Enter LACHES.
LACHES
While standing just by here, I have heard, wife, the conversation you
have been holding with him. It is true wisdom to be enabled to govern
the feelings whenever there is necessity; to do at the present moment
what may perhaps, in the end, be necessary to be done.
SOSTRATA
Good luck to it, i' troth.
LACHES
Retire then into the country; there I will bear with you, and you with
me.
SOSTRATA
I hope so, i' faith.
LACHES
Go in-doors then, and get together the things that are to be taken with
you. I have now said it.
SOSTRATA
I'll do as you desire. Goes into the house.
PAMPHILUS
Father!
LACHES
What do you want, Pamphilus?
PAMPHILUS
My mother go away? By no means.
LACHES
Why would you have it so?
PAMPHILUS
Because I am as yet undetermined what I shall do about my wife.
LACHES
How is that? What should you intend to do but bring her home?
PAMPHILUS
For my part, I could like, and can hardly forbear it; but I shall not
alter my design; that which is most advantageous I shall pursue; I
suppose ironically that they will be better reconciled,
in consequence, if I shall take her back.
LACHES
You can not tell. But it matters nothing to you which they do when she
has gone away. Persons of this age are disliked by young people; it is
right for us to withdraw from the world; in fine, we are now a nice
by-word. We are, Pamphilus, "the old man and the old woman."'1 But I see Phidippus coming
out just at the time; let's accost him.
