Читать книгу Yale Classics - Roman Classical Literature - Луций Анней Сенека - Страница 38

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Enter Ctesipho and Syrus from the house of Micio.

Ctes. My father gone into the country, say you?

Syr. (with a careless air.) Some time since.

Ctes. Do tell me, I beseech you.

Syr. He is at the farm at this very moment,61 I warrant—hard at some work or other.

Ctes. I really wish, provided it be done with no prejudice to his health, I wish that he may so effectually tire himself, that, for the next three days together, he may be unable to arise from his bed.

Syr. So be it, and any thing still better than that,62 if possible.

Ctes. Just so; for I do most confoundedly wish to pass this whole day in merry-making as I have begun it; and for no reason do I detest that farm so heartily as for its being so near town. If it were at a greater distance, night would overtake him there before he could return hither again. Now, when he doesn’t find me there, he’ll come running back here, I’m quite sure; he’ll be asking me where I have been, that I have not seen him all this day: what am I to say?

Syr. Does nothing suggest itself to your mind?

Ctes. Nothing whatever.

Syr. So much the worse63—have you no client, friend, or guest?

Ctes. I have; what then?

Syr. You have been engaged with them.

Ctes. When I have not been engaged? That can never do.

Syr. It may.

Ctes. During the daytime; but if I pass the night here, what excuse can I make, Syrus?

Syr. Dear me, how much I do wish it was the custom for one to be engaged with friends at night as well! But you be easy; I know his humor perfectly well. When he raves the most violently, I can make him as gentle as a lamb.

Ctes. In what way?

Syr. He loves to hear you praised: I make a god of you to him, and recount your virtues.

Ctes. What, mine?

Syr. Yours; immediately the tears fall from him as from a child, for very joy. (Starting.) Hah! take care——

Ctes. Why, what’s the matter?

Syr. The wolf in the fable64——

Ctes. What! my father?

Syr. His own self.

Ctes. What shall we do, Syrus?

Syr. You only be off in-doors, I’ll see to that.

Ctes. If he makes any inquiries, you have seen me nowhere; do you hear?

Syr. Can you not be quiet?

They retreat to the door of Micio’s house, and Ctesipho stands in the doorway.