Hecyra; The Mother-In-Law

Perseus Latin · Perseus Latin · 516 sections

2.1.225
and to look after my affairs, in order that my circumstances might be able to support your lavishness and comforts, not sparing my own exertions, beyond what’s reasonable and my time of life allows. That you should take no care, in return for all this, that there should be nothing to vex me!
2.1.228
Upon my word, through no means or fault of mine has this taken place.
2.1.228b
Nay, through you in especial; you were the only person here; on you alone, Sostrata, falls all the blame.
2.1.230
You ought to have taken care of matters here, as I had released you from other anxieties. Is it not a disgrace for an old woman to pick a quarrel with a girl? You will say it was her fault.
2.1.232b
Indeed I do not say so, my dear Laches.
2.1.233
I am glad of that, so may the Gods prosper me, for my son’s sake. I am quite sure of this, that no fault of yours can possibly put you in a worse light.
2.1.235
How do you know, my husband, whether she may not have pretended to dislike me, on purpose that she might be more with her mother?
2.1.236b
What say you to this? Is it not proof sufficient, when yesterday no one was willing to admit you into the house, when you went to see her?
2.1.238
Why, they told me that she was very ill just then; for that reason I was not admitted to her.
2.1.239
I fancy that your humors are more her malady than any thing else;
2.1.240
and with good reason in fact, for there is not one of you but wants her son to take a wife; and the match which has taken your fancy must be the one; when, at your solicitation, they have married, then, at your solicitation, they are to put them away again.
2.2.243
Although I am aware, Philumena, that I have the right to compel you to do what I order, still, being swayed by the feelings of a father,
2.2.245
I will prevail upon myself to yield to you, and not oppose your inclination.
2.2.246
And look, most opportunely I see Phidippus; I’ll presently know from him how it is. (Accosting him.) Phidippus, although I am aware that I am particularly indulgent to all my family, still it is not to that degree to let my good nature corrupt their minds. And if you would do the same, it would be more for your own interest and ours.
2.2.250
At present I see that you are under the control of those women.
2.2.250b
Just look at that, now !
2.2.251
I waited on you yesterday about your daughter; you sent me away just as wise as I came. It does not become you, if you wish this alliance to continue, to conceal your resentment. If there is any fault on our side, disclose it; either by clearing ourselves, or excusing it, we shall remedy these matters for you,
2.2.255
yourself the judge. But if this is the cause of detaining her at your house, because she is ill, then I think that you do me an injustice, Phidippus, if you are afraid lest she should not be attended with sufficient care at my house. But, so may the Gods prosper me, I do not yield in this to you, although you are her father, that you can wish her well more than I do, and that on my son’s account,
2.2.260
who I know values her not less than his own self. Nor, in fact, is it unknown to you, how much, as I believe, it will vex him, if he comes to know of this; for this reason, I wish to have her home before he returns.
2.2.263
Laches, I am sensible of both your carefulness and your good-will, and I am persuaded that all you say is just as you say:
2.2.265
and I would have you believe me in this; I am anxious for her to return to you, if I possibly can by any means effect it.
2.2.266b
What is it prevents you from effecting it? Come, now, does she make any complaint against her husband?
2.2.267b
By no means; for when I urged it still more strongly, and attempted to constrain her by force to return, she solemnly protested that she couldn’t possibly remain with you, while Pamphilus was absent.
2.2.270
Probably each has his own failing; I am naturally of an indulgent disposition; I can not thwart. my own family.
2.2.271b
Ha! Sostrata!
2.2.271c
Alas! wretched me!
2.2.272
Is this your final determination ?
2.2.272b
For the present, at least, as it seems; but have you any thing else to say? for I have some business that obliges me to go at once to the Forum.
2.2.273b
I’ll go with you. (Exeunt.)
2.3.274
Upon my faith, we assuredly are all of us hated by our husbands with equal injustice,
2.3.275
on account of a few, who cause us all to appear deserving of harsh treatment. For, so may. the Gods prosper me, as to what my husband accuses me of, I am quite guiltless. But it is not so easy to clear myself, so strongly have people come to the conclusion that all step-mothers are harsh: i’ faith, not I, indeed, for I never regarded her otherwise than if she had been my own daughter; nor can I conceive how this has befallen me.
