The Comedies of Terence Part 97

SCENE VII.

_Manent PHIDIPPUS, LACHES._

LACH. Going? how's that? and give me no plain answer!

--D'ye think he's in his senses?--Well--send home The child to me, Phidippus. I'll take care on't.

PHID. I will.--I can not wonder that my wife Took this so ill. Women are pa.s.sionate, And can't away with such affronts as these.

This was their quarrel: nay she told me so, Though before him I did not care to speak on't: Nor did I credit it at first; but now 'Tis evident, and I can plainly see He has no stomach to a wife.

LACH. Phidippus, How shall I act? What's your advice?

PHID. How act?

I think 'twere best to seek this wench, his mistress.

Let us expostulate the matter with her, Speak to her roundly, nay, e'en threaten her, If she has aught to do with him hereafter.

LACH. I'll follow your advice.--Ho, boy! (_Enter a boy_) run over To Bacchis. Tell her to come forth to me. (_Exit boy._ --I must beseech you also to continue Your kind a.s.sistance to me in this business.

PHID. Ah, Laches! I have told you all along.

And I repeat it now, that 'tis my wish To render our alliance firm and lasting, If possible, as I have hopes it will be.

--But would you have me present at your conference With Bacchis?

LACH. No; go, seek the child a nurse. (_Exit PHIDIPPUS._

SCENE VIII.

_Enter BACCHIS attended by her Women._

BACCH. (_to herself_). 'Tis not for nothing Laches wants to see me; And, or I'm much deceiv'd, I guess the cause.

LACH. (_to himself_). I must take care my anger don't transport me Beyond the bounds of prudence, which may hinder My gaining my design on her, and urge me To do what I may afterward repent.

I'll to her.-- (_Going up._) Save you, Bacchis!

BACCH. Save you, Laches!

LACH. Bacchis, I do not doubt but you're surpris'd That I should send the boy to call you forth.

BACCH. Aye, and I'm fearful too, when I reflect Both who and what I am: lest my vocation Should prejudice me in your good opinion.

My conduct I can fully justify.

LACH. If you speak truth, you're in no danger, woman.

For I'm arriv'd at that age when a trespa.s.s Would not be easily forgiven in me.

Wherefore I study to proceed with caution, And to do nothing rashly. If you act, And will continue to act honestly, It were ungenerous to do you wrong, And seeing you deserve it not, unjust.

BACCH. Truly, this conduct asks my highest thanks; For he who does the wrong, and then asks pardon, Makes but a sorry reparation for it.

But what's your pleasure?

LACH. You receive the visits Of my son Pamphilus----

BACCH. Ah!----

LACH. Let me speak.

Before he married I endur'd your love.

--Stay! I've not finish'd all I have to say.---- He is now married. You then, while 'tis time, Seek out another and more constant friend.

For he will not be fond of you forever, Nor you, good faith, forever in your bloom.

BACCH. Who tells you that I still receive the visits Of Pamphilus?

LACH. His step-mother.

BACCH. I?

LACH. You.

And therefore has withdrawn her daughter: therefore Meant secretly to kill the new-born child.

BACCH. Did I know any thing, to gain your credit, More sacred than an oath, I'd use it, Laches, In solemn protestation to a.s.sure you That I have had no commerce with your son Since he was married.

LACH. Good girl! but dy'e know What I would farther have you do?

BACCH. Inform me.

LACH. Go to the women here, and offer them The same oath. Satisfy their minds, and clear Yourself from all reproach in this.

BACCH. I'll do't; Although I'm sure no other of my calling Would show herself before a married woman Upon the same occasion.--But it hurts me To see your son suspected on false grounds; And that, to those who owe him better thoughts, His conduct should seem light. For he deserves All my best offices.

LACH. Your conversation has much wrought upon me, Gain'd my good-will, and alter'd my opinion.

For not the women only thought thus of you, But I believ'd it too. Now therefore, since I've found you better than my expectation, Prove still the same, and make my friendship sure.

If otherwise--But I'll contain myself. I'll not Say any thing severe.--But I advise you, Rather experience what a friend I am, Than what an enemy.

BACCH. I'll do my best.

[Changes:

_Harper_ LACH. If you speak truth, you're in no danger, woman.

_Colman 1768_ LACH. Speak but the truth, you're in no danger, woman.]

SCENE IX.

_Enter PHIDIPPUS and a Nurse._

PHID. (_to the Nurse_). Nay, you shall want for nothing at my house; I'll give you all that's needful in abundance; But when you've eat and drank your fill yourself, Take care to satisfy the infant too.

LACH. I see the father of Philumena Coming this way. He brings the child a nurse.

--Phidippus, Bacchis swears most solemnly----

PHID. Is this she?