---
title: "The Self-Tormentor · Heautontimorumenos"
author: "Terence"
translator: "Henry Thomas Riley"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
url: https://scriptura.si/works/terence-heautontimorumenos/
cite: "Terence, tr. Henry Thomas Riley, The Self-Tormentor · Heautontimorumenos. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/terence-heautontimorumenos/"
---

# The Self-Tormentor · Heautontimorumenos

*Terence, tr. Henry Thomas Riley*

A father punishes himself for driving his son away: “I am human; nothing human is alien to me.”

> Latin: ed. Edward St. John Parry, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, phi0134.phi002, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Henry Thomas Riley, from the Perseus Digital Library (phi0134.phi002.perseus-eng2). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (line numbers), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## Contents

1. [Lines 1–380](https://scriptura.si/works/terence-heautontimorumenos/1.md)
2. [Lines 242–722](https://scriptura.si/works/terence-heautontimorumenos/2.md)
3. [Lines 679–1067](https://scriptura.si/works/terence-heautontimorumenos/3.md)

## 1. Lines 1–380

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/terence-heautontimorumenos/1/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/terence-heautontimorumenos/1/#p-N

[¶0] THE TITLE OF THE PLAY. IT is from the Greek of Menander. Performed at the Megalensian Games; Lucius Cornelius Lentulus and Lucius Valerius Flaccus being Curule Aediles. Ambivius Turpio performed it. Flaccus, the freedman of Claudius, composed the music. The first time it was performed to the music of treble and bass flutes; the second time, of two treble flutes. It was acted three times; Marcus Juventius and Titus Sempronius being Consuls.
THE PROLOGUE:
LEST it should be a matter of surprise to any one of you, why the Poet has assigned to an old man a part that belongs to the young, that I will first explain to you; and then, the reason for my coming I will disclose. An entire Play from an entire Greek one,
the Heautontimorumenos, I am to-day about to represent, which from a two-fold plot has been made but one. I have shown that it is new, and what it is: next I would mention who it was that wrote it, and whose in Greek it is, if I did not think that the greater part of you are aware.
Now, for what reason I have learned this part, in a few words I will explain. The Poet intended me to be a Pleader, not the Speaker of a Prologue; your decision he asks, and has appointed me the advocate; if this advocate can avail as much by his oral powers as he has excelled in inventing happily,
who composed this speech which I am about to recite. For as to malevolent rumors spreading abroad that he has mixed together many Greek Plays while writing a few Latin ones, he does not deny that this is the case, and that he does not repent of so doing; and he affirms that he will do so again.
He has the example of good Poets; after which example he thinks it is allowable for him to do what they have done. Then, as to a malevolent old Poet saying that he has suddenly applied himself to dramatic pursuits, relying on the genius of his friends, and not his own natural abilities;
on that your judgment your your opinion, will prevail. Wherefore I do entreat you all, that the suggestions of our antagonists may not avail more than those of our favorers. Do you be favorable; grant the means of prospering to those who afford you the means of being spectators of new Plays;
those, I mean, without faults: that he may not suppose this said in his behalf who lately made the public give way to a slave as he ran along in the street; why should he take a madman’s part? About his faults he will say more when he brings out some other new ones, unless he puts an end to his caviling.
Attend with favorable feelings; grant me the opportunity that I may be allowed to act a quiet Play in silence; that the servant everlastingly running about, the angry old man, the gluttonous parasite, the impudent sharper, and the greedy procurer, may not have always to be performed by me
with the utmost expense of voice, and the greatest exertion. For my sake come to the conclusion that this request is fair, that so some portion of my labor may be abridged. For nowadays, those who write new Plays do not spare an aged man. If there is any piece requiring exertion, they come running to me;
but if it is a light one, it is taken to another Company. In the present one the style is pure. Do you make proof, what, in each character, my ability can effect. If I have never greedily set a high price upon my skill, and have come to the conclusion that this is my greatest gain,
as far as possible to be subservient to your convenience, establish in me a precedent, that the young may be anxious rather to please you than themselves.
(Enter CHREMES, and MENEDEMUS with a spade in his hand, who falls to digging.)
CHREMES:
Although this acquaintanceship between us is of very recent date, from the time in fact of your purchasing an estate here in the neighborhood,
yet either your good qualities, or our being neighbors (which I take to be a sort of friendship), induces me to inform you, frankly and familiarly, that you appear to me to labor beyond your years,
and beyond what your affairs require. For, in the name of Gods and men, what would you have? What can be your aim? You are, as I conjecture, sixty years of age, or more. No man in these parts has a better or a more valuable estate, no one
more servants; and yet you discharge their duties just as diligently as if there were none at all. However early in the morning I go out, and however late in the evening I return home, I see you either digging, or plowing, or doing something, in fact, in the fields.
You take respite not an instant, and are quite regardless of yourself. I am very sure that this is not done for your amusement. But really I am vexed how little work is done here. If you were to employ the time you spend in laboring yourself, in keeping your servants at work, you would profit much more.

