_Pam._ Forget her! O Mysis, Mysis, the last words that Chrysis spoke to me, are still engraved upon my heart, already at the point of death; she calls for me; I approach; you all retire: we are alone with her: she speaks thus,――My dear Pamphilus; you see the youth and beauty of this dear girl; I need not tell you how little these endowments are calculated to secure either her property or her honour; I call upon you then, by the pledge of this hand you now extend to me, and by the natural goodness of your disposition[106]; by your plighted faith, and by her helpless situation, I conjure you not to forsake her. If ever I have loved you as my brother, if ever she has obeyed you as her husband, take her, I implore you, as your wife; be to her a [107]friend, a guardian, a parent; to you I confide our little wealth; in your honour I put all my trust.――She placed the hand of Glycera in mine, and expired. I received the precious gift, and never will I relinquish it. _Mysis._ Heaven forbid you ever should! _Pam._ But why are you abroad at this time? _Mysis._ I am going for the midwife. _Pam._ Make haste then; and Mysis, do you hear; say not a word to your mistress about this marriage, lest that should increase her sufferings. _Mysis._ I understand you, Sir. END OF THE FIRST ACT. ACT II. SCENE I. CHARINUS, BYRRHIA[108]. _Char._ What is it you tell me, Byrrhia; is she then to be married to Pamphilus; and is the wedding to take place even on this very day? _Byrr._ It is even so, Sir. _Char._ How do you know it? _Byrr._ From Davus, whom I met just now in the Forum. _Char._ Alas! the measure of my wretchedness is now full: my soul has hitherto fluctuated between my hopes and fears; but now all hope is lost, I sink wearied and care-worn into utter despair. _Byrr_[109]. I beseech you, O Charinus, [110]to wish for something possible, since what you now wish for is impossible! _Char._ I can wish for nothing but Philumena! _Byrr._ Ah! how much wiser you would be, if instead of talking thus, which only serves to nourish [111]a hopeless passion; you would endeavour to subdue, and banish it entirely from your heart. _Char._ How readily do those who are in health give good counsel to the diseased! if you were in my situation you would not talk thus. _Byrr._ Well, well, as you please, Sir. _Char._ But I see Pamphilus coming this way. I am resolved to attempt every thing before I am quite undone. _Byrr._ What is he going about now? _Char._ I will entreat even my rival himself, I will implore him, I will tell him of my love. I trust I shall be able to prevail upon him, at least to postpone his marriage for a few days; meantime I hope something may happen in my favour. _Byrr._ That something is nothing at all. _Char._ What think you, Byrrhia; shall I speak to him?