room.

OLYMPIO: What will his wife do? Where will she be?

STALINO: I’ve cleverly contrived that: my wife will invite her here, to her own house, to the wedding; to be here with her, to help her, to sleep with her. I have requested it, and my wife has said that she will do so. She’ll be sleeping here: I’ll take care her husband is away from home.

You shall take your wife home into the country; that country shall be this house, for a period, until I’ve had my marriage with Casina. Hence,before daylight, you shall afterwards take her home to-morrow.Isn’t it very skilfully managed?

OLYMPIO: Cleverly!

CHALINUS: (apart.) Only do proceed; contrive away. By my troth, to your own mischance are you so clever.

STALINO: Do you know what you must do now?

OLYMPIO: Tell me.

STALINO: (giving him a purse.) Take this purse. Be off and buy some provisions: make haste. But I want it nicely done: delicate eatables, just as she herself is a delicate bit.

OLYMPIO: Very well.

STALINO: Buy some cuttle-fish, mussels, calamaries, barley-fish.

CHALINUS: (apart.) Aye, wheaten fish, if you know what you’re about.

STALINO: Some sole-fish.

CHALINUS: (apart.) Prithee, why those rather than soles of wood, with which your head may be banged, you most vile old fellow?

OLYMPIO: Should you like some tongue-fish?

STALINO: What need is there, since my wife’s at home? She is our tongue-fish, for she’s never silent.

OLYMPIO: While I’m about it, I must make choice out of the supply of fish what to purchase.

STALINO: You say what’s good: be off. I don’t care to spare for cost; provide abundantly. But it’s requisite also that I should see this neighbour of mine, that he may attend to what I’ve requested.

OLYMPIO: Am I to go now?

STALINO: I wish you. (Exit OLYMPIO. STALINO goes into the house of ALCESIMUS.)

CHALINUS: (coming forward.) By three freedoms I could not be induced this day to do other than provide a heavy retribution for them, and at once disclose all this matter to my mistress. I’ve caught and fully detected my enemies in their guilt. But if my mistress is ready now to do her duty, the cause is all our own: I’ll cleverly be beforehand with the fellows.

With omens in our favour the day proceeds: just conquered, we are the conquerors. I’ll go indoors, that that which another cook has seasoned, I now, in my turn, may season after another fashion; and that for him for whom it was prepared, it may really not be prepared; and that that may be prepared for him, which before was not prepared. (Goes into the house.)