Weep not, sister, nor do that to your feelings which your father is threatening to do. ’Tis to be hoped’Tis to be hoped: Spes est. Literally, there is a hope. that he will act more righteously. I know him well; he says these things in jest; and he would not earn for himself the mountains of the Persians,which are said to be of goldSaid to be of gold: No doubt, as the Persians were from an early period noted for their wealth and grandeur, it was a common notion with the people of Europe that they had mountains of gold., to do that of which you are in dread. Still, if he does do it, it befits you by no means to be angry; nor will it happen without some reason.For this is the third year since our husbands have been away from home.PHILUMENA ’Tis as you say; while, in the meantime, they may be living, and may be wellMay be well: After valeant in this line, a comma, and not colon, seems more reconcileable to the meaning of the passage., they do not make us acquainted where they are, what they are doing, whether they are doing well, neither do they return.PAMPHILA And do you, sister, regret this, that they do not observe their duty, whereas you do yours?PHILUMENA Troth, I do. PAMPHILA Hold your peace, if you please; take care, please, that I hear not that same thing from you in future.PHILUMENA And why, pray? PAMPHILA Because, i’ faith, in my opinion, ’tis proper for all prudent people to observe and to do their duty. For that reason, sister, although you are the older, I advise you to remember your duty; and if they are unjust and act otherwise to us than is right, then, i’ faith, in exactly the same degree, that there may be no further mischief, it befits us studiously to remember our duty by all means in our power.PHILUMENA ’Tis good; I’m silenced.