CASINA
A monologue from the
play by Titus
Maccius Plautus
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NOTE: This monologue is reprinted
from Plautus, vol. II. Trans. Paul Nixon. London: William
Heinemann, 1917. |
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OLYMPIO: What'll I do to you? First of all, I'll make
you torch-bearer to this bride of mine. After that you'll be
the same worthless good-for-nothing as always; and subsequently
when you come to the villa you shall be provided with just one
pitcher and one path, on spring, one kettle, and--eight big casks:
and unless those casks are always full, I'll give you your fill--of
welts. I'll make you carry water till you have such a beautiful
crook in your back that they can use you for a horse's crupper.
Yes, and furthermore, when it comes to your wanting a bit of
food, you shall either feed on the fodder-stack, or on dirt like
a worm, or, by the Lord, I'll starve you thinner than Starvation's
self at that farm! And then at night, when you're all fagged
out and famishing, we'll see you're supplied with the sleeping
quarters you deserve. You shall be fastened tight in the window-frame
where you can listen while I'm kissing my Casina. And when she
says to me: [in languishing accents] "Oh you little
darling, Olympio dearier, my life, my little honey boy, joy of
my soul, let me kiss and kiss those sweet eyes of yours, precious!
Do, do let me love you, my day of delight, my little sparrow,
my dove, my rabbit!"--when she is saying these soft things
to me, then you'll wriggle, you hangdog, you, wriggle like a
mouse, in the middle of the wall there. [turning away]
Now you needn't reckon on making any reply; I'm going inside.
I'm sick of talking with you.
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MONOLOGUES BY PLAUTUS |
