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(Enter PAMPHILUS and PARMENO, from the house of LACHES, on the other side of the stage.)
PAMPHILUS
Once more, take care, will you, my dear Parmeno, that you have brought me a faithful and distinct account, so as not to allure me for a short time to indulge in these transient joys.
Once more, take care, will you, my dear Parmeno, that you have brought me a faithful and distinct account, so as not to allure me for a short time to indulge in these transient joys.
PARMENO
I have taken care.
I have taken care.
PAMPHILUS
For certain?
For certain?
PARMENO
For certain.
For certain.
PAMPHILUS
I am quite a God, if it is so!
I am quite a God, if it is so!
PARMENO
You’ll find it true.
You’ll find it true.
PAMPHILUS
Just stay, will you; I fear that I’m believing one thing, and you are telling another.
Just stay, will you; I fear that I’m believing one thing, and you are telling another.
PARMENO
I am staying.
845
I am staying.
845
PAMPHILUS
I think you said to this effect—that Myrrhina had discovered that Bacchis has her ring.
I think you said to this effect—that Myrrhina had discovered that Bacchis has her ring.
PARMENO
It is the fact.
It is the fact.
PAMPHILUS
The one I formerly gave to her; and she has desired you to tell me this: is such the fact?
The one I formerly gave to her; and she has desired you to tell me this: is such the fact?
PARMENO
Such is so, I tell you.
Such is so, I tell you.
PAMPHILUS
Who is there happier than I, and, in fact, more full of joyousness? What am I to present you for these tidings? What?—what? I know not.
Who is there happier than I, and, in fact, more full of joyousness? What am I to present you for these tidings? What?—what? I know not.
PARMENO
But I know.
850
But I know.
850
PAMPHILUS
What?
What?
PARMENO
Why, nothing; for neither in the tidings nor in myself do I know of there being any advantage to you.
Why, nothing; for neither in the tidings nor in myself do I know of there being any advantage to you.
PAMPHILUS
What! am I to suffer you, who have caused me, when dead, to be restored from the shades to life—to leave me unrewarded? Oh, you deem me too thankless! But look—I see Bacchis standing before the door;
she’s waiting for me, I suppose; I’ll accost her.
855
What! am I to suffer you, who have caused me, when dead, to be restored from the shades to life—to leave me unrewarded? Oh, you deem me too thankless! But look—I see Bacchis standing before the door;
she’s waiting for me, I suppose; I’ll accost her.
855
BACCHIS
Save you, Pamphilus!
Save you, Pamphilus!
PAMPHILUS
Oh Bacchis! Oh my Bacchis—my preserver!
Oh Bacchis! Oh my Bacchis—my preserver!
BACCHIS
It is a fortunate thing, and gives me great delight.
It is a fortunate thing, and gives me great delight.
PAMPHILUS
By your actions, you give me reason to believe you, and so much do you retain your former charming qualities, that wherever you go, the meeting with you, your company, your conversation,
always give pleasure.
860
By your actions, you give me reason to believe you, and so much do you retain your former charming qualities, that wherever you go, the meeting with you, your company, your conversation,
always give pleasure.
860
BACCHIS
And you, upon my word, possess your former manners and disposition; so much so that not a single man living is more engaging than you.
And you, upon my word, possess your former manners and disposition; so much so that not a single man living is more engaging than you.
PAMPHILUS
(laughing.)
Ha, ha, ha! do you tell me so?
Ha, ha, ha! do you tell me so?
BACCHIS
You had reason, Pamphilus, for being so fond of your wife. For never before to-day did I set eyes upon her, so as to know her: she seems a very gentle person.
You had reason, Pamphilus, for being so fond of your wife. For never before to-day did I set eyes upon her, so as to know her: she seems a very gentle person.
PAMPHILUS
Tell the truth.
Tell the truth.
BACCHIS
So may the Gods bless me, Pamphilus!
So may the Gods bless me, Pamphilus!
PAMPHILUS
Tell me, have you as yet told any of these matters to my father?
865
Tell me, have you as yet told any of these matters to my father?
865
BACCHIS
Not a word.
Not a word.
PAMPHILUS
Nor is there need, in fact; therefore keep it a secret: I don’t wish it to be the case here as it is in the Comedies,
1
where every thing is known to every body. Here, those’ who ought to know, know already; but those who ought not to know, shall neither hear of it nor know it.
Nor is there need, in fact; therefore keep it a secret: I don’t wish it to be the case here as it is in the Comedies,
1
where every thing is known to every body. Here, those’ who ought to know, know already; but those who ought not to know, shall neither hear of it nor know it.
BACCHIS
Nay more, I will give you a proof why you may suppose that this may be the more easily concealed.
Myrrhina has told Phidippus to this effect—that she has given credit to my oath, and that, in consequence, in her eyes you are exculpated.
870
Nay more, I will give you a proof why you may suppose that this may be the more easily concealed.
Myrrhina has told Phidippus to this effect—that she has given credit to my oath, and that, in consequence, in her eyes you are exculpated.
870
PAMPHILUS
Most excellent; and I trust that this matter will turn out according to our wishes.
Most excellent; and I trust that this matter will turn out according to our wishes.
PARMENO
Master, may I not be allowed to know from you what is the good that I have done to-day, or what it is you are talking about?
Master, may I not be allowed to know from you what is the good that I have done to-day, or what it is you are talking about?
PAMPHILUS
You may not.
You may not.
PARMENO
Still I suspect.
I restore him, when dead, from the shades below.
2
In what way?
875
Still I suspect.
I restore him, when dead, from the shades below.
2
In what way?
875
PAMPHILUS
You don’t know, Parmeno, how much you have benefited me to-day, and from what troubles you have extricated me.
You don’t know, Parmeno, how much you have benefited me to-day, and from what troubles you have extricated me.
PARMENO
Nay, but indeed I do know: and I did not do it without design.
Nay, but indeed I do know: and I did not do it without design.
PAMPHILUS
I know that well enough
(ironically).
I know that well enough
(ironically).
BACCHIS
Could Parmeno, from negligence, omit any thing that ought to be done?
Could Parmeno, from negligence, omit any thing that ought to be done?
PAMPHILUS
Follow me in, Parmeno.
Follow me in, Parmeno.
PARMENO
I’ll follow; for my part, I have done more good to-day,
without knowing it, than ever I did, knowingly, in all my life.
880
(Coming forward.)
Grant us your applause.
3
I’ll follow; for my part, I have done more good to-day,
without knowing it, than ever I did, knowingly, in all my life.
880
Grant us your applause.
3
Hecyra. Publius Terentius Afer (Terence). Henry Thomas Riley (Translator), George Colman (Translator). Ney York. 1874.
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