The Step-Mother: Act the First: Scene II

PAR. (to SCRITUS within). If our old gentlemanAsks for me, tell him I'm this very momentGone to the Port to seek for Pamphilus.D'ye understand my meaning, Scritus? If he asks,Tell him that; if he should not ask, say nothing;That this excuse may serve another time. (Comes forward.--But is not that Philotis? Whence comes she?Philotis, save you!

PHI. Save you, Parmeno!

SYRA. Save you, good Parmeno!

PAR. And save you, Syra!--Tell me, Philotis, where have you been gadding?Taking your pleasure this long time?

PHI. I've takenNo pleasure, Parmeno, indeed. I wentWith a most brutal Captain hence to Corinth,There have I led a wretched life with himFor two whole years.

PAR. Aye, aye, I warrant youThat you have often wish'd to be in Athens;Often repented of your journey.

PHI. Oh,'Tis quite impossible to tell how muchI long'd to be at home, how much I long'dTo leave the Captain, see you, revel with you,After the good old fashion, free and easy.For there I durst not speak a single word,But what, and when the mighty Captain pleas'd.

PAR. 'Twas cruel in him thus to tie your tongue:At least, I'll warrant, that you thought it so.

PHI. But what's this business, Parmeno? this storyThat Bacchis has been telling me within?I could not have believ'd that PamphilusWould in her lifetime marry.

PHI. Why he is married: is not he?

PAR. He is.But I'm afraid 'twill prove a crazy match,And will not hold together long.

PHI. Heav'n grant it.So it turn out to Bacchis's advantage!But how can I believe this, Parmeno?Tell me.

PAR. It is not fit it should be told.Inquire no more.

PHI. For fear I should divulge it?Now Heav'n so prosper me, as I inquire,Not for the sake of telling it again,But to rejoice within myself.

PAR. All theseFair words, Philotis, sha'n't prevail on meTo trust my back to your discretion.

PHI. Well;Don't tell me, Parmeno.--As if you had notMuch rather tell this secret than I hear it.

PAR. She's in the right: I am a blab, 'tis true,It is my greatest failing.--Give your wordYou'll not reveal it, and I'll tell you.

PHI. NowYou're like yourself again. I give my word.Speak.

PAR. PamphilusDoted on Bacchis still as much as ever,When the old gentleman began to tease himTo marry, in the common cant of fathers;--"That he was now grown old; and PamphilusHis only child; and that he long'd for heirs,As props of his old age." At first my masterWithstood his instances, but as his fatherBecame more hot and urgent, PamphilusBegan to waver in his mind, and feltA conflict betwixt love and duty in him.At length, by hammering on marriage still,And daily instances, th' old man prevail'd,And made a match with our next neighbor's daughter.Pamphilus did not take it much to heart,Till just upon the very brink of wedlock:But when he saw the nuptial rites prepar'd,And, without respite, he must many; thenIt came so home to him, that even Bacchis,Had she been present, must have pitied him.Whenever he could steal from company,And talk to me alone,--"Oh Parmeno,What have I done?" he'd cry.--"I'm lost forever.Into what ruin have I plung'd myself!I can not bear it, Parmeno. Ah wretch!I am undone."

PHI. Now all the powers of heav'nConfound you, Laches, for thus teasing him?

PAR. In short, he marries, and brings home his wife.The first night he ne'er touch'd her! nor the next.

PHI. How! he a youth, and she a maidenhead!Tipsy, and never touch her! 'Tis not likely;Nor do I think it can be true.

PAR. No wonder.For they that come to you come all desire:But he was bound to her against his will.PHI. What followed upon this?

PAR. A few days after,Pamphilus, taking me aside, informs me,"That the maid still remain'd a maid for him;That he had hop'd, before he brought her home,He might have borne the marriage:--but resolvingWithin myself not to retain her long,I held it neither honesty in me,Nor of advantage to the maid herself,That I should throw her off to scorn:--but ratherReturn her to her friends, as I receiv'd her,Chaste and inviolate."

PHI. A worthy youth,And of great modesty!

PAR. "To make this publicWould not, I think, do well: and to return herUpon her father's hands, no crime alleg'd,As arrogant: but she, I hope, as soonAs she perceives she can not live with me,Will of her own accord depart."

PHI. But tell me;Went he meanwhile to Bacchis?

PAR. Every day.But she, as is the way you know, perceivingHe was another's property, becameMore cross and mercenary.

PHI. Troth, no wonder.

PAR. Aye, but 'twas that detach'd him chiefly from her.For when he had examined well himself,Bacchis, and her at home; and had compar'dTheir different manners; seeing that his bride,After the fashion of a lib'ral mind,Was decent, modest, patient of affronts,And anxious to conceal the wrongs he did her;Touch'd partly with compassion for his wife,And partly tir'd with t'other's insolence,He by degrees withdrew his heart from Bacchis,Transferring it to her, whose dispositionWas so congenial to his own. MeanwhileAn old relation of the familyDies in the isle of Imbrus. His estateComes by the law to them; and our old manDispatching thither, much against his will,The now-fond Pamphilus, he leaves his wifeHere with his mother. The old gentlemanRetir'd into the country, and but seldomComes up to town.

PHI. But what is there in thisThat can affect the marriage?

PAR. You shall hearImmediately. At first, for some few days,The women seem'd to live on friendly terms:Till all at once the bride, forsooth, conceiv'dA wonderful disgust to Sostrata:And yet there was no open breach between them,And no complaints on either side.

PAR. If Sostrata, for conversation' sake,Went to the bride, she instantly withdrew,Shunning her company. At length, not ableTo bear it any longer, she pretendsHer mother had sent for her to assistAt some home-sacrifice. Away she went.After a few days' absence, SostrataSent for her back. They made some lame excuse,I know not what. She sends again. No lady.Then after several messages, at lastThey say the gentlewoman's sick. My mistressGoes on a visit to her: not let in.Th' old gentleman, inform'd of all this, cameOn this occasion yesterday to town;And waited on the father of the bride.What pass'd between them, I as yet can't tell;And yet I long to know the end of this.--There's the whole business. Now I'll on my way.

PHI. And I: for there's a stranger here, with whomI have an assignation.PAR. Speed the plow!

PHI. Parmeno, fare you well!

PAR. Farewell, Philotis! (Exeunt severally.

HarperPAR. (to SCRITUS within).D'ye understand my meaning, Scritus?Colman 1768PAR. (to SCIRTUS within).D'ye understand my meaning, Scirtus?

HarperPAR. All theseFair words, Philotis, sha'n't prevail on meColman 1768PAR. No, no:Fair words, Philotis, sha'n't prevail on me

HarperAs arrogant: but she, I hope, as soonColman 1768Is arrogant: but she, I hope, as soon

The women seem'd to live on friendly terms:Harper edition reads "The woman"

HarperShunning her company. At length, not ableColman 1768