The Comedies of Terence Part 90

SOSTRA. But prithee, husband, How can you tell that her aversion to me Is not a mere pretense, that she may stay The longer with her mother?

LACH. No such thing.

Was not your visit yesterday a proof, From their denial to admit you to her?

SOSTRA. They said she was so sick she could not see me.

LACH. Sick of your humors; nothing else, I fancy.

And well she might: for there's not one of you But want your sons to take a wife: and that's No sooner over, but the very woman Which, by your instigation, they have married, They, by your instigation, put away.

[Changes:

_Harper_ You was sole mistress here; and in your care _Colman 1768_ You were sole mistress here; and in your care]

SCENE II.

_Enter PHIDIPPUS._

PHID. (_to PHILUMENA within_). Although, Philumena, I know my pow'r To force you to comply with my commands; Yet yielding to paternal tenderness, I e'en give way, nor cross your humor.

LACH. See, Phidippus in good time! I'll learn from him The cause of this.-- (_Going up to him._) Phidippus, though I own Myself indulgent to my family, Yet my complacency and easiness Runs not to that extreme, that my good-nature Corrupts their morals. Would you act like me, 'Twould be of service to both families.

But you, I see, are wholly in their power.

PHID. See there!

LACH. I waited on you yesterday About your daughter: but I went away No wiser than I came. It is not right, If you would have the alliance last between us, To smother your resentment. If we seem In fault, declare it; that we may refute, Or make amends for our offense: and you Shall carve the satisfaction out yourself.

But if her sickness only is the cause Of her remaining in your family, Trust me, Phidippus, but you do me wrong, To doubt her due attendance at my house.

For, by the pow'rs of heav'n, I'll not allow That you, although her father, wish her better Than I. I love her on my son's account; To whom, I'm well convinc'd, she is as dear As he is to himself: and I can tell How deeply 'twill affect him, if he knows this.

Wherefore I wish she should come home again, Before my son's return.

PHID. My good friend Laches, I know your care, and your benevolence; Nor doubt that all is as you say; and hope That you'll believe I wish for her return, So I could but effect it.

LACH. What prevents it?

Tell me, Phidippus! does she blame her husband?

PHID. Not in the least. For when I urg'd it home, And threaten'd to oblige her to return, She vow'd most solemnly she could not bear Your house, so long as Pamphilus was absent.

--All have their failings: I am of so soft A nature, I can't thwart my family.

LACH. Ha, Sostrata! (_To SOSTRATA, apart._)

SOSTRA. Wretch that I am! Ah me! (_Aside._)

LACH. And her return's impossible? (_To PHIDIPPUS._)

PHID. At present.

--Would you aught else with me? for I have business That calls me to the Forum.

LACH. I'll go with you. (_Exeunt._

SCENE III.

_Manet SOSTRATA._

SOSTRA. How unjustly Do husbands stretch their censures to all wives For the offenses of a few, whose vices Reflect dishonor on the rest!--For, Heaven So help me, as I'm wholly innocent Of what my husband now accuses me!

But 'tis no easy task to clear myself; So fix'd and rooted is the notion in them, That Step-Mothers are all severe.--Not I; For I have ever lov'd Philumena As my own daughter; nor can I conceive What accident has drawn her hatred on me.

My son's return, I hope, will settle all; And, ah, I've too much cause to wish his coming. (_Exit._

[Changes:

_Harper_ For the offenses of a few, whose vices Reflect dishonor on the rest!--For, Heaven So help me, as I'm wholly innocent _Colman 1768_ Because of the offences of a few, Whose faults reflect dishonour on the rest!

--For, heav'n so help me, as I'm innocent]

ACT THE THIRD.

SCENE I.

_Enter PAMPHILUS and PARMENO._

PAM. Never did man experience greater ills, More miseries in love than I.--Distraction!

Was it for this I held my life so dear?

For this was I so anxious to return?

Better, much better were it to have liv'd In any place, than come to this again!

To feel and know myself a wretch!--For when Mischance befalls us, all the interval Between its happening, and our knowledge of it, May be esteem'd clear gain.

PAR. But as it is, You'll sooner be deliver'd from your troubles: For had you not return'd, the breach between them Had been made wider. But now, Pamphilus, Both will, I doubt not, reverence your presence.

You'll know the whole, make up their difference, And reconcile them to each other.--These Are all mere trifles, which you think so grievous.

PAM. Ah, why will you attempt to comfort me?

Was ever such a wretch?--Before I married, My heart, you know, was wedded to another.

--But I'll not dwell upon that misery, Which may he easily conceiv'd: and yet I had not courage to refuse the match My father forc'd upon me.--Scarcely wean'd From my old love, my lim'd soul scarcely freed From Bacchis, and devoted to my wife, Than, lo, a new calamity arises, Threatening to tear me from Philumena.

For either I shall find my mother faulty, Or else my wife: In either case unhappy.

For duty, Parmeno, obliges me To bear with all the failings of a mother: And then I am so bounden to my wife, Who, calm as patience, bore the wrongs I did her, Nor ever murmur'd a complaint.--But sure 'Twas somewhat very serious, Parmeno, That could occasion such a lasting quarrel.

PAR. Rather some trifle, if you knew the truth.

The greatest quarrels do not always rise From deepest injuries. We often see That what would never move another's spleen Renders the choleric your worst of foes.

Observe how lightly children squabble.--Why?

Because they're govern'd by a feeble mind.

Women, like children, too, are impotent, And weak of soul. A single word, perhaps, Has kindled all this enmity between them.

PAM. Go, Parmeno, and let them know I'm come.

(_Noise within._)