TYND. Now stands the matter so, that I would much rather that I had once existed, than that I _still_ exist; now do my hopes, my resources, and my succour, desert me and spurn themselves. This is that day, when, for my life, no safety can be hoped; nor _yet_ is death my end; nor hope is there, in fact, to dispel this fear for me; nor cloak have I anywhere for my deceitful stratagems; nor for my devices or my subterfuges is there anywhere a screen presented to me. No deprecating _is there_ for my perfidy; no means of flight for my offences. No refuge is there anywhere for my trusting; and no escape for my cunning schemes. What was concealed is _now_ exposed; my plans are _now_ divulged. The whole matter is now laid open; nor is there any ado about this matter, but that I must perish outright, and meet with destruction, both on behalf of my master and myself. This Aristophontes has proved my ruin, who has just now come into the house. He knows me. He is the intimate friend and kinsman of Philocrates. Not Salvation _herself_ [1] can save me now, _even_ if she wishes; nor have I any means _of escape_, unless, perchance, I devise some artifice in my mind. (_He meditates._) Plague on it!--how? What can I contrive?--what can I think of? Some very great folly and trifling I shall have to begin with. I'm quite at a loss. (_He retires aside._) [Footnote 1: _Not Salvation herself_)--Ver. 535. This was a proverbial expression among the Romans. "Salus," "Safety" or "Salvation," was worshipped as a Goddess at Rome. It is well observed, in Thornton's translation, that the word "Salus" may, without irreverence, be translated "Salvation," on no less authority than that of Archbishop Tillotson. "If," says he, "men will continue in their sins, the redemption brought by Christ will be of no advantage to them; such as obstinately persist in an impenitent course," "ipsa si velit Salus, servare non potest." "Salvation itself cannot save them."] SCENE IV.--_Enter_ HEGIO, ARISTOPHONTES, _and_ SLAVES, _from the house._ HEG. Whither am I to say, now, that that man has betaken himself from the house out of doors? TYND. (_apart_). Now, for a very certainty, I'm done for; the enemies are coming to you, Tyndarus! What shall I say?--what shall I talk of? What shall I deny, or what confess? All matters are reduced to uncertainty. How shall I place confidence in my resources? I wish the Gods had destroyed you, before you were lost to your own country, Aristophontes, who, from a plot well concerted, are making it disconcerted. This plan is ruined, outright, unless I find out for myself some extremely bold device. HEG. (_to_ ARISTOPHONTES). Follow me. See, there is the man; go to him and address him. TYND. (_aside, and turning away_). What mortal among mortals is there more wretched than myself?