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526
(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 enemy
1
; nor do I know where she now is.
530
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 enemy
1
; nor do I know where she now is.
530
PERIPHIANES
(apart.)
Who is this woman coming from a distance with a breast filled with alarms, and who thus bewails her lot?
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
PHILIPPA
(seeing him.)
Good Gods! I have seen this person before!
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.
540
It surely is she, a poor woman whom I remember having an intrigue with at Epidaurus.
540
PHILIPPA
(to herself.)
Surely it is he, who at Epidaurus first violated my maiden modesty.
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.
She who had the daughter by me whom I’ve now got at home.
PHILIPPA
(to herself.)
What if I accost him?
What if I accost him?
PERIPHIANES
(to himself.)
I don’t know whether to make up to her.
If this is she—
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—
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.
545
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.
545
PHILIPPA
(to herself.)
A woman’s artfulness must be employed by me.
A woman’s artfulness must be employed by me.
PERIPHIANES
(to himself.)
I’ll address her.
I’ll address her.
PHILIPPA
(to herself.)
I’ll bring my powers of conversation to bear against him.
I’ll bring my powers of conversation to bear against him.
PERIPHIANES
(accosting her.)
Health to you!
Health to you!
PHILIPPA
That health I accept for me and mine.
That health I accept for me and mine.
PERIPHIANES
What besides?
What besides?
PHILIPPA
Health to yourself; what you lent me, I return.
Health to yourself; what you lent me, I return.
PERIPHIANES
I don’t impeach your punctuality.
Don’t I know you?
550
I don’t impeach your punctuality.
Don’t I know you?
550
PHILIPPA
If I know you, I’ll move your feelings, so that you shall know me.
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?
Where have I been in the habit of seeing you?
PHILIPPA
You are unfairly hard upon me.
You are unfairly hard upon me.
PERIPHIANES
Why so?
Why so?
PHILIPPA
Because you think it right that I should be the prompter of your memory.
Because you think it right that I should be the prompter of your memory.
PERIPHIANES
You speak to the purpose.
You speak to the purpose.
PHILIPPA
You say what’s strange to me, Periphanes.
You say what’s strange to me, Periphanes.
PERIPHIANES
Ah now! that’s better.
Do you remember, Philippa—
Ah now! that’s better.
Do you remember, Philippa—
PHILIPPA
Yes, I remember that.
Yes, I remember that.
PERIPHIANES
At Epidaurus—
At Epidaurus—
PHILIPPA
Ah! you have moistened my burning breast with a little drop of comfort.
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?
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?
What, are you he who for your own gratification brought heavy troubles upon me?
PERIPHIANES
I am he. Health to you.
I am he. Health to you.
PHILIPPA
I am in health, since I see you in health.
I am in health, since I see you in health.
PERIPHIANES
Give me your hand.
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.
Take it—you hold by the hand a woman distrest and full of woes.
PERIPHIANES
What is it that disturbs your features?
What is it that disturbs your features?
PHILIPPA
The daughter whom I had by you—
The daughter whom I had by you—
PERIPHIANES
What of her?
What of her?
PHILIPPA
When I had brought her up, I lost her; she fell into the hands of the enemy.
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.
565
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.
565
PHILIPPA
Let me see her, whether it is she or no.
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 daughter
2
come out before the house, that she may see her mother.
Hallo there! you—Canthara, this instant bid my daughter
2
come out before the house, that she may see her mother.
PHILIPPA
My spirits now at last return to me.
My spirits now at last return to me.
Epidicus. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1913.
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