SCENE VII.
George Colman translation
Manent Phidippus, Laches.
Lach. Going? how’s that? and give me no plain answer!
—D’ye think he’s in his senses?—Well—send home
The child to me, Phidippus. I’ll take care on’t.
Phid. I will.—I can not wonder that my wife
Took this so ill. Women are passionate,
And can’t away with such affronts as these.
This was their quarrel: nay she told me so,
Though before him I did not care to speak on’t:
Nor did I credit it at first; but now
’Tis evident, and I can plainly see
He has no stomach to a wife.
Lach. Phidippus,
How shall I act? What’s your advice?
Phid. How act?
I think ’twere best to seek this wench, his mistress.
Let us expostulate the matter with her,
Speak to her roundly, nay, e’en threaten her,
If she has aught to do with him hereafter.
Lach. I’ll follow your advice.—Ho, boy! (Enter a boy) run over
To Bacchis. Tell her to come forth to me.
Exit boy.
—I must beseech you also to continue
Your kind assistance to me in this business.
Phid. Ah, Laches! I have told you all along.
And I repeat it now, that ’tis my wish
To render our alliance firm and lasting,
If possible, as I have hopes it will be.
—But would you have me present at your conference
With Bacchis?
Lach. No; go, seek the child a nurse.
Exit Phidippus.