I’m not a nuisance, but a well-wisher; and it’s your friend Peristrata addresses you. Prithee, do stay.

DORIPPA.

Why, Peristrata – i’ faith, I didn’t know you: dreadful vexation is tormenting and agitating me.

PERISTRATA.

This I enquire about – prithee don’t deny me. I heard you just now; tell me what annoyance is troubling you.

DORIPPA.

Peristrata, so may the Gods prosper your only son, do kindly lend me your attention; none could be given me more agreeably: our ages are alike; together we grew up; we have husbands alike in age; with no one do I converse with greater pleasure. I’m really annoyed with good reason. What now would your feelings be, if at this time of life your husband Demipho were to bring a mistress before your eyes?

PERISTRATA.

Has he brought one?

DORIPPA.

So it is.

PERISTRATA.

She’s at your house?

DORIPPA.

At my house […]

Lysimachus’ son Eutychus confronts his friend Charinus’ father Demipho.

EUTYCHUS. [To DEMIPHO]

I bring you word that you have got no mistress.

DEMIPHO.

The Gods confound you. Why, prithee, what affair is this?

EUTYCHUS.

I’ll tell you. Give your attention then, both of you.

LYSIMACHUS.

Well then, we are giving you our attention, both of us.

EUTYCHUS.

Those who are born of a good family, if they are of bad tendencies, by their own faultiness withdraw nobleness from their rank, and disgrace their disposition.

DEMIPHO.

He says what’s true.

LYSIMACHUS.

Then it’s to yourself he says it.

EUTYCHUS.

For this reason is this the more true; for at this time of life, it wasn’t just for you to take away from your son, a young man, his mistress, purchased with his own money.

DEMIPHO.

How say you? Is she the mistress of Charinus?

EUTYCHUS. [Aside]

How the rogue does dissemble.

DEMIPHO.

Why, he said that he had bought her as a maidservant for his mother.

EUTYCHUS.

Was it for that reason, then, you bought her, you young lover, you old boy?

LYSIMACHUS.

Very well said, i’ troth! Proceed, proceed. I’ll stand by him here on the other side. Let’s both load him well with such speeches as he’s worthy of.

DEMIPHO. [Aside]

I’m done for.

EUTYCHUS.

Who has done an injustice so great to his blameless son; whom, in fact, upon my faith, I brought back home just when he was setting out in self-banishment; for he was going into exile.

DEMIPHO.

Has he gone then?

LYSIMACHUS.

What, do you speak, you hobgoblin? At this time of life you ought to abstain from those pursuits.

DEMIPHO.

I confess it; undoubtedly I’ve acted wrong.

EUTYCHUS.