Hecyra; The Mother-in-Law (subject-843)

Prologue

HECYRA

[*] is the name of this Play; when it was represented for the first time, an unusual disaster and calamity [*] interrupted it, so that it could not be witnessed throughout or estimated; so much had the populace, carried away with admiration, devoted their attention to some rope-dancing. It is now offered as though entirely a new Play; and he who wrote it did not wish to bring it forward then a second time, on purpose that he might be able again to sell it. [*] Other Plays of his [*] you have seen represented; I beg you now to give your attention to this.

Prologue

I COME to you as an envoy from the Poet, in the character of prologue-speaker; allow me to be a successful pleader, that in my old age I may enjoy the same privilege that I enjoyed when a younger man, when I caused new Plays, that had been once rejected, to come into favor; so that his writings might not die with the Poet. Among them, as to those of Caecilius,

[*] which I first studied when new; in some of which I was rejected; in some I kept my ground with difficulty. As I knew that the fortune of the stage was varying, where the hopes were uncertain, I submitted to certain toil. Those I zealously attempted to perform, that from the same writer I might learn new ones, and not discourage him from his pursuits. I caused them to be represented. When seen, they pleased. Thus did I restore the Poet to his place, who was now almost weaned, through the malevolence of his adversaries, from his pursuits and labors, and from the dramatic art. But if I had at that period slighted the writer, and had wished to use my endeavors in discouraging him, so that he might live a life of idleness rather than of study, I might have easily discouraged him from writing others. Now, for my sake, hear with unbiased minds what it is I ask. I again bring before you the Hecyra, which I have never been allowed to act before you in silence; such misfortunes have so overwhelmed it. These misfortunes your intelligence will allay, if it is a seconder of our exertions. The first time, when I began to act this Play, the vauntings of boxers, [*] the expectation of a rope-dancer, [*] added to which, the throng of followers, the noise, the clamor of the women, caused me to retire from your presence before the time. In this new Play, I attempted to follow the old custom of mine, [*] of making a fresh trial; I brought it on again. In the first Act I pleased; when in the mean time a rumor spread that gladiators were about to be exhibited; the populace flock together, make a tumult, clamor aloud, and fight for their places: [*] meantime, I was unable to maintain my place. Now there is no confusion: there is attention and silence—an opportunity of acting my Play has been granted me; to yourselves is given the power of gracing the scenic festival. [*] Do not permit, through your agency, the dramatic art to sink into the hands of a few; let your authority prove a seconder and assistant to my own. If I have never covetously set a price upon my skill, and have come to this conclusion, that it is the greatest gain in the highest possible degree to contribute to your entertainment; allow me to obtain this of you, that him who has intrusted his labors to my protection, and himself to your integrity,—that him, I say, the malicious may not maliciously deride, beset by them on every side. For my sake, admit of this plea, and attend in silence, that he may be encouraged to write other Plays, and that it may be for my advantage to study new ones hereafter, purchased at my own expense. [*]

PHILOTIS

I' faith, Syra, you can find but very few lovers who prove constant to their mistresses. For instance, how often did this Pamphilus swear to Bacchis—how solemnly, so that any one might have readily believed him—that he never would take home a wife so long as she lived. Well now, he is married.

SYRA

Therefore, for that very reason, I earnestly both advise and entreat you to take pity upon no one, but plunder, fleece, and rend every man you lay hold of.

PHILOTIS

What! Hold no one exempt?

SYRA

No one; for not a single one of them, rest assured, comes to you without making up his mind, by means of his flatteries, to gratify his passion with you at the least possible expense. Will you not, pray, plot against them in return ?

PHILOTIS

And yet, upon my faith, it is unfair to be the same to all.

SYRA

What! unfair to take revenge on your enemies? or, for them to be caught in the very way they try to catch you ? Alas! wretched me! why do not your age and beauty belong to me, or else these sentiments of mine to you?

PARMENO

at the door, speaking to SCIRTUS within. If the old man should be asking for me, do you say that I have just gone to the harbor to inquire about the arrival of Pamphilus. Do you hear what I say, Scirtus? If he asks for me, then you are to say so; if he does not, why, say nothing at all; so that at another time I may be able to employ that excuse as a new one. Comes forward, and looking around.—But is it my dear Philotis that I see? How has she come here? Accosting her. Philotis heartily good-morrow.

PHILOTIS

O, good-morrow, Parmeno,

SYRA

By my troth, good-morrow, Parmeno.

