t divorc'd from me,
And think we never can agree hereafter,
Wherefore should I recall her?

LACH. A young woman
Did as her mother had persuaded her.
Is that so wonderful? and do you think
To find a woman without any fault?
--Or is't because the _men_ are ne'er to blame? (_Ironically._)

PHID. Consider with yourselves then, gentlemen,
Whether you'll part with her, or call her home.
What my wife does, I can not help, you know.
Settle it as you please, you've my consent,
But for the child, what shall be done with him?

LACH. A pretty question truly! come what may,
Send his own bantling home to him of course,
That we may educate him.

PAM. When his own
Father abandons him, I educate him?

LACH. What said you? how! not educate him, say you?
Shall we expose him rather, Pamphilus?
What madness is all this?--My breath and blood!
I can contain no longer. You oblige me
To speak, against my will, before Phidippus:
Think you I'm ignorant whence flow those tears?
Or why you're thus disorder'd and distress'd?
First, when you gave as a pretense, _you could not
Recall your wife from reverence to your mother_,
She promis'd to retire into the country.
But now, since that excuse is taken from you,
You've made _her private lying-in_ another.
You are mistaken if you think me blind
To your intentions--That you might at last
Bring home your stray affections to your wife,
How long a time to wean you from your mistress
Did I allow? your wild expense upon her
How patiently I bore? I press'd, entreated,
That you would take a wife. 'Twas time, I said.
At my repeated instances, you married,
And, as in duty bound to do, complied:
But now your heart is gone abroad again
After your mistress, whom to gratify,
You throw this wanton insult on your wife.
For I can plainly see you are relaps'd
Into your former life again.

PAM. Me?

LACH. You.
And 'tis base in you to invent false causes
Of quarrel with your wife, that you may live
In quiet with your mistress, having put
This witness from you. This your wife perceiv'd.
For was there any other living reason
Wherefore she should depart from you?

PHID. He's right,
That was the very thing.

PAM. I'll take my oath
'Twas none of those that you have mention'd.

LACH. Ah!
Recall your wife: or tell me why you will not.

PAM. 'Tis not convenient now.

LACH. Take home the child then;
For _he_ at least is not in fault. I'll see
About the mother afterward.

PAM. (_to himself_). Ev'