SCENE V.

CHREMES, SIMO, CRITO, PAMPHILUS.

_Crito._ Say no more, Pamphilus, I would do what you wish either for your sake, or for Glycera’s, or even my regard for truth would be a sufficient inducement.

_Chremes._ Do I see Crito the Andrian? Yes, it is he!

_Crito._ Well met, Chremes.

_Chremes._ What brought you to Athens, who are such a stranger here?

_Crito._ I came hither on business: but is this Simo?

_Chremes._ Yes.

_Simo._ Does he ask for me? Well, Sir, I am Simo: do you dare to say that Glycera is a citizen of Athens?

_Crito._ Do you deny it?

_Simo._ Are you come hither so well prepared?

_Crito._ Prepared! for what?

_Simo._ Do you ask? Can you think that you shall do these things with impunity? Can you think that you will be suffered to insnare inexperienced and respectable young men? and flatter them with fair words and fine promises?

_Crito._ Are you in your senses?

_Simo._ And, at last, conclude this shameful fraud, by marrying them to their mistresses?

_Pam._ (aside.) I am undone? Crito, I fear, will not be able to maintain his ground.

_Chremes._ [201]Simo, if you knew this stranger as well as I do, you would think better of him: he is a worthy man.

_Simo._ He a worthy man? but yes, it was very good of him to be sure to come here so opportunely on the day of my son’s marriage! he! who was never at Athens before! Chremes, ought such a man to be believed?

_Pam._ (_aside._) I could easily explain that circumstance; but I fear my interference would offend my father.

_Simo._ A sycophant[202].

_Crito._ What!

_Chremes._ Bear with him, Crito, ’tis his humour.

_Crito._ Then let him look to it: if he persists in saying all he pleases, I will make him hear something that will not please him. Do I interfere in this affair? what have I to do with it? Can you not bear your disappointment patiently. As for what I assert, it is easy enough to ascertain whether it is true or false. Some years ago, a certain Athenian was shipwrecked, and cast upon the isle of Andros: he was accompanied by this very Glycera, who was then an infant: and, in great distress, applied for assistance to the father of Chrysis.

_Simo._ Now he begins a tale.

_Chremes._ Suffer him to speak.

_Crito._ What! will he interrupt me?

_Chremes._ (_to Crito._) Pray proceed.

_Crito._ Chrysis’ father, who received[203] him, was my relation: and, at his house, I’ve heard that shipwrecked stranger say, that he was an Athenian: he died in Andros.

_Chremes._ (_eagerly._) His name was ――――

_Crito._ His name so quickly. Phania.

_Chremes._ Ah!

_Crito._ At least I think it was Phania: one thing I am sure of, he said he was from[204] Rhamnus.

_Chremes._ Oh Jupiter!

_Crito._ Many other persons who were then in Andros heard of these things.

_Chremes._ Heaven grant my hopes may be fulfilled: tell me, Crito, did he call the child his own?

_Crito._ No.

_Chremes._ Whose then?

_Crito._ He said she was the daughter of his brother.

_Chremes._ Then she is surely mine!

_Crito._ What say you?

_Simo._ How can she be yours? What is it you say?

_Pam._ Listen, Pamphilus.

_Simo._ What are your reasons for believing this?

_Chremes._ That Phania was my brother.

_Simo._ I know it: I was well acquainted with him.

_Chremes._ That he might avoid the war, he quitted Greece: and, following me, set sail for Asia: fearing to leave the child, he took her with him: and this is the first account I have ever received of their fate.

_Pam._ I am scarcely myself: my mind is so agitated by fear, hope, joy, and astonishment, at this so great and unexpected happiness.

_Simo._ Believe me, Chremes, I rejoice most sincerely that Glycera proves to be your daughter.

_Pam._ That, I believe, my father.

_Chremes._ But stay: I have yet one doubt, which gives me some uneasiness.

_Pam._ Away with all your doubts and scruples; you seek a difficulty where none exists.

_Crito._ What is it?

_Chremes._ The name does not agree.

_Crito._ I know she bore some other name when an infant.

_Chremes._ What was it? Crito, have you forgotten?

_Crito._ I am trying to remember it.

_Pam._ Shall I suffer his want of memory to retard my happiness, when I myself can find a remedy? I will not. Chremes, the name you want is Pasibula.

_Crito._ The very name[205].

_Chremes._ You are right.

_Pam._ I have heard it from herself a thousand times.

_Simo._ Chremes, I hope you are convinced how sincerely we all rejoice at this discovery[206].

_Chremes._ I have no doubt of it.

_Pam._ And now, dear Sir.

_Simo._ The happy turn of the affair has reconciled me, my son: be all unpleasant recollections banished.

_Pam._ A thousand thanks, my father. I trust that Chremes also consents that Glycera should be mine.

_Chremes._ Undoubtedly: with your father’s approbation.

_Pam._ Oh! that is certain.

[207]_Simo._ I consent most joyfully.

_Chremes._ Pamphilus, my daughter’s portion is ten talents[208].

_Pam._ Dear sir, I am quite satisfied.

_Chremes._ I will hasten to my daughter: come with me, Crito, for I suppose that she will not remember me.

[_Chremes and Crito go in._