> Latin: INTRODUCTION. THE plot of the Heautontimorumenos turns, as is often the case, partly upon the recognition of a child which had been exposed as an infant. Sostrata the wife of Chremes had an infant daughter, which her husband refused to bring up, and ordered to be exposed. She gave it to an old woman for that purpose, attaching to its dress a ring, from a superstitious feeling that the child ought not to be entirely disinherited. The old woman, instead of exposing the child, brought her up as her own daughter, and named her Antiphila. When she grew up she attracted the attention of Clinia. son of Menedemus. Their attachment continued for some time before it came to the knowledge of Clinia’s father. As soon as he discovered it he began to persecute his son about the affair, till at last the young man, to put an end to the dispute, went to Asia, and there entered the service of the king. No sooner had he gone than his father repented his severity; and finding that his son was past recall, he determined, as the only amends he could make, to inflict upon himself a continual penance. He sold his house, and all his servants except a few to work upon a farm which he purchased. There he kept himself at work from morning to night. Three months passed in this way, and at the end of that time, Clinia, who could not support any longer his absence from his mistress, returns and is received into the house of Chremes, whose son Clitipho had been his friend from his childhood. No sooner has he arrived than his servant Dromo is sent with Syrus, Clitipho’s slave, to bring Antiphila to her lover. Syrus discharges his errand more cleverly than was intended; he found Antiphila alone, for her reputed mother, Philtere, had died in the interval, and in circumstances which shewed that she was still faithful to Clinia. Thinking besides to do a stroke of business for his own master, he brings at the same time Bacchis, Clitipho’s mistress, a very different character from Antiphila: and that Chremes may have no suspicion of this connection of his son’s, it is arranged that Bacchis shall pass for Clinia’s mistress, and Antiphila for one of her servants. While this is going on, Chremes and Menedemus have been talking together; Chremes remonstrating with Menedemus upon his unintelligible conduct in working himself to death instead of superintending his slaves, and Menedemus explaining his reasons by an account of what led to his son’s departure, and his consequent determination to punish himself till his return.
Chremes being unable to shake his friend’s determination, returns to keep the festival of Bacchus at his own house. There he finds the party assembled, and what with Bacchis and the young men they make a pretty night of it, nearly emptying his cellar, and turning the house upside down. Early next morning Chremes, who has a strong head for an old man, goes to meet his friend Menedemus as he comes out to his work, and informs him of his son’s return. He advises him to be cautious in receiving him, tells him what sort of a life he has to expect, and recommends him to do any thing rather than openly encourage his son in such debauchery. Menedemus begs him to do any thing he can to bring about a reunion with his son, even if it be to encourage the young man and Syrus to cheat him in any imaginable way. Chremes enters into the plan: and encourages Syrus to devise some scheme for making Menedemus supply Clinia with the means of indulgence. Syrus has already some such scheme on foot; but it is to be directed against Chremes, for he has promised Bacchis ten minae for her share in the night’s amusements, and intends to get it out of his master. So he at once explains to his master a plausible scheme that he has, namely, to induce Menedemus to buy Antiphila from Bacchis, to whom she has been left in pawn by Philtere, on the representation that she is a captive from Caria whom her friends are sure to ransom very handsomely. Meanwhile Sostrata has discovered, through the medium of the aforesaid ring, that Antiphila is her own daughter. This disconcerts Syrus, who now springs a new mine; he sends Bacchis off to Menedemus’ house, and explains to Chremes that the only way to deceive Menedemus now, is to pretend that she is Clitipho’s mistress, and at the same time to get Clinia to profess an attachment to Antiphila, and desire his father to demand her in marriage, for then the old man would have to supply him with money for the marriage, which of course would go to his mistress Bacchis. At the same time Chremes is persuaded to release his daughter from her pledge to Bacchis; and the money is given to Clitipho to carry to Bacchis for the purpose forsooth of more fully persuading Menedemus that she is his mistress. At this point the dénouement takes place. Clitipho acts his part of Bacchis’ lover a little too well, and all the circumstances are discovered by Menedemus, who proceeds to inform Chremes of the real state of the case. Now the two old men change places, Chremes is enraged beyond measure at having been made the dupe of his dissolute son, and Menedemus has to urge upon him the same maxims of forbearance which Chremes had used to him. Clitipho has to undergo a complete humiliation; but is ultimately received into favour by his father upon his promising to settle and lead a respectable life.
This play is remarkable for a supposed irregularity in its construction, which has made it the subject of an animated controversy among advocates of the “Unities.” It is clear that the opening scene of the play is laid at evening, when Menedemus is just finishing his day’s work. The Third Act commences with the following morning, and in the interval the supper at Chremes’ house takes place. This in itself, though an exception to the general arrangement of Terence’s plays, is not a very important matter. The theory of the “Unities” is not to be received as an absolute law for the Drama: and there is nothing in this case which is not abundantly justified by many other instances. Upon this point turns a theory which was first mooted by Scaliger, and afterwards maintained by Madame Dacier,—that this play was acted in two portions: the first two Acts at night, after sunset; and the three remaining Acts the next morning at break of day; the interval between the two parts being taken up with the supper at Chremes’ house. This idea proceeds entirely upon the supposed necessity of filling up the interval between the Second and Third Acts; and is, as far as we are informed, entirely gratuitous. Colman has shown the absurdity of the idea very well in his remarks on this subject. Any one who considers that the Roman Drama was performed in the open air, will at once see the improbability of such a mode of representation. The Roman Amphitheatre was at any time a disadvantageous arena for the Drama. What must have been the success of a play, acted partly at night-fall, partly before breakfast next morning? Nothing but a devotion to the “Unities” could have led to such an idea; and it will be dismissed without any further discussion, now that a more artistic idea of Dramatic Unity is generally recognized.
HEAUTONTIMORUMENOS. ACTA LUDIS MEGALENSIBUS, L. CORNELIO LENTULO L. VALERIO FLACCO AEDILIBUS CURULIBUS. EGERUNT L. AMBIVIUS TURPIO ET L. ATTILIUS PRAENESTINUS. MODOS FECIT FLACCUS CLAUDII. GRAECA EST MENANDRU. ACTA PRIMUM TIBIIS IMPARIBUS; DEINDE DUABUS DEXTRIS. ACTA III. EDITA M. IUVENTIO ET T. SEMPRONIO COSS.
PROLOGUS:
NE cui sit vestrum mirum, cur partes seni
Poeta dederit quae sunt adolescentium,
Id primum dicam: deinde quod veni eloquar.
Ex integra Graeca integram comoediam
Hodie sum acturus Heautontimorumenon;
Duplex quae ex argumento facta est simplici.
Novam esse ostendi, et quae esset: nunc qui scripserit,
Et cuia Graeca sit, ni partem maximam
Existimarem scire vestrum, id dicerem.
Nunc, quamobrem has partes didicerim, paucis dabo.
Oratorem voluit esse me, non prologum.
Vestrum iudicium fecit; me actorem dedit.
Sed hic actor tantum poterit a facundia,
Quantum ille potuit cogitare commode
Qui orationem hanc scripsit quam dicturus sum.
Nam quod rumores distulerunt malevoli,
Multas contaminasse Graecas dum facit
Paucas Latinas; factum hic esse id non negat,
Neque se pigere: et deinde facturum autumat.
Habet bonorum exemplum, quo exemplo sibi
Licere id facere quod illi fecerunt putat.
Tum quod malevolus vetus poeta dictitat,
Repente ad studium hunc se applicasse musicum,
Amicum ingenio fretum, haud natura sua;
Arbitrium vestrum, vestra existimatio
Valebit; quamobrem omnes vos oratos volo,
Ne plus iniquum possit quam aequum oratio.
Facite aequi sitis: date crescendi copiam
Novarum qui spectandi faciunt copiam
Sine vitiis; ne ille pro se dictum existimet,
Qui nuper fecit servo currenti in via
Decesse populum. Cur insano serviat?
De illius peccatis plura dicet cum dabit
Alias novas, nisi finem maledictis facit.
Adeste aequo animo; date potestatem mihi
Statariam agere ut liceat per silentium;
Ne semper servus currens, iratus senex,
Edax parasitus, sycophanta autem impudens,
Avarus leno, assidue agendi sint mihi,
Clamore summo, cum labore maximo.
Mea causa causam hanc iustam esse animum inducite,
Ut aliqua pars laboris minuatur mihi.
Nam nunc novas qui scribunt nihil parcunt seni:
Si qua laboriosa est, ad me curritur;
Sin lenis est, ad alium defertur gregem.
In hac est pura oratio. Experimini
In utramque partem ingenium quid possit meum.
Si nunquam avare pretium statui arti meae,
Et eum esse quaestum in animum induxi maximum,
Quam maxime servire vestris commodis;
Exemplum statuite in me, ut adolescentuli
Vobis placere studeant potius quam sibi.
(CHREMES. MENEDEMUS.)
CHREMES:
Quanquam haec inter nos nupera notitia admodum est,
Inde adeo quod agrum in proximo hic mercatus es,
Nec rei fere sane amplius quicquam fuit;
Tamen vel virtus tua me, vel vicinitas,
Quod ego in propinqua parte amicitiae puto,
Facit ut te audacter moneam et familiariter,
Quod mihi videre praeter aetatem tuam
Facere, et praeter quam res te adhortatur tua.
Nam proh Deum atque hominum fidem, quid vis tibi?
Quid quaeris? annos sexaginta natus es,
Aut plus eo ut coniicio: agrum in his regionibus
Meliorem, neque preti maioris, nemo habet;
Servos complures: proinde quasi nemo siet,
Ita tute attente illorum officia fungere.
Nunquam tam mane egredior, neque tam vesperi
Domum revertor, quin te in fundo conspicer
Fodere, aut arare, aut aliquid ferre. Denique
Nullum remittis tempus, neque te respicis.
Haec non voluptati tibi esse satis certo scio.
At enim dices, “Quantum hic operis fiat, poenitet.”
Quod in opere faciendo operae consumis tuae,
Si sumas in illis exercendis, plus agas.

[¶1] MENEDEMUS:
Have you so much leisure, Chremes, from your own affairs, that you can attend to those of others—those which don’t concern you?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Chreme, tantumne est ab re tua oti tibi
Aliena ut cures, eaque nihil quae ad te attinent?

[¶2] CHREMES:
I am a man, and nothing that concerns a man do I deem a matter of indifference to me. Suppose that I wish either to advise you in this matter, or to be informed myself: if what you do is right, that I may do the same; if it is not, then that I may dissuade you.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Homo sum: humani nihil a me alienum puto.
Vel me monere hoc, vel percontari puta.
Rectum est? ego ut faciam: non est? te ut deterream.

[¶3] MENEDEMUS:
It’s requisite for me to do so; do you as it is necessary for you to do.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Mihi sic est usus: tibi ut opus facto est, face.

[¶4] CHREMES:
Is it requisite for any person to torment himself?

> Latin: CHREMES:
An cuiquam est usus homini se ut cruciet?

[¶5] MENEDEMUS:
It is for me.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Mihi.

[¶6] CHREMES:
If you have any affliction, I could wish it otherwise. But prithee, what sorrow is this of yours? How have you deserved so ill of yourself?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Si quid laboris est, nollem: sed quid istuc mali est,
Quaeso? quid de te tantum meruisti?

[¶7] MENEDEMUS:
Alas! alas!
(He begins to weep.)

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Eheu!

[¶8] CHREMES:
Do not weep, but make me acquainted with it, whatever it is.
Do not be reserved; fear nothing; trust me, I tell you. Either by consolation, or by counsel, or by any means, I will aid you.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ne lacrima: atque istuc quicquid est fac me ut sciam:
Ne retice: ne verere: crede, inquam, mihi,
Aut consolando, aut consilio, aut re iuvero.

[¶9] MENEDEMUS:
Do you wish to know this matter?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Scire hoc vis?

[¶10] CHREMES:
Yes, and for the reason I mentioned to you.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Hac quidem causa qua dixi tibi.

[¶11] MENEDEMUS:
I will tell you.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Dicetur.

[¶12] CHREMES:
But still, in the mean time, lay down that rake; don’t fatigue yourself.

> Latin: CHREMES:
At istos rastros interea tamen
Appone: ne labora.

[¶13] MENEDEMUS:
By no means.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Minime.

[¶14] CHREMES:
What can be your object?
(Tries to take the rake from him.)

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quam rem agis?

[¶15] MENEDEMUS:
Do leave me alone, that I may give myself no respite from my labor.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Sine me vacivum tempus ne quod dem mihi
Laboris.

[¶16] CHREMES:
I will not allow it, I tell you.
(Taking the rake from him.)

> Latin: CHREMES:
Non sinam, inquam.

[¶17] MENEDEMUS:
Ah! that’s not fair.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Ah, non aequum facis.