2.3.280
But really, for many reasons, I long for my son’s return home with impatience. (Goes into her house.)
3.1.281
No individual, I do believe, ever met with more crosses in love than I. Alas! unhappy me! that I have thus been sparing of life! Was it for this I was so very impatient to return home? O, how much more preferable had it been for me to pass my life any where in the world
3.1.285
than to return here and be sensible that I am thus wretched! For all of us know who have met with trouble from any cause, that all the time that passes before we come to the knowledge of it, is so much gain.
3.1.288
Still, as it is, you’ll the sooner know how to extricate yourself from these misfortunes. If you had not returned, this breach might have become much wider;
3.1.290
but now, Pamphilus, I am sure that both will be awed by your presence. You will learn the facts, remove their enmity, restore them to good feeling once again. These are but trifles which you have persuaded yourself are so grievous.
3.1.293
Why comfort me? Is there a person in all the world so wretched as I? Before I took her to wife, I had my heart engaged by other affections.
3.1.295
Now, though on this subject I should be silent, it is easy for any one to know how much I have suffered; yet I never dared refuse her whom my father forced upon me. With difficulty did I withdraw myself from another, and disengage my affections so firmly rooted there! and hardly had I fixed them in another quarter, when, lo! a new misfortune has arisen, which may tear me from her too. Then besides, I suppose that in this matter I shall find either my mother or my wife in fault;
3.1.300
and when I find such to be the fact, what remains but to become still more wretched? For duty, Parmeno, bids me bear with the feelings of a mother; then, to my wife I am bound by obligations; with so much temper did she formerly bear my usage, and on no occasion disclose the many wrongs inflicted on her by me. But, Parmeno, something of consequence, I know not what it is, must have happened
3.1.305
for this misunderstanding to have arisen between them, that has lasted so long.
3.1.306
Or else something frivolous, i’ faith, if you would only give words their proper value; those which are sometimes the greatest enmities, do not argue the greatest injuries; for it often happens that in certain circumstances, in which another would not even be out of temper, for the very same reason a passionate man becomes your greatest enemy.
3.1.310
What enmities do children entertain among themselves for trifling injuries! For what reason? Why, because they have a weak understanding to direct them. Just so are these women, almost like children with their fickle feelings; perhaps a single word has occasioned this enmity between them, master.
3.1.314
Go, Parmeno, into the house, and carry word that I have arrived. (A noise is heard in the house of PHIDIPPUS.)
3.1.314b
Ha! What means this?
3.1.314c
Be silent.
3.1.315
I perceive a bustling about, and a running to and fro.
3.1.315b
Come then, I’ll approach nearer to the door. (He listens.) Ha! did you hear?
3.1.316b
Don’t be prating. (He listens.) O Jupiter, I heard a shriek!
3.1.317b
You yourself are talking, while you forbid me.
3.1.318
Prithee, my child, do be silent.
3.1.318b
That seems to be the voice of Philumena’s mother. I’m undone
3.1.319b
Why so?
3.1.319c
Utterly ruined!
3.1.319d
For what reason?
3.1.319e
Parmeno, you are concealing from me some great misfortune to me unknown.
3.1.320b
They said that your wife, Philumena, was in alarm about something, I know not what; whether that may be it, perchance, I don’t know.
3.1.322
I am undone! Why didn’t you tell me of this?
3.1.322b
Because I couldn’t tell every thing at once.
3.1.323
What is the malady?
3.1.323b
I don’t know.
3.1.323c
What! has no one brought a physician to see her?
3.1.323d
I don’t know.
3.1.324
Why delay going in-doors, that I may know as soon as possible for certain what it is?
3.1.325
In what condition, Philumena, am I now to find you? But if you are in any peril, beyond a doubt I will perish with you. (Goes into the house of PHIDIPPUS.)
3.1.327
There is no need for me to follow him into the house at present, for I see that we are all disagreeable to them. Yesterday, no one would give Sostrata admittance.
