Hecyra
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Original / primary: Perseus Eng2
127
But when I call to mind her entreaties, I can not, wretched as I am, refrain from tears. hatever chance or fortune it is, said she, which has brought you here to-day, by it we do both conjure you, if with equity and justice we may, that her misfortune may be concealed by you, and kept a secret from all. If ever you were sensible, my dear Pamphilus, that she was tenderly disposed toward you, she now asks you to grant her this favor in return, without making any difficulty of it.
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But as to taking her back, act quite according to your own convenience. You alone are aware of her lying-in, and that the child is none of yours. For it is said that it was two months after the marriage before she had commerce with you. And then, this is but the seventh month since she came to you.Since she came to you: There is great doubt what is the exact meaning of postquam ad te venit, here, whether it means, it is now the seventh month since she became your wife, or, it is now the seventh month since she came to your embraces, which did not happen for two months after the marriage. The former is, under the circumstances, the most probable construction.
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That you are sensible of this, the circumstances themselves prove. Now, if it is possible, Pamphilus, I especially wish, and will use my endeavors, that her labor may remain unknown to her father, and to all, in fact. But if that can not be managed, and they do find it out, I will say that she miscarried; I am sure no one will suspect otherwise than, what is so likely, the child was by you.
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It shall be instantly exposed; in that case there is no inconvenience whatever to yourself, and you will be concealing an outrage so undeservingly committed upon her,Committed upon her: Colman very justly observes here: It is rather extraordinary that Myrrhina’s account of the injury done to her daughter should not put Pamphilus in mind of his own adventure, which comes out in the Fifth Act. It is certain that had the Poet let the Audience into that secret in this place, they would have immediately concluded that the wife of Pamphilus and the lady whom he had ravished were one and the same person. Playwrights have never, in any age or country, troubled themselves much about probability in their plots. Besides, his adventure with Philumena was by no means an uncommon one. We find similar instances mentioned by Plautus; and violence and debauchery seem almost to have reigned paramount in the streets at night. poor thing! I promised this, and I am resolved to keep faith in what I said. But as to taking her back, really I do not think that would be at all creditable, nor will I do so, although love for her, and habit, have a strong influence upon me.
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I weep when it occurs to my mind, what must be her life, and how great her loneliness in future. O Fortune, thou hast never been found constant! But by this time my former passion has taught me experience in the present case. The means by which I got rid of that, I must employ on the present occasion. Parmeno is coming with the servants; it is far from convenient
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that he should be here under present circumstances, for he was the only person to whom I trusted the secret that I kept aloof from her when I first married her. I am afraid lest, if he should frequently hear her cries, he might find out that she is in labor. He must be dispatched by me somewhere till Philumena is delivered.
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PARMENO
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Do you say that this voyage was disagreeable to you?
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SOSIA
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Upon my faith, Parmeno, it can not be so much as expressed in words, how disagreeable it is to go on a voyage.
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PARMENO
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Do you say so?
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SOSIA
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O lucky man! You don’t know what evils you have escaped, by never having been at sea.
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For to say nothing of other hardships, mark this one only; thirty days or moreThirty days or more: In his voyage from Imbros to Athens, namely, which certainly appears to have been unusually long. was I on board that ship, and every moment, to my horror, was in continual expectation of death: such unfavorable weather did we always meet with.
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PARMENO
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How annoying!
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SOSIA
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That’s not unknown to me: in fine, upon my faith, I would rather run away
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than go back, if I knew that I should have to go back there.
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PARMENO
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Why really, but slight causes formerly made you, Sosia, do what now you are threatening to do. But I see Pamphilus himself standing before the door. (To the Attendants, who go into the house of LACHES.) Go in-doors; I’ll accost him, to see if he wants any thing with me.
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(Accosts PAMPHILUS.) What, still standing here, master?
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PAMPHILUS
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Yes, and waiting for you.
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PARMENO
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What’s the matter?
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PAMPHILUS
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You must run across to the citadel.To the citadel: This was the fort or citadel that defended the Piraeus, and being three miles distant from the city, was better suited for the design of Pamphilus, whose object it was to keep Parmeno for some time at a distance.
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PARMENO
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Who must?
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PAMPHILUS
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You.
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PARMENO
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To the citadel? Why thither?
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PAMPHILUS
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To meet Callidemides, my entertainer at Myconos, who came over in the same ship with me.
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PARMENO
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Confusion! I should say he has made a vow that if ever he should return home safe, he would rupture meHe would rupture me: He facetiously pretends to think that Pamphilus may, during a storm at sea, have vowed to walk him to death, if he should return home. with walking.
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PAMPHILUS
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Why are you lingering?
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PARMENO
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What do you wish me to say? Or am I to meet him only?
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PAMPHILUS
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No; say that I can not meet him to-day, as I appointed, so that he may not wait for me to no purpose. Fly!
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PARMENO
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But I don’t know the man’s appearance.
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PAMPHILUS
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Then I’ll tell you how to know it;
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a huge fellow, ruddy, with curly hair, fat, with gray eyes and freckled countenance.
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PARMENO
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May the Gods confound him! What if he shouldn’t come? Am I to wait there, even till the evening?
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PAMPHILUS
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Yes, wait there. Run!
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PARMENO
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I can’t; I am so tired.
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PAMPHILUS
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He’s off. What shall I do in this distressed situation? Really, I don’t know
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in what way I’m to conceal this, as Myrrhina entreated me, her daughter’s lying-in; but I do pity the woman. What I can, I’ll do; only so long, however, as I observe my duty; for it is proper that I should be regardful of a parent,Regardful of a parent: Colman observes here: This reflection seems to be rather improper in this place, for the discovery of Philumena’s labor betrayed to Pamphilus the real motive of her departure; after which discovery his anxiety proceeds entirely from the supposed injury offered him, and his filial piety is from that period made use of merely as a pretense. rather than of my passion. But look—I see Phidippus and my father.
