Act IV, Scene III

Enter DEMIPHO and NAUSISTRATA, from the house of CHREMES.

DEM. Come now, Nausistrata, after your usual way, manage to keep her in good-humor with us, and make her do of her own accord what must be done.

NAUS. I will.

DEM. You are now seconding me with your endeavors, just as you assisted me with your money before.

NAUS. I wish to do so; and yet, i’ faith, through the fault of my husband, I am less able than I ought to be.

DEM. Why so?

NAUS. Because, i’ faith, he takes such indifferent care of the property that was so industriously acquired by my father; for from those farms he used regularly to receive two talents of silver yearly; there’s an instance, how superior one man is to another.

DEM. Two talents, pray?

NAUS. Aye, and when things were much worse, two talents even.

DEM. Whew!

NAUS. What! does this seem surprising?

DEM. Of course it does.

NAUS. I wish I had been born a man; I’d have shown----

DEM. That I’m quite sure of.

NAUS. In what way----

DEM. Forbear, pray, that you may be able to do battle with her; lest she, being a young woman, may be more than a match for you.

NAUS. I’ll do as you bid me; but I see my husband coming out of your house.