LACH. A young woman Did as her mother had persuaded her. Is that so wonderful? and do you think To find a woman without any fault? --Or is't because the _men_ are ne'er to blame? (_Ironically._) PHID. Consider with yourselves then, gentlemen, Whether you'll part with her, or call her home. What my wife does, I can not help, you know. Settle it as you please, you've my consent, But for the child, what shall be done with him? LACH. A pretty question truly! come what may, Send his own bantling home to him of course, That we may educate him. PAM. When his own Father abandons him, I educate him? LACH. What said you? how! not educate him, say you? Shall we expose him rather, Pamphilus? What madness is all this?--My breath and blood! I can contain no longer. You oblige me To speak, against my will, before Phidippus: Think you I'm ignorant whence flow those tears? Or why you're thus disorder'd and distress'd? First, when you gave as a pretense, _you could not Recall your wife from reverence to your mother_, She promis'd to retire into the country. But now, since that excuse is taken from you, You've made _her private lying-in_ another. You are mistaken if you think me blind To your intentions--That you might at last Bring home your stray affections to your wife, How long a time to wean you from your mistress Did I allow? your wild expense upon her How patiently I bore? I press'd, entreated, That you would take a wife. 'Twas time, I said. At my repeated instances, you married, And, as in duty bound to do, complied: But now your heart is gone abroad again After your mistress, whom to gratify, You throw this wanton insult on your wife. For I can plainly see you are relaps'd Into your former life again. PAM. Me? LACH. You. And 'tis base in you to invent false causes Of quarrel with your wife, that you may live In quiet with your mistress, having put This witness from you. This your wife perceiv'd. For was there any other living reason Wherefore she should depart from you? PHID. He's right, That was the very thing. PAM. I'll take my oath 'Twas none of those that you have mention'd. LACH. Ah! Recall your wife: or tell me why you will not. PAM. 'Tis not convenient now. LACH. Take home the child then; For _he_ at least is not in fault. I'll see About the mother afterward. PAM. (_to himself_). Ev'ry way I am a wretch, nor know I what to do: My father has me in the toils, and I, By struggling to get loose, am more entangled. I'll hence, since present I shall profit little. For I believe they'll hardly educate The child against my will; especially Seeing my step-mother will second me. (_Exit._ [Changes: _Harper_ How much I think she was to blame. _Colman 1768_ How very much I think she was to blame.] SCENE VII. _Manent PHIDIPPUS, LACHES._ LACH. Going? how's that? and give me no plain answer! --D'ye think he's in his senses?--Well--send home The child to me, Phidippus. I'll take care on't.