Perde 3
[Textpart 2]
Are you quite sure of this?
GETA
Quite sure; I saw it myself, Sostrata, with these same eyes.
wretched me! What is one now to believe, or whom believe? Our own Aeschinus, the very life of us all, in whom all our hopes and comforts were centred! Who used to swear he could never live a single day without her! Who used to say, that he would place the infant on his father’s knees,On his father’s knees: It was a prevalent custom with the Greeks to place the newly-born child upon the knee of its grandfather. and thus entreat that he might be allowed to make her his wife!
330
GETA
Dear mistress, forbear weeping, and rather consider what must be done for the future in this matter. Shall we submit to it, or shall we tell it to any person?
335
CANTHARA
Pooh, pooh! Are you in your senses, my good man? Does this seem to you a business to be made known to any one?
GETA
I, indeed, have no wish for it. In the first place, then, that his feelings are estranged from us, the thing itself declares. Now, if we make this known, he’ll deny it, I’m quite sure;
your reputation and your daughter’s character will then be in danger. On the other hand, if he were fully to confess it, as he is in love with another woman, it would not be to her advantage to be given to him. Therefore, under either circumstance, there is need of silence.
340
SOSTRATA
Oh! by no means in the world! I’ll not do it.
SOSTRATA
I’ll make it known.
GETA
Ha, my dear Sostrata, take care what you do!
SOSTRATA
The matter can not possibly be in a worse position than it is at present.
In the first place, she has no portion; then, besides, that which was as good as a portion, her honor, is lost: she can not be given in marriage as a virgin. This resource is left; if he should deny it, I have a ring which he lost as evidence of the truth. In fine, Geta, as I am fully conscious that no blame attaches to me, and that neither interest nor any consideration unworthy of her or of myself has had a share in this matter,
345
GETA
What am I to say to this? I agree, as you speak for the best.
350
SOSTRATA
You be off as fast as possible, and relate all the matter just as it has happened to her kinsman Hegio; for he was the best friend of our lamented Simulus, and has shown especial regard for us.
350
GETA
Aye, faith, because nobody else takes any notice of us.
SOSTRATA
Do you, my dear Canthara, run with all haste, and fetch the midwife, so that, when she is wanted, we may not have to wait for her.
[Textpart 3]
Utterly undone! I hear that Ctesipho was with Aeschinus at the carrying off of this girl. This sorrow still remains for unhappy me, should Aeschinus be able to seduce him, even him, who promises so fair, to a course of debauchery. Where am I to inquire for him? I doubt he has been carried off to some bad house;
355
