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451
(Enter, at a distance, LACHES and PHIDIPPUS.)
LACHES
Did you not say, just now, that she was waiting for my son’s return?
Did you not say, just now, that she was waiting for my son’s return?
PHIDIPPUS
Just so.
Just so.
LACHES
They say that he has arrived; let her return.
They say that he has arrived; let her return.
PAMPHILUS
(apart to himself aloud.)
What excuse to make to my father for not taking her back, I don’t know!
What excuse to make to my father for not taking her back, I don’t know!
LACHES
(turning round.)
Who was it I heard speaking here?
Who was it I heard speaking here?
PAMPHILUS
(apart.)
I am resolved to persevere in the course I determined to pursue.
I am resolved to persevere in the course I determined to pursue.
LACHES
’Tis the very person about whom I was talking to you.
455
’Tis the very person about whom I was talking to you.
455
PAMPHILUS
Health to you, my father.
Health to you, my father.
LACHES
Health to you, my son.
Health to you, my son.
PHIDIPPUS
I am glad that you have returned, Pamphilus, and the more especially so, as you are safe and well.
I am glad that you have returned, Pamphilus, and the more especially so, as you are safe and well.
PAMPHILUS
I believe you.
I believe you.
LACHES
Have you but just arrived?
Have you but just arrived?
PAMPHILUS
Only just now.
Only just now.
LACHES
Tell me, what has our cousin Phania left us?
Tell me, what has our cousin Phania left us?
PAMPHILUS
Why really, i’ faith, he was a man very much devoted to pleasure
while he lived; and those who are so, don’t much benefit their heirs, but for themselves leave this commendation: While he lived, he lived well.
1
460
Why really, i’ faith, he was a man very much devoted to pleasure
while he lived; and those who are so, don’t much benefit their heirs, but for themselves leave this commendation: While he lived, he lived well.
1
460
LACHES
So then, you have brought home nothing more
2
than a single sentiment?
So then, you have brought home nothing more
2
than a single sentiment?
PAMPHILUS
Whatever he has left, we are the gainers by it.
Whatever he has left, we are the gainers by it.
LACHES
Why no, it has proved a loss; for I could have wished him alive and well.
Why no, it has proved a loss; for I could have wished him alive and well.
PHIDIPPUS
You may wish that with impunity;
he’ll never come to life again; and after all I know which of the two you would prefer.
465
You may wish that with impunity;
he’ll never come to life again; and after all I know which of the two you would prefer.
465
LACHES
Yesterday, he
(pointing to PHIDIPPUS) desired Philumena to be fetched to his house.
(Whispers to PHIDIPPUS, nudging him with his elbow.) Say that you desired it.
Yesterday, he
(pointing to PHIDIPPUS) desired Philumena to be fetched to his house.
(Whispers to PHIDIPPUS, nudging him with his elbow.) Say that you desired it.
PHIDIPPUS
(aside to LACHES)
Don’t punch me so.
(To PAMPHILUS.) I desired it.
Don’t punch me so.
(To PAMPHILUS.) I desired it.
LACHES
But he’ll now send her home again.
But he’ll now send her home again.
PHIDIPPUS
Of course.
Of course.
PAMPHILUS
I know the whole affair, and how it happened; I heard it just now, on my arrival.
I know the whole affair, and how it happened; I heard it just now, on my arrival.
LACHES
Then may the Gods confound those spiteful people who told this news with such readiness!
Then may the Gods confound those spiteful people who told this news with such readiness!
PAMPHILUS
(to PHIDIPPUS.)
I am sure that it has been my study, that with reason no slight might possibly be committed by your family; and if I were now truthful to mention of how faithful, loving, and tender a disposition I have proved toward her, I could do so truly, did I not rather wish that you should learn it of herself; for by that method you will be the more ready to place confidence in my disposition
470
when she, who is now acting unjustly toward me, speaks favorably of me. And that through no fault of mine this separation has taken place, I call the Gods to witness. But since she considers that it is not befitting her to give way to my mother, and with readiness to conform to her temper, and as on no other terms it is possible for good feeling to exist between them,
475
either my mother must be separated, Phidippus, from me, or else Philumena. Now affection urges me rather to consult my mother’s pleasure.
480
I am sure that it has been my study, that with reason no slight might possibly be committed by your family; and if I were now truthful to mention of how faithful, loving, and tender a disposition I have proved toward her, I could do so truly, did I not rather wish that you should learn it of herself; for by that method you will be the more ready to place confidence in my disposition
470
when she, who is now acting unjustly toward me, speaks favorably of me. And that through no fault of mine this separation has taken place, I call the Gods to witness. But since she considers that it is not befitting her to give way to my mother, and with readiness to conform to her temper, and as on no other terms it is possible for good feeling to exist between them,
475
either my mother must be separated, Phidippus, from me, or else Philumena. Now affection urges me rather to consult my mother’s pleasure.
