Читать книгу The Rape of the Locks (Perikeiromenê) - Menander - Страница 4

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A street in Corinth; two houses at the back; Pataecus and Philînus meeting.

Philînus

Whither away, Pataecus?

Pataecus

On an errand Bequeathed me by my young friend, Polemo, The light-armed Captain; you remember him, Philînus? When he started for the war He asked me to befriend young Glycera, His housemate. So I call from time to time To see her.

Philînus

Bah, these soldiers! Off they go, Fighting and plundering, and come back weighed down With prize-money and spoils, while honest men Can't give their daughters dowries. This young man Can leave a house and an expensive whore Behind him . . .

Pataecus

No, no, no! It's not like that, She's a good modest girl, but, by the law, Not being a proved Corinthian citizen, She can't be a Corinthian's legal wife. I wish more of our modern wives were like her. She is wrapped up in her man and he in her; Never a cloud between them.

Philînus

All the luck Goes to these alien wenches. There she is, Semi-respectable, no class at all, No dowry, no relations, and she gets Husband and house and, bless me, something like A fortune from the wars. Look at my daughter: Of old Corinthian family, a girl Thrifty, severe, hard-working, well-behaved, Strong-armed, a perfect helpmeet for some young Idle Corinthian. But there's nothing doing. Most of us honest men have been made poor Through all these wars. I have no dowry now To give her, and no dowry means no husband.

Pataecus

It's a hard case, Philînus, and I'd like To hear more, but I have to pay my visit To Glycera here. But if I had a son, A son who needed to be kept in order . . .

Philînus

She'd do that!

Pataecus

lack of dowry would not be An obstacle.

Philînus

Ah well, go in and see Your paragon of women. [Exit Philînus; as Pataecus comes back towards the House. Enter Sôsias.

Sôsias

It must be This house.—Excuse me, Sir; is this the house Of Chîliarch Polemo?

Pataecus

Polemo's house It is. Why do you call him chîliarch? Have you fresh news of him?

Sôsias

You heard of our Last battle, when the enemy was standing In that walled town? Polemo scaled the wall, Burst on them like a fury—have you seen Him fighting? It's worth seeing—shaped the attack Till, with stiff fighting in the streets, we took The whole place, house by house. For that he was Promoted chîliarch. Our regiment there Wanted to hold a big feast in his honour, But he . . . you know him . . . only longed to see The smoke of his own chimneys and his young Penelope—I think that's what he called her. She's never long out of his thoughts.

Pataecus

And he, I wager, never out of hers at all.

Sôsias

He sent me on in front, to say all's well. He's close behind.

Pataecus

That's news for Glycera. (calling) Ho there, within!—She'll make his feast at home. She'll need a cook and flowers and things.—Come in. [The Porter has opened the door; they go in. Enter Moschio prowling.

Moschio

I am sure she looked at me with interest. Yes, I think she smiled. It wasn't quite a smile. A look of expectation; that's more like it. Of expectation. That means even more. She's too discreet to smile. She has to be With that infernal soldier, damned discreet. I liked that look. It wasn't quite the sort That girls put on just to protect themselves. But who comes here? I'd better not be seen. [Exit. [Enter Pataecus with Glycera in the doorway.

Glycera

You're sure he's a good cook?

Pataecus

The very best. The priest of Dionysus always hires him, And I know where to find him.

Glycera

Then good-bye Till supper. (calling) Doris, we must have some roses For garlands. See if you can find a shop Still open. . . . I can scarce believe it true. Oh, these long months of waiting! Polemo Away in peril; and my brother here, My only kinsman, known and yet unknown, Not to be spoken to, not to be greeted, Not knowing me . . . [Enter Moschio. He runs up and embraces her.

Moschio

My dear, at last I've caught you!

[Surprise, hesitation, and acquiescence of Glycera. Enter Polemo (helmet, chlamys and sword). He stands amazed.

Polemo

By all the gods!

Moschio

My stars! We'll finish this Another time. (runs.)

Polemo

Stop, Sir! You'll finish it With me and now! [Enter Pataecus and Cook. Moschio escapes.

Cook

Look out, sir! Mind my pies! [Polemo turns on Glycera.

Polemo

Who is this insolent scoundrel?

Glycera

He's not that.

Polemo

Who is he?

Glycera

Oh, I can't say who he is! (weeps)

Polemo

Why are you weeping? . . . Because I've come home? Because I've interrupted you? Because . . .

Glycera

O Polemo, darling! Trust me. I can't speak.

Polemo

He said you'd speak with him another time.

Glycera

Oh, why am I not free? Oh, Polemo, wait! Trust me and let me think.

Polemo

Think out your lie! Go on. You've only a stupid soldier here, Quite easy to deceive.

Glycera

O Polemo!

Polemo

Who is this man? You know him?

Glycera

Yes; I know. . . I can't say.

Polemo

Oh, if I could have your life! I've killed those who deserved it less than you.

[He seizes her hair and with one stroke of his sword cuts it off.

The cut hair stays in his hand but the gold circlet which held it falls to the ground. Polemo stands horrified at his own action; then picks up the circlet. Sôsias appears in the doorway. Enter Doris with flowers.

Doris

O mistress! Your poor hair! Savage, keep off!

Glycera

Polemo!

Polemo

Sôsias, come! Back to the Camp. Back anywhere from this accursed town. [Exit with Sôsias.

Pataecus(To Cook)

There'll be no feast to-night.

Cook

I understand Quite. We've intruded on a family scene. Nothing unusual, Sir; nothing unusual. Good day.—Oh, what a story this will make! [Exeunt.