Plautus's comedies ... made English, with critical remarks upon each play.

SCENE VI.

Ampelisca appears among the Cliffs, with her Cloaths wet, at another part of the further end of the Stage.

Amp. to her self.]

What can be more proper, or more necessary, than making way wi' my self, as long as I'm under these Miseries, and Afflictions? I cann't be solicitous o' Life, since I'm depriv'd o' the Person who made it easy to me. I've wander'd through all Places, search'd into every little Hole to find her, call'd, look'd, and listn'd as much as possible.—I can find her no where, know not where to go, how to look for her, or whom t'enquire of, for here's not a Soul to be seen.—Sure there's no such dismal Desart upo' the Face o' th' Earth, as this. But if she be alive, and above ground, I'll ne'r give o're searching till I've found her.

Pal.

What Voice can this be here?

Amp.

I vow, I'm strangly afraid.—Who's that so nigh me?

Pal.

Blessed Hope, assist me!—

Amp.

'Tis a Woman's Voice, I know't by the Sound.

Pal.

—And free me from my Fears.

Amp.

It must be a Woman's Voice, for certain.

Pal.

Good now, is't Ampelisca?

Amp.

Is't you, Palestra?

Pal.

Why don't I call her by her Name, that she may know me?—Ampelisca.

Amp.

Hah! who's that?

Pal.

'Tis I, Palestra.

Amp.

Prethee, whereabouts are ye?

Pal.

Truly, amidst a thousand Troubles.

Amp.

I'm your Partner, and have as large a share as you.—I long strangly to see ye.

Pal.

And I as much.

Amp.

Then let's follow by the Ear.—Where are ye?

Pal.

Here; come this way and meet me.

Amp.

As fast as I can.

[They come forward and meet.]

Pal.

Your Hand, my Dear.

Amp.

Take it.

[They join Hands.

Pal.

Art thou alive? Prethee tell me.

Amp.

Yes, and so wish to live, while I touch thee, I can scarce believe I have ye here. Pray let m' embrace thee, my Soul.—

[they embrace]

Ah, what a Refresh∣ment 'tis after m' Affliction!

Pal.

You've prevented me from saying the same thing.—But let's be going now.

Amp.

Prethee, my Dear, which way shall we take?

Pal.

Along the Shore, I think.

Amp.

Which way you please, I'll follow.

Pal.

Shall we go so, with our Cloaths all wet?

Amp.

For that, we must make as good a shift as we can—But pray now, what's that?

Pal.

Which?

Amp.

Prethee, don't ye see a Temple?—D' ye see that?

Pal.

Where?

Amp.

O' the right-hand.

Pal.

I see the Gods respect this Place.

Amp.

Then men can be no Strangers to't, the Situ∣ation's so delightful too.—Who e'r's the God, I'll beg of him t'ease us Wretches in our Miseries, and to grant us some Assistance, i'this poor and sad Con∣dition.

[They kneel down before the Temple.