ACT V
THE DOOR OF _Cleareta’s_ HOUSE IS OPEN, SHOWING _Argyrippus_, _Demaenetus,_ AND _Philaenium_ BANQUETING, _Philaenium_ BEING ON A COUCH BESIDE _Demaenetus_ AND TRYING NOT TO SEEM BORED BY HIS GALLANTRIES.
_Dem._
Numquidnam tibi molestumst, gnate mi, si haec nunc mecum accubat? 830
You don’t mind it, do you, my boy,--her being on the couch here with me? (_merrily chucks Philaenium under the chin_)
_Argyr._
Pietas, pater, oculis dolorem prohibet. quamquam ego istanc amo, possum equidem inducere animum, ne aegre patiar quia tecum accubat.
(_dolefully_) My duty as a son takes the sting out of the sight, father. Even though I do love her, of course I can persuade myself not to be disturbed at her being with you.
_Dem._
Decet verecundum esse adulescentem, Argyrippe.
A young fellow should be modest, Argyrippus.
_Argyr._
Edepol, pater, merito tuo facere possum.
Ah yes, father, I can behave as you deserve.
_Dem._
Age ergo, hoc agitemus convivium vino et[28] sermoni suavi. nolo ego metui, amari mavolo, mi gnate, me abs te.
(_jovially_) Come on then, let’s have a lively banquet--wine and sweet converse, my dears! None of your filial awe for me: your love is what I want, my lad.
_Argyr._
Pol ego utrumque facio, ut aequom est filium.
(_still more dolefully_) Ah yes, father, I give you both, as a son should.
_Dem._
Credam istuc, si esse te hilarum videro.
I’ll believe that, once I see you looking jolly.
_Argyr._
An tu me tristem putas?
(_with a deep sigh_) You don’t think I’m ... melancholy ... do you?
_Dem._
Putem ego, quem videam aeque esse maestum ut quasi dies si dicta sit?
Think so? When you look as sepulchral as if you were docketed for trial!
_Argyr._
Ne dixis istuc.
Don’t say that.
_Dem._
Ne sic fueris: ilico ego non dixero. 839,840
Don’t be that, and I’ll stop saying it soon enough.
_Argyr._
Em aspecta: rideo.
(_making a dismal effort to look happy_) Here now! See! I’m smiling.
_Dem._
Utinam male qui mihi volunt sic rideant.
(_dryly_) I wish my enemies were blessed with a smile like that.
_Argyr._
Scio equidem quam ob rem me, pater, tu tristem credas nunc tibi: quia istaec est tecum. atque ego quidem hercle ut verum tibi dicam. pater, ea res me male habet; at non eo, quia tibi non cupiam quae velis; verum istam amo. aliam tecum esse equidem facile possum perpeti.
Of course I know why you think my bearing toward you now is melancholy, father,--because she’s with you. And good heavens, father, to tell you the truth, I--it does make me miserable; not because I’m not eager to have your wishes gratified; but I love that girl. If it was some other one, I shouldn’t mind at all, really I shouldn’t.
_Dem._
At ego hanc volo.
I want this one, though.
_Argyr._
Ergo sunt quae exoptas: mihi quae ego exoptem volo.
Well then, you’ve got your desire: I wish I could have the same luck!
_Dem._
Unum hunc diem perpetere, quoniam tibi potestatem dedi, cum hac annum ut esses, atque amanti argenti feci copiam.
Oh, you’ll take it calmly this one day, now that I’ve given you the chance to be with her for a year, and furnished forth my young gallant with funds.
_Argyr._
Em istoc me facto tibi devinxti.
Just the point! You have me bound hard and fast by that.
_Dem._
Quin te ergo hilarum das mihi? 849,850
Come then, surrender and be jolly, won’t you?
V. 2.