[¶18] CHREMES: (poising the rake.)
Whew! such a heavy one as this, pray!

> Latin: CHREMES:
Hui, tam graves hos, quaeso?

[¶19] MENEDEMUS:
Such are my deserts.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Sic meritum est meum.

[¶20] CHREMES:
Now speak.
(Laying down the rake.)

> Latin: CHREMES:
Nunc loquere.

[¶21] MENEDEMUS:
I have an only son,—a young man,—alas! why did I say—“I have?”—rather I should say, “I had” one, Chremes:—
whether I have him now, or not, is uncertain.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Filium unicum adolescentulum
Habeo: ah, quid dixi habere me? immo habui, Chreme:
Nunc habeam necne incertum est.

[¶22] CHREMES:
Why so?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid ita istuc?

[¶23] MENEDEMUS:
You shall know:—There is a poor old woman here, a stranger from Corinth:—her daughter, a young woman, he fell in love with, insomuch that he almost regarded her as his wife; all this took place unknown to me. When I discovered the matter, I began to reprove him, not with gentleness,
nor in the way suited to the love-sick mind of a youth, but with violence, and after the usual method of fathers. I was daily reproaching him,—“Look you, do you expect to be allowed any longer to act thus, myself, your father, being alive; to be keeping a mistress pretty much as though your wife?”
“You are mistaken, Clinia, and you don’t know me, if you fancy that. I am willing that you should be called my son, just as long as you do what becomes you; but if you do not do so, I shall find out how it becomes me to act toward you. This arises from nothing, in fact, but too much idleness.”
“At your time of life, I did not devote my time to dalliance, but, in consequence of my poverty, departed hence for Asia, and there acquired in arms both riches and military glory.” At length the matter came to this,—the youth, from hearing the same things so often, and with such severity, was overcome.
He supposed that I, through age and affection, had more judgment and foresight for him than him-self. He went off to Asia, Chremes, to serve under the king.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Scies.
Est e Corintho hic advena anus paupercula:
Eius filiam ille amare coepit perdite,
Prope iam ut pro uxore haberet: haec clam me omnia.
Ubi rem rescivi coepi non humanitus,
Neque ut animum decuit aegrotum adolescentuli,
Tractare; sed vi, et via pervulgata patrum.
Quotidie accusabam. “Hem, tibine haec diutius”
“Licere speras facere me vivo patre,”
“Amicam ut habeas prope iam in uxoris loco?”
“Erras, si id credis, et me ignoras, Clinia.”
“Ego te meum esse dici tantisper volo,”
“Dum, quod te dignum est, facies: sed si id non facis,”
“Ego quod me in te sit facere dignum invenero.”
“Nulla adeo ex re istuc fit nisi ex nimio otio.”
“Ego istuc aetatis non amori operam dabam,”
“Sed in Asiam hinc abii propter pauperiem; atque ibi”
“Simul rem, et belli gloriam armis repperi.”
Postremo adeo res rediit: adolescentulus,
Saepe eadem et graviter audiendo victus est,
Et aetate putavit me et benevolentia
Plus scire et providere quam se ipsum sibi.
In Asiam ad regem militatum abiit, Chreme.

[¶24] CHREMES:
What is it you say?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid ais?

[¶25] MENEDEMUS:
He departed without my knowledge—and has been gone these three months.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Clam me profectus, menses tres abest.

[¶26] CHREMES:
Both are to be blamed—although I still think this step shows an ingenuous and enterprising disposition.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ambo accusandi; etsi illud inceptum tamen
Animi est pudentis signum, et non instrenui.

[¶27] MENEDEMUS:
When I learned this from those who were in the secret, I returned home sad, and with feelings almost over-whelmed and distracted through grief. I sit down; my servants run to me; they take off my shoes: then some make all haste to spread the couches,
and to prepare a repast; each according to his ability did zealously what he could, in order to alleviate my sorrow. When I observed this, I began to reflect thus:—“What! are so many persons anxious for my sake alone, to pleasure myself only?”
“Are so many female servants to provide me with dress? Shall I alone keep up such an expensive establishment, while my only son, who ought equally, or even more so, to enjoy these things—inasmuch as his age is better suited for the enjoyment of them—him, poor youth, have I driven away from home by my severity!”
“Were I to do this, really I should deem myself deserving of any calamity. But so long as he leads this life of penury, banished from his country through my severity, I will revenge his wrongs upon myself, toiling, making money, saving, and laying up for him.”
At once I set about it; I left nothing in the house, neither movables nor clothing; every thing I scraped together. Slaves, male and female, except those who could easily pay for their keep by working in the country, all of them I set up to auction and sold. I at once put up a bill
to sell my house. I collected somewhere about fifteen talents, and purchased this farm; here I fatigue myself: I have come to this conclusion, Chremes, that I do my son a less injury, while I am unhappy; and that it is not right for me to enjoy any pleasure here,
until such time as he returns home safe to share it with me.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Ubi comperi ex iis qui ei fuere conscii,
Domum revertor moestus, atque animo fere
Perturbato, atque incerto prae aegritudine:
Assido; accurrunt servi, soccos detrahunt;
Video alios festinare, lectos sternere,
Coenam apparare: pro se quisque sedulo
Faciebat quo illam mihi lenirent miseriam.
Ubi video haec, coepi cogitare: “Hem! tot mea”
“Solius solliciti sint causa, ut me unum expleant?”
“Ancillae tot me vestiant? sumtus domi”
“Tantos ego solus faciam? sed gnatum unicum,”
“Quem pariter uti his decuit, aut etiam amplius,”
“Quod illa aetas magis ad haec utenda idonea est,”
“Eum ego hinc eieci miserum iniustitia mea.”
“Malo quidem me dignum quovis deputem,”
“Si id faciam: nam usque dum ille vitam illam colet”
“Inopem, carens patria ob meas iniurias,”
“Interea usque illi de me supplicium dabo,”
“Laborans, quaerens, parcens, illi serviens.”
Ita facio prorsus: nihil relinquo in aedibus
Nec vas, nec vestimentum: conrasi omnia,
Ancillas, servos, nisi eos qui opere rustico
Faciundo facile sumtum exercerent suum:
Omnes produxi ac vendidi: inscripsi ilico
Aedes mercede; quasi talenta ad quindecim
Coegi; agrum hunc mercatus sum; hic me exerceo.
Decrevi tantisper me minus iniuriae,
Chreme, meo gnato facere dum fiam miser;
Nec fas esse ulla me voluptate hic frui,
Nisi ubi ille huc salvus redierit meus particeps.

[¶28] CHREMES:
I believe you to be of an affectionate disposition toward your children, and him to be an obedient son, if one were to manage him rightly or prudently. But neither did you understand him sufficiently well, nor he you—a thing that happens where persons don’t live on terms of frankness together.
You never showed him how highly you valued him, nor did he ever dare put that confidence in you which is due to a father. Had this been done, these troubles would never have befallen you.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ingenio te esse in liberos leni puto,
Et illum obsequentem si quis recte aut commode
Tractaret. Verum nec tu illum satis noveras,
Nec te ille: hocque fit ubi non vere vivitur.
Tu illum numquam ostendisti quanti penderes,
Nec tibi ille est credere ausus quae est aequum patri;
Quod si esset factum haec numquam evenissent tibi.

[¶29] MENEDEMUS:
Such is the fact, I confess; the greatest fault is on my side.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Ita res est, fateor: peccatum a me maximum est.

[¶30] CHREMES:
But still, Menedemus, I hope for the best, and
I trust that he’ll be here safe before long.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Menedeme, at porro recte spero, et illum tibi
Salvum affuturum esse hic confido propediem.

[¶31] MENEDEMUS:
Oh that the Gods would grant it!

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Utinam ita Di faxint.

[¶32] CHREMES:
They will do so. Now, if it is convenient to you—the festival of Bacchus is being kept here to-day—I wish you to give me your company.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Facient: nunc, si commodum est,
Dionysia hic sunt; hodie apud me sis volo.

[¶33] MENEDEMUS:
I can not.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Non possum.

[¶34] CHREMES:
Why not? Do, pray, spare yourself a little while. Your absent son would wish you do so.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Cur non? quaeso, tandem aliquantulum
Tibi parce: idem absens facere te hoc vult filius.

[¶35] MENEDEMUS:
It is not right that I, who have driven him hence to endure hardships, should now shun them myself.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Non convenit qui illum ad laborem impulerim
Nunc me ipsum fugere.

[¶36] CHREMES:
Is such your determination?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Sicine est sententia?

[¶37] MENEDEMUS:
It is.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Sic.

[¶38] CHREMES:
Then kindly fare you wall.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Bene vale.

[¶39] MENEDEMUS:
And you the same.
(Goes into his house.)

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Et tu.