PARMENO

I' faith, Syra, the same to you. Philotis, tell me, where have you been enjoying yourself so long?

PHILOTIS

For my part, indeed, I have been far from enjoying myself, in leaving this place for Corinth with a most brutal captain; for two whole years, there, had I to put up with him to my sorrow.

PARMENO

I' troth, I fancy that regret for Athens full oft possessed you, and that you thought but poorly of your foresight.

PHILOTIS

It can not be expressed how impatient I was to return hither, get rid of the captain, and see yourselves here, that after our old fashion I might at my ease enjoy the merry-makings among you; for there it was not allowed me to speak, except at the moment prescribed, and on such subjects as he chose.

PARMENO

sarcastically. I don't think it was gallant in the captain to place a restraint on your tongue.

PHILOTIS

But what is this piece of business that Bacchis has just now been telling me in-doors here? pointing to her house. A thing I never supposed would come to pass, that he, in her lifetime, could possibly prevail upon his feelings to take a wife.

PARMENO

To take, indeed!

PHILOTIS

Why, look you, has he not taken one?

PARMENO

He has; but I doubt whether this match will be lasting.

PHILOTIS

May the Gods and Goddesses grant it so, if it is for the advantage of Bacchis. But why am I to believe it is so? Tell me, Parmeno.

PARMENO

There is no need for its being spread abroad; ask me no more about it.

PHILOTIS

For fear, I suppose, it may be made public. So may the Gods prosper me, I do not ask you in order that I may spread it abroad, but that, in silence, I may rejoice within myself.

PARMENO

You'll never speak me so fairly, that I shall trust my back to your discretion.

PHILOTIS

Oh, don't say so, Parmeno ;

[*] as though you were not much more impatient to tell me this, than I to learn what I'm inquiring about.

PARMENO

to himself. She tells the truth there; and that is my greatest failing. To PHILOTIS. If you give me your word that you'll keep it a secret, I'll tell you.

PHILOTIS

You are now returning to your natural disposition. I give you my word; say on.

PARMENO

Listen.

PHILOTIS

I'm all attention.

PARMENO

Pamphilus was in the height of his passion for Bacchis here, when his father began to importune him to take a wife, and to urge those points which are usual with all fathers, that he himself was now in years, and that he was his only son, that he wished for a support for his declining years. He refused at first. But on his father pressing more urgently, he caused him to become wavering in his mind, whether to yield rather to duty or to love. By hammering on and teazing him, at last the old man gained his point; and betrothed him to the daughter of our next-door neighbor here pointing to the house of PHIDIPPUS. This did not seem so very disagreeable to Pamphilus, until on the very point of marriage, when he saw that all was ready, and that no respite was granted, but marry he must; then, at last, he took it so much to heart, that I do believe if Bacchis had been present, even she would have pitied him. Whenever opportunity was afforded for us being alone, so that he could converse with me, he used to say: "Parmeno, I am ruined! What have I done! Into what misery have I plunged myself! Parmeno, I shall never be able to endure this. To my misery, I am undone !"

PHILOTIS

vehemently exclaiming. May the Gods and Goddesses confound you, Laches, for vexing him so !

PARMENO

To cut the matter short, he took home his wife. On the first night, he did not touch the girl; the night that followed that, not a bit the more.

PHILOTIS

What is it you tell me? A young man go to bed with a virgin, intoxicated to boot, and able to restrain himiself from touching her! You do not say what's likely; nor do I believe it to be the truth.

PARMENO

I suppose it does seem so to you, for no one comes to you unless he is eager for you; but he had married her against his will.

PHILOTIS

After this, what followed ?

PARMENO

In a very few days after, Pamphilus took me aside, away from the house, and told me how that the young woman was still untouched by him; and how that before he had taken her home as his wife, he had hoped to be able to endure this marriage: "But, Parmeno, as I can not resolve to live with her any longer, it is neither honorable in me, nor of advantage to the young woman herself, for her to be turned to ridicule, but rather I ought to return her to her relations just as I received her."

PHILOTIS

You tell me of a conscientious and virtuous disposition in Pamphilus.

PARMENO

"For me to declare this, I consider to be inconvenient to me, but for her to be sent back to her father without mentioning any blame, would be insolent; but I am in hopes that she, when she is sensible that she can not live with me, will go at last of her own accord."

PHILOTIS

What did he do in the mean while ? Used he to visit Bacchis?

PARMENO

Every day. But as usually is the case, after she saw that he belonged to another, she immediately became more ill-natured and more peevish.

