University of Virginia Library

ACT IV.

SCENE I.

Enter PARDALISCA.
PARDALISCA.
In troth I think that neither at Nemea,
Olympia, nor elsewhere, were e'er exhibited
Such pleasant games as we have had within
With our old gentleman and our Olympio.
The house is all in motion—The old man
Making a bawling in the kitchen, and
Urging the cooks—What is it you're about
All day?—Why don't you serve us something up?
If you have any thing to serve, be quick;
The supper ought to have been quite ready now—
Then here on t'other side, Olympio;
A wreath upon his head, and cloath'd in white,
Strutting about like some one of importance.
And then the women in the bed-chamber,
Dressing Chalinus up in women's cloaths,
To make him pass for Casina; and give him
To our Olympio as a bride. But then
They very cleverly dissemble, and
Conceal from him how this affair's to end—
Mean time the cooks are worthily employ'd,
Ingeniously contrive, and do their utmost
To hinder the old gentleman from supping—
They throw the pots down, and upon the fire
Pour water—This is done at the request
Of our two mistresses, whose wish it is
To turn the old man out of doors, without
His supper, that they may be left alone
To stuff themselves; for I well know them both
For gluttons; and that when they have to eat
They gormandize. But some one opes the door.

SCENE II.

Enter STALINO [speaking to CLEOSTRATA within.]
Sta.
You and the rest, my dear, I think had best,
When it is ready, sit you down to supper.
I, for my part, shall eat mine in the country;
For I'm desirous to attend the bride
And bridegroom, lest some evil minded persons
Should bear her off: in such an age as this,
I know that men have bad designs. Indulge
Your appetites—Be merry; but be sure
You send away Olympio and Casina
In time, in order that we may get there
While it is light—I will be back to-morrow,
And then, my dear, I'll have a feast with you.

Par.
[aside.]
'Tis as I said it would be—They have turn'd
The old man out of doors without his supper.

Sta.
[to Par.]
What is it you are doing here?

Par.
I'm going
Whither my mistress sent me—

Sta.
Really?

Par.
Yes, really.

Sta.
What are you looking for?

Par.
I look for nothing, troth!

Sta.
Well get you gone.
You're loitering here, when all within are busy.

Par.
I'm gone.

Sta.
Avaunt! begone, you jade of jades!

[Exit Pardalisca.
Sta.
Is she quite gone? She is—Then I may have
My tongue at liberty. A man in love,
Tho' he is hungry, does not think of eating,
By Hercules! But see there my companion,
My new associate, brother married man
Is coming hither; on his head, a wreath;
And in his hand, a torch—

SCENE III.

Enter OLYMPIO, as STALINO had described him, with MINSTRELS.
Olym.
Pipers, come on;
And, while they hither lead the new made bride,
Play a soft hymenæal, nuptial air;
Make the whole street resound. Sing,

Sta.
How fare you, my preserver?

Olym.
Very hungry,
By Hercules! and therefore not so thirsty.

Sta.
But I am in love.

Olym.
I shall do nought, O love,
To bring your empire into danger; no,
My inwards grumble; and with emptiness.

Sta.
Why this delay within? 'tis done on purpose:
The more I haste myself, the slower are they.

Olym.
Suppose I serenade them with a song?
Sing Hymenæe to them?

Sta.
'Twould not be
Amiss—I'll join you, as we both are married.

Olym. and Sta.
Io, Hymen! Hymenæe! Io, Hymen!
[singing.

Sta.
Oh! I am gone; poor I have burst my lungs
With singing Hymen! Hymen! Hymenæe!
If I was running now the race I'd wish
To run, I never could hold out—

Olym.
By Pollux!
Was you a horse, you never would be tam'd.

Sta.
Why so? and for what reason?

Olym.
You're too resty.
But the door creaks—Oh! ho! they're coming out.

Sta.
The gods preserve me! all goes very well.
I at a distance smell out Casina.

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.