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.
Lach. Examine her; here she is; she herself will satisfy you.
Phid. Why do you tell me these things? Is it because you have not already heard what my feelings are with regard to this matter, Laches? Do you only satisfy their minds.
Lach. Troth now, Bacchis, I do entreat that what you have promised me you will do.
Bacch. Would you wish me, then, to go in about this business?
Lach. Go, and satisfy their minds, so as to make them believe it.
Bacch. I’ll go: although, upon my word, I am quite sure that my presence will be disagreeable to them, for a married woman is the enemy of a mistress, when she has been separated from her husband.
Lach. But they will be your friends, when they know the reason of your coming.