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Enter MYRRHINA, from her house.
MYRRHINA
I am undone! What am I to do? which way turn myself? In my wretchedness, what answer am I to give to my husband? For he seems to have heard the voice of the child when crying, so suddenly did he rush in to my daughter without saying a word. What if he comes to know that she has been delivered? for what reason I am to say I kept it concealed, upon my faith I do not know. But there's a noise at the door; I believe it is himself coming out to me: I'm utterly undone! Enter PHIDIPPUS, from the house. PHIDIPPUS
to himself. My wife, when she saw me going to my daughter, betook herself out of the house: and look, there she is. Addressing her. What have you to say, Myrrhina? Hark you! to you I speak. MYRRHINA
What, to me, my husband? PHIDIPPUS
Am I your husband? Do you consider me a husband, or a man, in fact? For, woman, if I had ever appeared to you to be either of these, I should not in this way have been held in derision by your doings. MYRRHINA
By what doings? PHIDIPPUS
Do you ask the question? Is not your daughter brought to bed? Eh, are you silent? By whom? MYRRHINA
Is it proper for a father to be asking such a question? Oh, shocking! By whom do you think, pray, except by him to whom she was given in marriage? PHIDIPPUS
I believe it; nor indeed is it for a father to think otherwise. But I wonder much what the reason can be for which you so very much wish all of us to be in ignorance of the truth, especially when she has been delivered properly, and at the right time.1 That you should be of a mind so perverse as to prefer that the child should perish, through which you might be sure that hereafter there would be a friendship more lasting between us, rather than that, at the expense of your feelings, his wife should continue with him! I supposed this to be their fault, while in reality it lies with you. MYRRHINA
I am an unhappy creature! PHIDIPPUS
I wish I were sure that so it was; but now it recurs to my mind what you once said about this matter, when we accepted him as our son-in-law. For you declared that you could not endure your daughter to be married to a person who was attached to a courtesan, and who spent his nights away from home. MYRRHINA
aside. Any cause whatever I had rather he should suspect than the right one. PHIDIPPUS
I knew much sooner than you did, Myrrhina, that he kept a mistress; but this I never considered a crime in young men; for it is natural to them all. For, i' faith, the time will soon come when even he will be disgusted with himself for doing so. But just as you formerly showed yourself, you have never. ceased to be the same up to the present time; in order that you might withdraw your daughter from him, and that what I did might not hold good, one thing itself now plainly proves how far you wished it carried out. MYRRHINA
Do you suppose that I am so willful that I could have entertained such feelings toward one whose mother I am, if this match had been to our advantage? PHIDIPPUS
Can you possibly foresee or judge what is to our advantage? You have heard it of some one, perhaps, who has told you that he has seen him coming from or going to his mistress. What then? If he has done so with discretion, and but occasionally, is it not more kind in us to conceal our knowledge of it, than to do our. best to be aware of it, in consequence of which he will detest us? For if he could all at once have withdrawn himself from her with whom he had been intimate for so many years, I should not have deemed him a man, or likely to prove a constant husband for our daughter. MYRRHINA
Do have done about the young man, I pray; and what you say I've been guilty of. Go away, meet him by yourself; ask him whether he wishes to have her as a wife or not; if so it is that he should say he does wish it, why, send her back; but if on the other hand he does not wish it, I have taken the best course for my child. PHIDIPPUS
And suppose he does not wish it, and you, Myrrhina, knew him to be in fault; still I was at hand, by whose advice it was proper for these matters to be settled; therefore I am greatly offended that you have presumed to act thus without my leave. I forbid you to attempt to carry the child any where out of this house. But I am very foolish to be expecting her to obey my orders. I'll go in-doors, and charge the servants to allow it to be carried out nowhere. Goes into the house. MYRRHINA
Upon my faith, I do believe that there is no woman living more wretched than I; for how he would take it, if he came to know the real state of the case, i' faith, is not unknown to me, when he bears this, which is of less consequence, with such angry feelings; and I know not in what way his sentiments can possibly be changed. Out of very many misfortunes, this one evil alone had been wanting to me, for him to compel me to rear a child of whom we know not who is the father; for when my daughter was ravished, it was so dark that his person could not be distinguished, nor was any thing taken from him on the occasion by which it could be afterward discovered who he was. He, on leaving her, took away from the girl, by force, a ring which2 she had upon her finger. I am afraid, too, of Pamphilus, that he may be unable any longer to conceal what I have requested, when he learns that the child of another is being brought up as his. Goes into the house.
