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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.
730
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.
730
CHREMES
(apart, to himself.)
But what old woman’s this, that has come out of my brother’s house, half dead with fright?
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.
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
735
Upon my faith, surely, unless my recollection deceives me, or my sight’s not very good, I espy my daughter’s nurse.
1
735
SOPHRONA
(to herself.)
And we are not able to find—
And we are not able to find—
CHREMES
(apart.)
What must I do?
What must I do?
SOPHRONA
(to herself.)
Her father.
Her father.
CHREMES
(to himself, apart.)
Shall I accost her, or shall I wait to learn more distinctly what it is she’s saying?
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.
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.
’Tis the very woman. I’ll address her.
SOPHRONA
(turning round.)
Who’s that speaking here?
Who’s that speaking here?
CHREMES
(coming forward.)
Sophrona.
Sophrona.
SOPHRONA
Mentioning my name, too?
Mentioning my name, too?
CHREMES
Look round at me.
740
Look round at me.
740
SOPHRONA
(seeing him.)
Ye Gods, I do beseech you, isn’t this Stilpho?
Ye Gods, I do beseech you, isn’t this Stilpho?
CHREMES
No.
No.
SOPHRONA
Do you deny it?
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.
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?
Why? Pray, are you not the person you always used to say you were?
CHREMES
Hush!
(pointing to his own house.)
Hush!
(pointing to his own house.)
SOPHRONA
Why are you afraid about that door?
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.
745
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.
745
SOPHRONA
I’ faith, that’s the very reason why we, wretched creatures, have never been able to find you out here.
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
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!
Ah, wretched me!
CHREMES
Hah! What’s the matter? Are they still alive?
Hah! What’s the matter? Are they still alive?
SOPHRONA
Your daughter is alive.
Her poor mother died of grief.
750
Your daughter is alive.
Her poor mother died of grief.
750
CHREMES
An unfortunate thing!
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).
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?
What! to Antipho?
SOPHRONA
The very same, I say.
The very same, I say.
CHREMES
What? Has he got two wives?
What? Has he got two wives?
SOPHRONA
Dear no, prithee, he has only got this one.
Dear no, prithee, he has only got this one.
CHREMES
What about the other one that’s called his relative?
755
What about the other one that’s called his relative?
755
SOPHRONA
Why, this is she.
Why, this is she.
CHREMES
What is it you say?
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.
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.
760
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.
760
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.
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.
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.
765
No one shall know it from me.
765
CHREMES
Follow me; in-doors we’ll hear the rest.
(He goes into DEMIPHO’S house, followed by SOPHRONA.)
Follow me; in-doors we’ll hear the rest.
(He goes into DEMIPHO’S house, followed by SOPHRONA.)
Phormio. Publius Terentius Afer (Terence). Henry Thomas Riley (Translator), George Colman (Translator). Ney York. 1874.
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