Perde 4
[Textpart 5]
How cautious he is, when there’s no need for it!
715
CHREMES
Why yes, you had need do so, and with all haste, while the fit is upon him; for if this other woman shall prove more pressing, perhaps he may throw us over.
GETA
You’ve hit upon the very thing.
DEMIPHO
Lead me to him then.
CHREMES
When you’ve done so, go over to my wife, that she may call upon her before she goes away.
She must tell her that we are going to give her in marriage to Phormio, that she may not be angry with us; and that he is a fitter match for her, as knowing more of her; that we have in no way departed from our duty; that as much has been given for a portion as he asked for.
720
DEMIPHO
What the plague does that matter to you?
CHREMES
A great deal, Demipho.
It is not enough for you to do your duty, if common report does not approve of it;
I wish all this to be done with her own sanction as well, that she mayn’t be saying that she has been turned out of doors.
725
DEMIPHO
I can do all that myself.
CHREMES
It will come better from one woman to another.
CHREMES
I’m thinking where I can find them now.Can find them now: His Lemnian wife and daughter. Colman remarks: This is intended as a transition to the next Scene; but I think it would have been better if it had followed without this kind of introduction. The Scene itself is admirable, and is, in many places, both affecting and comic, and the discovery of the real character of Phanium is made at a very proper time.
