The Comedies of Terence Part 95

MYRR. No more of Pamphilus or my offense; Since you will have it so!--Go, find him out; Confer with him alone, and fairly ask him, Will he, or no, take back Philumena?

If he avows his inclination to't, Restore her; but if he refuses it, Allow, I've ta'en good counsel for my child.

PHID. Grant, he should prove repugnant to the match, Grant, you perceiv'd this in him, Myrrhina; Was not I present! had not I a right To be consulted in't?--It makes me mad.

That you should dare to act without my order: And I forbid you to remove the child Out of this house.--But what a fool am I, Enjoining her obedience to my orders!

I'll in, and charge the servants not to suffer The infant to be carried forth. (_Exit._

SCENE III.

_MYRRHINA alone._

No woman more unhappy than myself: For how he'd bear it, did he know the whole, When he has taken such offense at this, Which is of much less consequence, is plain.

Nor by what means to reconcile him to it, Can I devise. After so many ills, This only misery there yet remain'd, To be oblig'd to educate the child, Ignorant of the father's quality.

For he, the cruel spoiler of her honor, Taking advantage of the night and darkness, My daughter was not able to discern His person; nor to force a token from him, Whereby he might be afterward discover'd: But he, at his departure, pluck'd by force A ring from off her finger.--I fear too, That Pamphilus will not contain himself, Nor longer keep our secret, when he finds Another's child acknowledg'd for his own. (_Exit._

SCENE IV.

_SOSTRATA, PAMPHILUS._

SOSTRA. Dear son, I'm not to learn that you suppose, Though you dissemble your suspicions to me, That my ill-humor caus'd your wife's departure.

But by my trust in Heav'n, and hopes in you, I never knowingly did any thing To draw her hatred and disgust upon me.

I always thought you lov'd me, and to-day You have confirm'd my faith: for even now Your father has been telling me within, How much you held me dearer than your love.

Now therefore, on my part, I am resolv'd To equal you in all good offices; That you may know your mother ne'er withholds The just rewards of filial piety; Finding it then both meet for your repose, My Pamphilus, as well as my good name, I have determin'd to retire directly From hence into the country with your father; So shall my presence be no obstacle, Nor any cause remain, but that your wife Return immediately.

PAM. What thoughts are these?

Shall her perverseness drive you out of town?

It shall not be: Nor will I draw, good mother, That censure on me, that my obstinacy, Not your good-nature, was the cause.--Besides, That you should quit relations, friends, diversions, On my account, I can't allow.

SOSTRA. Alas!

Those things have no allurements for me now.

While I was young, and 'twas the season for them, I had my share, and I am satisfied.

'Tis now my chief concern to make my age Easy to all, that no one may regret My lengthen'd life, nor languish for my death.

Here, although undeservedly, I see My presence odious: I had best retire: So shall I best cut off all discontent, Absolve myself from this unjust suspicion, And humor them. Permit me then to shun The common scandal thrown upon the s.e.x.

PAM. How fortunate in every thing but one, Having so good a mother,--such a wife!

SOSTRA. Patience, my Pamphilus! Is't possible You can't endure one inconvenience in her?

If in all else, as I believe, you like her, Dear son, be rul'd by me, and take her home!

PAM. Wretch that I am!

SOSTRA. And I am wretched too: For this grieves me, my son, no less than you.

[Changes:

_Harper_ Finding it then both meet for your repose, My Pamphilus, as well as my good name _Colman 1768_ Finding it then both meet, my Pamphilus, For your repose, as well as my good name]

SCENE V.

_Enter LACHES._

LACH. I have been standing at a distance, wife, And overheard your conversation with him.

You have done wisely to subdue your temper, And freely to comply with what, perhaps, Hereafter must be done.

SOSTRA. And let it be!

LACH. Now then retire with me into the country: There I shall bear with you, and you with me.

SOSTRA. I hope we shall.

LACH. Go in then, and pack up The necessaries you would carry with you.

Away!

SOSTRA. I shall obey your orders. (_Exit._

PAM. Father!

LACH. Well, Pamphilus?

PAM. My mother leave the town?

By no means.

LACH. Why?

PAM. Because I'm yet uncertain What I shall do about my wife.

LACH. How's that?

What _would_ you do but take her home again?

PAM. 'Tis what I wish for, and can scarce forbear it.

But I'll not alter what I first design'd.

What's best I'll follow: and I'm well convinc'd That there's no other way to make them friends, But that I should not take her home again.

LACH. You don't know that: but 'tis of no importance Whether they're friends or not, when Sostrata Is gone into the country. We old folks Are odious to the young. We'd best retire.

In short, we're grown a by-word, Pamphilus, "The old man and old woman."--But I see Phidippus coming in good time. Let's meet him!

[Changes:

_Harper_ PAM. 'Tis what I wish for, and can scarce forbear it.

_Colman 1768_ PAM. 'Tis what I wish for, and can scarce forbear.

_Harper_ That there's no other way to make them friends _Colman 1768_ No other means remain to make them friends]

SCENE VI.