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.PHILUMENA Why, surely the sound of my father’s voice reached my ears.PAMPHILA I’ troth, ’tis he; let’s hasten to meet him with a kiss.(They both run to kiss him.)PHILUMENA My father, my respects.ANTIPHO And to you the same. Away this instant, and be off from me,(Removes her.)PHILUMENA One kiss. ANTIPHO I’ve had enough of your kissing.PHILUMENA Prithee, father, why so?ANTIPHO Because, as it is, the seasoning of your affection has reached my soulHas reached my soul: Meae animae salsura evenit. Literally, the salting has come forth to my soul. This phrase is rendered in Leverett’s Lexicon, I am dejected or I am in an ill humour. That, however, does not appear to be the meaning. The father has had kissing enough from his daughters, but he intends, as it would seem, to compliment them by comparing their kisses to salt, with its refreshing and vivifying powers; and when Philumena asks for one kiss more, he says, No, as it is (ita) their refreshing power has reached my soul. Rost seems to be of this opinion, but he suggests that animae meae are vocatives plural; in that case the passage would mean, as it is, my loves, or my delights, the refreshing salt of your affection has reached me..PAMPHILA Sit down here, father.(Points to a chair.)ANTIPHO I’ll not sit there; do you sit down; I’ll sit on the benchOn the bench: Subsellium generally means a footstool, used by persons when sitting on a high seat. Here, however, it probably signifies a bench, perhaps placed against the wall in the front of Philumena’s house, where he was about to make a call..