Part 91 (1/2)

PAR. Ha! what's all this?

PAM. Hus.h.!.+

PAR. I perceive a bustle, And running to and fro.--Come this way, Sir!

--To the door!--nearer still!--There, there, d'ye hear?

(_Noise continues._)

PAM. Peace; hus.h.!.+ (_Shriek within._) Oh Jupiter, I heard a shriek!

PAR. You talk yourself, and bid me hold my tongue.

MYRRHINA (_within_). Hush, my dear child, for Heaven's sake!

PAM. It seem'd The voice of my wife's mother. I am ruin'd!

PAR. How so?

PAM. Undone!

PAR. And why?

PAM. Ah, Parmeno, They hide some terrible misfortune from me!

PAR. They said your wife Philumena was ill: Whether 'tis that, I can not tell.

PAM. Death, Sirrah!

Why did you not inform me that before?

PAR. Because I could not tell you all at once.

PAM. What's her disorder?

PAR. I don't know.

PAM. But tell me, Has she had no physician?

PAR. I don't know.

PAM. But why do I delay to enter straight, That I may learn the truth, be what it will?

--Oh my Philumena, in what condition Shall I now find thee?--If there's danger of thee, My life's in danger too. (_Exit._

SCENE II.

_PARMENO alone._

It were not good That I should follow him into the house: For all our family are odious to them.

That's plain from their denying Sostrata Admittance yesterday.--And if by chance Her illness should increase (which Heav'n forbid, For my poor master's sake!), they'll cry directly, ”Sostrata's servant came into the house:”

Swear,--”that I brought the plague along with me, Put all their lives in danger, and increas'd Philumena's distemper.”--By which means My mistress will be blam'd, and I be beaten.