University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Enter STRATOPHANES.
Stra.
Do not, spectators,
Expect that I recount my valorous deeds.
My conquests, by my arm I'm wont to publish,
Not by my tongue—Soldiers there are, I know,
Who tell most marvelous tales.—There's Homeronida;
And after him a thousand might be nam'd,
Who have been both convicted, and condemn'd
Of vaunting wars, and battles never fought.
I don't commend the man, who rather trusts
His ears than eyes—It discomposes me
When those are louder in their commendations,
Who've only heard reports, than those who saw
The deeds perform'd.—And one eye-witness weighs
More than ten hear-says. Seeing is believing,
All the world o'er—I like not him, whose praise
Is trumpeted in town by low buffoons,
While in the camp, the common men are silent.
Nor like I those, whose tongues at home make blunt
Our sword's keen edge—The valiant profit more
Their country, than the finest cleverest speakers.
Valour once known, will soon find eloquence
To trumpet forth her praise—In the same light
Look I upon the inactive orator;
And her who sings encomiums on the dead—
Praises she has on others to bestow,
But none has for herself—'Tis now almost
Ten months, since last I took my leave of Athens.
I'll to my mistress, whom I left with child,
And see what she's about—

Phro.
Who's talking there?

[to Astaphium.
Ast.
The captain's here—Stratophanes is come.
Phronesium, now's your time; feign yourself ill.

Phro.
Peace then!—D'ye think that I want your advice?
Can any of you all exceed my cunning?

Stra.
She's brought to bed, I'll answer for't!

Ast.
Suppose
I speak to him.

Phro.
Ay, go—

Stra.
See here, Astaphium
Is coming to me.

Ast.
Hail! Stratophanes!
I'm glad you're safe arriv'd—

Stra.
Well, that I know.
But is Phronesium brought to bed?

Ast.
She is;
And of a charming boy—

Stra.
Is he like me?

Ast.
Why ask you such a question?—when the moment
The boy was born, he ask'd for sword and target.

Stra.
Yes; he is mine; the proof is quite apparent.
Extremely like me! wonderfully so!
Is not his size already large?—Already
Has he not chose what legion he would plunder?

Ast.
Why yesterday he was but four days old.

Stra.
What then?—something by this he should have done.
Why was he born before he could engage
In battle?

Ast.
Follow me, and greet my mistress;
And give her joy—

Stra.
We'll follow you.

Phro.
O heavens!
Where is she?—Gone! and left me here alone!

Ast.
I'm here—And I have brought your long desir'd,
Your lov'd Stratophanes—

Phro.
Where is he, pray?

Stra.
The god of war returning from abroad,
Salutes his wife Neriene—Since you have had
Success, and since with children you are bless'd;
And since you've honour'd both yourself and me,
I give you joy—

Phro.
You, who've of day-light robb'd me,
Of my life too almost, right welcome are you.
You, who have been the cause of all I've felt,
And all I feel—

Stra.
O fye! my love! this pain
Is for your interest—You've produc'd a son
Will fill your house with plunder—

Phro.
Ah! by Castor!
We want much more to have our granaries fill'd;
Lest famine starve us e'er his plunder comes.

Stra.
Have a good heart—

Phro.
Ask me to kiss you here, then?
I've been, and still I am so much in pain,
I can't lift up my head, nor stand upon
My feet without assistance.

Stra.
O my sweet!
If from the mid-sea you would bid me fetch
A kiss of yours, I should not think it trouble.
You have experienc'd that already.—Now
I'll prove how much I love you, my Phronesium.
I've brought you here two maids from Suria—Here,
[to a slave.
Produce them—These are yours—They both were queens
At home.—But I have wasted and destroy'd
Their country—

Phro.
Don't the number I've already
Displease you; notwithstanding, do you bring me
More maids, to eat me out of house and home?

Stra.
By Hercules! if this present you dislike—
Here, boy, give me the bag there—See, my love,
Here is a Phrygian robe—I pray accept it.
And one from Pontus too—Take it, my love.

Phro.
For all my grievous pains, d'ye make me such
A trifling present?

Stra.
I'm undone, by Hercules!
Ah, me! my son will cost his weight in gold.
She does not value me a rush—I've brought you,
See here, from Tyre, a beauteous purple robe—
Accept it—Now remove these Surians here,
Out of her sight—Don't you love me a little?

Phro.
By Castor! not at all—You don't deserve it.

Stra.
Will nothing satisfy her? She han't said
One kind word to me—I am sure, the presents
I've made her now, would sell for twenty minæ.
She's desperate angry with me now, I know,
And feel—But I'll go to her—Well, what say you?
Would you, my love, that I should go and sup
Where I'm invited; then return, and sleep
With you—Why are you silent?—Without doubt
I'm ruin'd—Hey!—What have we here?—Who's he
That leads this grand procession?—I'm resolv'd
To watch which way they go—I do suppose
To her—but I shall presently know more.

[stands apart.