Well, why do you act like that? Have I ever done anything great or small to harm or annoy you? Have I ever looked at another man? Don’t I live only for you? There’s nothing glorious, Lysias, in vexing like this a poor weak woman, who’s mad with love for you. There is such a goddess as Nemesis See notes on pp. 390-393., and she sees things like this. Perhaps it will bring you grief when you hear that I lie dead, after hanging myself, or jumping head first into a well, or I’ll find some other way of killing myself, so that you won’t have the annoyance of seeing me any more. Then you’ll be able to swagger around with pride for a great and glorious achievement. Why do you look at me so angrily and gnash your teeth? If you have any complaint against me, speak up, and let Pythias here judge between us. Hullo? Are you going away and leaving me, without answering? Pythias, do you see how I’m being treated by Lysias?
PYTHIAS
What cruelty! Even your tears don’t soften his heart. He’s a stone, not a human being. But, if truth must be spoken, Joessa, you spoilt him by loving him too much, and letting him see it. You shouldn’t make very much of him at all. Men become proud when they see that. Stop crying, poor girl; take my advice and shut him out once or twice. Then you’ll find him burning with passion and really mad in his turn for your love.
