Perde 4
[Textpart 1]
with whom he had been intimate for so many years, I should not have deemed him a man, or likely to prove a constant husband for our daughter.
555
MYRRHINA
Do have done about the young man, I pray; and what you say I’ve been guilty of. Go away, meet him by yourself; ask him whether he wishes to have her as a wife or not; if so it is that he should say he does wish it, why, send her back; but if on the other hand he does not wish it, I have taken the best course for my child.
PHIDIPPUS
And suppose he does not wish it, and you, Myrrhina, knew him to be in fault; still I was at hand, by whose advice it was proper for these matters to be settled; therefore I am greatly offended that you have presumed to act thus without my leave. I forbid you to attempt to carry the child any where out of this house. But I am very foolish to be expecting her to obey my orders.
560
I’ll go in-doors, and charge the servants to allow it to be carried out nowhere.
565
MYRRHINA
Upon my faith, I do believe that there is no woman living more wretched than I; for how he would take it, if he came to know the real state of the case, i’ faith, is not unknown to me, when he bears this, which is of less consequence, with such angry feelings; and I know not in what way his sentiments can possibly be changed.
Out of very many misfortunes, this one evil alone had been wanting to me, for him to compel me to rear a child of whom we know not who is the father; for when my daughter was ravished, it was so dark that his person could not be distinguished, nor was any thing taken from him on the occasion by which it could be afterward discovered who he was. He, on leaving her, took away from the girl, by force, a ring whichA ring which: Colman remarks that this preparation for the catastrophe by the mention of the ring, is not so artful as might have been expected from Terence; as in this soliloquy he tells the circumstances directly to the Audience. she had upon her finger.
570
I am afraid, too, of Pamphilus, that he may be unable any longer to conceal what I have requested, when he learns that the child of another is being brought up as his.
575
[Textpart 2]
It is not unknown to me, my son, that I am suspected by you as the cause of your wife having left our house in consequence of my conduct; although you carefully conceal your knowledge of it. But so may the Gods prosper me, and so may you answer all my hopes,
SOSTRATA
I have never knowingly deserved that hatred of me should with reason possess her; and while I thought before that you loved me, on that point you have confirmed my belief: for in-doors your father has just now related to me in what way you have preferred me to your passion. Now it is my determination to return you the favor, that you may understand that with me lies the reward of your affection.
580
My Pamphilus, I think that this is expedient both for yourselves and my own reputation. I have finally resolved to retire hence into the country with your father, that my presence may not be an obstacle, and that no pretense may remain why your Philumena should not return to you.
585
PAMPHILUS
Pray, what sort of resolution is this? Driven away by her folly, would you be removing from the city to live in the country?
You shall not do so; and I will not permit, mother, any one who may wish to censure us, to say that this has been done through my perverseness, and not your inclination. Besides, I do not wish you, for my sake, to forego your friends and relations, and festive days.And festive days: Festos dies. The days for sacrificing to particular Divinities, when she would have the opportunity of meeting her friends, and making herself merry with them.
590
SOSTRATA
Upon my word, these things afford me no pleasure now.
While my time of life permitted it, I enjoyed them enough; satiety of that mode of life has now taken possession of me: this is at present my chief concern, that the length of my life may prove an annoyance to no one, or that he may look forward with impatience to my death.Look forward with impatience to my death: Colman says: This idea of the long life of a step-mother being odious to her family, is applied in a very beautiful and uncommon manner by Shakespeare: Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour Draws on apace; for happy days bring in Another morn; but oh, methinks how slow This old morn wanes! she lingers my desires Like to a step-dame, or a dowager, Long withering out a young man’s revenue. Midsummer Night’s Dream. Here I see that, without deserving it, I am disliked; it is time for me to retire. Thus, in the best way, I imagine, I shall cut short all grounds of discontent with all; I shall both free myself from suspicion, and shall be pleasing them.
Pray, let me avoid this reproach, which so generally attaches on women to their disadvantage.
600
PAMPHILUS
How happy am I in other respects, were it not for this one thing alone, in having such a good mother, and her for my wife!
SOSTRATA
Pray, my Pamphilus, can you not, seeing how each woman is, prevail upon yourself to put up with one matter of inconvenience? If every thing else is according to your wish, and such as I take it to be—
my son, do grant me this indulgence, and take her back.
605
PAMPHILUS
Alas! wretched me!
605
SOSTRATA
And me as well; for this affair does not cause me less sorrow than you, my son.
