BACCH. Did I know any other means whereby I might be enabled to establish my credit with you, more solemn than an oath, I would, Laches, assure you of this, that I have kept Pamphilus at a distance[57] from me ever since he took a wife. LACH. You are very good. But, pray, do you know what I would prefer that you should do? BACCH. What? Tell me. LACH. Go in-doors there (_pointing to the house of PHIDIPPUS_) to the women, and make the same promise, on oath, to them; satisfy their minds, and clear yourself from this charge. BACCH. I will do {so}; although, i’faith, if it had been any other woman of this calling, she would not have done so, I am quite sure; present herself before a married woman for such a purpose! But I do not wish your son to be suspected on an unfounded report, nor appear inconstant, undeservedly, to you, to whom he by no means ought; for he has deserved of me, that, so far as I am able, I should do him a service. LACH. Your language has rendered me quite friendly and well disposed toward you; but not only did they think {so}-- I too believed it. Now that I have found you quite different from what I had expected, take care that you still continue the same-- make use of my friendship as you please; if otherwise----; but I will forbear, that you may not hear any thing unkind from me. But this one thing I recommend you-- make trial what sort of a friend I am, or what I can effect {as such}, rather than {what as} an enemy. SCENE IX. _Enter PHIDIPPUS and a NURSE._ PHID. (_to the NURSE._) Nothing at my house will I suffer you to be in want of; but whatever is requisite shall be supplied {you} in abundance. Still, when you are well fed and well drenched, do take care that the child has enough. (_The NURSE goes into his house._) LACH. (_to BACCHIS._) My son’s father-in-law, I see, is coming; he is bringing a nurse for the child. (_Accosting him._) Phidippus, Bacchis swears most solemnly. PHID. Is this she? LACH. It is. PHID. Upon my faith, those women don’t fear the Gods; and I don’t think that the Gods care about them. BACCH. (_pointing to her ATTENDANTS._) I will give you up my female servants; with my full permission, examine them with any tortures you please. The business at present is this: I must make his wife return home to Pamphilus; should I effect that, I shall not regret its being reported that I have been the only one to do what other courtesans avoid doing.[58] LACH. We find, Phidippus, that our wives have been unjustly suspected[59] by us in this matter. Let us now try her still further; for if your wife discovers that she has given credence to a false charge, she will dismiss her resentment; but if my son is also angry, by reason of the circumstance that his wife has been brought to bed without his knowledge, that is a trifle: his anger on that account will speedily subside. Assuredly in this matter, there is nothing so bad as to be deserving of a separation. PHID. I sincerely wish it may be {so}.