Mercator, or The Merchant (829_sp45-851)

What worse could your husband do?

Aye, worse than worse.

What is it? Prithee do say. As you to me, so I to you, let’s give advice to each other what needs to be done, It’s an old saying, that, he’s truly wise who is wise at the risk of another.

Dorippa, I have an only son; do you know that?

I do know it.

Him his father some time ago packed off from his own house to Rhodes.

For what reason?

Because he was in love.

For that very thing?

Yes, and the very same thing now as well—inasmuch as he had brought a female slave here, his father coming to know of it, took her away, and put her up for sale.

Aye, aye, I know it; my son told me the truth. I fancied she was the mistress of my husband. To whom was she entrusted?

To a certain old gentleman in this neighbourhood, his friend. I think that he has no other friend here except your husband.

It certainly is she.

What does your son?

He declares that he’ll leave this city.

The matter’s in a safe position. What if he finds her?

I imagine he’ll stay.

Beyond expectation we are saved; don’t doubt it; she’s at my house.

At your house? It was she, I suppose, about whom I heard you talking just now.

It was she.

O well done; I love you with reason; you’ve restored me my son. Do let me see her.

Let’s go in-doors then.

Let’s go. (Turning round.) Come here, Lycissa. Do you go tell these things to Acanthio. I’ll go here to Dorippa’s house.

O higher and lower[*] portions of the threshold, now both of you farewell. This day for the last time do I raise this foot within my father’s house. The ease, the enjoyment, the in-dwelling, the habitation of this house is henceforth for me cut off, destroyed, and alienated. I am undone! The household Gods of my parents, the Lar the father of the family[*],

to you do I recommend, that you will kindly protect the possessions of my parents. I shall now seek other household Gods for myself, another Lar, another city, another state. The people of Attica I do detest; for where worse manners are on the increase every day, where, those who are friends, those who are faithless, you are not able, to distinguish,

and where that is torn away from you, which especially pleases your taste, there, in fact, if a kingdom were given one, that country is not desirable.

Thou who art the overlooker of Gods and of men, and the mistress of mortals as well, inasmuch as thou hast indulged me in this hope that I entertained, I do return thee thanks. What Deity is there now that is joyous with gladness like mine?

That was at home which I was in search of. There did I find six companions, life, friendship, my native land, festivity, mirth, and jollity. On finding these, at the same moment did I utterly destroy ten very bad things, wrath, hatred, folly, ruin, perverseness, grief, tears, exile, want, and loneliness.

Ye Gods, I pray you grant me a speedy opportunity of meeting him.

I’m ready prepared, as you see. Pride I cast aside; I’m my own companion, attendant, horse, groom, esquire; I’m my own master, I, too, obey myself; for my own self do I carry what I require. O Cupid! how powerful art thou.