I think on't? or deceive
A wretched maid! who trusted to my care
Her life and honor. Her whom I have held
Near to my heart, and cherish'd as my wife?
Or leave her modest and well nurtur'd mind
Through want to be corrupted? Never, never.

MYSIS. No doubt, did it depend on you alone;
But if constrain'd----

PAM. D'ye think me then so vile?
Or so ungrateful, so inhuman, savage,
Neither long intercourse, nor love, nor shame,
Can make me keep my faith?

MYSIS. I only know
That she deserves you should remember her.

PAM. I should remember her? Oh, Mysis, Mysis!
The words of Chrysis touching my Glycerium
Are written in my heart. On her death-bed
She call'd me. I approach'd her. You retir'd.
We were alone; and Chrysis thus began:
"My Pamphilus, you see the youth and beauty
Of this unhappy maid: and well you know,
These are but feeble guardians to preserve
Her fortune or her fame. By this right hand
I do beseech you, by your better angel,
By your tried faith, by her forlorn condition,
I do conjure you, put her not away,
Nor leave her to distress. If I have ever,
As my own brother, lov'd you; or if she
Has ever held you dear 'bove all the world,
And ever shown obedience to your will----
I do bequeath you to her as a husband,
Friend, Guardian, Father: all our little wealth
To you I leave, and trust it to your care."----
She join'd our hands, and died.--I did receive her,
And once receiv'd will keep her.

MYSIS. So we trust.

PAM. What make you from her?

MYSIS. Going for a midwife.

PAM. Haste then! and hark, be sure take special heed,
You mention not a word about the marriage,
Lest this too give her pain.

MYSIS. I understand.

[Changes:

_All quotation marks in this Scene are supplied from the
1768 edition._

_Harper_
Can make me keep my faith?
MYSIS. I only know
That she deserves you should remember her.
PAM. I should remember her? Oh, Mysis, Mysis!
_Colman 1768_
Can move my soul, or make me keep my faith?
MYSIS. I only know, my mistress well deserves
You should remember her.
PAM. Remember her?
Oh Mysis, Mysis! even at this hour,]

ACT THE SECOND.

SCENE I.

_CHARINUS, BYRRHIA._

CHAR. How, Byrrhia? Is she to be married, say you,
To Pamphilus to-day?

BYR. 'Tis even so.

CHAR. How do you know?

BYR. I had it even now
From Davus at the Forum.

CHAR. Woe is me!
Then I'm a wretch indeed: till now my mind
Floated 'twixt hope a