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Enter PHILIPPA, at a distance.
PHILIPPA
to herself . If a mortal being has aught of misery, through which, miserable creature, to be wretched from the heart, that same do I experience, for whom full many a woe unites in the same spot, which, all, at the same instant are beating against my breast. A multitude of troubles keep me in suspense. Poverty and misery alarm the thoughts of my heart; nor have I anywhere a spot of safety where to fix my hopes; in such a way has my daughter fallen into the power of the enemy1; nor do I know where she now is. PERIPHIANES
apart . Who is this woman coming from a distance with a breast filled with alarms, and who thus bewails her lot? PHILIPPA
to herself . It was told me that Periphanes was living in this neighbourhood. PERIPHIANES
apart . She's mentioning me; need of hospitality has befallen her, I suppose. PHILIPPA
to herself . I would be very willing to give a reward to any one who would point me out that man, or where he dwells. PERIPHIANES
apart . I recognize her; for I think I have seen her before; where, I know not. Is it, or is it not she, whom my mind suspects her to be? >PHIL.
seeing him . Good Gods! I have seen this person before! PERIPHIANES
to himself . It surely is she, a poor woman whom I remember having an intrigue with at Epidaurus. PHILIPPA
to herself . Surely it is he, who at Epidaurus first violated my maiden modesty. PERIPHIANES
to himself . She who had the daughter by me whom I've now got at home. PHILIPPA
to herself . What if I accost him? PERIPHIANES
to himself . I don't know whether to make up to her. If this is she---- PHILIPPA
to herself . But if it is the man, as length of years renders me doubtful---- PERIPHIANES
to himself . Length of time renders my mind uncertain. But if it is she, whom with some doubt I conjecture it to be, I'll accost her circumspectly. PHILIPPA
to herself . A woman's artfulness must be employed by me. PERIPHIANES
to himself . I'll address her. PHILIPPA
to herself . I'll bring my powers of conversation to bear against him. PERIPHIANES
accosting her . Health to you! PHILIPPA
That health I accept for me and mine. PERIPHIANES
What besides? PHILIPPA
Health to yourself; what you lent me, I return. PERIPHIANES
I don't impeach your punctuality. Don't I know you? PHILIPPA
If I know you, I'll move your feelings, so that you shall know me. PERIPHIANES
Where have I been in the habit of seeing you? PHILIPPA
You are unfairly hard upon me. PERIPHIANES
Why so? PHILIPPA
Because you think it right that I should be the prompter of your memory. PERIPHIANES
You speak to the purpose. PHILIPPA
You say what's strange to me, Periphanes. PERIPHIANES
Ah now! that's better. Do you remember, Philippa---- PHILIPPA
Yes, I remember that. PERIPHIANES
At Epidaurus---- PHILIPPA
Ah! you have moistened my burning breast with a little drop of comfort. PERIPHIANES
How I relieved the poverty of you, a poor young maiden, and your mother? PHILIPPA
What, are you he who for your own gratification brought heavy troubles upon me? PERIPHIANES
I am he. Health to you. PHILIPPA
I am in health, since I see you in health. PERIPHIANES
Give me your hand. PHILIPPA
extending her hand, which he takes . Take it--you hold by the hand a woman distrest and full of woes. PERIPHIANES
What is it that disturbs your features? PHILIPPA
The daughter whom I had by you---- PERIPHIANES
What of her? PHILIPPA
When I had brought her up, I lost her; she fell into the hands of the enemy. PERIPHIANES
Keep your mind in quiet and at rest. Why look, she's here at my house safe and sound. For immediately I heard from my servant that she was a captive, instantly I gave the money for her to be purchased; he managed this affair as discreetly and frugally as in other matters he is egregiously--dishonest. PHILIPPA
Let me see her, whether it is she or no. PERIPHIANES
going to the door of his house . Hallo there! you--Canthara, this instant bid my daughter2 come out before the house, that she may see her mother. PHILIPPA
My spirits now at last return to me.
1 Into the power of the enemy: Though this has happened probably some time since, Philippa has not had an opportunity till now of coming in search of her daughter, by reason of the continuance of war. As soon as peace is made, she repairs to Athens,
2 Bid my daughter: "Acropolistidem" is here inserted in the editions evidently by mistake, and is purposely omitted in this Translation. It was probably inserted by some careless or injudicious transcriber in the middle ages, in the place of "Telestidem," as Periphanes knows the girl in his house as Telestis, and fancies that she is his daughter. At the same time he knows that Acropolistis is the name of his son's mistress, whom he has so recently tried unsuccessfully (as he supposes) to get into his power.
The Comedies of Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley. London. G. Bell and Sons. 1912.
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