480
LACHES
Pamphilus, your words have reached my ears not otherwise than to my satisfaction, since I find that you post-pone all considerations for your parent. But take care, Pamphilus, lest impelled by resentment, you carry matters too far.
Pamphilus, your words have reached my ears not otherwise than to my satisfaction, since I find that you post-pone all considerations for your parent. But take care, Pamphilus, lest impelled by resentment, you carry matters too far.
PAMPHILUS
How, impelled by resentment, could, I now be biased against her who never has been guilty of any thing toward me, father, that I could not wish, and who has often deserved as well as I could desire? I both love and praise and exceedingly regret her, for I have found by experience that she was of a wondrously engaging disposition with regard to myself;
485
and I sincerely wish that she may spend the remainder of her life with a husband who may prove more fortunate than me, since necessity thus tears her from me.
490
How, impelled by resentment, could, I now be biased against her who never has been guilty of any thing toward me, father, that I could not wish, and who has often deserved as well as I could desire? I both love and praise and exceedingly regret her, for I have found by experience that she was of a wondrously engaging disposition with regard to myself;
485
and I sincerely wish that she may spend the remainder of her life with a husband who may prove more fortunate than me, since necessity thus tears her from me.
490
PHIDIPPUS
’Tis in your own power to prevent that.
’Tis in your own power to prevent that.
LACHES
If you are in your senses, order her to come back.
If you are in your senses, order her to come back.
PAMPHILUS
It is not my intention, father; I shall study my mother’s interests.
(Going away.)
It is not my intention, father; I shall study my mother’s interests.
LACHES
Whither are you going? Stay, stay, I tell you; whither are you going?
(Exit PAMPHILUS.)
Whither are you going? Stay, stay, I tell you; whither are you going?
PHIDIPPUS
What obstinacy is this?
What obstinacy is this?
LACHES
Did I not tell you, Phidippus, that he would take this matter amiss? It was for that reason I entreated you to send your daughter back.
Did I not tell you, Phidippus, that he would take this matter amiss? It was for that reason I entreated you to send your daughter back.
PHIDIPPUS
Upon my faith, I did not believe he would be so brutish;
does he now fancy that I shall come begging to him? If so it is that he chooses to take back his wife, why, let him; if he is of another mind, let him pay back her portion,
3
and take himself off.
500
Upon my faith, I did not believe he would be so brutish;
does he now fancy that I shall come begging to him? If so it is that he chooses to take back his wife, why, let him; if he is of another mind, let him pay back her portion,
3
and take himself off.
500
LACHES
Just look at that, now; you too are getting obstinate and huffish.
Just look at that, now; you too are getting obstinate and huffish.
PHIDIPPUS
(speaking with anger.)
You have returned to us in a very ungovernable mood, Pamphilus.
You have returned to us in a very ungovernable mood, Pamphilus.
LACHES
This anger will depart; although he has some reason for being vexed.
505
This anger will depart; although he has some reason for being vexed.
505
PHIDIPPUS
Because you have had a windfall, a little money, your minds are elevated.
Because you have had a windfall, a little money, your minds are elevated.
LACHES
Are you going to fall out with me, too?
Are you going to fall out with me, too?
PHIDIPPUS
Let him consider, and bring me word to-day, whether he will or will not, that she may belong to another if she does not to him.
(Goes hastily into his own house.)
Let him consider, and bring me word to-day, whether he will or will not, that she may belong to another if she does not to him.
(Goes hastily into his own house.)
LACHES
Phidippus, stay; listen to a few words—He’s off; what matters it to me? In fine, let them manage it between themselves, just as they please; since neither my son nor he pay any regard to me; they care but little for what I say. I’ll carry the quarrel to my wife, by whose planning all these things have been brought about,
510
and against her I will vent all the vexation that I feel.
515
Phidippus, stay; listen to a few words—He’s off; what matters it to me? In fine, let them manage it between themselves, just as they please; since neither my son nor he pay any regard to me; they care but little for what I say. I’ll carry the quarrel to my wife, by whose planning all these things have been brought about,
510
and against her I will vent all the vexation that I feel.
515
Hecyra. Publius Terentius Afer (Terence). Henry Thomas Riley (Translator), George Colman (Translator). Ney York. 1874.
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