Stichus, or The Parasite Rebuffed (80-103)

If they should prefer to remain here rather than to marry afresh, why, let them do so. What need is there for me, the term of my life run out, to be waging war with my children, when I think that they don’t at all deserve that I should do so? By no means; I’ll have no disturbances. But I think that this is the best thing to be done by me; I’ll do thus; I’ll pretend as though they had themselves been guilty of some fault;

I’ll terribly terrify their minds this day by some ambiguous expressions; ana then, after that, as I shall feel disposed, I’ll disclose myself. I know that many words will be spoken; I’ll go in. (Goes to the door of PHILUMENA’S house.) But the door’s open.

Why, surely the sound of my father’s voice reached my ears.

I’ troth, ’tis he; let’s hasten to meet him with a kiss.

My father, my respects.

And to you the same. Away this instant, and be off from me,

One kiss.

I’ve had enough of your kissing.

Prithee, father, why so?

Because, as it is, the seasoning of your affection has reached my soul[*].

Sit down here, father.

I’ll not sit there; do you sit down; I’ll sit on the bench[*].

Wait till I fetch a cushion.

You take kind care of me; I’m nicely seated now as I am[*].

Do let me, father.

What need is there?

There is need.

I’ll submit to you. (Arranging the cushion.) Yes, this does very well.

Why, daughters can never take too much care of their parent. Whom is it proper that we should esteem more dear than yourself? And then, in the next place, father, our husbands, for whom you have chosen that we should be the mothers of families.

You do as it is proper for good wives to do, in esteeming your husbands,

though absent, just as though they were present.

’Tis propriety, father, for us to highly honor those who have chosen us as companions for themselves.

Is there any other person here to listen with his ears[*] to our conversation?

There’s no one except us and yourself.