Chapter 3

(Enter MELAenis, SILENIUM, and HALISCA.)

MELAENIS: I’ve disclosed the whole matter to you; follow, my Silenium, that you may rather belong to those to whom you ought to belong, than be mine. Although against my will I shall part with you, still I’ll reconcile my mind to consult that which in especial conduces to your benefit. (Giving her a casket.)

For here in this are the trinkets, together with which she who gave you to me formerly brought you to me; that your parents may recognize you the more easily. Take this casket, Halisca, and then go and knock at that door (pointing to the house of DEMIPHO): say that I request that some one will come from within. Make haste, quickly.

ALCESIMARCHUS: (Enter ALCESIMARCHUS, from his FATHER’S house, with his sword drawn.) (calling aloud.) Death, receive me unto thyself, a friend and well-wisher to me!

SILENIUM: My mother, to our sorrow, we are undone!

ALCESIMARCHUS: (aloud, to himself.) Whether shall I pierce my side here (striking his right side) or on the left.

MELAENIS: (to SILENIUM.) What’s the matter with you?

SILENIUM: (pointing.) Don’t you see Alcesimarchus? He’s grasping a sword.

ALCESIMARCHUS: (aloud, in a frantic manner.) What art about? Thou art delaying. Quit the light of day.

SILENIUM: Do run and aid him, pray, that he mayn’t kill himself. (They run to assist him, on which HALISCA drops the casket.)

ALCESIMARCHUS: O Safety more healthful than my own safety, you now, whether I wish or don’t wish, alone do cause me to live.

MELAENIS: Fie on it! Were you ready to commit such violence?

ALCESIMARCHUS: I’ve nought to do with you—to you I’m dead. (Clasping SILENIUM in his arms.) Her, as I hold her, I’m determined not to lose. For, by heaven, I am resolved henceforth to have her entirely rivetted fast unto me. (Goes to the door of the house, and calls.) Where are you, servants? Shut the door with bolts, with bars, when I shall have carried her within the threshold! (He carries SILENIUM into the house, followed by HALISCA.)

MELAENIS: (exclaiming, while wringing her hands.) He’s gone off: he has carried the damsel away. I’ll go—I’ll at once follow him in-doors, that he may know of me these same things, if from being angered with me I can render him pleased. (Goes into the house.)