[¶40] CHREMES: (to himself.)
He has forced tears from me, and I do pity him. But as the day is far gone, I must remind Phania, this neighbor of mine,
to come to dinner. I’ll go see whether he is at home. (Goes to PHANIA’s door, makes the inquiry, and returns.) There was no occasion for me to remind him: they tell me he has been some time already at my house; it’s I myself am making my guests wait. I’ll go in-doors immediately. But what means the noise at the door of my house? I wonder who’s coming out! I’ll step aside here.
(He stands aside.)

> Latin: CHREMES:
Lacrimas excussit mihi,
Miseretque me eius. Sed, ut diei tempus est,
Monere oportet me hunc vicinum Phaniam,
Ad coenam ut veniat. Ibo, visam si domi est.
Nihil opus fuit monitore: iam dudum domi
Praesto apud me esse aiunt: egomet convivas moror.
Ibo adeo hinc intro: sed quid crepuerunt fores
Hinc a me? quisnam egreditur? huc concessero.

[¶41] (Enter CLITIPHO, from the house of CHREMES.)
CLITIPHO: (at the door, to CLINIA within.)
There is nothing, Clinia, for you to fear as yet: they have not been long by any means: and I am sure that she will be with you presently along with the messenger. Do at once dismiss these causeless apprehensions which are tormenting you.

> Latin: (CLITIPHO. CHREMES.)
CLITIPHO:
Nihil adhuc est quod vereare, Clinia: haudquaquam etiam cessant:
Et illam simul cum nuntio tibi hic ego affuturam hodie scio:
Proin tu sollicitudinem istam falsam quae te excruciat mittas.

[¶42] CHREMES: (apart.)
Who is my son talking to?
(Makes his appearance.)

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quicum loquitur filius?

[¶43] CLITIPHO: (to himself.)
Here comes my father, whom I wished to see: I’ll accost him. Father, you have met me opportunely.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Pater adest quem volui: adibo. Pater, opportune advenis.

[¶44] CHREMES:
What is the matter?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid id est?

[¶45] CLITIPHO:
Do you know this neighbor of ours, Menedemus?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Hunc Menedemum nostin nostrum vicinum?

[¶46] CHREMES:
Very well.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Probe.

[¶47] CLITIPHO:
Do you know that he has a son?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Huic filium scis esse?

[¶48] CHREMES:
I have heard that he has; in Asia.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Audivi esse in Asia.

[¶49] CLITIPHO:
He is not in Asia, father; he is at: our house.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Non est, pater:
Apud nos est.

[¶50] CHREMES:
What is it you say?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid ais?

[¶51] CLITIPHO:
Upon his arrival, after he had just landed from the ship, I immediately brought him to dine with us; for from our very childhood upward I have always been on intimate terms with him.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Advenientem, e navi egredientem, ilico
Adduxi ad coenam: nam mihi magna cum eo iam inde usque a pueritia
Fuit semper familiaritas.

[¶52] CHREMES:
You announce to me a great pleasure.
How much I wish that Menedemus had accepted my invitation to make one of us: that at my house I might have been the first to surprise him, when not expecting it, with this delight!—and even yet there’s time enough—

> Latin: CHREMES:
Voluptatem magnam nuntias.
Quam vellem Menedemum invitatum ut nobiscum esset hodie amplius;
Ut hanc laetitiam nec opinanti primus ei obiicerem domi:
Atque etiam nunc tempus est.

[¶53] CLITIPHO:
Take care what you do; there is no necessity, father, for doing so.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Cave faxis: non opus est, pater.

[¶54] CHREMES:
For what reason?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quapropter?

[¶55] CLITIPHO:
Why, because he is as yet undetermined what to do with himself. He is but just arrived. He fears every thing; his father’s displeasure, and how his mistress may be disposed toward him.
He loves her to distraction: on her account, this trouble and going abroad took place.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quia enim incertum est etiam, quid se faciat. Modo venit;
Timet omnia, patris iram et animum amicae se erga ut siet suae:
Eam misere amat: propter eam haec turba atque abitio evenit.

[¶56] CHREMES:
I know it.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Scio.

[¶57] CLITIPHO:
He has just sent a servant into the city to her, and I ordered our Syrus to go with him.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Nunc servulum ad eam in urbem misit, et ego nostrum una Syrum.

[¶58] CHREMES:
What does Clinia say?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid narrat?

[¶59] CLITIPHO:
What does he say? That he is wretched.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quid ille? miserum se esse.

[¶60] CHREMES:
Wretched? Whom could we less suppose so? What is there wanting for him to enjoy every thing that among men, in fact, are esteemed as blessings? Parents, a country in prosperity, friends, family, relations, riches?
And yet, all these are just according to the disposition of him who possesses them. To him who knows how to use them, they are blessings; to him who does not use them rightly, they are evils.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Miserum? quem minus crederes?
Quid reliqui est quin habeat quae quidem in homine dicuntur bona;
Parentes, patriam incolumem, amicos, genus, cognatos, divitias?
Atque haec perinde sunt ut illius animus qui ea possidet:
Qui uti scit ei bona; illi qui non utitur recte mala.

[¶61] CLITIPHO:
Aye, but lie always was a morose old man; and now I dread nothing more, father, than that in his displeasure he’ll be doing something to him more than is justifiable.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Immo ille fuit senex importunus semper: et nunc nihil magis
Vereor quam ne quid in illum iratus plus satis faxit, pater.

[¶62] CHREMES:
What, he? (Aside.) But I’ll restrain myself; for that the other one should be in fear of his father is of service to him.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Illene? sed reprimam me: nam in metu esse hunc illi est utile.

[¶63] CLITIPHO:
What is it you are saying to yourself?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quid tute tecum?

[¶64] CHREMES:
I’ll tell you. However the case stood, Clinia ought still to have remained at home. Perhaps his father was a little stricter than he liked: he should have put up with it. For whom ought he to bear with, if he would not bear with his own father? Was it reasonable that he should live after his son’s humor, or his son after his? And as to charging him with harshness, it is not the fact. For the severities of fathers
are generally of one character, those I mean who are in some degree reasonable men. They do not wish their sons to be always wenching; they do not wish them to be always carousing; they give a limited allowance; and yet all this tends to virtuous conduct. But when the mind, Clitipho, has once enslaved itself by vicious appetites, it must of necessity follow similar pursuits. This
is a wise maxim, “to take warning from others of what may be to your own advantage.”

> Latin: CHREMES:
Dicam: ut ut erat, mansum tamen oportuit.
Fortasse aliquantum iniquior erat praeter eius libidinem:
Pateretur; nam quem ferret, si parentem non ferret suum?
Huncine erat aequum ex illius more, an illum ex huius vivere?
Et quod illum insimulat durum, id non est: nam parentum iniuriae
Uniusmodi sunt ferme, paulo qui est homo tolerabilis.
Scortari crebro nolunt; nolunt crebro convivarier:
Praebent exigue sumtum: atque haec sunt tamen ad virtutem omnia.
Verum ubi animus semel se cupiditate devinxit mala,
Necesse est, Clitipho, consilia consequi consimilia: hoc
Scitum est; periculum ex aliis facere, tibi quod ex usu siet.

[¶65] CLITIPHO:
I believe so.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Ita credo.

[¶66] CHREMES:
I’ll now go hence in-doors, to see what we have for dinner. Do you, seeing what is the time of day, mind and take care not to be any where out of the way.
(Goes into his house, and exit CLITIPHO.)

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ego ibo hinc intro, ut videam nobis quid coenae siet.
Tu, ut tempus est diei, vide sis ne quo hinc abeas longius.

[¶67] (Enter CLITIPHO.)
CLITIPHO: (to himself.)
What partial judges are all fathers in regard to all of us young men, in thinking it reasonable for us to become old men all at once from boys,
and not to participate in those things which youth is naturally inclined to. They regulate us by their own desires,—such as they now are,—not as they once were. If ever I have a son, he certainly shall find in me an indulgent father. For the means both of knowing and of pardoning his faults shall be found by me; not like mine, who by means of another person, discloses to me his own sentiments.
I’m plagued to death,—when he drinks a little more than usual, what pranks of his own he does relate to me! Now he says, “Take warning from others of what may be to your advantage.” How shrewd! He certainly does not know how deaf I am at the moment when he’s telling his stories. Just now, the words of my mistress make more impression upon me. “Give me this, and bring me that,” she cries; I have nothing to say to her in answer, and no one is there more wretched than myself.
But this Clinia, although he, as well, has cares enough of his own, still has a mistress of virtuous and modest breeding, and a stranger to the arts of a courtesan. Mine is a craving, saucy, haughty, extravagant creature, full of lofty airs. Then all that I have to give her is—fair words —for I make it a point not to tell her that I have nothing. This misfortune I met with not long since, nor does my father as yet know any thing of the matter.
(Exit.)