Enter SOSTRATA and PAMPHILUS.
SOSTRATA
It is not unknown to me, my son, that I am suspected by you as the cause of your wife having left our house in consequence of my conduct; although you carefully conceal your knowledge of it. But so may the Gods prosper me, and so may you answer all my hopes, I have never knowingly deserved that hatred of me should with reason possess her; and while I thought before that you loved me, on that point you have confirmed my belief: for in-doors your father has just now related to me in what way you have preferred me to your passion. Now it is my determination to return you the favor, that you may understand that with me lies the reward of your affection. My Pamphilus, I think that this is expedient both for yourselves and my own reputation. I have finally resolved to retire hence into the country with your father, that my presence may not be an obstacle, and that no pretense may remain why your Philumena should not return to you. PAMPHILUS
Pray, what sort of resolution is this? Driven away by her folly, would you be removing from the city to live in the country? You shall not do so; and I will not permit, mother, any one who may wish to censure us, to say that this has been done through my perverseness, and not your inclination. Besides, I do not wish you, for my sake, to forego your friends and relations, and festive days.3 SOSTRATA
Upon my word, these things afford me no pleasure now. While my time of life permitted it, I enjoyed them enough; satiety of that mode of life has now taken possession of me: this is at present my chief concern, that the length of my life may prove an annoyance to no one, or that he may look forward with impatience to my death.4 Here I see that, without deserving it, I am disliked; it is time for me to retire. Thus, in the best way, I imagine, I shall cut short all grounds of discontent with all; I shall both free myself from suspicion, and shall be pleasing them. Pray, let me avoid this reproach, which so generally attaches on women to their disadvantage. PAMPHILUS
aside. How happy am I in other respects, were it not for this one thing alone, in having such a good mother, and her for my wife! SOSTRATA
Pray, my Pamphilus, can you not, seeing how each woman is, prevail upon yourself to put up with one matter of inconvenience? If every thing else is according to your wish, and such as I take it to be-my son, do grant me this indulgence, and take her back. PAMPHILUS
Alas! wretched me! SOSTRATA
And me as well; for this affair does not cause me less sorrow than you, my son.
Enter LACHES.
LACHES
While standing just by here, I have heard, wife, the conversation you have been holding with him. It is true wisdom to be enabled to govern the feelings whenever there is necessity; to do at the present moment what may perhaps, in the end, be necessary to be done. SOSTRATA
Good luck to it, i' troth. LACHES
Retire then into the country; there I will bear with you, and you with me. SOSTRATA
I hope so, i' faith. LACHES
Go in-doors then, and get together the things that are to be taken with you. I have now said it. SOSTRATA
I'll do as you desire. Goes into the house. PAMPHILUS
Father! LACHES
What do you want, Pamphilus? PAMPHILUS
My mother go away? By no means. LACHES
Why would you have it so? PAMPHILUS
Because I am as yet undetermined what I shall do about my wife. LACHES
How is that? What should you intend to do but bring her home? PAMPHILUS
For my part, I could like, and can hardly forbear it; but I shall not alter my design; that which is most advantageous I shall pursue; I suppose ironically that they will be better reconciled, in consequence, if I shall take her back. LACHES
You can not tell. But it matters nothing to you which they do when she has gone away. Persons of this age are disliked by young people; it is right for us to withdraw from the world; in fine, we are now a nice by-word. We are, Pamphilus, "the old man and the old woman."'5 But I see Phidippus coming out just at the time; let's accost him.
Enter PHIDIPPUS, from his house.
