 | The Discovery |  |
SCENE IV.
Enter PHILIPPA at a distance.Phi.
If man in all his misery's to be pitied,
'Tis when the malady is in his mind.
This I experience in all shapes of ill.
Fear, poverty alarm my inmost mind,
160
A place of safety.—I have lost my daughter
To th'enemy—Nor know I where to seek her.
Per.
[aside.]
What woman's this?—A stranger, full of fears
Who thus bewails herself?
Phi.
They said, Periphanes
Liv'd somewhere hereabout—
Per.
[aside.]
She mentions me.
Perhaps she wants some hospitable friend.
Phi.
Would any one shew me the man, or where
He lives, I would reward him for't—
Per.
[aside.]
For certain
I know this woman: I have seen her face,
Tho' where I know not—Is it she or no?
My mind suspects 'tis she—
Phi.
[seeing him.]
O ye good gods!
He is familiar to me.—
Per.
[aside.]
I've no doubt,
'Tis the poor woman, whom in Epidaurus
I well remember to have had—
Phi.
'Tis he,
Who first enjoy'd my love in Epidaurus—
Per.
[aside.]
By whom I had a daughter now at home.—
161
Say, I approach him—
Per.
[aside.]
Shall I then accost her,
Or no?—If 'tis the same—
Phi.
O, should it be
The man, as length of time has made it doubtful—
Per.
[aside.]
'Tis so long since, my mind is at a loss.
But if 'tis she, I'll artfully address her.
Phi.
Come to my aid some of my sex's arts!
Per.
[aside.]
I'll speak to her—
Phi.
I'll have some talk with him.
Per.
[to her.]
Mistress, good day!—
Phi.
Thanks, both for me and mine.
Per.
What more?
Phi.
Good day!—Your compliment's return'd.
Per.
For your just dealing, thanks—Do I not know you?
Phi.
If I am not mistaken, I've to say
That which will call me well to your remembrance.—
Per.
Where have I seen you?
Phi.
That's too hard a question.
Per.
Why so?
Phi.
You'd have me prompt your memory.
Per.
You'd tell fine stories—
Phi.
Your's were wonders all.
Per.
And do you recollect that better?
Phi.
Oh!
I do.
Per.
In Epidaurus—
Phi.
Ah! that word,
That word, a little drop of healing comfort,
Has cool'd the burning heat within my bosom.—
162
My taking pity on your mother's poverty,
Relieving her, and you, a helpless girl—
Phi.
Are you the man, who by deceiving me,
Have plung'd me into all this misery?
Per.
The very man—Good day!—You have your health!
Phi.
The better, that I see you well.
Per.
Your hand—
Phi.
Take it—You've here a woman full of misery.—
Per.
Why so concern'd?
Phi.
The daughter I had by you—
Per.
Well, what of her?
Phi.
When I had brought her up,
I lost her. She's a prisoner 'mongst the enemy.
Per.
Be easy then, and set your heart at rest:
Behold, within the house, she's safe and well.
As soon as e'er my slave told me her fate,
I purchas'd her; in that affair the fellow
Acquitted him with diligence, and prudence;
As in all else, he has been a very rascal.
Phi.
O let me see her, if you'd have me live!
163
Hola! who waits there? Canthara, go bid
My daughter instantly come out to me,
That she may see her mother.
Phi.
This revives me!
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