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(Enter SOSTRATA.)
SOSTRATA
(to herself.)
In dreadful alarm, I have for some time heard, I know not what confusion going on here; I’m sadly afraid Philumena’s illness is getting worse. Aesculapius, I do entreat thee, and thee, Health,
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that it may not be so. Now I’ll go visit her.
(Approaches the door.)
In dreadful alarm, I have for some time heard, I know not what confusion going on here; I’m sadly afraid Philumena’s illness is getting worse. Aesculapius, I do entreat thee, and thee, Health,
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that it may not be so. Now I’ll go visit her.
PARMENO
(coming forward.)
Hark you, Sostrata.
Hark you, Sostrata.
SOSTRATA
(turning round.)
Well.
Well.
PARMENO
You will again be shut out there.
You will again be shut out there.
SOSTRATA
What, Parmeno, is it you? I’m undone! wretch that I am, what shall I do? Am I not to go see the wife of Pamphilus, when she is ill here next door?
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What, Parmeno, is it you? I’m undone! wretch that I am, what shall I do? Am I not to go see the wife of Pamphilus, when she is ill here next door?
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PARMENO
Not go see her! Don’t even send any person for the purpose of seeing her; for I’m of opinion that he who loves, a person to whom he is an object of dislike, commits a double mistake: he himself takes a useless trouble, and causes annoyance to the other.
Besides, your son went in to see how she is, as soon as he arrived.
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Not go see her! Don’t even send any person for the purpose of seeing her; for I’m of opinion that he who loves, a person to whom he is an object of dislike, commits a double mistake: he himself takes a useless trouble, and causes annoyance to the other.
Besides, your son went in to see how she is, as soon as he arrived.
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SOSTRATA
What is it you say? Has Pamphilus arrived?
What is it you say? Has Pamphilus arrived?
PARMENO
He has.
He has.
SOSTRATA
I give thanks unto the Gods! Well, through that news my spirits are revived, and anxiety has departed from my heart.
I give thanks unto the Gods! Well, through that news my spirits are revived, and anxiety has departed from my heart.
PARMENO
For this reason, then, I am especially unwilling you should go in there; for if Philumena’s malady at all abates,
she will, I am sure, when they are by themselves, at once tell him all the circumstances; both what misunderstandings have arisen between you, and how the difference first began. But see, he’s coming out-how sad he looks!
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(Re-enter PAMPHILUS, from the house of PHIDIPPUS.)
For this reason, then, I am especially unwilling you should go in there; for if Philumena’s malady at all abates,
she will, I am sure, when they are by themselves, at once tell him all the circumstances; both what misunderstandings have arisen between you, and how the difference first began. But see, he’s coming out-how sad he looks!
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SOSTRATA
(running up to him.)
O my son!
(Embraces him.)
O my son!
PAMPHILUS
My mother, blessings on you.
My mother, blessings on you.
SOSTRATA
I rejoice that you are returned safe. Is Philumena in a fair way?
I rejoice that you are returned safe. Is Philumena in a fair way?
PAMPHILUS
She is a little better.
(Weeping.)
She is a little better.
SOSTRATA
Would that the Gods may grant it so! Why, then, do you weep, or why so dejected?
Would that the Gods may grant it so! Why, then, do you weep, or why so dejected?
PAMPHILUS
All’s well, mother.
All’s well, mother.
SOSTRATA
What meant that confusion? Tell me; was she suddenly taken ill?
What meant that confusion? Tell me; was she suddenly taken ill?
PAMPHILUS
Such was the fact.
Such was the fact.
SOSTRATA
What is her malady?
What is her malady?
PAMPHILUS
A fever.
A fever.
SOSTRATA
An intermitting one?
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An intermitting one?
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PAMPHILUS
So they say. Go in the house, please, mother; I’ll follow you immediately.
So they say. Go in the house, please, mother; I’ll follow you immediately.
SOSTRATA
Very well.
(Goes into her house.)
Very well.
(Goes into her house.)
PAMPHILUS
Do you run and meet the servants, Parmeno, and help them with the baggage.
Do you run and meet the servants, Parmeno, and help them with the baggage.
PARMENO
Why, don’t they know the way themselves to come to our house?
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Why, don’t they know the way themselves to come to our house?
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PAMPHILUS
(stamping.)
Do you loiter?
(Exit PARMENO.)
Do you loiter?
Hecyra. Publius Terentius Afer (Terence). Henry Thomas Riley (Translator), George Colman (Translator). Ney York. 1874.
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