Scene V.
Henry T. (Henry Thomas) Riley translation
Enter Laches.
Lach. While standing just by here, I have heard, wife, the conversation you have been holding with him. It is true wisdom to be enabled to govern the feelings whenever there is necessity; to do at the present moment what may perhaps, in the end, be necessary to be done.
Sos. Good luck to it, i’troth.
Lach. Retire then into the country; there I will bear with you, and you with me.
Sos. I hope so, i’faith.
Lach. Go in-doors then, and get together the things that are to be taken with you. I have now said it.
Sos. I’ll do as you desire.
Goes into the house.
Pam. Father!
Lach. What do you want, Pamphilus?
Pam. My mother go away? By no means.
Lach. Why would you have it so?
Pam. Because I am as yet undetermined what I shall do about my wife.
Lach. How is that? What should you intend to do but bring her home?
Pam. For my part, I could like, and can hardly forbear it; but I shall not alter my design; that which is most advantageous I shall pursue; I suppose (ironically) that they will be better reconciled, in consequence, if I shall take her back.
Lach. You can not tell. But it matters nothing to you which they do when she has gone away. Persons of this age are disliked by young people; it is right for us to withdraw from the world; in fine, we are now a nice by-word. We are, Pamphilus, “the old man and the old woman.”54 But I see Phidippus coming out just at the time; let’s accost him.