 | The Step-Mother |  |
471
SCENE VIII.
Enter at a distance LACHES and PHIDIPPUS.Lach.
Did not you say
She only waited my son's coming?
Phid.
Ay.
Lach.
They say that he's arriv'd. Let her return then!
Pam.
behind.]
What reason I shall frame to give my father,
For not recalling her, I cannot tell.
Lach.
overhearing.]
Whose voice was that?
Pam.
to himself.]
And yet I am resolv'd
To stand to my first purpose.
Lach.
seeing Pamphilus.]
He himself,
Whom I was speaking of!
Pam.
going up.]
My father, save you!
Lach.
Save you, my son!
Phid.
Pamphilus, welcome home!
I'm glad to see you safe, and in good health.
Pam.
I do believe it.
Lach.
Are you just now come?
Pam.
Just now, Sir.
Lach.
Well; and tell me, Pamphilus,
What has our kisman Phania left us?
472
Ah, Sir,
He, his whole life-time, was a man of pleasure,
And such men seldom much enrich their heirs.
Yet he has left at least this praise behind him,
“While he liv'd, he liv'd well.”
Lach.
And have you brought
Nothing home with you but this single sentence?
Pam.
What he has left, tho' small, is of advantage.
Lach.
Advantage? No, it is a disadvantage:
For I could wish he was alive and well.
Phid.
That you may safely; for your wishing for't
Will never bring the man to life again:
Yet I know well enough which you'd like best.
[aside.
Lach.
to Pam.]
Phidippus order'd that Philumena
Should be sent over to him yesterday.
—Say that you order'd it.
[aside to Phidippus, thrusting him.
Phid.
aside to Laches.]
Don't thrust me so.—
I did.
[aloud.
Lach.
But now he'll send her home again.
Phid.
I will.
Pam.
Nay, nay, I know the whole affair.
Since my arrival, I have heard it all.
473
Now, plague upon these envious tale-bearers,
Who are so glad to fetch and carry news!
Pam.
to Phid.]
That I've endeavour'd to deserve no blame
From any of the family, I'm conscious.
Were it my inclination to relate,
How true I've been, how kind, and gentle tow'rds her,
I well might do it: But I rather chuse,
You should collect it from herself. For when
She, altho' now there's enmity between us,
Bespeaks me fair, you will the sooner credit
My disposition tow'rds her. And I call
The Gods to witness, that this separation
Has not arisen from my fault. But since
She thinks it is beneath her to comply
With Sostrata, and bear my mother's temper;
And since no other means are to be found
Of reconciliation, I, Phidippus,
Must leave my mother or Philumena.
Duty then calls me to regard my mother.
Lach.
My Pamphilus, I cannot be displeas'd,
That you prefer to all the world a parent.
But take heed, your resentment don't transport you
Beyond the bounds of reason, Pamphilus.
Pam.
Ah, what resentment can I bear to her,
474
But has so often deserv'd well of me?
I love her, own her worth, and languish for her;
For I have known her tenderness of soul:
And heaven grant, that with some other husband
She find that happiness she mist in me;
From whom the strong hand of necessity
Divorces her for ever!
Phid.
That event
'Tis in your pow'r to hinder.
Lach.
If you're wise,
Take your wife home again!
Pam.
I cannot, father.
I must not slack my duty to my mother.
[going.
Lach.
Where are you going?
[Exit Pamphilus.
Tum tu igitur nihil attulisti hac plus unâ sententiâ. This is taken notice of by Donatus as a particular happy stroke of character: and indeed the idea of a covetous old man gaping for a fat legacy, and having his mouth stopped with a moral precept, is truly comick. See Hurd's Horace, vol. 1. p. 272.
| The Step-Mother | |