Publius Terentius Afer (Terence) Hecyra 5.3

PARMENO

(to himself.)

Upon my faith, my master does assuredly think my labor of little value;

to have sent me for nothing, where I have been sitting the whole day to no purpose, waiting at the citadel for Callidemides, his landlord at Myconos. And so, while sitting there to-day, like a fool, as each person came by, I accosted him:— Young man, just tell me, pray, are you a Myconian? I am not. But is your name Callidemides? No. Have you any former guest here named Pamphilus?

800

All said, No; and I don’t believe that there is any such person. At last, i’ faith, I was quite ashamed, and went away. But how is it I see Bacchis coming out of our neighbor’s? What business can she have there?

805

(Enter BACCHIS, from the house of PHIDIPPUS.)

BACCHIS

Parmeno, you make your appearance opportunely; run with all speed ¹ to Pamphilus.

PARMENO

Why thither?

BACCHIS

Say that I entreat him to come.

PARMENO

To your house?

BACCHIS

No; to Philumena.

PARMENO

What’s the matter?

810

BACCHIS

Nothing that concerns you; so cease to make inquiry.

PARMENO

Am I to say nothing else?

BACCHIS

Yes; that Myrrhina has recognized that ring as her daughter’s, which he formerly gave me.

PARMENO

I understand—is that all?

BACCHIS

That’s all. He will be here directly he has heard this from you. But do you linger?

PARMENO

Far from it, indeed; for I’ve not had the opportunity given me to-day;

so much with running and walking about have I wasted the whole day.

815

(Goes into the house of LACHES.)

BACCHIS

What great joy have I caused for Pamphilus by my coming to-day! How many blessings have I brought him! and from how many sorrows have I rescued him! A son I save for him, when it was nearly perishing through the agency of these women and of himself: a wife, whom he thought that he must cast off forever, I restore to him:

from the suspicion that he lay under with his father and Phidippus, I have cleared him. This ring, in fact, was the cause of these discoveries being made. For I remember, that about ten months ago, at an early hour of night, he came running home to my house, out of breath, without a companion, and surcharged with wine, ² with this ring in his hand. I felt alarmed immediately: My Pamphilus, I said, prithee, my dear,

820

why thus breathless, or where did you get that ring?—tell me! He began to pretend that he was thinking of something else. When I saw that, I began to suspect I know not what, and to press him still more to tell me. The fellow confessed that he had ravished some female, he knew not whom, in the street; and said, that while she was struggling, he had taken that ring away from her.

825

Myrrhina here recognized it just now, while I had it on my finger. She asked whence it came: I told her all the story. Hence the discovery has been made that it was Philumena ravished by him, and that this new-born child is his. I am overjoyed that this happiness hsa befallen him through my agency; although other courtesans would not have similar feelings; nor, indeed, is it to our interest

830

that any lover should find pleasure in matrimony. But, i’ faith, I never, for the sake of gain, will give my mind to base actions. So long as I had the opportunity, I found him to be kind, easy, and good-natured. This marriage has fallen out unluckily for me,—that I confess to be the fact. But, upon my word, I do think that I have done nothing for it to befall me deservedly.

835

It is but reasonable to endure inconveniences from one from whom I have received so many benefits.

840