SOSTRA. Alas, I hear a dreadful noise within. Philumena, I fear, grows worse and worse: Which AEsculapius, and thou, Health, forbid! But now I'll visit her. (_Goes toward the house._) PAR. Ho, Sostrata! SOSTRA. Who's there? PAR. You'll be shut out a second time. SOSTRA. Ha, Parmeno, are you there?--Wretched woman! What shall I do?--Not visit my son's wife, When she lies sick at next door! PAR. Do not go; No, nor send any body else; for they That love the folks, to whom themselves are odious, I think are guilty of a double folly: Their labor proves but idle to themselves, And troublesome to those for whom 'tis meant. Besides, your son, the moment he arriv'd, Went in to visit her. SOSTRA. How, Parmeno! Is Pamphilus arriv'd? PAR. He is. SOSTRA. Thank Heav'n! Oh, how my comfort is reviv'd by that! PAR. And therefore I ne'er went into the house. For if Philumena's complaints abate, She'll tell him, face to face, the whole affair, And what has pass'd between you to create This difference.--But here he comes--how sad! SCENE IV. _Enter PAMPHILUS._ SOSTRA. My dear boy, Pamphilus! PAM. My mother, save you! (_Disordered._) SOSTRA. I'm glad to see you safe return'd--How does Your wife! PAM. A little better. SOSTRA. Grant it, Heav'n! --But why d'ye weep, and why are you so sad? PAM. Nothing, good mother. SOSTRA. What was all that bustle? Tell me, did pain attack her suddenly? PAM. It did. SOSTRA. And what is her complaint? PAM. A fever. SOSTRA. What! a quotidian? PAR. So they say.--But in, Good mother, and I'll follow. SOSTRA. Be it so. (_Exit._ PAM. Do you run, Parmeno, to meet the servants, And give your help in bringing home the baggage. PAR. As if they did not know the road! PAM. Away! (_Exit PARMENO._ SCENE V. _PAMPHILUS alone._