Publius Terentius Afer (Terence) Hecyra 3.5

LACHES

Did you not say, just now, that she was waiting for my son’s return?

PHIDIPPUS

Just so.

LACHES

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!

LACHES

(turning round.)

Who was it I heard speaking here?

PAMPHILUS

(apart.)

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

PAMPHILUS

Health to you, my father.

LACHES

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.

PAMPHILUS

I believe you.

LACHES

Have you but just arrived?

PAMPHILUS

Only just now.

LACHES

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

LACHES

So then, you have brought home nothing more ² than a single sentiment?

PAMPHILUS

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.

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

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.

PHIDIPPUS

(aside to LACHES)

Don’t punch me so. (To PAMPHILUS.) I desired it.

LACHES

But he’ll now send her home again.

PHIDIPPUS

Of course.

PAMPHILUS

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!

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

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

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.

LACHES

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.)

LACHES

Whither are you going? Stay, stay, I tell you; whither are you going?

(Exit PAMPHILUS.)

PHIDIPPUS

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.

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

LACHES

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.

LACHES

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.

LACHES

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.)

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