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Enter SOPHRONA from the house of DEMIPHO, at a distance.
SOPHRONA
to herself. What am I to do? What friend, in my distress, shall I find, to whom to disclose these plans; and where shall I look for relief? For I'm afraid that my mistress, in consequence of my advice, may undeservingly sustain some injury, so extremely ill do I hear that the young man's father takes what has happened. CHREMES
apart, to himself. But what old woman's this, that has come out of my brother's house, half dead with fright? SOPHRONA
to herself, continuing It was distress that compelled me to this step, though I knew that the match was not likely to hold good; my object was, that in the mean time life might be supported. CHREMES
apart, to himself. Upon my faith, surely, unless my recollection deceives me, or my sight's not very good, I espy my daughter's nurse.1 SOPHRONA
to herself. And we are not able to find---- CHREMES
apart. What must I do? SOPHRONA
to herself. Her father. CHREMES
to himself, apart. Shall I accost her, or shall I wait to learn more distinctly what it is she's saying? SOPHRONA
to herself If now I could find him, there's nothing that I should be in fear of. CHREMES
apart, to himself, aloud. 'Tis the very woman. I'll address her. SOPHRONA
turning round. Who's that speaking here? CHREMES
coming forward. Sophrona. SOPHRONA
Mentioning my name, too? CHREMES
Look round at me. SOPHRONA
seeing him. Ye Gods, I do beseech you, isn't this Stilpho? CHREMES
No. SOPHRONA
Do you deny it? CHREMES
in a low voice. Step a little this way from that door, Sophrona, if you please pointing . Don't you, henceforth, be calling me by that name. SOPHRONA
Why? Pray, are you not the person you always used to say you were? CHREMES
Hush! pointing to his own house. SOPHRONA
Why are you afraid about that door? CHREMES
in a low voice. I have got a shrew of a wife shut up there. For by that name I formerly falsely called myself, in order that you might not chance indiscreetly to blab it out of doors, and then my wife, by some means or other, might come to know of it. SOPHRONA
I' faith, that's the very reason why we, wretched creatures, have never been able to find you out here. CHREMES
Well, but tell me, what business have you with that family from whose house you were coming out? Where are the ladies?2 SOPHRONA
Ah, wretched me! CHREMES
Hah! What's the matter? Are they still alive? SOPHRONA
Your daughter is alive. Her poor mother died of grief. CHREMES
An unfortunate thing! SOPHRONA
As for me, being a lone old woman, in want, and unknown, I contrived, as well as I could, to get the young woman married to the young man who is master of this house pointing . CHREMES
What! to Antipho? SOPHRONA
The very same, I say. CHREMES
What? Has he got two wives? SOPHRONA
Dear no, prithee, he has only got this one. CHREMES
What about the other one that's called his relative? SOPHRONA
Why, this is she. CHREMES
What is it you say? SOPHRONA
It was done on purpose, in order that her lover might be enabled to marry her without a portion. CHREMES
Ye Gods, by our trust in you! How often do those things come about through accident, which you couldn't dare to hope for? On my return, I have found my daughter matched with the very person I wished, and just as I wanted; a thing that we were both using our endeavors, with the greatest earnestness, to bring about. Without any very great management on our part, by her own management, she has by herself brought this about. SOPHRONA
Now consider what's to be done. The young man's father has returned, and they say that he bears this with feelings highly offended. CHREMES
There's no danger of that. But, by Gods and men, do take care that no one comes to know that she's my daughter. SOPHRONA
No one shall know it from me. CHREMES
Follow me; in-doors we'll hear the rest. He goes into DEMIPHO'S house, followed by SOPHRONA.
The Comedies of Terence. Henry Thomas Riley. Ney York. Harper and Brothers. 1874.
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