The Comedies of Terence | Page 7

ask? She is oppressed with grief,[46] and on this account
the poor thing is anxious, because some time ago the marriage was
arranged for this day. Then, too, she fears this, that you may forsake
her.
PAM. Ha! could I attempt that? Could I suffer her, poor thing, to be
deceived on my account? She, who has confided to me her affection,
and her entire existence? She, whom I have held especially dear to my
feelings as my wife? Shall I suffer her mind, well and chastely trained
and tutored, to be overcome by poverty and corrupted? I will not do it.

MYS. I should have no fear if it rested with yourself alone; but whether
you may be able to withstand compulsion--
PAM. Do you deem me so cowardly, so utterly ungrateful, inhuman,
{and} so brutish, that neither intimacy, nor affection, nor shame, can
move or admonish me to keep faith?
MYS. This one thing I know, that she is deserving that you should not
forget her.
PAM. Forget her? Oh Mysis, Mysis, at this moment are those words of
Chrysis concerning Glycerium written on my mind. Now at the point of
death, she called me; I went to her; you had withdrawn; we were alone;
she began: "My dear Pamphilus, you see her beauty and her {youth};
and it is not unknown to you to what extent both of these are now of
use to her, in protecting both her chastity and her interests. By this right
hand I do entreat you, and by your {good} Genius,[47] by your own
fidelity, and by her bereft condition, do not withdraw yourself from her,
or forsake her; if I have loved you as my own brother, or if she has
always prized you above all others, or has been obedient to you in all
things. You do I give to her as a husband, friend, protector, father. This
property of mine do I intrust to you, and commit to your care." She
placed her in my hands; that instant, death came upon her. I accepted
her; having accepted, I will protect her.
MYS. So indeed I hope. (Moving.)
PAM. But why are you leaving her?
MYS. I'm going to fetch the midwife.[48]
PAM. Make all haste. And-- do you hear?-- take care, {and} not one
word about the marriage, lest that too {should add} to her illness.
MYS. I understand. (Exeunt severally.

ACT THE SECOND.

SCENE I.
Enter CHARINUS and BYRRHIA.[49]
CHAR. How say you, Byrrhia? Is she to be given in marriage to
Pamphilus to-day?
BYR. It is so.
CHAR. How do you know?
BYR. I heard {it} just now from Davus at the Forum.
CHAR. Woe unto wretched me! As, hitherto, until now, my mind has
been racked amid hope and fear; so, since hope has been withdrawn,
wearied with care, it sinks overwhelmed.
BYR. By my troth, Charinus, since that which you wish can not come
to pass, prithee, do wish that which can.
CHAR. I wish for nothing else but Philumena.
BYR. Alas! How much better were it for you to endeavor to expel that
passion from your mind, than to be saying that by which your desire is
to no purpose still more inflamed.
CHAR. We all, when we are well, with ease give good advice to the
sick. If you were in my situation, you would think otherwise.
BYR. Well, well, just as you like.
CHAR. (looking down the side scene.) But I see Pamphilus; I'm
determined I'll try every thing before I despair.
BYR. (aside) What does he mean?
CHAR. I will entreat his own self; I will supplicate him; I will disclose
to him my love. I think that I shall prevail upon him to put off the
marriage for some days at least; in the mean time, something will turn

up, I trust.
BYR. That something is nothing.
CHAR. Byrrhia, how seems it to you? Shall I accost him?
BYR. Why not? Should you not prevail, that at least he may look upon
you as a gallant {ready} provided for him, if he marries her.
CHAR. Away with you to perdition with that vile suggestion, you
rascal!
SCENE II.
Enter PAMPHILUS.
PAM. I espy Charinus. (Accosting him.) Good-morrow!
CHAR. O, good-morrow. Pamphilus, I'm come to you, seeking hope,
safety, counsel, {and} assistance.
PAM. I'faith, I have neither time for counsel, nor resources for
assistance. But what's the matter now?
CHAR. To-day you are going to take a wife?
PAM. {So} they say.
CHAR. Pamphilus, if you do that, you behold me this day for the last
time.
PAM. Why so?
CHAR. Ah me! I dread to tell it; prithee, do you tell it, Bvrrhia.
BYR. I'll tell it.
PAM. What is it?

BYR. He's in love with your betrothed.
PAM. Assuredly he's not of