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They are coming this way; what to say to them, I’m at a loss.
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LACHES
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Did you not say, just now, that she was waiting for my son’s return?
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PHIDIPPUS
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Just so.
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LACHES
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They say that he has arrived; let her return.
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PAMPHILUS
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What excuse to make to my father for not taking her back, I don’t know!
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LACHES
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Who was it I heard speaking here?
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PAMPHILUS
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I am resolved to persevere in the course I determined to pursue.
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LACHES
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’Tis the very person about whom I was talking to you.
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PAMPHILUS
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Health to you, my father.
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LACHES
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Health to you, my son.
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PHIDIPPUS
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I am glad that you have returned, Pamphilus, and the more especially so, as you are safe and well.
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PAMPHILUS
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I believe you.
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LACHES
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Have you but just arrived?
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PAMPHILUS
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Only just now.
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LACHES
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Tell me, what has our cousin Phania left us?
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PAMPHILUS
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Why really, i’ faith, he was a man very much devoted to pleasure
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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.He lived well: This is living well in the sense used by the Friar of orders gray. Who leads a good life is sure to live well.
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LACHES
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So then, you have brought home nothing moreBrought home nothing more: Colman remarks that this passage is taken notice of by Donatus as a particularly happy stroke of character; and indeed the idea of a covetous old man gaping for a fat legacy, and having his mouth stopped by a moral precept, is truly comic. than a single sentiment?
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PAMPHILUS
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Whatever he has left, we are the gainers by it.
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LACHES
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Why no, it has proved a loss; for I could have wished him alive and well.
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PHIDIPPUS
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You may wish that with impunity;
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he’ll never come to life again; and after all I know which of the two you would prefer.
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LACHES
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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.
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PHIDIPPUS
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Don’t punch me so. (To PAMPHILUS.) I desired it.
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LACHES
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But he’ll now send her home again.
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PHIDIPPUS
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Of course.
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PAMPHILUS
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I know the whole affair, and how it happened; I heard it just now, on my arrival.
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LACHES
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Then may the Gods confound those spiteful people who told this news with such readiness!
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PAMPHILUS
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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
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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,
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either my mother must be separated, Phidippus, from me, or else Philumena. Now affection urges me rather to consult my mother’s pleasure.
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LACHES
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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.
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PAMPHILUS
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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;
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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.
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PHIDIPPUS
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’Tis in your own power to prevent that.
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LACHES
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If you are in your senses, order her to come back.
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PAMPHILUS
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It is not my intention, father; I shall study my mother’s interests.
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LACHES
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Whither are you going? Stay, stay, I tell you; whither are you going?
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PHIDIPPUS
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What obstinacy is this?
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LACHES
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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.
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PHIDIPPUS
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Upon my faith, I did not believe he would be so brutish;
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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,Pay back her portion: As was universally done on a separation by agreement. and take himself off.
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LACHES
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Just look at that, now; you too are getting obstinate and huffish.
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PHIDIPPUS
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You have returned to us in a very ungovernable mood, Pamphilus.
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LACHES
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This anger will depart; although he has some reason for being vexed.
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PHIDIPPUS
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Because you have had a windfall, a little money, your minds are elevated.
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LACHES
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Are you going to fall out with me, too?
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PHIDIPPUS
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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.)
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LACHES
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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,
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and against her I will vent all the vexation that I feel.
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MYRRHINA
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I am undone! What am I to do? which way turn myself? In my wretchedness, what answer am I to give to my husband? For he seems to have heard the voice of the child when crying, so suddenly did he rush in to my daughter without saying a word. What if he comes to know that she has been delivered? for what reason I am to say I kept it concealed,
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upon my faith I do not know. But there’s a noise at the door; I believe it is himself coming out to me: I’m utterly undone!
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PHIDIPPUS
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My wife, when she saw me going to my daughter, betook herself out of the house: and look, there she is. (Addressing her.) What have you to say, Myrrhina? Hark you! to you I speak.
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MYRRHINA
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What, to me, my husband?
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PHIDIPPUS
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Am I your husband? Do you consider me a husband, or a man, in fact?
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For, woman, if I had ever appeared to you to be either of these, I should not in this way have been held in derision by your doings.
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MYRRHINA
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By what doings?
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PHIDIPPUS
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Do you ask the question? Is not your daughter brought to bed? Eh, are you silent? By whom?
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MYRRHINA
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Is it proper for a father to be asking such a question? Oh, shocking! By whom do you think, pray, except by him to whom she was given in marriage?
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PHIDIPPUS
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I believe it; nor indeed is it for a father to think otherwise. But I wonder much
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what the reason can be for which you so very much wish all of us to be in ignorance of the truth, especially when she has been delivered properly, and at the right time.At the right time: Lemaire observes that, from this passage, it would appear that the Greeks considered seven months sufficient for gestation. So it would appear, if we are to take the time of the Play to be seven, and not nine, months after the marriage; and, as before observed, the former seems to be the more reasonable conclusion. That you should be of a mind so perverse as to prefer that the child should perish, through which you might be sure that hereafter there would be a friendship more lasting between us, rather than that, at the expense of your feelings, his wife should continue with him!
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I supposed this to be their fault, while in reality it lies with you.
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MYRRHINA
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I am an unhappy creature!
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PHIDIPPUS
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I wish I were sure that so it was; but now it recurs to my mind what you once said about this matter, when we accepted him as our son-in-law. For you declared that you could not endure your daughter to be married to a person who was attached to a courtesan, and who spent his nights away from home.
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MYRRHINA
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Any cause whatever I had rather he should suspect than the right one.