Lach. Pamphilus, there is no room now for deliberation for you in this matter.
Pam. (aside.) I’m undone!
Lach. (to Pamphilus.) We were often longing to see the day on which there should be one to call you father; it has come to pass. I return thanks to the Gods.
Pam. (aside.) I am ruined!
Lach. Take home your wife, and don’t oppose my will.
Pam. Father, if she had wished to have children by me, or to continue to be my wife, I am quite certain she would not have concealed from me what I find she has concealed. Now, as I find that her mind is estranged from me, and think that there would be no agreement between us in future, why should I take her back?
Lach. The young woman has done what her mother persuaded her. Is that to be wondered at? Do you suppose you can find any woman who is free from fault? Or is it that men have no failings?
Phid. Do you yourselves now consider, Laches, and you, Pamphilus, whether it is most advisable for you to leave her or take her back. What your wife may do, is not in my control. Under neither circumstance will you meet with any difficulty from me. But what are we to do with the child?
Lach. You do ask an absurd question; whatever happens, send him back his child of course, that we may bring it up as ours.
Pam. (in a low voice.) A child which the father has abandoned, am I to rear?