PAR. Or else something frivolous, i’faith, if you would only give words their proper value; those which are sometimes the greatest enmities, do not argue the greatest injuries; for it often happens that in certain circumstances, in which another would not even be out of temper, for the very same reason a passionate man becomes your greatest enemy. What enmities do children entertain among themselves for trifling injuries! For what reason? Why, because they have a weak understanding to direct them. Just so are these women, almost like children with their fickle feelings; perhaps a single word has occasioned this enmity between them, master. PAM. Go, Parmeno, into the house, and carry word[35] that I have arrived. (_A noise is heard in the house of PHIDIPPUS._) PAR. (_starting._) Ha! What means this? PAM. Be silent. I perceive a bustling about, and a running to and fro. PAR. (_going to the door._) Come then, I’ll approach nearer to the door. (_He listens._) Ha! did you hear? PAM. Don’t be prating. (_He listens._) O Jupiter, I heard a shriek! PAR. You yourself are talking, while you forbid me. MYR. (_within the house._) Prithee, my child, do be silent. PAM. {That} seems to be the voice of Philumena’s mother. I’m undone! PAR. Why so? PAM. Utterly ruined! PAR. For what reason? PAM. Parmeno, you are concealing from me some great misfortune to me unknown. PAR. They said that your wife, Philumena, was in alarm about[36] something, I know not what; whether that may be it, perchance, I don’t know. PAM. I am undone! Why didn’t you tell me of this? PAR. Because I couldn’t {tell} every thing at once. PAM. What is the malady? PAR. I don’t know. PAM. What! has no one brought a physician {to see her}? PAR. I don’t know. PAM. Why delay going in-doors, that I may know as soon as possible for certain what it is? In what condition, Philumena, am I now to find you? But if you are in any peril, beyond a doubt I will perish with you. (_Goes into the house of PHIDIPPUS._) SCENE II. _PARMENO alone._ PAR. (_to himself._) There is no need for me to follow him into the house at present, for I see that we are all disagreeable to them. Yesterday, no one would give Sostrata admittance. If, perchance, the malady should become worse, which really I could far from wish, for my master’s sake especially, they would at once say that Sostrata’s servant had been in there; they would invent a story that I had brought some mischief against their lives and persons, in consequence of which the malady had been increased. My mistress would be blamed, and I should incur heavy punishment.[37] SCENE III. _Enter SOSTRATA._ SOS. (_to herself._) In dreadful alarm, I have for some time heard, I know not what confusion going on here; I’m sadly afraid Philumena’s illness is getting worse. Æsculapius, I do entreat thee, and thee, Health,[38] that it may not be so. Now I’ll go visit her. (_Approaches the door._) PAR. (_coming forward._) Hark you, Sostrata.