PHIDIPPUS
. speaking at the door to PHILUMENA, within. Upon my faith, I am angry with you too, Philumena, extremely so, for, on my word, you have acted badly; still there is an excuse for you in this matter; your mother forced you to it; but for her there is none. LACHES
accosting him. Phidippus, you meet me at a lucky moment, just at the very time. PHIDIPPUS
What's the matter? PAMPHILUS
aside. What answer shall I make them, or in what manner keep this secret? LACHES
(to PHIDIPPUS.) Tell your daughter that Sostrata is going into the country, that the may not now be afraid of returning home. PHIDIPPUS
Alas! your wife has been guilty of no fault in this affair; all this mischief has originated in my wife Myrrhina. PAMPHILUS
aside. They are changing sides. PHIDIPPUS
'Tis she that causes our disturbances, Laches. PAMPHILUS
aside. So long as I don't take her back, let her cause as much disturbance as she pleases. PHIDIPPUS
I, Pamphilus, could really wish, if it were possible, this alliance between us to be lasting; but if you are otherwise inclined, still take the child.6 PAMPHILUS
aside. He has discovered that she has been brought to bed. I'm undone! LACHES
The child! What child? PHIDIPPUS
We have had a grandson born to us; for my daughter was removed from you in a state of pregnancy, and yet never before this day did I know that she was pregnant. LACHES
So may the Gods prosper me, you bring good tidings, and I am glad a child has been born, and that she is safe: but what kind of woman have you for a wife, or of what sort of a temper, that we should have been kept in ignorance of this so long? I can not sufficiently express how disgraceful this conduct appears to me. PHIDIPPUS
This conduct does not vex me less than yourself, Laches. PAMPHILUS
aside. Even if it had just now been a matter of doubt to me, it is so no longer, since the child of another man is to accompany her. LACHES
Pamphilus, there is no room now for deliberation for you in this matter. PAMPHILUS
. aside. I'm undone! LACHES
to PAMPHILUS. We were often longing to see the day on which there should be one to call you father; it has come to pass. I return thanks to the Gods. PAMPHILUS
. aside. I am ruined! LACHES
Take home your wife, and don't oppose my will. PAMPHILUS
Father, if she had wished to have children by me, or to continue to be my wife, I am quite certain she would not have concealed from me what I find she has concealed. Now, as I find that her mind is estranged from me, and think that there would be no agreement between us in future, why should I take her back? LACHES
The young woman has done what her mother persuaded her. Is that to be wondered at? Do you suppose you can find any woman who is free from fault? Or is it that men have no failings? PHIDIPPUS
Do you yourselves now consider, Laches, and you, Pamphilus, whether it is most advisable for you to leave her or take her back. What your wife may do, is not in my control. Under neither circumstance will you meet with any difficulty from me. But what are we to do with the child? LACHES
You do ask an absurd question; whatever-happens, send him back his child of course, that we: may bring it up as ours. PAMPHILUS
. in a low voice. A child which the father has abandoned, am I to rear?. LACHES
What was it you said? How--not rear it, Pamphilus? Prithee, are we to expose it, in preference? What madness is this? Really, I can not now be silent any longer. For you force me to say in his presence (pointing to PHIDIPPUS what I would rather not. Do you suppose I am in ignorance of the cause of your tears, or what it is on account of which you are perplexed to this degree? In the first place, when you alleged as a reason, that, on account of your mother, you could not have your wife at home, she promised that she would leave the house. Now, since you see this pretext as well taken away from you, because a child has been born without your knowledge, you have got another You are mistaken if you suppose that I am ignorant of your feelings. That at last you might prevail upon your feelings to take this step, how long a period for loving a mistress did I allow you! With what patience did I bear the expense you were at in keeping her! I remonstrated with you and entreated you to take a wife. I said that it was time: by my persuasion you married. What you then did in obedience to me, you did as became you. Now again you have set your fancy upon a mistress, and, to gratify her, you do an injury to the other as well. For I see plainly that you have once more relapsed into the same course of life. PAMPHILUS
What, I? LACHES
