Scene IX
Enter Phidippus and a Nurse.
Phid. (to the Nurse). Nay, you shall want for nothing at my house;
I’ll give you all that’s needful in abundance;
But when you’ve eat and drank your fill yourself,
Take care to satisfy the infant too.
Lach. I see the father of Philumena
Coming this way. He brings the child a nurse.
—Phidippus, Bacchis swears most solemnly——
Phid. Is this she?
Lach. Aye.
Phid. They never mind the Gods,
Nor do I think the Gods mind them.
Bacch. Here are
My waiting-women: take them, and extort
By any kind of torment the truth from them.
—Our present business is, I take it, this:
That I should win the wife of Pamphilus
To return home; which so I but effect,
I sha’n’t regret the same of having done
What others of my calling would avoid.
Lach. Phidippus, we’ve discover’d that in fact
We both suspected our wives wrongfully.
Let’s now try her: for if your wife perceives
Her own suspicions also are unjust,
She’ll drop her anger. If my son’s offended
Because his wife conceal’d her labor from him,
That’s but a trifle; he’ll be soon appeas’d.
—And truly I see nothing in this matter
That need occasion a divorce.
Phid. ’Fore Heaven,
I wish that all may end well.
Lach. Here she is:
Examine her; she’ll give you satisfaction.
Phid. What needs all this to Me! You know my mind
Already, Laches: do but make them easy.
Lach. Bacchis, be sure you keep your promise with me.
Bacch. Shall I go in then for that purpose?
Lach. Aye.
Go in; remove their doubts, and satisfy them.
Bacch. I will; although I’m very sure my presence
Will be unwelcome to them; for a wife,
When parted from her husband, to a mistress
Is a sure enemy.
Lach. They’ll be your friends,
When once they know the reason of your coming.
Phid. Aye, aye, they’ll be your friends, I promise you,
When they once learn your errand; for you’ll free
Them from mistake, yourself from all suspicion.
Bacch. I’m cover’d with confusion. I’m asham’d
To see Philumena.— (To her women.) You two in after me.
Exeunt Phidippus, Bacchis, etc.
Laches alone.
What is there that could please me more than this,
That Bacchis, without any loss, should gain
Favor from them, and do me service too?
For if she really has withdrawn herself
From Pamphilus, it will increase, she knows,
Her reputation, interest, and honor:
Since by this generous act she will at once
Oblige my son, and make us all her friends.
Exit.