University of Virginia Library

ACT I.

SCENE I.

Enter OLYMPIO. CHALINUS following him.
OLYMPIO.
Can't I take care of my affairs myself,
Speak as I will, and think too as I will,
And you not put your finger in the pye?
Why ever at my tail, you scoundrel you?

Chal.
Because it is with me a thing determin'd,
Where'er you go, to follow like your shadow:
Nay farther yet, go you even to the gallows,
By Pollux' temple! thither will I follow.
Now, rascal, you may judge if e'er henceforward,
Make use of every artifice you can,
You can deprive me of my Casina
Without my privity, as 'tis your scheme.

Olym.
What business have you to concern yourself
With me?

Chal.
How! impudence! what's that you say?
What dost thou creeping in the city here,
Thou reptile clown, 'mongst those that are thy betters?

Olym.
Why, 'cause I chuse it.

Chal.
Why not in the country,
Presiding o'er the farm, and taking care
Of what you are intrusted with?—Take care
Of that, nor meddle with our town affairs.
What! are you come here to bear off my mistress?
Back to the country, hence! go and be hang'd!
You there are in your province.

Olym.
I know well
What I'm about, Chalinus; nor do I
Forget my duty—I've left charge at home,
All in the country will be taken care of.
As to my being here in town, when I
Have for my wife obtain'd, and made secure
The fair, the tender Casina, your flame
And fellow slave in the same house with you;
I say, when I shall bring her home with me,
Into the country as my wife, I'll then
Enjoy myself in quiet in my province.

Chal.
You marry her? Ere that shall be, by Hercules!
And you enjoy her love, my end shall be
A halter.

Olym.
She already is my plunder.
Tuck yourself up directly then—

Chal.
Go dig
In your own dunghill; there your plunder lies.

Olym.
Fye, fye upon you! Yet you soon shall know
That this is so; and know how many ways
My wedding, if I live, shall make you miserable.

Chal.
Why, what will you do to me?

Olym.
What do to you?
First you shall bear the lighted torch yourself
Before my new espoused bride: and then
You'll afterward be held in no esteem.
And next, when you're arrived at the farm,
You'll have a pitcher given you, and be shewn
One way which leads directly to the spring,
One spring, one kettle, and eight casks: all which,
If they're not always full, you may be sure
You'll have your belly full of lashes: nay,
Your back shall be so bent with drawing water,
'Twill serve to make a crupper of. And then
When in the country you are got, unless
You live on fodder like the cattle, or,
Just as an earth-worm fed upon the soil;
If you but ask to taste of ought besides,
Fasting itself shan't be more thin with fasting,
Than you shall be, by Pollux' temple! Then
When you are tired out, and starv'd with hunger,
You'll have at night the bed you've merited.

Cha.
What shall it be?

Olym.
Why, thou shalt be shut up
In a small nook within my room, from whence,
Thou may'st hear all she says, when I caress her:
May'st hear her say, my soul! my dear Olympio,
My life, my joy, my love, my dearest pleasure,
My darling husband! let me kiss those eyes,
Let me thus shew I love thee, and give loose
To every fond desire, and fond embrace.
May'st hear her call me, her sweet love, her chick,
Her dove, her dear cock sparrow, and her leveret.
While thus she cooes upon me, thou, poor wretch!
Shalt wriggle like a mouse, pent up within
The middle of thy cranny—That thou may'st not
Seek how to answer now to what I've said,
I get me gone—I'll talk to thee no longer—

[Exit.
Chal.
Go when thou wilt, I'll follow like thy shadow;
Thou shalt do nothing here without my company.

[Exit after him.