er reason had she for leaving you?

PHID. (_to himself._) It's clear he guesses right; for that must be
it.

PAM. I will give you my oath that none of these is the reason.

LACH. Oh take home your wife, or tell me why you should not.

PAM. It is not the time at present.

LACH. Take the child, for surely that is not in fault; I will consider
about the mother afterward.

PAM. (_apart._) In every way I am wretched, and what to do I know not;
with so many troubles is my father now besetting wretched me on every
side. I'll go away from here, since I avail but little by my presence.
For without my consent, I do not believe that they will bring up the
child, especially as on that point my mother-in-law will second me.
(_Exit speedily._

SCENE VII.

_LACHES and PHIDIPPUS._

LACH. (_to PAMPHILUS._) Do you run away? What, and give me no distinct
answer? (_To PHIDIPPUS._) Does he seem to you to be in his senses? Let
him alone. Phidippus, give me the child; I'll bring it up.

PHID. By all means. No wonder if my wife has taken this amiss: women
are resentful; they do not easily put up with such things. Hence that
anger of hers, for she herself told me of it; I would not mention this
to you in his presence, and at first I did not believe her; but now it
is true beyond a doubt; for I see that his feelings are altogether
averse to marriage.

LACH. What am I to do, then, Phidippus? What advice do you give?

PHID. What are you to do? I am of opinion that first we ought to go to
this mistress of {his}. Let us use entreaties with her; {then} let us
rebuke her; and at last, let us very seriously threaten her, if she
gives him any encouragement in future.

LACH. I will do as you advise. (_Turning to an ATTENDANT._) Ho, there,
boy! run to the house of Bacchis here, our neighbor; desire her, in my
name, to come hither. (_Exit ATTENDANT._) And you, I further entreat,
to give me your assistance in this affair.

PHID. Well, I have already said, and I now say again to the same
effect, Laches, I wish this alliance between us to continue, if by any
means it possibly may, which I trust will be the case. But should you
like[56] me to be with you while you meet her?

LACH. Why yes; but first go and get some one as a nurse for the child.
(_Exit PHIDIPPUS._

SCENE VIII.

_Enter BACCHIS, attended by her WOMEN._

BACCH. (_to her WOMEN._) It is not for nothing that Laches now desires
to speak with me; and, i' faith, I am not