Act V, Scene III

Enter LYCONIDES, from the house of MEGADORUS.

LYC. What person, I wonder, is this before our house lamenting, and that utters complaints with his moaning? Why, surely, this is Euclio, as I imagine. I'm utterly undone! The thing's all out; he knows now, as I suppose, that his daughter is brought to bed. I'm in a state of uncertainty now what I shall do, whether go or remain, accost him or fly.

EUC. What person is it that speaks there?

LYC. 'Tis I, wretch that I am.

EUC. Yes, and so am I, and wretchedly ruined, whose lot is misfortune so great and sorrow.

LYC. Be of good courage.

EUC. How, prithee, can I be so?

LYC. Because that deed which is afflicting your mind, I did it, and I confess it.

EUC. What is it I hear from you?

LYC. That which is the truth.

EUC. What evil, young man, have I deserved, by reason of which you should do thus, and go to ruin both me and my children?

LYC. A Divinity was my prompter; he prompted me to do it.

EUC. How?

LYC. I confess that I have done wrong, and I know that I deserve censure; for that reason I'm come to beseech you, that, with feelings assuaged, you will pardon me.

EUC. Why did you dare do so, to touch that which was not your own?

LYC. What do you wish to be done? The thing has been done; it can't be undone. I believe that the Gods willed it, for if they hain't willed it, I know it wouldn't have happened.

EUC. But I believe that the Gods have willed that I should be the death of you in fetters.

LYC. Don't say that!

EUC. What business then have you to touch what is my own against my will?

LYC. Because I did it under the evil influence of wine and love.

EUC. Most audacious man, that you should dare to come here to me with that speech, you impudent fellow! For if this is lawful, so that you may be able to excuse it--let us openly, in broad daylight, plunder their golden trinkets from ladies--after that, if we are caught, let us excuse ourselves, that we did it when intoxicated, by reason of being in love. Too cheap are wine and love, if one in liquor and in love is allowed to do with impunity whatever he pleases.

LYC. But I come to you of my own accord to supplicate you on account of my folly.

EUC. Persons don't please me, who, when they've done wrong, excuse themselves. You knew that you had no right there; you oughtn't to have touched.

LYC. Therefore, inasmuch as I did dare to touch, I make no objection to keep by all means.

EUC. You, keep what is my own against my will?

LYC. Against your will, I do not ask; but I think that that which was yours ought to be mine. Moreover, Euclio, you'll find, I say, that mine it ought to be.

EUC. Now really, on my word, I'll drag you to the Praetor and take proceedings against you, unless you make restitution.

LYC. Make restitution of what to you?

EUC. What you've stolen of mine.

LYC. I, stolen of yours? Whence, or what is it?

EUC. So shall Jupiter love you, how ignorant you are about it!

LYC. Unless, indeed, you tell me what you are enquiring for.

EUC. The pot of gold, I say, I'm asking back of you, which you confessed to me that you had taken away.

LYC. By my faith, I've neither said so, nor have I done it.

EUC. Do you deny it?

LYC. Yes, I do utterly deny it; for neither the gold nor yet this pot, what it means, do I know or understand.

EUC. Give me up that pot which you took away from the wood of Sylvanus. Come, give it me back! I would rather give you the one-half of it. Although you are a thief to me, I'll not be hard upon the thief. Give it me back.

LYC. You are not in your senses, to call me a thief; I thought, Euclio, that you had come to the knowledge of another matter; as concerns myself, it is a great matter which I wish to speak with you upon at your leisure, if you are at leisure.

EUC. Tell me, in good faith, have you not stolen that gold?

LYC. In good faith, No.

EUC. Nor know who has taken it away?

LYC. In good faith, No, to that as well.

EUC. But if you should know who has taken it away, will you discover it to me?

LYC. I will do so.

EUC. Nor accept of a share from him, whoever he is, for yourself, nor harbour the thief?

LYC. Even so.

EUC. What if you deceive me?

LYC. Then may great Jupiter do unto me what he pleases.

EUC. I'm satisfied. Come, then, say what you wish.

LYC. If you know me but imperfectly, of what family I'm born: Megadorus here is my uncle; Antimachus was my father; my name is Lyconides; Eunomia is my mother.

EUC. I know the family; now, what do you want?

LYC. I want to know this. You have a daughter of yours?

EUC. Why, yes, she's there at home.

LYC. You have, I think, recently betrothed her to my uncle?

EUC. You have the whole matter.

LYC. He has now bade me announce to you his refusal of her.

EUC. A refusal, when the things are got ready, and the wedding's prepared? May all the immortal Gods and Goddesses confound him, so far as is possible, by reason of whom this day, unhappy wretch that I am, I have lost so much gold!

LYC. Be of good heart, and speak in kindly terms; now, a thing--may it turn out well and prosperously to you and your daughter.--May the Gods so grant--say.

EUC. May the Gods so grant.

LYC. And for me, too, may the Gods so grant it. Now, then, do you listen. The man that admits a fault is not so much to be despised, if he feels a sense of shame when he excuses himself. Now, Euclio, I do beseech you, that what unawares I have done wrong towards yourself or your daughter, you will grant me pardon for the same, and give her for a wife to me, as the laws demand. I confess that I did violence to your daughter, on the festival of Ceres, by reason of wine and the impulse of youth.

EUC. Woe is me! What shocking deed do I hear of you?

LYC. Why do you exclaim? You whom I've made to be a grandfather now at the very wedding of your daughter. For your daughter has just been brought to bed in the ninth month after--calculate the number; for that reason, in my behalf, has my uncle sent his refusal. Go in-doors; enquire whether it is so or not as I say.

EUC. I'm undone utterly; so very many misfortunes unite themselves for my undoing. I'll go in-doors, that I may know what of this is true. (He goes into his house.)

LYC. I'll follow you this instant. This matter seems now to be pretty nearly in the haven of safety. Now, where to say my servant Strobilus is, I don't know, but yet I'll wait here still a little while; after that I'll follow this man in-doors; now, in the meantime, I'll give him leisure to enquire of the nurse about my doings, the attendant of his daughter, whether she knows the truth. (Moves as if going.)