Since a messenger came to me in the country from my husband, that he couldn’t come into the country, I made up my mind, and came back to follow after him who fled from me. But [looking round] I don’t see our old woman Syra following. Aye, look, there she comes at last [with a bundle of green sprigs].

DORIPPA.

Why don’t you go quicker?

SYRA.

By my troth, I cannot; so great is this burden that I’m carrying.

DORIPPA.

What burden?

SYRA.

Fourscore years and four, and to that are added servitude, sweat, and thirst; these things as well which I am carrying weigh me down.

DORIPPA.

Give me something, Syra, with which to decorate this altar of our neighbour.

SYRA. [Holding out a sprig]

Present this sprig of laurel, then.

DORIPPA.

Now do you go into the house.

SYRA.

I’m going. [Goes into the house of LYSIMACHUS]

DORIPPA. [Laying the sprig on the altar]

Apollo, I pray thee that thou wilt propitiously grant peace, safety, and health, unto our household, and that in thy propitiousness thou wilt show favour to my son. [Rushes out of the house, clapping her hands]

SYRA.

I’m utterly undone! Wretch that I am, I’m ruined! Ah! wretched me!

DORIPPA.

Prithee, are you quite in your senses? What are you howling for?

SYRA.

Dorippa, my dear Dorippa!

DORIPPA.

Prithee, why are you crying out?

SYRA.

Some woman, I know not who, is here in-doors in the house.

DORIPPA.

What? A woman?

SYRA.

A harlot woman.

DORIPPA.

Is it so, really?

SYRA.

In serious truth. You know how to act very prudently, in not remaining in the country. A fool even could have found it out that she was the mistress of your very pretty husband.

DORIPPA.

By heavens, I believe it.

SYRA. [Taking her arm]

Step this way with me, that you, my Juno, may see as well your rival Alcmena.

DORIPPA.

I’ troth, I certainly shall go there, as fast as I can. [They go into the house of LYSIMACHUS]

[Enter LYSIMACHUS.]

LYSIMACHUS. [To himself]

Is this too little of a misfortune that Demipho’s in love, that he must be extravagant as well? If he had been inviting ten men of highest rank to dinner, he has provided too much. But the cooks he directed in such a way just as at sea the time-keeper is wont to direct the rowers. I hired a Cook myself, but I’m surprised that he hasn’t come as I directed him. But who’s this, I wonder, that’s coming out of my house? The door’s opening. [He stands aside]

[…]

DORIPPA. [Continuing]

I cannot remain at home; my eyes cannot abide that pretty young harlot; I would have shut her out of doors, but my son Eutychus prevented me. Still, I shan’t altogether believe the news he brings.

[…]

PERISTRATA.