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Sister, I think that Penelope was wretched from her very soul, who was so long deprived of her husband; for from our own fortunes, whose husbands are absent from us, we judge of her feelings;
PHILUMENA
for whose affairs, still, in their absence, both night and day, sister, as is becoming, we are ever anxious.
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PAMPHILA
’Tis right that we should do our duty; and we do not that any further than affection bids us.
PHILUMENA
But, sister, step this way a moment; I want
to speak about the affairs of my husband.
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PAMPHILA
Ain’t they prospering, pray?
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PHILUMENA
I hope and wish so, indeed. But, sister, at this am I vexed, that your and my father, one who is esteemed as especially honorable among all his fellow-citizens, should be now acting the part of a dishonorable man;
who is undeservedly doing so great an injustice to our absent husbands, and is wishing to separate us from them. These things, sister, render me tired of existence; these things are a care and a vexation to me.
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PAMPHILA
Weep not, sister, nor do that to your feelings which your father is threatening to do. ’Tis to be hoped’Tis to be hoped: Spes est. Literally, there is a hope. that he will act more righteously. I know him well; he says these things in jest; and he would not earn for himself the mountains of the Persians,
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which are said to be of goldSaid to be of gold: No doubt, as the Persians were from an early period noted for their wealth and grandeur, it was a common notion with the people of Europe that they had mountains of gold., to do that of which you are in dread. Still, if he does do it, it befits you by no means to be angry; nor will it happen without some reason.
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For this is the third year since our husbands have been away from home.
PHILUMENA
’Tis as you say; while, in the meantime, they may be living, and may be wellMay be well: After valeant in this line, a comma, and not colon, seems more reconcileable to the meaning of the passage., they do not make us acquainted where they are, what they are doing, whether they are doing well, neither do they return.
PAMPHILA
And do you, sister, regret this, that they do not observe their duty, whereas you do yours?
PAMPHILA
Hold your peace, if you please; take care, please, that I hear not that same thing from you in future.
PAMPHILA
Because, i’ faith, in my opinion, ’tis proper for all prudent people
to observe and to do their duty. For that reason, sister, although you are the older, I advise you to remember your duty; and if they are unjust and act otherwise to us than is right, then, i’ faith, in exactly the same degree,
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that there may be no further mischief, it befits us studiously to remember our duty by all means in our power.
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PHILUMENA
’Tis good; I’m silenced.
