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DORIPPA
to herself . Since a messenger came to me in the country from my husband, that he couldn't come into the country, I made up my mind, and came back to follow after him who fled from me. But looking round I don't see our old woman Syra following. Aye, look, there she comes at last. with a bundle of green sprigs. DORIPPA
Why don't you go quicker? SYRA
By my troth, I cannot; so great is this burden that I'm carrying. DORIPPA
What burden? SYRA
Fourscore years and four, and to that are added servitude, sweat, and thirst; these things as well which I am carrying weigh me down. DORIPPA
Give me something, Syra, with which to decorate this altar of our neighbour1. SYRA
holding out a sprig . Present this sprig of laurel, then. DOR. Now do you go into the house. SYRA
I'm going. Goes into the house of LYSIMACHUS. DORIPPA
laying the sprig on the altar . Apollo, I pray thee that thou wilt propitiously grant peace, safety, and health, unto our household, and that in thy propitiousness thou wilt show favour to my son. rushes out of the house, clapping her hands. SYRA
I'm utterly undone! Wretch that I am, I'm ruined! Ah! wretched me! DORIPPA
Prithee, are you quite in your senses? What are you howling for? SYRA
Dorippa, my dear Dorippa! DORIPPA
Prithee, why are you crying out? SYRA
Some woman, I know not who, is here in-doors in the house. DORIPPA
What? A woman? SYRA
A harlot woman. DORIPPA
Is it so, really? SYRA
In serious truth. You know how to act very prudently, in not remaining in the country. A fool even could have found it out that she was the mistress of your very pretty husband. DORIPPA
By heavens, I believe it. SYRA
taking her arm . Step this way with me, that you, my Juno, may see as well your rival Alcmena. DORIPPA
I' troth, I certainly shall go there, as fast as I can. They go into the house of LYSIMACHUS.
1 Altar of our neighbour: She alludes to Apollo Prostatorus: an altar or statue to whom was placed near the doors of most of the houses Athens; see the Notes to the Bacchides.
The Comedies of Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley. London. G. Bell and Sons. 1912.
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