> Latin: (CLITIPHO.)
CLITIPHO:
Quam iniqui sunt patres in omnes adolescentes iudices,
Qui aequum esse censent nos iam a pueris ilico nasci senes,
Neque illarum affines esse rerum quas fert adolescentia.
Ex sua libidine moderantur, nunc quae est, non quae olim fuit.
Mihi si unquam filius erit, nae ille facili me utetur patre;
Nam et cognoscendi et ignoscendi dabitur peccati locus;
Non ut meus, qui mihi per alium ostendit suam sententiam.
Perii! is mihi, ubi adbibit plus paulo, sua quae narrat facinora!
Nunc ait, “Periculum ex aliis facito, tibi quod ex usu siet:”
Astutus: nae ille haud scit quam mihi nunc surdo narret fabulam.
Magis nunc me amicae dicta stimulant: “Da mihi, atque affer mihi;”
Cui quid respondeam nihil habeo; neque me quisquam est miserior:
Nam hic Clinia, etsi is quoque suarum rerum satagit, attamen
Habet bene ac pudice eductam, ignaram artis meretriciae.
Mea est potens, procax, magnifica, sumtuosa, nobilis.
Tum quod dem ei recte est; nam, nihil esse mihi, religio est dicere.
Hoc ego mali non pridem inveni; neque etiamdum scit pater.

[¶68] (Enter CLINIA from the house of CHREMES.)
CLINIA: (to himself.)
If my love-affairs had been prosperous for me, I am sure she would have been here by this; but I’m afraid that the damsel has been led astray here in my absence. Many things combine to strengthen this opinion in my mind; opportunity, the place, her age, a worthless mother, under whose control she is, with whom nothing but gain is precious.
(Enter CLITIPHO.)

> Latin: (CLINIA. CLITIPHO.)
CLINIA:
Si mihi secundae res de amore meo essent, iamdudum, scio,
Venissent: sed vereor ne mulier me absente hic corrupta sit.
Concurrunt multae opiniones quae mihi animum exaugeant;
Occasio, locus, aetas, mater cuius sub imperio est mala;
Cui nihil iam praeter pretium dulce est.

[¶69] CLITIPHO:
Clinia!

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Clinia.

[¶70] CLINIA:
Alas! wretched me!

> Latin: CLINIA:
Hei misero mihi!

[¶71] CLITIPHO:
Do, pray, take care that no one coming out of your father’s house sees you here by accident.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Etiam caves ne videat forte hinc te a patre aliquis exiens?

[¶72] CLINIA:
I will do so; but really my mind presages I know not what misfortune.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Faciam: sed nescio quid profecto mihi animus praesagit mali.

[¶73] CLITIPHO:
Do you persist in making up your mind upon that, before you know what is the fact?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Pergin istuc prius diiudicare quam scis quid veri siet?

[¶74] CLINIA:
Had no misfortune happened, she would have been here by this.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Si nihil mali esset, iam hic adessent.

[¶75] CLITIPHO:
She’ll be here presently.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Iam aderunt.

[¶76] CLINIA:
When will that presently be?

> Latin: CLINIA:
Quando istuc erit?

[¶77] CLITIPHO:
You don’t consider that it is a great way fiom here. Besides, you know the ways of women,
while they are bestirring themselves, and while they are making preparations a whole year passes by.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Non cogitas hinc longule esse? et nosti mores mulierum:
Dum moliuntur, dum conantur, annus est.

[¶78] CLINIA:
O Clitipho, I’m afraid—

> Latin: CLINIA:
O Clitipho,
Timeo.

[¶79] CLITIPHO:
Take courage. Look, here comes Dromo, together with Syrus: they are close at hand.
(They stand aside.)

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Respira: eccum Dromonem cum Syro: una adsunt tibi.

[¶80] (Enter SYRUS and DROMO, conversing at a distance.)
SYRUS:
Do you say so?
DROMO:’Tis as I told you,—
but in the mean time, while we’ve been carrying on our discourse, these women have been left behind.

> Latin: (SYRUS.
DROMO.
CLITIPHO. CLINIA.)
SYRUS:
Ain tu?
DROMO:
Sic est.
SYRUS:
Verum interea dum sermones caedimus,
Illae sunt relictae.

[¶81] CLITIPHO: (apart.)
Don’t you hear, Clinia? Your mistress is close at hand.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Mulier tibi adest; audin, Clinia?

[¶82] CLINIA: (apart.)
Why yes, I do hear now at last, and I see and revive, Clitipho.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Ego vero audio nunc demum et video et valeo, Clitipho.

[¶83] DROMO:
No wonder; they are so encumbered; they are bringing a troop of female attendants with them.

> Latin: DROMO:
Minime mirum, adeo impeditae sunt: ancillarum gregem
Ducunt secum.

[¶84] CLINIA: (apart.)
I’m undone! Whence come these female attendants?

> Latin: CLINIA:
Perii. Unde illi sunt ancillae?

[¶85] CLITIPHO: (apart.)
Do you ask me?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Men rogas?

[¶86] SYRUS:
We ought not to have left them; what a quantity of things they are bringing!

> Latin: SYRUS:
Non oportuit relictas: portant quid rerum!

[¶87] CLINIA: (apart.)
Ah me!

> Latin: CLINIA:
Hei mihi.

[¶88] SYRUS:
Jewels of gold, and clothes; it’s growing late too, and they don’t know the way. It was very foolish of us to leave them. Just go back, Dromo, and meet them. Make haste—why do you delay?
(Exit DROMO).)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Aurum, vestem: et vesperascit, et non noverunt viam.
Factum a nobis stulte est: abidum tu, Dromo, illis obviam,
Propera: quid stas?

[¶89] CLINIA: (apart.)
Woe unto wretched me!—from what high hopes am I fallen!

> Latin: CLINIA:
Vae misero mihi, quanta de spe decidi!

[¶90] CLITIPHO: (apart.)
What’s the matter? Why, what is it that troubles you?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quid istuc? quae res te sollicitat autem?

[¶91] CLINIA: (apart.)
Do you ask what it is? Why, don’t you see? Attendants, jewels of gold, and clothes. her too, whom I left here with only one little servant girl. Whence do you suppose that they come?

> Latin: CLINIA:
Rogitas quid siet?
Viden tu ancillas, aurum, vestem? quam ego cum una ancillula
Hic reliqui. Unde ea esse censes?

[¶92] CLITIPHO: (apart.)
Oh! now at last I understand you.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Vah! nunc demum intelligo.

[¶93] SYRUS: (to himself.)
Good Gods! what a multitude there is! Our house will hardly hold them, I’m sure.
How much they will eat! how much they will drink! what will there be more wretched than our old gentleman? (Catching sight of CLINIA and CLITIPHO.) But look, I espy the persons I was wanting.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Di boni, quid turbae est? aedes nostrae vix capient, scio.
Quid comedent? quid ebibent? quid sene erit nostro miserius?
Sed video eccos quos volebam.

[¶94] CLINIA: (apart.)
Oh Jupiter! Why, where is fidelity gone? While I, distractedly wandering, have abandoned my country for your sake, you, in the mean time, Antiphila, have been enriching yourself, and have forsaken me in these troubles, you for whose sake I am in extreme disgrace, and have been disobedient to my father;
on whose account I am now ashamed and grieved, that he who used to lecture me about the manners of these women, advised me in vain, and was not able to wean me away from her:—which, however, I shall now do; whereas when it might have been advantageous to me to do so, I was unwilling. There is no being more wretched than I.

> Latin: CLINIA:
O Iupiter, ubinam est fides?
Dum ego propter te errans patria careo demens, tu interea loci
Conlocupletasti te, Antiphila; et me in his deseruisti malis;
Propter quam in summa infamia sum, et meo patri minus obsequens;
Cuius nunc pudet me et miseret, qui harum mores cantabat mihi
Monuisse frustra; neque potuisse unquam ab hac me expellere;
Quod tamen nunc faciam: tum quum gratum mihi esse potuit nolui.
Nemo est miserior me.

[¶95] SYRUS: (to himself.)
He certainly has been misled by our words which we have been speaking here. (Aloud.) Clinia, you imagine your mistress quite different from what she really is.
For both her mode of life is the same, and her disposition toward you is the same as it always was; so far as we could form a judgment from the circumstances themselves.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Hic de nostris verbis errat videlicet
Quae hic sumus locuti. Clinia, aliter tuum amorem atque est accipis:
Nam et vita est eadem, et animus te erga idem ac fuit;
Quantum ex ipsa re coniecturam cepimus.

[¶96] CLINIA:
How so, prithee? For nothing in the world could I rather wish for just now, than that I have suspected this without reason.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Quid est, obsecro? nam mihi nunc nihil rerum omnium est
Quod malim quam me hoc falso suspicarier.

[¶97] SYRUS:
This, in the first place, then (that you may not be ignorant of any thing that concerns her); the old woman,
who was formerly said to be her mother, was not so.—She is dead: this I overheard by accident from her, as we came along, while she was telling the other one.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Hoc primum, ut ne quid huius rerum ignores; anus
Quae est dicta mater esse ei antehac non fuit:
Ea obiit mortem: hoc ipsa in itinere alterae
Dum narrat forte audivi.

