ause! I'll wait a while, that I may know
If this commotion means us any ill.

SCENE V.

_PAMPHILUS, MYSIS behind._

PAM. Is this well done? or like a man?--Is this
The action of a father?

MYSIS. What's the matter?

PAM. Oh all ye pow'rs of heav'n and earth, what's wrong
If this is not so?--If he was determin'd
That I to-day should marry, should I not
Have had some previous notice?--ought not he
To have inform'd me of it long ago?

MYSIS. Alas! what's this I hear?

PAM. And Chremes too,
Who had refus'd to trust me with his daughter,
Changes his mind, because I change not mine.
Can he then be so obstinately bent
To tear me from Glycerium? To lose her
Is losing life.--Was ever man so cross'd,
So curs'd as I?--Oh pow'rs of heav'n and earth!
Can I by no means fly from this alliance
With Chremes' family?--so oft contemn'd
And held in scorn!--all done, concluded all!----
Rejected, then recall'd:--and why?--unless,
For so I must suspect, they breed some monster,
Whom as they can obtrude on no one else,
They bring to me.

MYSIS. Alas, alas! this speech
Has struck me almost dead with fear.

PAM. And then
My father!--what to say of him?--Oh shame!
A thing of so much consequence to treat
So negligently!--For but even now
Passing me in the forum, "Pamphilus!
To-day's your wedding-day, said he: prepare;
Go, get you home!"--This sounded in my ears
As if he said, "go, hang yourself!"--I stood
Confounded. Think you I could speak one word?
Or offer an excuse, how weak soe'er?
No, I was dumb:--and had I been aware,
Should any ask what I'd have done, I would,
Rather than this, do any thing.--But now
What to resolve upon?--So many cares
Entangle me at once, and rend my mind,
Pulling it diff'rent ways. My love, compassion,
This urgent match, my rev'rence for my father,
Who yet has ever been so gentle to me,
And held so slack a rein upon my pleasures.
--And I oppose him?--Racking thought!--Ah me!
I know not what to do.

MYSIS. Alas, I fear
Where this uncertainty will end. 'Twere best
He should confer with her; or I at least
Speak touching her to him. For while the mind
Hangs in suspense, a trifle turns the scale.

PAM. Who's there? what, Mysis! Save you!

MYSIS. Save you! Sir. (_Coming forward._)

PAM. How does she?

MYSIS. How! oppress'd with wretchedness.
To-day supremely wretched, as to-day
Was formerly appointed for your wedding.
And then she fears lest you desert her.

PAM. I!
Desert her? Can