Truculentus, or The Churl (803b-829)

You are asking more.

Answer me quickly; what did she do, to whom it was given? Tell me.

She passed it off as—

Whose?

As her own

son.

As her own son?

Ye Gods, by my trust in you I do appeal to you, how much more easily does another than she to whom it belongs, bring forth another’s child! She, by the labours of another, has brought forth this child without pain. A child blest indeed! two mothers it has got, and grandams two[*]. I’m now afraid how many fathers there may have been. Do see, please, the shocking deeds of women!

I’ troth, this fraud relates rather to the men than to the women. ’Twas a man, and not a woman, that caused her pregnancy.

I know that too. You were a trusty guardian for it.

He can do the most, who is strong the most. He was a man; he was the strongest; he prevailed; what he wanted, he carried off.

And, i’ faith, he too brought a heavy mishap, in fact, upon yourself.

The thing itself experienced, I myself fully know that, even if you had held your tongue.

Never, this day, have I been able to made you declare who he was.

I’ve held my tongue; but now I shan’t hold my tongue, since he’s here; it’s necessary I should tell.

I’m petrified; in my wretchedness, I dare not move myself; the matter’s all out! The trial’s now going on here for my life!

These are my misdeeds, this is my folly. I’m in dread how soon I may be named.

Speak out, who was it, debauched my maiden daughter?

I see him near you.
A supporter of the wall[*].

Hussy, who was it?[*]

I’m neither alive nor dead, nor know I what I am now to do; neither know I how to go away hence, nor how to accost him; I’m numbed with fear.

Will you tell me, or no?

It is Dinarchus, to whom you first betrothed her.

Where is this person whom you mention?

Here I am, Callicles. (Falling on the ground.) By your knees I do entreat you that you will bear with wisdom that which was done in folly; and that you will pardon me that, which, losing my senses, I did through the bad influence of wine.

You please me not. You throw the blame on what is dumb[*], that which cannot speak.