Perde 4
[Textpart 4]
Alas! how to extricate myself from this perplexity I know not; so strong a suspicion has taken possession of them about me; not without some reason too: Sostrata believes that I have purchased this Music-girl for myself: the old woman informed me of that. For by accident, when she was sent for the midwife, I saw her,
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AESCHINUS.
and at once went up to her. How is Pamphila? I inquired; is her delivery at hand? Is it for that she is sending for the midwife? Away, away, Aeschinus, cries she; you have deceived us long enough; already have your promises disappointed us sufficiently. Ha! said I; pray what is the meaning of this? Farewell, she cries; keep to her who is your choice. I instantly guessed what it was they suspected, but still I checked myself,
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that I might not be telling that gossip any thing about my brother, whereby it might be divulged. Now what am I to do? Shall I say she is for my brother, a thing that ought by no means to be repeated any where? However, let that pass. It is possible it might go no further. I am afraid they would not believe it, so many probabilities concur against it; ’twas I myself carried her off; ’twas I, my own self, that paid the money for her; ’twas my own house she was carried to.
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This I confess has been entirely my own fault. Ought I not to have disclosed this affair, just as it happened, to my father? I might have obtained his consent to marry her. I have been too negligent hitherto; henceforth, then, arouse yourself, Aeschinus. This then is the first thing; to go to them and clear myself. I’ll approach the door. (Advances to the door of SOSTRATA’S house.) Confusion! I always tremble most dreadfully when I go to knock at that door.
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(Knocking and calling to them within.) Ho there, ho there! it is Aeschinus; open the door immediately, some one. (The door opens.) Some person, I know not who, is coming out; I’ll step aside here.
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[Textpart 5]
Do as I told you, Sostrata; I’ll go find Aeschinus, that lie may know how these matters have been settled. (Looking round.) But who was it knocking at the door?
AESCHINUS
Heavens, it is my father!—I am undone !
AESCHINUS
What can be his business here?
MICIO
Was it you knocking at this door?
(Aside.) He is silent. Why shouldn’t I rally him a little? It would be as well, as he was never willing to trust me with this secret. (To AESCHINUS.) Don’t you answer me?
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AESCHINUS
It wasn’t I knocked at that door, that I know of.
MICIO
Just so; for I wondered what business you could have here. (Apart.) He blushes; all’s well.
AESCHINUS
Pray tell me, father,
what business have you there?
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MICIO
Why, none of my own; but a certain friend of mine just now brought me hither from the Forum to give him some assistance.
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MICIO
I’ll tell you. There are some women living here; in impoverished circumstances, as I suppose you don’t know them; and, in fact, I’m quite sure,
for it is not long since they removed to this place.
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AESCHINUS
Well, what next?
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