by it we do both conjure you, if with equity and justice
we may, that her misfortune may be concealed by you, and kept a secret
from all. If ever you were sensible, my {dear} Pamphilus, that she was
tenderly disposed toward you, she now asks you to grant her this favor
in return, without making any difficulty of it. But as to taking her
back, act quite according to your own convenience. You alone are aware
of her lying-in, and that the child is none of yours. For it is said
that it was two months after the marriage before she had commerce with
you. And then, this is but the seventh month since she came to
you.[41] That you are sensible of this, the circumstances themselves
prove. Now, if it is possible, Pamphilus, I especially wish, and will
use my endeavors, that her labor may remain unknown to her father, and
to all, in fact. But if that can not be managed, and they do find it
out, I will say that she miscarried; I am sure no one will suspect
otherwise than, what is so likely, the child was by you. It shall be
instantly exposed; in that case there is no inconvenience whatever to
yourself, and you will be concealing an outrage so undeservingly
committed upon her,[42] poor thing!" I promised {this}, and I am
resolved to keep faith in what I said. But as to taking her back,
really I do not think that would be at all creditable, nor will I do
so, although love for her, and habit, have a strong influence upon me.
I weep when it occurs to my mind, what must be her life, and {how
great} her loneliness in future. O Fortune, thou hast never been found
constant! But by this time {my} former passion has taught me
experience in the present case. The means by which I got rid of that,
I must employ on the present occasion. Parmeno is coming with the
servants; it is far from convenient that he should be here under
present circumstances, for he was the only person to whom I trusted
the secret that I kept aloof from her when I first married her. I am
afraid lest, if he should frequently hear her cries, he might find out
that she is in labor. He must be dispatched by me somewhere till
Philumena is delivered.

SCENE VI.

_Enter at a distance PARMENO and SOSIA, with people carrying
baggage._

PAR. (_to SOSIA._) Do you say that this voyage was disagreeable to
you?

SOSIA. Upon my faith, Parmeno, it can not be so much as expressed in
words, how disagreeable it is to go on a voyage.

PAR. Do you say so?

SOSIA. O lucky man! Y