Act 2 — Scene II.

Scene II.

Charinus, Byrrhia, Pamphilus.

Pam. Ha! Charinus, I hope you are well, Sir.

Char. Oh, Pamphilus!——I come to implore from you hope, safety, counsel, and assistance.

Pam. Truly, I myself have need of counsel, and assistance too: but what is this affair?

Char. You are to be married to-day!

Pam. Ay, they say so.

Char. If you are, Pamphilus, you see me to-day for the last time[113].

Pam. Why so?

Char. Alas! I dread to speak it! tell him, Byrrhia, I beseech you.

Byrr. I will.

Pam. What is it, speak?

Byrr. My master loves Philumena to distraction, and hears that she is betrothed to you.

Pam. Truly, he and I are not of the same mind then; but prithee now, Charinus, tell me, has nothing passed between you and Philumena?

Char. Ah! Pamphilus, nothing.

Pam. I wish with all my soul there had!

Char. I implore you then, by all the ties of friendship, and tried affection, never to wed her: this is my first request.

Pam. Never! if I can help it, believe me.

Char. But if you cannot grant me this, and earnestly desire the match——

Pam. I desire it!

Char. At least defer it for a day or two, that I may go from here, and avoid the misery of being obliged to witness it.

Pam. Listen to me, Charinus; I think it is by no means the part of a man of honour to claim thanks, where none are due to him. I am more desirous to avoid Philumena, than you are to obtain her.

Char. My dearest friend! your words have given me new life.

Pam. Now, if either you, or Byrrhia here, can do any thing; for [114]Heaven’s sake do it; contrive, invent, and manage if you can, that she may be given to you; I meantime will do all in my power to prevent her from being given to me.

Char. I am satisfied.

Pam. But here comes Davus, most opportunely; I rely entirely upon his advice.

Char. [to Byrrhia.] But as for you, you can tell me nothing but what I don’t care to hear. Begone, sirrah.

Byrr. With all my heart, Sir.

[Exit.