PHID. Would to Heav'n you were! --But now I recollect your conversation When first we made this match, you then declar'd You'd not endure she should remain the wife Of Pamphilus, who follow'd mistresses, And pass'd the nights abroad. MYRR. I had much rather He should think any reason than the true one. (_Aside._) PHID. I knew he kept a mistress; knew it long Ere you did, Myrrhina; but I could never Think that offense so grievous in a youth, Seeing 'tis natural to them all: and soon The time shall come when he'll stand self-reprov'd. But you, perverse and willful as at first, Could take no rest till you had brought away Your daughter, and annull'd the match I made: There's not a circumstance but loudly speaks Your evil disposition to the marriage. MYRR. D'ye think me then so obstinate, that I, Who am her mother, should betray this spirit, Granting the match were of advantage to us? PHID. Is it for you then to foresee, or judge What's of advantage to us? You perhaps Have heard from some officious busy-body, That they have seen him going to his mistress, Or coming from her house: and what of that, So it were done discreetly, and but seldom? Were it not better that we should dissemble Our knowledge of it, than pry into things Which to appear to know would make him hate us? For could he tear her from his heart at once, To whom he'd been so many years attach'd, I should not think he were a man, or likely To prove a constant husband to my daughter. MYRR. No more of Pamphilus or my offense; Since you will have it so!--Go, find him out; Confer with him alone, and fairly ask him, Will he, or no, take back Philumena? If he avows his inclination to't, Restore her; but if he refuses it, Allow, I've ta'en good counsel for my child. PHID. Grant, he should prove repugnant to the match, Grant, you perceiv'd this in him, Myrrhina; Was not I present! had not I a right To be consulted in't?--It makes me mad. That you should dare to act without my order: And I forbid you to remove the child Out of this house.--But what a fool am I, Enjoining her obedience to my orders! I'll in, and charge the servants not to suffer The infant to be carried forth. (_Exit._ SCENE III. _MYRRHINA alone._ No woman more unhappy than myself: For how he'd bear it, did he know the whole, When he has taken such offense at this, Which is of much less consequence, is plain. Nor by what means to reconcile him to it, Can I devise. After so many ills, This only misery there yet remain'd, To be oblig'd to educate the child, Ignorant of the father's quality. For he, the cruel spoiler of her honor, Taking advantage of the night and darkness, My daughter was not able to discern His person; nor to force a token from him, Whereby he might be afterward discover'd: But he, at his departure, pluck'd by force A ring from off her finger.--I fear too, That Pamphilus will not contain himself, Nor longer keep our secret, when he finds Another's child acknowledg'd for his own. (_Exit._ SCENE IV.