Perde 5
[Textpart 2]
Troth now, Bacchis, I do entreat that what you have promised me you will do.
BACCHIS
Would you wish me, then, to go in about this business?
LACHES
Go, and satisfy their minds, so as to make them believe it.
BACCHIS
I’ll go: although, upon my word, I am quite sure that my presence will be disagreeable to them, for a married woman is the enemy of a mistress, when she has been separated from her husband.
LACHES
But they will be your friends, when they know the reason of your coming.
790
PHIDIPPUS
And I promise that they shall be your friends, when they know the fact; for you will release them from their mistake, and yourself, at the same time, from suspicion.
BACCHIS
Wretched me! I’m ashamed to meet Philumena. (To her ATTENDANTS.) Do you both follow me into the house. (Goes into the house with PHIDIPPUS and her ATTENDANTS.)
LACHES
What is there that I could more wish for, than what I see has happened to this woman?
To gain favor without loss to myself, and to benefit myself at the same time. For if now it is the fact that she has really withdrawn from Pamphilus, she knows that by that step she has acquired honor and reputation: she returns the favor to him, and, by the same means, attaches us as friends to herself. (Goes into the house.)
795
[Textpart 3]
Upon my faith, my master does assuredly think my labor of little value;
PARMENO
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
BACCHIS
Parmeno, you make your appearance opportunely; run with all speedRun with all speed: Donatus remarks, that Parmeno is drawn as being of a lazy and inquisitive character; and that Terence, therefore, humorously contrives to keep him always on the move, and in total ignorance of what is going on. to Pamphilus.
BACCHIS
Say that I entreat him to come.
BACCHIS
No; to Philumena.
PARMENO
What’s the matter?
810
BACCHIS
Nothing that concerns you; so cease to make inquiry.
810
PARMENO
Am I to say nothing else?
