Perde 3
[Textpart 4]
Why, what’s the matter?
HEGIO
Your eldest son Aeschinus, whom you gave to your brother to adopt, has been acting the part of neither an honest man nor a gentleman.
DEMEA
What has he been doing?
465
HEGIO
You knew my friend and year’s-mate, Simulus?
465
HEGIO
He has debauched his daughter, a virgin.
HEGIO
Stay, Demea. You have not yet heard the worst.
DEMEA
Is there any thing still worse?
HEGIO
Worse, by far: for this indeed might in some measure have been borne with.
The hour of night prompted him; passion, wine, young blood; ’tis human nature. When he was sensible of what he had done, he came voluntarily to the girl’s mother, weeping, praying, entreating, pledging his honor, vowing that he would take her home.Would take her home: As his wife. The affair was pardoned, hushed up, his word taken. The girl from that
470
intercourse became pregnant: this is the tenth month. He, worthy fellow, has provided himself, if it please the Gods, with a Music-girl to live with; the other he has cast off.
475
DEMEA
Do you say this for certain?
HEGIO
The mother of the young woman is among us,Is among us: In medio, is alive, or in the midst of us. the young woman too; the fact speaks for itself; this Geta,
besides, according to the common run of servants, not a bad one or of idle habits; he supports them; alone, maintains the whole family; take him, bind him,Take him, bind him.: In allusion to the method of examining slaves, by binding and torturing them. examine him upon the matter.
480
GETA
Aye, faith, put me to the torture, Demea, if such is not the fact: besides, he will not deny it. Confront me with him.
DEMEA
I am ashamed; and what to do, or how to answer him, I don’t know.
485
PAMPHILA
Ah me! I am racked with pains! Juno Lucina,Juno Lucina: So in the Andria, l. 473, where Glycerium is overtaken with the pains of labor, she calls upon Juno Lucina. bring aid, save me, I beseech thee.
HEGIO
Hold; is she in labor, pray?
GETA
No doubt of it, Hegio.
