_AESCHINUS alone._
Oh torture to my mind! that this misfortune
Should come thus unexpectedly upon me!
I know not what to do, which way to turn.
Fear shakes my limbs, amazement fills my soul,
And in my breast despair shuts out all counsel.
Ah, by what means can I acquit myself?
Such a suspicion is now fallen on me;
And that too grounded on appearances.
Sostrata thinks that on my own account
I bought the Music-Girl. That's plain enough
From the old nurse. For meeting her by chance,
As she was sent from hence to call a midwife,
I ran, and ask'd her of my Pamphila.
--"Is she in labor? are you going now
To call a midwife?"--"Go, go, AEschinus!
Away, you have deceiv'd us long enough,
Fool'd us enough with your fine promises,"
Cried she.--"What now?" says I.--"Farewell, enjoy
The girl that you're so taken with!"--I saw
Immediately their cause of jealousy:
Yet I contain'd myself, nor would disclose
My brother's business to a tattling gossip,
By whom the knowledge on't might be betray'd.
--But what shall I do now? shall I confess
The girl to be my brother's; an affair
Which should by no means be reveal'd?--But not
To dwell on that.--Perhaps they'd not disclose it.
Nay, I much doubt if they would credit it:
So many proofs concur against myself.----
I bore her off: I paid the money down;
She was brought home to me.--All this, I own,
Is my own fault. For should I not have told
My father, be it as it might, the whole?
I should, I doubt not, have obtain'd his leave
To marry Pamphila.--What indolence,
Ev'n, till this hour! now, AEschinus, awake!
--But first I'll go and clear myself to them.
I'll to the door. (_Goes up._) Confusion! how I tremble!
How guilty like I seem when I approach
This house! (_Knocks._) Holloa! within! 'Tis I;
'Tis AEschinus. Come, open somebody
The door immediately!--Who's here? A stranger!
I'll step aside. (_Retires._)