How say you, Byrrhia? Is she to be given in marriage to Pamphilus to-day?

It is so.

How do you know?

I heard it just now from Davus at the Forum.

Woe unto wretched me! As, hitherto, until now, my mind has been racked amid hope and fear; so, since hope has been withdrawn, wearied with care, it sinks overwhelmed.

By my troth, Charinus, since that which you wish can not come to pass, prithee, do wish that which can.

I wish for nothing else but Philumena.

Alas! How much better were it for you to endeavor to expel that passion from your mind, than to be saying that by which your desire is to no purpose still more inflamed.

We all, when we are well, with ease give good advice to the sick. If you were in my situation, you would think otherwise.

Well, well, just as you like.

looking down the side scene. But I see Pamphilus; I'm determined I'll try every thing before I despair.

aside. What does he mean?

I will entreat his own self; I will supplicate him; I will disclose to him my love. I think that I shall prevail upon him to put off the marriage for some days at least; in the mean time, something will turn up, I trust.

That something is nothing.

Byrrhia, how seems it to you ? Shall I accost him ?

Why not ? Should you not prevail, that at least he may look upon you as a gallant ready provided for him, if he marries her.

Away with you to perdition with that vile suggestion, you rascal! Enter PAMPHILUS.

I espy Charinus. Accosting him. Good-morrow!

O, good-morrow. Pamphilus, I'm come to you, seeking hope, safety, counsel, and assistance.

I'faith, I have neither time for counsel, nor resources for assistance. But what's the matter now?

To-day you are going to take a wife ?

So they say.

Pamphilus, if you do that, you behold me this day for the last time.

Why so

Ah me! I dread to tell it; prithee, do you tell it, Byrrhia.

I'll tell it.

What is it?

He's in love with your betrothed.

Assuredly he's not of my way of thinking. Come now, tell me, have you had any more to do with her, Charinus?

Oh Pamphilus, nothing.

How much I wish you had.

Now, by our friendship and by my affection, I do beseech you, in the first place, not to marry her.

For my own part I'll use my endeavors.

But if that can not be, or if this marriage is agreeable to you—

Agreeable to me?

Put it off for some days at least, while I go elsewhere, that I may not be witness.

Now listen, once for all: I think it, Charinus, to be by no means the part of an ingenuous man, when he confers nothing, to expect that it should be considered as an obligation on his part. I am more desirous to avoid this match, than you to gain it.

You have restored me to life.

Now, if you can do any thing, either you yourself, or Byrrhia here, manage, fabricate, invent, contrive some means, whereby she may be given to you; this I shall aim at, how she may not be given to me.

I am satisfied.

Most opportunely I perceive Davus, on whose advice I have depended.

turning to BYRRHIA. But you, i'faith, tell me nothing, Tell me nothing: It has been suggested that this refers to Byrrhia's dissuading his master from addressing Pamphilus, or else to what he has told him concerning the intended marriage. Westerhovius thinks that Byrrhia is just then whispering some trifling nonsense in his master's ear, which he, occupied with more important cares, is unwilling to attend to. except those things which there is no need for knowing. Pushing him away. Get you gone from here.

Certainly I will, and with all my heart. (Exit.)