University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Enter two WOMEN SLAVES leading out CHALINUS dress'd in women's cloaths for CASINA.
Wom.
Over the threshold lift your feet a little,
New married bride, and prosperously begin
Your journey, that you may survive your husband;
In power be his superior, get the better,
And come off conqueror. May you still maintain
Your empire over him: And may your husband
Find you in cloaths, and may you plunder him
Both night and day, behave to him with cunning.
Remember that, I pray you.

Olym.
Yes, by Hercules!
If she does so, she'll do it to her cost. [aside.]


Sta.
Peace! hold your tongue.

Olym.
I will not hold my tongue.

Sta.
What is the matter?

Olym.
Why those cursed jades there,
Are teaching her such wicked lessons, sir.

Sta.
Undone! When all is ready, they're for making
Each thing as if it was not done at all.
Ay, that's their aim: they'd undo all again.

Wom.
Olympio, when you please, receive your wife
From these our hands.

[presenting Chalinus to him for Casina.]
Olym.
If you've a wife to give,
Why give her me.

Sta.
Return into the house.

[to the women.
Wom.
Prithee for goodness sake, deal gently with her,
She's but a novice.

Olym.
I'll take care. Adieu!

Sta.
Begone.

Wom.
Adieu!

[Exeunt.
Sta.
Well, are they gone at last?

Olym.
Your wife's at home: fear nothing.

Sta.
Then, huzza!
By Pollux! I'm now free at last—My honey!
[to Cha. supposing him Casina.
My little flower!

Olym.
Hola! there, take care
If you are wise—She's mine—

Sta.
I know it well,
But I may first be kind to her.

Olym.
Hold this torch.

Sta.
I'd rather much hold her within my arms.
[embracing the pretended Casina.
Venus, all powerful goddess, you have made
My life quite happy, by bestowing on me
The enjoyment of so delicate a charmer.

Olym.
My pretty little wife here—

[embracing her.
Sta.
What's the matter?

Olym.
—Has trod upon my toes.

Sta.
As 'twere jocosely—
No falling dew feels half so soft as she.

Olym.
By Pollux' temple, what a handsome neck!
Undone! Undone!

[Cha. strikes him.
Sta.
Why, what's the matter now?

Olym.
She strikes me with her elbow on my breast.

Sta.
Why do you handle her so roughly then?
I touch her gently, so she strikes not me.

Olym.
Ah, ah!

Sta.
The matter!

Olym.
Plague! how strong she is!
She has with her elbow almost knock'd me down—

Sta.
That's but a sign she would retire to rest.

Olym.
Then let's go in—

Sta.
My pretty, precious dear!

[Exeunt.