of soul:
And Heaven grant that with some other husband
She find that happiness she miss'd in me;
From whom the strong hand of necessity
Divorces her forever!

PHID. That event
'Tis in your pow'r to hinder.

LACH. If you're wise,
Take your wife home again!

PAM. I can not, father.
I must not slack my duty to my mother. (_Going._)

LACH. Where are you going? (_Exit PAMPHILUS._

SCENE IX.

_Manent LACHES and PHIDIPPUS._

PHID. How perverse is this! (_Angrily._)

LACH. Did not I say he'd take it ill, Phidippus,
And therefore begg'd you to send back your daughter?

PHID. 'Fore Heaven I did not think him such a churl.
What! does he fancy I'll go cringing to him?
No;--if he'll take his wife he may:--if not,
Let him refund her portion;--there's an end!

LACH. See there now! you're as fractious as himself.

PHID. You're come back obstinate and proud enough
In conscience, Pamphilus! (_Angrily._)

LACH. This anger will subside,
Though he has had some cause to be disturb'd.

PHID. Because you've had a little money left you,
Your minds are so exalted!

LACH. What, d'ye quarrel
With me too?

PHID. Let him take to-day to think on't,
And send me word if he shall have her home
Or not: that if she don't remain his wife,
She may be given to another. (_Exit hastily._

SCENE X.

_LACHES alone._

Stay!
Hear me! one word, Phidippus! Stay!--He's gone.
--What is't to me? (_Angrily._) E'en let them settle it
Among themselves; since nor my son, nor he
Take my advice, nor mind one word I say.
--This quarrel shall go round, I promise them:
I'll to my wife, the author of this mischief,
And vent my spleen and anger upon her. (_Exit._

ACT THE FOURTH.

SCENE I.

_Enter MYRRHINA hastily._

MYRR. What shall I do?--Confusion!--which way turn?
Alas! what answer shall I make my husband?
For I dare say he heard the infant's cries,
He ran so hastily, without a word,
Into my daughter's chamber. If he finds
That she has been deliver'd, what excuse
To make, for having thus conceal'd her labor,
I can't devise.--But our door creaks!--'tis he.
I am undone.

SCENE II.

_Enter PHIDIPPUS._

PHID. Soon as my wife perceiv'd
That I was going to my daughter's chamber,
She stole directly out o'doors.--But there
She stands.--Why, how now, Myrrhina?
Holo, I say! (_She affects not to see him._)

MYRR. D'ye call me, husband?

PHID. Husband!
Am I your husband? am I ev'n a man?
For had you thought me