PHILOTIS

I' faith, that's not to be wondered at.

PARMENO

And this circumstance in especial contributed to estrange him from her; after he had fairly examined himself, and her, and the one that was at home, he formed a judgment, by comparison, upon the principles of them both. She, just as might be expected from a person of respectable and free birth, chaste and virtuous, patient under the slights and all the insults of her husband, and concealing his affronts. Upon this, his mind, partly overcome by compassion for his wife, partly constrained by the insolence of the other, was gradually estranged from Bacchis, and transferred its affections to the other, after having found a congenial disposition. In the mean time, there dies at Imbros

[*] an old man, a relative of theirs. His property there devolved on them by law. Thither his father drove the love-sick Pamphilus, much against his will. He left his wife here with his mother, for the old man has retired into the country; he seldom comes into the city.

PHILOTIS

What is there yet in this marriage to prevent its being lasting ?

PARMENO

You shall hear just now. At first, for several days, there really was a good understanding between them. In the mean time, however, in a strange way, she began to take a dislike to Sostrata; nor yet was there ever any quarrel or words between them.

PHILOTIS

What then ?

PARMENO

If at any time she came to converse with her, she would instantly withdraw from her presence,

[*] and refuse to see her; in fine, when she could no longer endure her, she pretended that she was sent for by her mother to assist at a sacrifice. When she had been there a few days, Sostrata ordered her to be fetched. She made some, I know not what, excuse. Again she gave similar orders; no one sent back any excuse. After she had sent for her repeatedly, they pretended that the damsel was sick. My mistress immediately went to see her; no one admitted her. On the old man coming to know of this, he yesterday came up from the country on purpose, and waited immediately upon the father of Philumena. What passed between them, I do not know as yet; but really I do feel some anxiety in what way this is to end. You now have the whole matter; and I shall proceed whither I was on my way.

PHILOTIS

And I too, for I made an appointment with a certain stranger

[*] to meet him.

PARMENO

May the Gods prosper what you undertake!

PHILOTIS

Farewell!

PARMENO

And a kind farewell to you, my dear Philotis. (Exeunt severally.)

LACHES

O faith of Gods and men! what a race is this! what a conspiracy this! that all women should desire and reject every individual thing alike! And not a single one can you find to swerve in any respect from the disposition of the rest. For instance, quite as though with one accord, do all mothers-in-law hate their daughters-in-law. Just in the same way is it their system to oppose their husbands; their obstinacy here is the same. In the very same school they all seem to me to have been trained up to perverseness. Of that school, if there is any mistress, I am very sure that she pointing at SOSTRATA it is.

SOSTRATA

Wretched me! when now I don't so much as know why I am accused!

LACHES

Eh ! you don't know ?

SOSTRATA

So may the Gods kindly prosper me, Laches, and so may it be allowed us to pass our lives together in unity!

LACHES

aside. May the Gods avert such a misfortune!

SOSTRATA

I'm sure that before long you will be sensible that I have been accused by you undeservedly.

LACHES

You, undeservedly ? Can any thing possibly be said that you deserve in return for this conduct of yours? You, who are disgracing both me and yourself and the family, and are laying up sorrow for your Son. Then besides, you are making our connections become, from friends, enemies to us, who have thought him deserving for them to intrust their children

[*] to him. You alone have put yourself forward, by your folly, to be causing this disturbance.

SOSTRATA

What, I ?

LACHES

You, woman, I say, who take me to be a stone, not a man. Do you think because it's my habit to be so much in the country, that I don't know in what way each person is passing his life here ? I know much better what is going on here than there, where I am daily; for this reason, because, just as you act at home, I am spoken of abroad. Some time since, indeed, I heard that Philumena had taken a dislike to you; nor did I the least wonder at it; indeed, if she hadn't done so, it would have been more surprising. But I did not suppose that she would have gone so far as to hate even the whole of the family; if I had known that, she should have remained here in preference, and you should have gone away. But consider how undeservedly these vexations arise on your account, Sostrata; I went to live in the country, in compliance with your request, and to look after my affairs, in order that my circumstances might be able to support your lavishness and comforts, not sparing my own exertions, beyond what's reasonable and my time of life allows. That you should take no care, in return for all this, that there should be nothing to vex me!

SOSTRATA

Upon my word, through no means or fault of mine has this taken place.

LACHES

Nay, through you in especial; you were the only person here; on you alone, Sostrata, falls all the blame. You ought to have taken care of matters here, as I had released you from other anxieties. Is it not a disgrace for an old woman to pick a quarrel with a girl? You will say it was her fault.

