University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Enter PANÉGYRIS and PINACIUM.
PANÉGYRIS.
Penelope , I think, was from her soul
Unhappy, sister, to have liv'd so long
Barr'd from her husband's love, a widow'd life.
Her sense of this, we judge of from our own,
Whose husbands are away; for whose affairs,
We, as we ought, are anxious day and night.

Pin.
'Tis fit we do our duty; and in that
We do no other than affection dictates.
But this way, sister—I have much to say,
Relating to my husband—

Pan.
Things go well,
I hope, my dear?—

Pin.
I hope so too, and wish it.
But I am vex'd, my sister, that your father,
My father too, as just a man esteem'd
As any in the city, should now act
So false a part; injure our absent husbands
So much; and that without a fault of theirs;
Draw our affections from them too—These things
Weary my life, are worse than age and troubles.

Pan.
Weep not, my sister; nor, in thought do that
Your father threatens—We'll hope better from him.
I know him; know, he only says these things
In jest; nor would he for the wealth of Persia,
Dug from their mountains, said to be of gold,
Confirm your fears by facts—Nay, should he do so,
It would but ill become us to be angry:
Much may be said, nor, without reason said;
For 'tis the third year of our husband's absence.

Pin.
'Tis as you say.—

Pan.
And yet, whether alive,
In health, or where, or what about, (if ought
They are about) they make not us partakers,
Nor yet return—

Pin.
Grieve you, that they neglect
Their duty, sister, when you do your own?

Pan.
I do.—

Pin.
Be dumb! nor let me hear from you
That sentiment again—

Pan.
And wherefore, say?

Pin.
'Tis my opinion, sister, that the wise
Study their duty, and then practise it—
So, tho' my elder, I presume to advise
That you forget not yours—Say, they're unjust,
Nor treat us as they ought, let us remember
The duty we owe them, nor more expose
Our weakness to their strength.—

Pan.
'Tis right: I've done.

Pin.
Take heed then to remember it.

Pan.
I would not
Be deem'd unmindful of my husband, sister,
Nor shall he lose the favours he bestow'd.—
By Pollux! no—His kindness is my joy,
And well am I contented with my lot;
Nor do I seek e'en now to change my state.
But after all, 'tis in our father's power:
And well we know, parents must be obey'd.

Pin.
I know it, and that knowledge aids my sorrows;
For he already has declar'd his sentiments.

Pan.
Then think we what remains for us to do.