 | The Step-Mother |  |
SCENE II.
Enter PHIDIPPUS.Phid.
to Phil. within.]
Although, Philumena, I know my pow'r
Yet yielding to paternal tenderness,
I e'en give way, nor cross your humour.
Lach.
See,
Phidippus in good time! I'll learn from him
The cause of this.— [going up to him.]
Phidippus, tho' I own
Myself indulgent to my family,
Yet my complacency and easiness
Runs not to that extreme, that my good-nature
Corrupts their morals. Would you act like me,
'Twould be of service to both families.
But you I see are wholly in their pow'r.
Phid.
See there!
Lach.
I waited on you yesterday
No wiser than I came. It is not right,
If you would have the alliance last between us,
To smother your resentment. If We seem
In fault, declare it; that we may refute,
Or make amends for our offence: and you
Shall carve the satisfaction out yourself.
But if her sickness only is the cause
Of her remaining in your family,
Trust me, Phidippus, but you do me wrong,
To doubt her due attendance at my house.
For, by the pow'rs of heav'n, I'll not allow
That you, altho' her father, wish her better
Than I. I love her on my son's account;
To whom, I'm well convinc'd, she is as dear
As he is to himself: and I can tell
How deeply 'twill affect him, if he knows this.
Wherefore I wish she should come home again,
Before my son's return.
Phid.
My good friend Laches,
I know your care, and your benevolence;
Nor doubt but all is as you say; and hope
So I could but effect it.
Lach.
What prevents it?
Tell me, Phidippus! does she blame her husband?
Phid.
Not in the least. For when I urg'd it home,
And threaten'd to oblige her to return,
She vow'd most solemnly, she could not bear
Your house, so long as Pamphilus was absent.
—All have their failings: I am of so soft
A nature, I can't thwart my family.
Lach.
Ha, Sostrata!
[to Sostrata, apart.
Sostra.
Wretch that I am! Ah me!
[aside.
Lach.
And her return's impossible?
[to Phidippus.
Phid.
At present.
—Would you aught else with me? for I have business
That calls me to the Forum.
Lach.
I'll go with you.
[Exeunt.
This expostulation of Laches with Phidippus is a most faithful and elegant copy of nature. His peace of mind being disturbed by the disorders he finds in his family, his ill-humour, like that of most married men, breaks out first upon his wife. But as family-scenes, whether sweet or bitter, are seldom agreeable to a third person, the presence of Phidippus immediately puts an end to their dialogue. But the circumstance which I most admire is, that although Laches had just before thrown the whole blame on Sostrata, he no sooner sees Phidippus than he endeavours to exculpate his own family, and to insinuate that the whole fault lies on that of his neighbour.
Heia vero! These words, seemingly so easy, have yet puzzled Commentators. Donatus makes them an adverb of interruption. Madam Dacier interprets them as addressed by Phidippus to his daughter, in reference to their conversation within, signifying, “Did not I tell you they would “be offended at your absence?” For my part I take it to be an emotion of surprize mixed with discontent. Phidippus, while he is yet discoursing with his daughter, is suddenly accosted by Laches, and in language too, that he did not much like. Upon which he exclaims, Heia vero! which words seem to answer pretty nearly to our phrase, Look ye there now! a phrase often used on the like occasions. Patrick.
Here the Poet very artfully prepares a reason to be assigned by Pamphilus for his pretended discontent at the departure of his wife. Donatus.
This is extremely artful. The answer of Philumena, as related by Phidippus, contains an ample vindication of Pamphilus. What then can we suppose could make the house so disagreeable to her in his absence, but the behaviour of Sostrata? She declares her innocence; yet appearances are all against her. Supposing this to be the first act of the play, it would be impossible for a Comedy to open in a more interesting manner.
| The Step-Mother | |