The Comedies of Terence Part 89

PHI. But tell me; Went he meanwhile to Bacchis?

PAR. Every day.

But she, as is the way you know, perceiving He was another's property, became More cross and mercenary.

PHI. Troth, no wonder.

PAR. Aye, but 'twas that detach'd him chiefly from her.

For when he had examined well himself, Bacchis, and her at home; and had compar'd Their different manners; seeing that his bride, After the fas.h.i.+on of a lib'ral mind, Was decent, modest, patient of affronts, And anxious to conceal the wrongs he did her; Touch'd partly with compa.s.sion for his wife, And partly tir'd with t'other's insolence, He by degrees withdrew his heart from Bacchis, Transferring it to her, whose disposition Was so congenial to his own. Meanwhile An old relation of the family Dies in the isle of Imbrus. His estate Comes by the law to them; and our old man Dispatching thither, much against his will, The now-fond Pamphilus, he leaves his wife Here with his mother. The old gentleman Retir'd into the country, and but seldom Comes up to town.

PHI. But what is there in this That can affect the marriage?

PAR. You shall hear Immediately. At first, for some few days, The women seem'd to live on friendly terms: Till all at once the bride, forsooth, conceiv'd A wonderful disgust to Sostrata: And yet there was no open breach between them, And no complaints on either side.

PHI. What then?

PAR. If Sostrata, for conversation' sake, Went to the bride, she instantly withdrew, Shunning her company. At length, not able To bear it any longer, she pretends Her mother had sent for her to a.s.sist At some home-sacrifice. Away she went.

After a few days' absence, Sostrata Sent for her back. They made some lame excuse, I know not what. She sends again. No lady.

Then after several messages, at last They say the gentlewoman's sick. My mistress Goes on a visit to her: not let in.

Th' old gentleman, inform'd of all this, came On this occasion yesterday to town; And waited on the father of the bride.

What pa.s.s'd between them, I as yet can't tell; And yet I long to know the end of this.

--There's the whole business. Now I'll on my way.

PHI. And I: for there's a stranger here, with whom I have an a.s.signation.

PAR. Speed the plow!

PHI. Parmeno, fare you well!

PAR. Farewell, Philotis! (_Exeunt severally._

[Changes:

_Harper_ PAR. (_to SCRITUS within_).

D'ye understand my meaning, Scritus?

_Colman 1768_ PAR. (_to SCIRTUS within_).

D'ye understand my meaning, Scirtus?

_Harper_ PAR. All these Fair words, Philotis, sha'n't prevail on me _Colman 1768_ PAR. No, no: Fair words, Philotis, sha'n't prevail on me

_Harper_ As arrogant: but she, I hope, as soon _Colman 1768_ Is arrogant: but she, I hope, as soon

The women seem'd to live on friendly terms: _Harper edition reads "The woman"_

_Harper_ Shunning her company. At length, not able _Colman 1768_ Shunning her company. At length, unable]

ACT THE SECOND.

SCENE I.

_LACHES, SOSTRATA._

LACH. Oh heav'n and earth, what animals are women!

What a conspiracy between them all, To do or not do, love or hate alike!

Not one but has the s.e.x so strong in her, She differs nothing from the rest. Step-mothers All hate their Step-daughters: and every wife Studies alike to contradict her husband, The same perverseness running through them all.

Each seems train'd up in the same school of mischief: And of that school, if any such there be, My wife, I think, is schoolmistress.

SOSTRA. Ah me!

Who know not why I am accus'd.

LACH. Not know?

SOSTRA. No, as I hope for mercy! as I hope We may live long together!

LACH. Heav'n forbid!

SOSTRA. Hereafter, Laches, you'll be sensible How wrongfully you have accus'd me.

LACH. I?

Accuse you wrongfully?----Is't possible To speak too hardly of your late behavior?

Disgracing me, yourself, and family; Laying up sorrow for your absent son; Converting into foes his new-made friends, Who thought him worthy of their child in marriage.

You've been our bane, and by your shrewishness Brew'd this disturbance.

SOSTRA. I?

LACH. You, woman, you!

Who take me for a stone, and not a man.

Think ye, because I'm mostly in the country, I'm ignorant of your proceedings here?

No, no; I know much better what's done here, Than where I'm chiefly resident. Because Upon my family at home depends My character abroad. I knew long since Philumena's disgust to you;----no wonder!

Nay, 'twere a wonder, had it not been so.

Yet I imagin'd not her hate so strong, 'Twould vent itself upon the family: Which had I dream'd of, she should have remain'd, And you pack'd off.--Consider, Sostrata, How little cause you had to vex me thus.

In complaisance to you, and husbanding My fortune, I retir'd into the country: Sc.r.a.ping, and laboring beyond the bounds Of reason, or my age, that my estate Might furnish means for your expense and pleasure.

--Was it not then your duty, in return, To see that nothing happen'd here to vex me?

SOSTRA. 'Twas not my doing, nor my fault indeed.

LACH. 'Twas your fault, Sostrata; your fault alone.

You was sole mistress here; and in your care The house, though I had freed you of all other cares.

A woman, an old woman too, and quarrel With a green girl! oh shame upon't!--You'll say That 'twas her fault.

SOSTRA. Not I indeed, my Laches.

LACH. 'Fore Heav'n, I'm glad on't! on my son's account.

For as for you, I'm well enough a.s.sur'd, No fault can make you worse.