Prithee, why are you crying out? SYRASome woman, I know not who, is here in-doors in the house.DORIPPAWhat? A woman? SYRAA harlot woman.DORIPPAIs it so, really? SYRAIn serious truth. You know how to act very prudently, in not remaining in the country. A fool even could have found it out that she was the mistress of your very pretty husband.DORIPPABy heavens, I believe it.SYRA(taking her arm.)Step this way with me, that you, my Juno, may see as well your rival Alcmena.DORIPPAI’ troth, I certainly shall go there, as fast as I can.(They go into the house of LYSIMACHUS.)

(Enter LYSIMACHUS.)LYSIMACHUS(to himself.)Is this too little of a misfortune that Demipho’s in love, that he must be extravagant as well? If he had been inviting ten men of highest rank to dinner, he has provided too much. But the cooks he directed in such a way just as at sea the time-keeperThe time-keeper: The time was given to the rowers by the pausarius, who is here called hortator. The directions he gave were called celeusma, from the Greek κελεύω, to order. Lysimachus probably means that Demipho has hired whole ranks of them is wont to direct the rowers. I hired a Cook myself, but I’m surprised that he hasn’t come as I directed him. But who’s this, I wonder, that’s coming out of my house? The door’s opening.(He stands aside.)

(Enter DORIPPA, from the house of LYSIMACHUS.)DORIPPA(weeping.)No woman ever will be, or ever has been, more wretched than myself in being married to such a husband. Alas! unhappy that I am! Just see, to what a husband have you committed yourself and the property you have! Just see, to what a person I brought ten talents for a portion; that I should see these things, that I should endure these insults.LYSIMACHUS(behind.)I’ troth, I’m undone; my wife’s returned from the country already. I do believe she has seen the damsel in the house. But what she says I cannot distinctly hear from hence; I’ll go nearer to her.(Approaches her.)DORIPPAAh! woe to wretched me!LYSIMACHUS(behind.)Aye, and to me as well. DORIPPAI’m utterly undone!LYSIMACHUS(behind.)As for me, i’ faith, to my sorrow I’m downright undone! she has seen her. May all the Gods confound you, Demipho!DORIPPAI’ troth, this was it, why my husband wouldn’t go into the country.LYSIMACHUS(behind.)What shall I do now, but go up and speak to her? (Goes up to her.) The husband bids health to his wife. Are the country peopleAre the country people: There has been much discussion as to the meaning of this passage; it seems, however, pretty clear that it is only an indirect way of asking Dorippa why she has so suddenly left the country for town. Colman thinks, with some of the older Commentators, that Dorippa pouts, and makes no return to her husband’s salutation, on which he observes that the town gentry are grown as unmannerly as the country bumpkins. The context will admit of this explanation, but it seems rather far-fetched. becoming townsfolk?DORIPPAThey are acting more decently than those who are not become country people.LYSIMACHUSAre the people in the country at all in fault?DORIPPAI’ faith, less so than the townsfolk, and much less mischief do they meet with for themselves.LYSIMACHUSBut in what have the townsfolk done wrong? Tell me that. DORIPPAWhose woman is that in the house?LYSIMACHUSWhat, have you seen her?DORIPPAI have seen her. LYSIMACHUSWhose is she, do you ask?DORIPPAI shall find out, in spite of you; i’ faith, I long to know. But you are trying me on purpose.