PAR. Far from it, indeed; for I’ve not had the opportunity given me to-day; so much with running and walking about have I wasted the whole day. (_Goes into the house of LACHES._) SCENE III. _BACCHIS, alone._ BACCH. What great joy have I caused for Pamphilus by my coming to-day! How many blessings have I brought him! and from how many sorrows have I rescued him! A son I save for him, when it was nearly perishing through the agency of these {women} and of himself: a wife, whom he thought that he must cast off forever, I restore {to him}: from the suspicion that he lay under with his father and Phidippus, I have cleared him. This ring, in fact, was the cause of these discoveries being made. For I remember, that about ten months ago, at an early hour of night, he came running home to my house, out of breath, without a companion, and surcharged with wine,[61] with this ring {in his hand}. I felt alarmed immediately: “My Pamphilus,” I said, “prithee, my dear, why thus breathless, or where did you get that ring? --tell me!” He {began} to pretend that he was thinking of something else. When I saw {that}, I began to suspect I know not what, {and} to press him still more to tell me. The fellow confessed that he had ravished {some female}, he knew not whom, in the street; and said, that while she was struggling, he had taken that ring away from her. Myrrhina here recognized it just now, while I had it on my finger. She asked whence it came: I told her all the story. Hence the discovery has been made that it was Philumena ravished by him, and that this new-born child is his. I am overjoyed that this happiness has befallen him through my agency; although other courtesans would not have similar feelings; nor, indeed, is it to our interest that any lover should find pleasure in matrimony. But, i’faith, I never, for the sake of gain, will give my mind to base actions. So long as I had the opportunity, I found him to be kind, easy, and good-natured. This marriage has fallen out unluckily for me,-- that I confess to be the fact. But, upon my word, I do think that I have done nothing for it to befall me deservedly. It is but reasonable to endure inconveniences from one from whom I have received so many benefits. SCENE IV. _Enter PAMPHILUS and PARMENO, from the house of LACHES, on the other side of the stage._ PAM. Once more, take care, will you, my {dear} Parmeno, that you have brought me a faithful and distinct account, so as not to allure me for a short time to indulge in these transient joys. PAR. I have taken care. PAM. For certain? PAR. For certain. PAM. I am quite a God, if it is so! PAR. You’ll find it true. PAM. Just stay, will you; I fear that I’m believing one thing, and you are telling another. PAR. I am staying. PAM. I think you said to this effect-- that Myrrhina had discovered that Bacchis has her ring. PAR. It is the fact. PAM. The one I formerly gave to her; and she has desired you to tell me this: is such the fact?