was speaking of!

PAM. (_going up_). My father, save you!

LACH. Save you, my son!

PHID. Pamphilus, welcome home!
I'm glad to see you safe, and in good health.

PAM. I do believe it.

LACH. Are you just now come?

PAM. Just now, Sir.

LACH. Well; and tell me, Pamphilus,
What has our kinsman Phania left us?

PAM. Ah, Sir,
He, his whole lifetime, was a man of pleasure,
And such men seldom much enrich their heirs.
Yet he has left at least this praise behind him,
"While he liv'd, he liv'd well."

LACH. And have you brought
Nothing home with you but this single sentence?

PAM. What he has left, though small, is of advantage.

LACH. Advantage? No, it is a disadvantage:
For I could wish he was alive and well.

PHID. That you may safely; for your wishing for't
Will never bring the man to life again:
Yet I know well enough which you'd like best. (_Aside._)

LACH. (_to PAMPHILUS_). Phidippus order'd that Philumena
Should be sent over to him yesterday.
--Say that you order'd it. (_Aside to PHIDIPPUS, thrusting him._)

PHID. (_aside to LACHES_). Don't thrust me so.----
I did. (_Aloud._)

LACH. But now he'll send her home again.

PHID. I will.

PAM. Nay, nay, I know the whole affair.
Since my arrival, I have heard it all.

LACH. Now plague upon these envious tale-bearers,
Who are so glad to fetch and carry news!

PAM. (_to PHIDIPPUS_). That I've endeavor'd to deserve no blame
From any of the family, I'm conscious.
Were it my inclination to relate
How true I've been, how kind and gentle tow'rd her,
I well might do it: but I rather choose
You should collect it from herself. For when
She, although now there's enmity between us,
Bespeaks me fair, you will the sooner credit
My disposition tow'rd her. And I call
The Gods to witness that this separation
Has not arisen from my fault. But since
She thinks it is beneath her to comply
With Sostrata, and bear my mother's temper;
And since no other means are to be found
Of reconciliation, I, Phidippus,
Must leave my mother or Philumena.
Duty then calls me to regard my mother.

LACH. My Pamphilus, I can not be displeas'd
That you prefer to all the world a parent.
But take heed your resentment don't transport you
Beyond the bounds of reason, Pamphilus.

PAM. Ah, what resentment can I bear to her,
Who ne'er did any thing I'd wish undone,
But has so often deserv'd well of me?
I love her, own her worth, and languish for her;
For I have known her tenderness