Perde 4
[Textpart 3]
While standing just by here, I have heard, wife, the conversation you have been holding with him. It is true wisdom to be enabled to govern the feelings whenever there is necessity; to do at the present moment what may perhaps, in the end, be necessary to be done.
SOSTRATA
Good luck to it, i’ troth.
610
LACHES
Retire then into the country; there I will bear with you, and you with me.
610
SOSTRATA
I hope so, i’ faith.
LACHES
Go in-doors then, and get together the things that are to be taken with you. I have now said it.
SOSTRATA
I’ll do as you desire. (Goes into the house.)
LACHES
What do you want, Pamphilus?
PAMPHILUS
My mother go away? By no means.
LACHES
Why would you have it so?
PAMPHILUS
Because I am as yet undetermined what I shall do about my wife.
What should you intend to do but bring her home?
615
PAMPHILUS
For my part, I could like, and can hardly forbear it; but I shall not alter my design; that which is most advantageous I shall pursue; I suppose (ironically) that they will be better reconciled, in consequence, if I shall take her back.
615
LACHES
You can not tell. But it matters nothing to you which they do when she has gone away. Persons of this age are disliked by young people;
it is right for us to withdraw from the world; in fine, we are now a nice by-word. We are, Pamphilus, the old man and the old woman.The old man and the old woman: Senex atque anus. In these words he probably refers to the commencement of many of the stories current in those times, which began: There were once upon a time an old man and an old woman. Indeed, almost the same words occur in the Stichus of Plautus, 1. 540, at the commencement of a story: Fuit olim, quasi ego sum, senex, There was upon a time an old man, just like me. But I see Phidippus coming out just at the time; let’s accost him.
620
[Textpart 4]
Upon my faith, I am angry with you too, Philumena, extremely so, for, on my word, you have acted badly;
PHIDIPPUS
still there is an excuse for you in this matter; your mother forced you to it; but for her there is none.
625
LACHES
Phidippus, you meet me at a lucky moment, just at the very time.
PHIDIPPUS
What’s the matter?