[¶98] CLITIPHO:
Pray, who is the other one?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quaenam est altera?

[¶99] SYRUS:
Stay; what I have begun I wish first to relate, Clitipho; I shall come to that afterward.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Mane: hoc quod coepi primum enarrem, Clitipho:
Post istuc veniam.

[¶100] CLITIPHO:
Make haste, then.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Propera.

[¶101] SYRUS:
First of all then,
when we came to the house, Dromo knocked at the door; a certain old woman came out; when she opened the door, he directly rushed in; I followed; the old woman bolted the door, and returned to her wool. On this occasion might be known, Clinia, or else on none,
in what pursuits she passed her life during your absence; when we thus came upon a female unexpectedly. For this circumstance then gave us an opportunity of judging of the course of her daily life; a thing which especially discovers what is the disposition of each individual.
We found her industriously plying at the web; plainly clad in a mourning dress, on account of this old woman, I suppose, who was lately dead; without golden ornaments, dressed, besides, just like those who only dress for themselves, and patched up with no worthless woman’s trumpery.
Her hair was loose, long, and thrown back negligently about her temples. (To CLINIA.) Do you hold your peace.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Iam primum omnium,
Ubi ventum ad aedes est, Dromo pultat fores:
Anus quaedam prodit: haec ubi aperuit ostium,
Continuo hic se coniecit intro: ego consequor.
Anus foribus obdit pessulum; ad lanam redit.
Hinc sciri potuit, aut nusquam alibi, Clinia,
Quo studio vitam suam te absente exegerit,
Ubi de improviso interventum est mulieri:
Nam ea res dedit tum existimandi copiam
Quotidianae vitae consuetudinem,
Quae cuiusque ingenium ut sit declarat maxime:
Texentem telam studiose ipsam offendimus,
Mediocriter vestitam veste lugubri,
Eius anuis causa, opinor, quae erat mortua;
Sine auro, tum ornatam ita uti quae ornantur sibi;
Nulla mala re esse expolitam muliebri;
Capillus passus, prolixus, circum caput
Reiectus negligenter: pax.

[¶102] CLINIA:
My dear Syrus, do not without cause throw me into ecstasies, I beseech you.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Syre mi, obsecro,
Ne me in laetitiam frustra coniicias.

## 2. Lines 242–722

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/terence-heautontimorumenos/2/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/terence-heautontimorumenos/2/#p-N

[¶0] SYRUS:
The old woman was spinning the woof: there was one little servant girl besides;—she was weaving together with them, covered with patched clothes,
slovenly, and dirty with filthiness.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Anus
Subtemen nebat: praeterea una ancillula
Erat; ea texebat una, pannis obsita,
Neglecta, immunda illuvie.

[¶1] CLITIPHO:
If this is true, Clinia, as I believe it is, who is there more fortunate than you? Do you mark this girl whom he speaks of, as dirty and drabbish? This, too, is a strong indication that the mistress is out of harm’s way, when her confidant is in such ill plight;
for it is a rule with those who wish to gain access to the mistress, first to bribe the maid.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Si haec sunt, Clinia,
Vera, ita uti credo, quis te est fortunatior?
Scin tu hanc quam dicit sordidatam et sordidam?
Magnum hoc quoque signum est dominam esse extra noxiam,
Quum eius tam negliguntur internuntii:
Nam disciplina est eisdem munerarier
Ancillas primum ad dominas qui affectant viam.

[¶2] CLINIA: (to SYRUS.)
Go on, I beseech you; and beware of endeavoring to purchase favor by telling an untruth. What did she say, when you mentioned me?

> Latin: CLINIA:
Perge, obsecro te, et cave ne falsam gratiam
Studeas inire. Quid ait, ubi me nominas?

[¶3] SYRUS:
When we told her that you had returned, and had requested her
to come to you, the damsel instantly put away the web, and covered her face all over with tears; so that you might easily perceive that it really was caused by her affection for you.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ubi dicimus redisse te, et rogare uti
Veniret ad te, mulier telam deserit
Continuo, et lacrimis opplet os totum sibi, ut
Facile scires desiderio id fieri tuo.

[¶4] CLINIA:
So may the Deities bless me, I know not where I am for joy! I was so alarmed before.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Prae gaudio, ita me Di ament, ubi sim nescio:
Ita timui.

[¶5] CLITIPHO:
But I was sure that there was no reason, Clinia. Come now, Syrus, tell me, in my turn, who this other lady is.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
At ego nihil esse scibam, Clinia.
Agedum vicissim, Syre, dic quae illa est altera?

[¶6] SYRUS:
Your Bacchis, whom we are bringing.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Adducimus tuam Bacchidem.

[¶7] CLITIPHO:
Ha! What! Bacchis? How now, you rascal! whither are you bringing her?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Hem, quid? Bacchidem?
Eho sceleste, quo illam ducis?

[¶8] SYRUS:
Whither am I bringing her? To our house, to be sure.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quo ego illam? ad nos scilicet.

[¶9] CLITIPHO:
What! to my father’s?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Ad patremne?

[¶10] SYRUS:
To the very same.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ad eum ipsum.

[¶11] CLITIPHO:
Oh, the audacious impudence of the fellow!

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
O hominis impudentem audaciam!

[¶12] SYRUS:
Hark’ye, no great and memorable action is done without some risk.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Heus tu,
Non fit sine periclo facinus magnum et memorabile.

[¶13] CLITIPHO:
Look now; are you seeking to gain credit for yourself, at the hazard of my character, you rascal, in a point, where, if you only make the slightest slip, I am ruined? What would you be doing with her?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Hoc vide: in mea vita tu tibi laudem is quaesitum, scelus;
Ubi si paululum modo quid te fugerit, ego perierim.
Quid illo facias?

[¶14] SYRUS:
But still—

> Latin: SYRUS:
At enim.

[¶15] CLITIPHO:
Why “still?”

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quid enim?

[¶16] SYRUS:
If you’ll give me leave, I’ll tell you.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Si sinas, dicam.

[¶17] CLINIA:
Do give him leave.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Sine.

[¶18] CLITIPHO:
I give him leave then.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Sino.

[¶19] SYRUS:
This affair is now just as though when—

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ita res est haec nunc, quasi cum.—

[¶20] CLITIPHO:
Plague on it, what roundabout story is he beginning to tell me?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quas, malum, ambages mihi
Narrare occipit?

[¶21] CLINIA:
Syrus, he says what’s right—do omit digressions; come to the point.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Syre, verum hic dicit; mitte: ad rem redi.

[¶22] SYRUS:
Really I can not hold my tongue. Clitipho, you are every way unjust, and can not possibly be endured.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Enimvero reticere nequeo: multimodis iniurius,
Clitipho, es; neque ferri potis est.

[¶23] CLINIA:
Upon my faith, he ought to have a hearing. (To CLITIPHO.) Do be silent.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Audiendum hercle est: tace.

[¶24] SYRUS:
You wish to indulge in your amours; you wish to possess your mistress; you wish that to be procured wherewithal to make her presents; in getting this, you do not wish the risk to be your own. You are not wise to no purpose,—if indeed it is being wise to wish for that which can not happen.
Either the one must be had with the other, or the one must be let alone with the other. Now, of these two alternatives, consider which one you would prefer; although this project which I have formed, I know to be both a wise and a safe one. For there is an opportunity for your mistress to be with you at your father’s house, without fear of a discovery; besides, by these self-same means, I shall find the money which you have promised her—
to effect which, you have already made my ears deaf with entreating me. What would you have more?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Vis amare; vis potiri; vis quod des illi effici:
Tuum esse in potiendo periclum non vis: haud stulte sapis;
Siquidem id sapere est, velle te id quod non potest contingere:
Aut haec cum illis sunt habenda, aut illa cum his mittenda sunt.
Harum duarum conditionum nunc utram malis vide;
Etsi consilium quod cepi rectum esse et tutum scio:
Nam apud patrem tua amica tecum sine metu ut sit copia est.
Tum quod illi argentum es pollicitus eadem hac inveniam via;
Quod ut efficerem orando surdas iam aures reddideras mihi.
Quid aliud tibi vis?

[¶25] CLITIPHO:
If, indeed, this could be brought about—

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Siquidem hoc fit.

[¶26] SYRUS:
If, indeed? You shall know it by experience.

> Latin: SYRUS:
“Siquidem.” Experiundo scies.

[¶27] CLITIPHO:
Well, well, disclose this project of yours. What is it?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Age, age, cedo istuc tuum consilium: quid id est?

[¶28] SYRUS:
We will pretend that your mistress is his.
(pointing to CLINIA)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Adsimulabimus
Tuam amicam huius esse.

[¶29] CLITIPHO:
Very fine! Tell me, what is he to do with his own? Is she, too, to be called his, as if one was not a sufficient discredit?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Pulchre: cedo quid hic faciet sua?
An ea quoque dicetur huius, si una haec dedecori est parum?

