nunc erus meus amat filiam huius Euclionis pauperis; eam ero nunc renuntiatum est nuptum huic Megadoro dari. is speculatum huc misit me, ut quae fierent fieret particeps. nunc sine omni suspicione in ara hic adsidam sacra; hinc ego et huc et illuc potero quid agant arbitrarier.

Now the fact is, master’s in love with the daughter of poor old Euclio here; and he’s just got word she’s going to be married to Megadorus there.  So he’s sent me over to keep my eyes peeled and report on operations.  I’ll just settle down alongside this sacred altar (does so) and no one’ll suspect me.  I can inspect proceedings at both houses from here.

IV. 2.

    Scene 2.

    ENTER Euclio WITHOUT SEEING Strobilus.

Eucl.

Tu modo cave quoiquam indicassis aurum meum esse istic, Fides:  non metuo ne quisquam inveniat, ita probe in latebris situmst. edepol ne illic pulchram praedam agat, si quis illam invenerit 610 aulam onustam auri; verum id te quaeso ut prohibessis, Fides.

(plaintively) Only be sure you don’t let anyone know my gold is there.  Faith:  no fear of anyone finding it, not after the lovely way I tucked it in that dark nook, (pauses) Oh my God, what a beautiful haul he would get, if anyone should find it—­a pot just crammed with gold!  For mercy’s sake, though, Faith, don’t let him!

nunc lavabo, ut rem divinam faciam, ne affinem morer quin ubi accersat meam extemplo filiam ducat domum. vide, Fides, etiam atque etiam nunc, salvam ut aulam abs te auferam:  tuae fide concredidi aurum, in tuo loco et fano est situm.

(walks slowly toward house) Now I’ll have a bath, so that I may sacrifice and not hinder my prospective son-in-law from marrying my girl the moment he claims her. (looking down street toward temple) Take care now, Faith, do, do, do take care I get my pot back from you safe.  I’ve trusted my gold to your good faith, laid it away in your grove and shrine. [EXIT Euclio INTO HOUSE.

Strob.

Di immortales, quod ego hunc hominem facinus audivi loqui:  se aulam onustam auri abstrusisse hic intus in fano Fide. cave tu illi fidelis, quaeso, potius fueris, quam mihi. atque hic pater est, ut ego opinor, huius erus quam amat, virginis.

(jumping up) Ye immortal gods!  What’s all this I heard the fellow tell of!  A pot just crammed with gold hidden in the shrine of Faith here!  For the love of heaven, Faith, don’t be more faithful to him than to me.  Yes, and he’s the father of the girl that is master’s sweetheart, or I’m mistaken.