I wish your attention to be given; for, unacquainted with female matters and ways, I come now as a pupil to you, my instructresses; in order that each of you may tell me what endowments matrons ought to have, who are the best esteemed. PAMPHILA What’s the reason that you come hither to enquire about the ways of females? ANTIPHO Troth, I’m looking for a wife, as your mother’s dead and gone. PAMPHILA You’ll easily find, father, one both worse and of worse morals than she was; one better you’ll neither find nor does the sun behold. ANTIPHO But I’m making the enquiry of you, and of this sister of yours. PAMPHILA I’ faith, father, I know how they should be, if they are to be such as I think right. ANTIPHO I wish, then, to know what you do think right. PAMPHILA That when they walk through the city, they should shut the mouths of all, so that none can speak ill of them with good reason. ANTIPHO (to PHILUMENA.) And now speak you in your turn. PHILUMENA What do you wish that I should speak to you about, father?