[¶30] SYRUS:
No—she shall be taken to your mother.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Immo ad tuam matrem abducetur.

[¶31] CLITIPHO:
Why there?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quid eo?

[¶32] SYRUS:
It would be tedious, Clitipho, if I were to tell you why I do so; I have a good reason.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Longum est, Clitipho,
Si tibi narrem. Quamobrem id faciam vera causa est.

[¶33] CLITIPHO:
Stuff! I see no grounds sufficiently solid why it should be for my advantage to incur this risk.
(Turning as if going.)

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Fabulae!
Nihil satis firmi video quamobrem accipere hunc mihi expediat metum.

[¶34] SYRUS:
Stay; if there is this risk, I have another project, which you must both confess to be free from danger.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Mane. Habeo aliud, si istud metuis; quod ambo confiteamini
Sine periclo esse.

[¶35] CLITIPHO:
Find out something of that description, I beseech you.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Huiusmodi, obsecro, aliquid reperi.

[¶36] SYRUS:
By all means;
I’ll go meet her, and tell her to return home.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Maxime.
Ibo obviam hinc: dicam ut revertantur domum.

[¶37] CLITIPHO:
Ha! what was it you said?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Hem!
Quid dixti?

[¶38] SYRUS:
I’ll rid you at once of all fears, so that you may sleep at your ease upon either ear.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ademtum tibi iam faxo omnem metum,
In aurem utramvis otiose ut dormias.

[¶39] CLITIPHO:
What am I to do now?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quid ago nunc?

[¶40] CLINIA:
What are you to do? The goods that—

> Latin: CLINIA:
Tune? quod boni est—

[¶41] CLITIPHO:
Only tell me the truth, Syrus.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Syre, dic modo
Verum.

[¶42] SYRUS:
Dispatch quickly; you’ll be wishing just now too late and in vain.
(Going.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Age modo, hodie sero ac nequicquam voles.

[¶43] CLINIA:
The Gods provide, enjoy while yet you may; for you know not—

> Latin: CLINIA:
Datur: fruare dum licet, nam nescias—

[¶44] CLITIPHO: (calling.)
Syrus, I say!

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Syre, inquam.

[¶45] SYRUS: (moving on.)
Go on; I shall still do that which I said.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Perge porro; tamen istuc ago.
Eius sit potestas posthac an nunquam tibi.

[¶46] CLINIA:
Whether you may have another opportunity hereafter or ever again.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Verum hercle istuc est. Syre, Syre inquam, heus, heus, Syre.
SYRUS:
Concaluit: quid vis?

[¶47] CLITIPHO:
I’faith, that’s true. (Calling.) Syrus, Syrus, I say, harkye, harkye, Syrus!

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Redi, redi.

[¶48] SYRUS: (aside.)
He warms a little. (To CLITIPHO.) What is it you want?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Adsum: dic quid est?
Iam hoc quoque negabis tibi placere?

[¶49] CLITIPHO:
Come back, come back.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Immo, Syre,
Et me, et meum amorem, et famam permitto tibi.
Tu es iudex: ne quid accusandus sis vide.

[¶50] SYRUS: (coming back to him.)
Here I am; tell me what you would have. You’ll be presently saying that this, too, doesn’t please you.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ridiculum est te istuc me admonere, Clitipho;
Quasi istic minor mea res agatur quam tua.
Hic si quid nobis forte adversi evenerit,
Tibi erunt parata verba, huic homini verbera;
Quapropter haec res neutiquam neglectu est mihi.
Sed istunc exora ut suam esse assimulet.

[¶51] CLITIPHO:
Nay, Syrus, I commit myself, and my love, and my reputation entirely to you: you are the seducer; take care you don’t deserve any blame.
SYRUS:
It is ridiculous for you to give me that caution, Clitipho, as if my interest was less at stake in this affair than yours.
Here, if any ill luck should perchance befall us, words will be in readiness for you, but for this individual blows (pointing to himself). For that reason, this matter is by no means to be neglected on my part: but do prevail upon him (pointing to CLINIA) to pretend that she is his own mistress.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Scilicet
Facturum me esse: in eum iam res rediit locum
Ut sit necessus.

[¶52] CLINIA:
You may rest assured I’ll do so. The matter has now come to that pass, that it is a case of necessity.
CLITIPHO:’Tis with good reason that I love you, Clinia.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Amo te merito, Clinia.

[¶53] CLINIA:
But she mustn’t be tripping at all.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Verum illa ne quid titubet.

[¶54] SYRUS:
She is thoroughly tutored in her part.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Perdocta est probe.

[¶55] CLITIPHO:
But this I wonder at, how you could so easily prevail upon her, who is wont to treat such great peoplel with scorn.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
At hoc demiror, qui tam facile potueris
Persuadere illi quae solet quos spernere!

[¶56] SYRUS:
I came to her at the proper moment, which in all things is of the first importance:
for there I found a certain wretched captain soliciting her favors: she artfully managed the man, so as to inflame his eager passions by denial; and this, too, that it might be especially pleasing to yourself. But hark you, take care, will you, not to be imprudently impetuous.
You know your father, how quick-sighted he is in these matters; and I know you, how unable you are to command yourself. Keep clear of words of double meaning, your sidelong looks, sighing, hemming, coughing, tittering.

> Latin: SYRUS:
In tempore ad eam veni, quod rerum omnium est
Primum: nam quendam misere offendi militem
Eius noctem orantem: haec arte tractabat virum,
Ut illius animum cupidum inopia incenderet;
Eademque ut esset apud te hoc quam gratissimum.
Sed heus tu, vide sis ne quid imprudens ruas:
Patrem novisti ad has res quam sit perspicax:
Ego te autem novi quam esse soleas impotens:
Inversa verba, eversas cervices tuas,
Gemitus, screatus, tussis, risus abstine.

[¶57] CLITIPHO:
You shall have to commend me.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Laudabis.

[¶58] SYRUS:
Take care of that, please.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Vide sis.

[¶59] CLITIPHO:
You yourself shall be surprised at me.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Tutemet mirabere.

[¶60] SYRUS:
But how quickly the ladies have come up with us!

> Latin: SYRUS:
Sed quam cito sunt consecutae mulieres!

[¶61] CLITIPHO:
Where are they? (SYRUS stands before him.) Why do you hold me back?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Ubi sunt? cur retines?

[¶62] SYRUS:
For the present she is nothing to you.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Iam nunc haec non est tua.

[¶63] CLITIPHO:
I know it, before my father; but now in the mean time—

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Scio; apud patrem: at nunc interim.

[¶64] SYRUS:
Not a bit the more.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Nihilo magis.

[¶65] CLITIPHO:
Do let me.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Sine.

[¶66] SYRUS:
I will not let you, I tell you.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Non sinam, inquam.

[¶67] CLITIPHO:
But only for a moment, pray.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quaeso, paulisper.

[¶68] SYRUS:
I forbid it.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Veto.

[¶69] CLITIPHO:
Only to salute her.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Saltem salutare.

[¶70] SYRUS:
If you are wise, get you gone.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Abeas, si sapis.

[¶71] CLITIPHO:
I’m off.
But what’s he to do?
(Pointing at CLINIA.)

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Eo.
Quid istic?

[¶72] SYRUS:
He will stay here.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Manebit.

[¶73] CLITIPHO:
O happy man!

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
O hominem felicem!

[¶74] SYRUS:
Take yourself off.
(Exit CLITIPHO.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ambula.

[¶75] (Enter BACCHIS and ANTIPHILA at a distance.)
BACCHIS:
Upon my word, my dear Antiphila, I commend you, and think you fortunate in having made it your study that your manners should be conformable to those good looks of yours: and so may the Gods bless me, I do not at all wonder if every man is in love with you. For your discourse has been a proof to me what kind of disposition you possess.
And when now I reflect in my mind upon your way of life, and that of all of you, in fact, who keep the public at a distance from yourselves, it is not surprising both that you are of that disposition, and that we are not; for it is your interest to be virtuous; those, with whom we are acquainted, will not allow us to be so. For our lovers, allured merely by our beauty, court us for that;
when that has faded, they transfer their affections elsewhere; and unless we have made provision in the mean time for the future, we live in destitution. Now with you, when you have once resolved to pass your life with one man whose manners are especially kindred to your own, those persons become attached to you. By this kindly feeling, you are truly devoted to each other;
and no calamity can ever possibly interrupt your love.