Your own self, and you act unjustly therein. You feign false grounds for discord, that you may live with her when you have got rid of this witness of your actions; your wife has perceived it too; for what other reason had she for leaving you? PHIDIPPUS
to himself. It's clear he guesses right; for that must be it. PAMPHILUS
I will give you my oath that none of these is the reason. LACHES
Oh take home your wife, or tell me why you should not. PAMPHILUS
It is not the time at present. LACHES
Take the child, for surely that is not in fault; I will consider about the mother afterward. PAMPHILUS
apart. In every way I am wretched, and what to do I know not; with so many troubles is my father now besetting wretched me on every side. I'll go away from here, since I avail but little by my presence. For without my consent, I do not believe that they will bring up the child, especially as on that point my mother-in-law will second me. (Exit speedily.) LACHES
to PAMPHILUS. Do you run away? What, and give me no distinct answer? To PHIDIPPUS. Does he seem to you to be in his senses? Let him alone. Phidippus, give me the child; I'll bring it up. PHIDIPPUS
By all means. No wonder if my wife has taken this amiss: women are resentful; they do not easily put up with such things. Hence that anger of hers, for she herself told me of it; I would not mention this to you in his presence, and at first I did not believe her; but now it is true beyond a doubt; for I see that his feelings are altogether averse to marriage. LACHES
What am I to do, then, Phidippus? What advice do you give? PHIDIPPUS
What are you to do? I am of opinion that first we ought to go to this mistress of his. Let us use entreaties with her; then let us rebuke her; and at last, let us very seriously threaten her, if she gives him any encouragement in future. LACHES
I will do as you advise. Turning to an ATTEDANT. Ho, there, boy! run to the house of Bacchis here, our neighbor; desire her, in my name, to come hither. Exit ATTENDANT. And you, I further entreat, to give me your assistance in this affair. PHIDIPPUS
Well, I have already said, and I now say again to the same effect, Laches, I wish this alliance between us to continue, if by any means it possibly may, which I trust will be the case. But should you like7 me to be with you while you meet her? LACHES
Why yes; but first go and get some one as a nurse for the child. (Exit PHIDIPPUS.)
1 At the right time: Lemaire observes that, from this passage, it would appear that the Greeks considered seven months sufficient for gestation. So it would appear, if we are to take the time of the Play to be seven, and not nine, months after the marriage; and, as before observed, the former seems to be the more reasonable conclusion.
2 A ring which: Colman remarks that this preparation for the catastrophe by the mention of the ring, is not so artful as might have been expected from Terence; as in this soliloquy he tells the circumstances directly to the Audience.
3 And festive days: "Festos dies." The days for sacrificing to particular Divinities, when she would have the opportunity of meeting her friends, and making herself merry with them.
4 Look forward with impatience to my death: Colman says: "This idea of the long life of a step-mother being odious to her family, is applied in a very beautiful and uncommon manner by Shakspeare:
“ Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour
Draws on apace; for happy days bring in
Another morn; but oh, methinks how slow
This old morn wanes! she lingers my desires
Like to a step-dame, or a dowager,
Long withering out a young man's revenue."
”
5 The old man and the old woman: "Senex atque anus." In these words he probably refers to the commencement of many of the stories current in those times, which began: "There were once upon a time an old man and an-old woman." Indeed, almost the same words occur in the Stichus of Plautus, 1. 540, at the commencement of a story: "Fuit olim, quasi ego sum, senex," There was upon a time an old man, just like me."
6 Still take the child: In cases of separation it was customary for the father to have the care of the male children.
7 But should you like: Donatus observes that Phidippus utters these words with an air of disinclination to be present at the conference; and, indeed, the characters are well sustained, as it would not become him coolly to discourse with a courtesan, whom he supposes to have alienated Pamphilus from his daughter, although he might very properly advise it, as being likely to conduce to the peace of both families.
The Comedies of Terence. Henry Thomas Riley. Ney York. Harper and Brothers. 1874.
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