SOSTRATA

Indeed I do not say so, my dear Laches.

LACHES

I am glad of that, so may the Gods prosper me, for my son's sake. I am quite sure of this, that no fault of yours can possibly put you in a worse light.

SOSTRATA

How do you know, my husband, whether she may not have pretended to dislike me, on purpose that she might be more with her mother?

LACHES

What say you to this? Is it not proof sufficient, when yesterday no one was willing to admit you into the house, when you went to see her?

SOSTRATA

Why, they told me that she was very ill just then; for that reason I was not admitted to her.

LACHES

I fancy that your humors are more her malady than any thing else; and with good reason in fact, for there is not one of you but wants her son to take a wife; and the match which has taken your fancy must be the one; when, at your solicitation, they have married, then, at your solicitation, they are to put them away again.

PHIDIPPUS

speaking to PHILUMENA within. Although I am aware, Philumena, that I have the right to compel you to do what I order, still, being swayed by the feelings of a father, I will prevail upon myself to yield to you, and not oppose your inclination.

LACHES

And look, most opportunely I see Phidippus; I'll presently know from him how it is. Accosting him. Phidippus, although I am aware that I am particularly indulgent to all my family, still it is not to that degree to let my good nature corrupt their minds. And if you would do the same, it would be more for your own interest and ours. At present I see that you are under the control of those women.

PHIDIPPUS

Just look at that, now !

LACHES

I waited on you yesterday about your daughter; you sent me away just as wise as I came. It does not become you, if you wish this alliance to continue, to conceal your resentment. If there is any fault on our side, disclose it; either by clearing ourselves, or excusing it, we shall remedy these matters for you, yourself the judge. But if this is the cause of detaining her at your house, because she is ill, then I think that you do me an injustice, Phidippus, if you are afraid lest she should not be attended with sufficient care at my house. But, so may the Gods prosper me, I do not yield in this to you, although you are her father, that you can wish her well more than I do, and that on my son's account, who I know values her not less than his own self. Nor, in fact, is it unknown to you, how much, as I believe, it will vex him, if he comes to know

[*] of this; for this reason, I wish to have her home before he returns.

PHIDIPPUS

Laches, I am sensible of both your carefulness and your good-will, and I am persuaded that all you say is just as you say: and I would have you believe me in this; I am anxious for her to return to you, if I possibly can by any means effect it.

LACHES

What is it prevents you from effecting it? Come, now, does she make any complaint against her husband?

PHIDIPPUS

By no means; for when I urged it still more strongly, and attempted to constrain her by force to return, she solemnly protested that she couldn't possibly remain with you, while Pamphilus was absent. Probably each has his own failing; I am naturally of an indulgent disposition; I can not thwart. my own family.

LACHES

turning to his wife, who stands apart. Ha! Sostrata!

[*]

SOSTRATA

sighing deeply. Alas! wretched me!

LACHES

to PHIDIPPUS. Is this your final determination ?

PHIDIPPUS

For the present, at least, as it seems; but have you any thing else to say? for I have some business that obliges me to go at once to the Forum.

LACHES

I'll go with you. (Exeunt.)

SOSTRATA

Upon my faith, we assuredly are all of us hated by our husbands with equal injustice, on account of a few, who cause us all to appear deserving of harsh treatment. For, so may. the Gods prosper me, as to what my husband accuses me of, I am quite guiltless. But it is not so easy to clear myself, so strongly have people come to the conclusion that all step-mothers are harsh: i' faith, not I, indeed, for I never regarded her otherwise than if she had been my own daughter; nor can I conceive how this has befallen me. But really, for many reasons, I long for. my son's return home with impatience. Goes into her house.

PAMPHILUS

No individual, I do believe, ever met with more crosses in love than I. Alas! unhappy me! that I have thus been sparing of life! Was it for this I was so very impatient to return home ? O, how much more preferable had it been for me to pass my life any where in the world than to return here and be sensible that I am thus wretched! For all of us know who have met with trouble from any cause, that all the time that passes before we come to the knowledge of it, is so much gain.

PARMENO

Still, as it is, you'll the sooner know how to extricate yourself from these misfortunes. If you had not returned, this breach might have become much wider; but now, Pamphilus, I am sure that both will be awed by your presence. You will learn the facts, remove their enmity, restore them to good feeling once again. These are but trifles which you have persuaded yourself are so grievous.

