Perde 1
[Textpart 5]
by your own fidelity, and by her bereft condition, do not withdraw yourself from her, or forsake her; if I have loved you as my own brother, or if she has always prized you above all others, or has been obedient to you in all things.
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PAMPHILUS
You do I give to her as a husband, friend, protector, father. This property of mine do I intrust to you, and commit to your care. She placed her in my hands; that instant, death came upon her. I accepted her; having accepted, I will protect her.
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PAMPHILUS
But why are you leaving her?
MYSIS
I’m going to fetch the midwife.To fetch the midwife: Cooke has the following remark here: Methinks Mysis has loitered a little too much, considering the business which she was sent about; but perhaps Terence knew that some women were of such a temper as to gossip on the way, though an affair of life or death requires their haste. Colman thus takes him to task for this observation: This two-edged reflection, glancing at once on Terence and the ladies, is, I think, very ill-founded. The delay of Mysis, on seeing the emotion of Pamphilus, is very natural; and her artful endeavors to interest Pamphilus on behalf of her mistress, are rather marks of her attention than neglect.
PAMPHILUS
Make all haste. And—do you hear?—
take care, and not one word about the marriage, lest that too should add to her illness.
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