For either, father, we ought not formerly to have been bestowed in marriage, unless our husbands pleased you, or, it is not right for us now to be taken away when they are absent. ANTIPHO And shall I suffer you while I am alive to remain married to men who are beggars? PAMPHILA This beggar of mine is agreable to me; her own king is agreable Her own king is agreable : She speaks here of the husband in the character of the rex, or king, in his own establishment, which to him is his kingdom. Of course, then, the wife would be the regina, or queen. to the queen. In poverty have I the same feelings that once I had in riches. ANTIPHO And do you set such high value on thieves and beggars? PHILUMENA You did not, as I think, give me in marriage to the money, but to the man. ANTIPHO Why are you still in expectation of those who have been absent for now three years? Why don’t you accept an eligible match Eligible match : Conditio, in the sense of offer or proposal, especially applies to one of marriage. As their husbands had spent almost all their substance, the ladies are probably living on the fortune which he has given them, and he anticipates that it may be soon exhausted. in place of a very bad one? PAMPHILA ’Tis folly, father, to lead unwilling dogs to hunt. That wife is an enemy, who is given to a man in marriage against her will. ANTIPHO Are you then determined that neither of you will obey the command of your father? PHILUMENA We do obey; for where you gave us in marriage, thence are we unwilling to depart. ANTIPHO Kindly good b’ye; I’ll go and tell my friends your resolutions. PAMPHILA They will, I doubt not, think us the more honorable, if you tell them to honorable men.