PAMPHILUS

Why comfort me? Is there a person in all the world so wretched as I? Before I took her to wife, I had my heart engaged by other affections. Now, though on this subject I should be silent, it is easy for any one to know how much I have suffered; yet I never dared refuse her whom my father forced upon me. With difficulty did I withdraw myself from another, and disengage my affections so firmly rooted there! and hardly had I fixed them in another quarter, when, lo! a new misfortune has arisen, which may tear me from her too. Then besides, I suppose that in this matter I shall find either my mother or my wife in fault; and when I find such to be the fact, what remains but to become still more wretched? For duty, Parmeno, bids me bear with the feelings of a mother; then, to my wife I am bound by obligations; with so much temper did she formerly bear my usage, and on no occasion disclose the many wrongs inflicted on her by me. But, Parmeno, something of consequence, I know not what it is, must have happened for this misunderstanding to have arisen between them, that has lasted so long.

PARMENO

Or else something frivolous, i' faith, if you would only give words their proper value; those which are sometimes the greatest enmities, do not argue the greatest injuries; for it often happens that in certain circumstances, in which another would not even be out of temper, for the very same reason a passionate man becomes your greatest enemy. What enmities do children entertain among themselves for trifling injuries! For what reason? Why, because they have a weak understanding to direct them. Just so are these women, almost like children with their fickle feelings; perhaps a single word has occasioned this enmity between them, master.

PAMPHILUS

Go, Parmeno, into the house, and carry word

[*] that I have arrived. A noise is heard in the house of PHIDIPPUS.

PARMENO

starting. Ha! What means this?

PAMPHILUS

Be silent. I perceive a bustling about, and a running to and fro.

PARMENO

going to the door. Come then, I'll approach nearer to the door. He listens. Ha! did you hear?

PAMPHILUS

Don't be prating. He listens. O Jupiter, I heard a shriek!

PARMENO

You yourself are talking, while you forbid me.

MYRRHINA

within the house. Prithee, my child, do be silent.

PAMPHILUS

That seems to be the voice of Philumena's mother. I'm undone

PARMENO

Why so?

PAMPHILUS

Utterly ruined!

PARMENO

For what reason?

PAMPHILUS

Parmeno, you are concealing from me some great misfortune to me unknown.

PARMENO

They said that your wife, Philumena, was in alarm about

[*] something, I know not what; whether that may be it, perchance, I don't know.

PAMPHILUS

I am undone! Why didn't you tell me of this?

PARMENO

Because I couldn't tell every thing at once.

PAMPHILUS

What is the malady?

PARMENO

I don't know.

PAMPHILUS

What! has no one brought a physician to see her?

PARMENO

I don't know.

PAMPHILUS

Why delay going in-doors, that I may know as soon as possible for certain what it is? In what condition, Philumena, am I now to find you? But if you are in any peril, beyond a doubt I will perish with you. Goes into the house of PHIDIPPUS.

PARMENO

to himself. There is no need for me to follow him into the house at present, for I see that we are all disagreeable to them. Yesterday, no one would give Sostrata admittance. If, perchance, the malady should become worse, which really I could far from wish, for my master's sake especially, they would at once say that Sostrata's servant had been in there; they would invent a story that I had brought some mischief against their lives and persons, in consequence of which the malady had been increased. My mistress would be blamed, and I should incur heavy punishment.

[*]

SOSTRATA

to herself. In dreadful alarm, I have for some time heard, I know not what confusion going on here; I'm sadly afraid Philumena's illness is getting worse. Aesculapius, I do entreat thee, and thee, Health,

[*] that it may not be so. Now I'll go visit her. Approaches the door.

PARMENO

coming forward. Hark you, Sostrata.

SOSTRATA

turning round. Well.

PARMENO

You will again be shut out there.

SOSTRATA

What, Parmeno, is it you? I'm undone! wretch that I am, what shall I do? Am I not to go see the wife of Pamphilus, when she is ill here next door?

PARMENO

Not go see her! Don't even send any person for the purpose of seeing her; for I'm of opinion that he who loves, a person to whom he is an object of dislike, commits a double mistake: he himself takes a useless trouble, and causes annoyance to the other. Besides, your son went in to see how she is, as soon as he arrived.

SOSTRATA

What is it you say? Has Pamphilus arrived?

PARMENO

He has.

SOSTRATA

I give thanks unto the Gods! Well, through that news my spirits are revived, and anxiety has departed from my heart.