3.1.330
If, perchance, the malady should become worse, which really I could far from wish, for my master’s sake especially, they would at once say that Sostrata’s servant had been in there; they would invent a story that I had brought some mischief against their lives and persons, in consequence of which the malady had been increased.
3.1.335
My mistress would be blamed, and I should incur heavy punishment.
3.2.336
In dreadful alarm, I have for some time heard, I know not what confusion going on here; I’m sadly afraid Philumena’s illness is getting worse. Aesculapius, I do entreat thee, and thee, Health, that it may not be so. Now I’ll go visit her.
3.2.339b
Hark you, Sostrata.
3.2.339c
Well.
3.2.339d
You will again be shut out there.
3.2.340
What, Parmeno, is it you? I’m undone! wretch that I am, what shall I do? Am I not to go see the wife of Pamphilus, when she is ill here next door?
3.2.342
Not go see her! Don’t even send any person for the purpose of seeing her; for I’m of opinion that he who loves, a person to whom he is an object of dislike, commits a double mistake: he himself takes a useless trouble, and causes annoyance to the other.
3.2.345
Besides, your son went in to see how she is, as soon as he arrived.
3.2.346
What is it you say? Has Pamphilus arrived?
3.2.346b
He has.
3.2.346c
I give thanks unto the Gods! Well, through that news my spirits are revived, and anxiety has departed from my heart.
3.2.348
For this reason, then, I am especially unwilling you should go in there; for if Philumena’s malady at all abates,
3.2.350
she will, I am sure, when they are by themselves, at once tell him all the circumstances; both what misunderstandings have arisen between you, and how the difference first began. But see, he’s coming out-how sad he looks!
3.2.352b
O my son!
3.2.353
My mother, blessings on you.
3.2.353b
I rejoice that you are returned safe. Is Philumena in a fair way?
3.2.354b
She is a little better.
3.2.354c
Would that the Gods may grant it so! Why, then, do you weep, or why so dejected?
3.2.355b
All’s well, mother.
3.2.356
What meant that confusion? Tell me; was she suddenly taken ill?
3.2.357
Such was the fact.
3.2.357b
What is her malady?
3.2.357c
A fever.
3.2.357d
An intermitting one?
3.2.357e
So they say. Go in the house, please, mother; I’ll follow you immediately.
3.2.358b
Very well. (Goes into her house.)
3.2.359
Do you run and meet the servants, Parmeno, and help them with the baggage.
3.2.360
Why, don’t they know the way themselves to come to our house?
3.2.360b
Do you loiter?
3.3.361
I can not discover any fitting commencement of my troubles, at which to begin to narrate the things that have so unexpectedly befallen me, some of which with these eyes I have beheld; some I have heard with my ears; and on account of which I so hastily betook myself, in extreme agitation, out of doors.
3.3.365
For just now, when, full of alarm, I rushed into the house, expecting to find my wife afflicted with some other malady than what I have found it to be—ah me! immediately the servant-maids beheld that I had arrived, they all at the same moment joyfully exclaimed, He is come, from having so suddenly caught sight of me. But I soon perceived the countenances of all of them change,
3.3.370
because at so unseasonable a juncture chance had brought me there. One of them in the mean time hastily ran before me to give notice that I had come. Impatient to see my wife, I followed close. When I entered the room, that instant, to my sorrow, I found out her malady; for neither did the time afford any interval to enable her to conceal it,
3.3.375
nor could she complain in any other accents than those which the case itself prompted. When I perceived this: O disgraceful conduct! I exclaimed, and instantly hurried away from the spot in tears, overwhelmed by such an incredible and shocking circumstance. Her mother followed me; just as I got to the threshold, she threw herself on her knees: I felt compassion for her. Assuredly it is the fact, in my opinion, just as matters befall us all, so are we elated or depressed.
3.3.381
At once she began to address me in these words: O my dear Pamphilus, you see the reason why she left your house; for violence was offered to her when formerly a maid, by some villain to us unknown. Now, she took refuge here then, that from you and others she might conceal her labor.

Perseus Latin. CTS URN phi0134.phi005.perseus-eng2. Via the Perseus Digital Library / Open Greek and Latin TEI corpora. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source.