The Dramatic Values in Plautus by William Wallace Blancke
page 44 of 104 (42%)
page 44 of 104 (42%)
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farce, and hence shows a close kinship with the foregoing.
The extravagance of the love-sick swain is a fruitful source of this species of caricature. The ridiculous Calidorus, always wearing his heart on his sleeve, rolls his eyes, brushes away a tear and says (_Ps._ 38 ff.): "But for a short space have I been e'en as a lily of the field. Suddenly sprang I up, as suddenly I withered." The irreverent Pseudolus replies: "Oh, shut up while I read the letter over." Calidorus finds his counterpart in Phaedromus of the _Cur._, who, accompanied by his slave, approaches milady's abode (_Cur._ 10 ff.): "PH. (_In languishing accents, with eyes cast upward_): Shall I not take sweets to the sweet: what is culled by the toil of the busy bees to my own little honey?... (_They advance to milady's doorway which he sprinkles with wine_, 88 ff.): Come, drink, ye portals of pleasure, quaff and deign to be propitious unto me. PALINURUS SER. (_Addressing the door with mimicry of Phaedromus' airs._) Do you want some olives or sweetmeats or capers? PH. (_Continuing._) Arouse your portress; hither send her unto me. (_Lavishes the wine._) PAL. (_In great alarm, grasping his arm._) You're spilling the wine! What's got hold of you? PH. Unhand me! (_Gently shakes himself loose._) Lo! The temple of joys untold is opening. Did not the hinge creak? 'Tis charming! PAL. (_Turning aside in disgust._) Why don't you give it a kiss?" |
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