PARMENO

For this reason, then, I am especially unwilling you should go in there; for if Philumena's malady at all abates, she will, I am sure, when they are by themselves, at once tell him all the circumstances; both what misunderstandings have arisen between you, and how the difference first began. But see, he's coming out-how sad he looks! Re-enter PAMPHILUS, from the house of PHIDIPPUS.

SOSTRATA

running up to him. O my son! Embraces him.

PAMPHILUS

My mother, blessings on you.

SOSTRATA

I rejoice that you are returned safe. Is Philumena in a fair way?

PAMPHILUS

She is a little better. Weeping.

SOSTRATA

Would that the Gods may grant it so! Why, then, do you weep, or why so dejected?

PAMPHILUS

All's well, mother.

SOSTRATA

What meant that confusion? Tell me; was she suddenly taken ill?

PAMPHILUS

Such was the fact.

SOSTRATA

What is her malady?

PAMPHILUS

A fever.

SOSTRATA

An intermitting one?

[*]

PAMPHILUS

So they say. Go in the house, please, mother; I'll follow you immediately.

SOSTRATA

Very well. Goes into her house.

PAMPHILUS

Do you run and meet the servants, Parmeno, and help them with the baggage.

PARMENO

Why, don't they know the way themselves to come to our house?

PAMPHILUS

stamping. Do you loiter? (Exit PARMENO.)

PAMPHILUS

I can not discover any fitting commencement of my troubles, at which to begin to narrate the things that have so unexpectedly befallen me, some of which with these eyes I have beheld; some I have heard with my ears; and on account of which I so hastily betook myself, in extreme agitation, out of doors. For just now, when, full of alarm, I rushed into the house, expecting to find my wife afflicted with some other malady than what I have found it to be—ah me! immediately the servant-maids beheld that I had arrived, they all at the same moment joyfully exclaimed, "He is come," from having so suddenly caught sight of me. But I soon perceived the countenances of all of them change,

[*] because at so unseasonable a juncture chance had brought me there. One of them in the mean time hastily ran before me to give notice that I had come. Impatient to see my wife, I followed close. When I entered the room, that instant, to my sorrow, I found out her malady; for neither did the time afford any. interval to enable her to conceal it, nor could she complain in any other accents than those which the case itself prompted. When I perceived this: "O disgraceful conduct!" I exclaimed, and instantly hurried away from the spot in tears, overwhelmed by such an incredible and shocking circumstance. Her mother followed me; just as I got to the threshold, she threw herself on her knees: I felt compassion for her. Assuredly it is the fact, in my opinion, just as matters befall us all, so are we elated or depressed. At once she began to address me in these words: "O my dear Pamphilus, you see the reason why she left your house; for violence was offered to her when formerly a maid, by some villain to us unknown. Now, she took refuge here then, that from you and others she might conceal her labor." But when I call to mind her entreaties, I can not, wretched as I am, refrain from tears. "Whatever chance or fortune it is," said she, "which has brought you here to-day, by it we do both conjure you, if with equity and justice we may, that her misfortune may be concealed by you, and kept a secret from all. If ever you were sensible, my dear Pamphilus, that she was tenderly disposed toward you, she now asks you to grant her this favor in return, without making any difficulty of it. But as to taking her back, act quite according to your own convenience. You alone are aware of her. lying-in, and that the child is none of yours. For it is said that it was two months after the marriage before she had commerce with you. And then, this is but the seventh month since she came to you. [*] That you are sensible of this, the circumstances themselves prove. Now, if it is possible, Pamphilus, I especially wish, and will use my endeavors, that her labor may remain unknown to her father, and to all, in fact. But if that can not be managed, and they do find it out, I will say that she miscarried; I am sure no one will suspect otherwise than, what is so likely, the child was by you. It shall be instantly exposed; in that case there is no inconvenience whatever to yourself, and you will be concealing an outrage so undeservingly committed upon her, [*] poor thing!" I promised this, and I am resolved to keep faith in what I said. But as to taking her back, really I do not think that would be at all creditable, nor will I do so, although love for her, and habit, have a strong influence upon me. I weep when it occurs to my mind, what must be her life, and how great her loneliness in future. O Fortune, thou hast never been found constant! But by this time my former passion has taught me experience in the present case. The means by which I got rid of that, I must employ on the present occasion. Parmeno is coming with the servants; it is far from convenient that he should be here under present circumstances, for he was the only person to whom I trusted the secret that I kept aloof from her when I first married her. I am afraid lest, if he should frequently hear her cries, he might find out that she is in labor. He must be dispatched by me somewhere till Philumena is delivered.