of PHIDIPPUS._

BACCH. Parmeno, you make your appearance opportunely; run with all
speed[60] to Pamphilus.

PAR. Why thither?

BACCH. Say that I entreat him to come.

PAR. To your house?

BACCH. No; to Philumena.

PAR. What's the matter?

BACCH. Nothing that concerns you; so cease to make inquiry.

PAR. Am I to say nothing else?

BACCH. Yes; that Myrrhina has recognized that ring as her daughter's,
which he formerly gave me.

PAR. I understand-- is that all?

BACCH. That's all. He will be here directly he has heard this from
you. But do you linger?

PAR. Far from it, indeed; for I've not had the opportunity given me
to-day; so much with running and walking about have I wasted the whole
day. (_Goes into the house of LACHES._)

SCENE III.

_BACCHIS, alone._

BACCH. What great joy have I caused for Pamphilus by my coming to-day!
How many blessings have I brought him! and from how many sorrows have
I rescued him! A son I save for him, when it was nearly perishing
through the agency of these {women} and of himself: a wife, whom he
thought that he must cast off forever, I restore {to him}: from the
suspicion that he lay under with his father and Phidippus, I have
cleared him. This ring, in fact, was the cause of these discoveries
being made. For I remember, that about ten months ago, at an early
hour of night, he came running home to my house, out of breath,
without a companion, and surcharged with wine,[61] with this ring {in
his hand}. I felt alarmed immediately: "My Pamphilus," I said,
"prithee, my dear, why thus breathless, or where did you get that
ring? --tell me!" He {began} to pretend that he was thinking of
something else. When I saw {that}, I began to suspect I know not what,
{and} to press him still more to tell me. The fellow confessed that he
had ravished {some female}, he knew not whom, in the street; and said,
that while she was struggling, he had taken that ring away from her.
Myrrhina here recognized it just now, while I had it on my finger. She
asked whence it came: I told her all the story. Hence the discovery
has been made that it was Philumena ravished by him, and that this
new-born child is his. I am overjoyed that this happiness has befallen
him through my agency; although other courtesans would not have
similar feelings; nor, indeed, is it to our interest that any lover
should find pleasure in matrimony. But, i'faith, I never, for the sake
of gain, will give my mind to base a