> Latin: (BACCHIS.
ANTIPHILA.
CLINIA. SYRUS.)
BACCHIS:
Edepol te, mea Antiphila, laudo et fortunatam iudico,
Id quum studuisti, isti formae ut mores consimiles forent:
Minimeque, ita me Di ament, miror, si te sibi quisque expetit.
Nam mihi quale ingenium haberes fuit indicio oratio.
Et quum egomet nunc mecum in animo vitam tuam considero,
Omniumque adeo vestrarum vulgus quae abs se segregant;
Et vos esse istiusmodi, et nos non esse, haud mirabile est.
Nam expedit bonas esse vobis: nos quibuscum est res non sinunt.
Quippe forma impulsi nostra nos amatores colunt:
Haec ubi immutata est, illi suum animum alio conferunt.
Nisi si prospectum interea aliquid est, desertae vivimus.
Vobis cum uno semel ubi aetatem agere decretum est viro,
Cuius mos maxime est consimilis vostrum, hi se ad vos applicant.
Hoc beneficio utrique ab utrisque vero devincimini,
Ut numquam ulla amori vestro incidere possit calamitas.

[¶76] ANTIPHILA:
I know nothing about other women: I’m sure that I have, indeed, always used every endeavor to derive my own happiness from his happiness.

> Latin: ANTIPHILA:
Nescio alias: me quidem semper scio fecisse sedulo
Ut ex illius commodo meum compararem commodum.

[¶77] CLINIA: (apart, overhearing ANTIPHILA.)
Ah!’tis for that reason, my Antiphila, that you alone have now caused me to return to my native country; for while I was absent from you, all other hardships which I encountered were light to me,
save the being deprived of you.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Ah!
Ergo, mea Antiphila, tu nunc sola reducem me in patriam facis:
Nam, dum abs te absum, omnes mihi labores fuere quos cepi leves
Praeterquam tui carendum quod erat.

[¶78] SYRUS: (apart.)
I believe it.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Credo.

[¶79] CLINIA: (apart.)
Syrus, I can scarce endure it! Wretch that I am, that I should not be allowed to possess one of such a disposition at my own discretion!

> Latin: CLINIA:
Syre, vix suffero.
Hocine me miserum non licere meo modo ingenium frui?

[¶80] SYRUS:
Nay, so far as I understand your father, he will for a long time yet be giving you a hard task.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Immo, ut patrem tuum vidi esse habitum, diu etiam duras dabit.

[¶81] BACCHIS:
Why, who is that young man that’s looking at us?

> Latin: BACCHIS:
Quisnam hic adolescens est qui intuitur nos?

[¶82] ANTIPHILA: (seeing CLINIA.)
Ah! do support me, I entreat you!

> Latin: ANTIPHILA:
Ah, retine me, obsecro.

[¶83] BACCHIS:
Prithee, what is the matter with you?

> Latin: BACCHIS:
Amabo, quid tibi est?

[¶84] ANTIPHILA:
I shall die, alas! I shall die!

> Latin: ANTIPHILA:
Disperii, perii misera.

[¶85] BACCHIS:
Why are you thus surprised, Antiphila?

> Latin: BACCHIS:
Quid stupes,
Antiphila?

[¶86] ANTIPHILA:
Is it Clinia that I see, or not?

> Latin: ANTIPHILA:
Videon Cliniam an non?

[¶87] BACCHIS:
Whom do you see?

> Latin: BACCHIS:
Quem vides?

[¶88] CLINIA: (running to embrace ANTIPHILA.)
Blessings on you, my life!

> Latin: CLINIA:
Salve, anime mi.

[¶89] ANTIPHILA:
Oh my long-wished for Clinia, blessings on you!

> Latin: ANTIPHILA:
O mi exspectate, salve.

[¶90] CLINIA:
How fare you, my love?

> Latin: CLINIA:
Ut vales?

[¶91] ANTIPHILA:
I’m overjoyed that you have returned safe.

> Latin: ANTIPHILA:
Salvum advenisse gaudeo.

[¶92] CLINIA:
And do I embrace you, Antiphila, so passionately longed for by my soul?

> Latin: CLINIA:
Teneone te,
Antiphila, maxime animo exoptata meo?

[¶93] SYRUS:
Go in-doors; for the old gentleman has been waiting for us some time.
(They go into the house of CHREMES.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ite intro: nam vos iamdudum exspectat senex.

[¶94] (Enter CHREMES from his house.)
CHREMES: (to himself.)
It is now daybreak. Why do I delay to knock at my neighbor’s door, that he may learn from me the first that his son has returned? Although I am aware that the youth would not prefer this. But when I see him tormenting himself so miserably about his absence, can I conceal a joy so unhoped for,
especially when there can be no danger to him from the discovery? I will not do so; but as far as I can I will assist the old man. As I see my son aiding his friend and year’s-mate, and acting as his confidant in his concerns, it is but right that we old men as well should assist each other.
(Enter MENEDEMUS from his house.)

> Latin: (CHREMES. MENEDEMUS.)
CHREMES:
Luciscit hoc iam: cesso pultare ostium
Vicini, primum ex me ut sciat sibi filium
Redisse? etsi adolescentem hoc nolle intelligo.
Verum quum videam miserum hunc tam excruciarier
Eius abitu, celem tam insperatum gaudium,
Cum illi pericli nihil ex indicio siet?
Haud faciam: nam, quod potero, adiutabo senem;
Ita ut filium meum amico atque aequali suo
Video inservire, et socium esse in negotiis;
Nos quoque senes est aequum senibus obsequi.

[¶95] MENEDEMUS: (to himself)
Assuredly I was either born with a disposition peculiarly suited for misery, or else that saying which I hear commonly repeated, that “time assuages human sorrow,” is false. For really my sorrow about my son increases daily; and the longer
he is away from me, the more anxiously do I wish for him, and the more I miss him.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Aut ego profecto ingenio egregie ad miserias
Natus sum: aut illud falsum est, quod vulgo audio
Dici, diem adimere aegritudinem hominibus:
Nam mihi quidem quotidie augescit magis
De filio aegritudo; et quanto diutius
Abest, magis cupio tanto et magis desidero.

[¶96] CHREMES: (apart.)
But I see him coming out of his house; I’ll go speak to him. (Aloud.) Menedemus, good-morrow; I bring you news, which you would especially desire to be imparted.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Sed ipsum foras egressum video: ibo, alloquar.
Menedeme, salve: nuntium apporto tibi,
Cuius maxime te fieri participem cupis.

[¶97] MENEDEMUS:
Pray, have you heard any thing about my son, Chremes?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Numquidnam de gnato meo audisti, Chreme?

[¶98] CHREMES:
He’s alive, and well.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Valet atque vivit.

[¶99] MENEDEMUS:
Why, where is he, pray?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Ubinam est, quaeso?

[¶100] CHREMES:
Here, at my house, at home.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Apud me domi.

[¶101] MENEDEMUS:
My son?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Meus gnatus?

[¶102] CHREMES:
Such is the fact.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Sic est.

[¶103] MENEDEMUS:
Come home?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Venit?

[¶104] CHREMES:
Certainly.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Certe.

[¶105] MENEDEMUS:
My son, Clinia, come home?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Clinia
Meus venit?

[¶106] CHREMES:
I say so.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Dixi.

[¶107] MENEDEMUS:
Let us go. Lead me to him, I beg of you.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Eamus: duc me ad eum, obsecro.

[¶108] CHREMES:
He does not wish you yet to know of his return, and he shuns your presence; he’s afraid that,
on account of that fault, your former severity may even be increased.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Non vult te scire se redisse etiam, et tuum
Conspectum fugitat, propter peccatum; tum hoc timet,
Ne tua duritia antiqua illa etiam adaucta sit.

[¶109] MENEDEMUS:
Did you not tell him how I was affected?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Non tu ei dixisti ut essem?

[¶110] CHREMES:
No—

> Latin: CHREMES:
Non.

[¶111] MENEDEMUS:
For what reason, Chremes?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Quamobrem, Chreme?

[¶112] CHREMES:
Because there you would judge extremely ill both for yourself and for him, if you were to show yourself of a spirit so weak and irresolute.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quia pessime istoc in te atque in illum consulis,
Si te tam leni et victo animo esse ostenderis.

[¶113] MENEDEMUS:
I can not help it: enough already, enough, have I proved a rigorous father.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Non possum: satis iam satis pater durus fui.

[¶114] CHREMES:
Ah
Menedemus! you are too precipitate in either extreme, either with profuseness or with parsimony too great. Into the same error will you fall from the one side as from the other. In the first place, formerly, rather than allow your son to visit a young woman, who was
then content with a very little, and to whom any thing was acceptable, you frightened him away from here. After that, she began, quite against her inclination, to seek a subsistence upon the town. Now, when she can not be supported without a great expense, you are ready to give any thing. For, that you may know
how perfectly she is trained to extravagance, in the first place, she has already brought with her more than ten female attendants, all laden with clothes and jewels of gold; if a satrap had been her admirer, he never could support her expenses, much less can you.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ah!
Vehemens in utramque partem, Menedeme, es nimis,
Aut largitate nimia, aut parsimonia.
In eandem fraudem ex hac re atque ex illa incides.
Primum; olim potius quam paterere filium
Commetare ad mulierculam, quae paululo
Tum erat contenta, cuique erant grata omnia,
Proterruisti hinc: ea coacta ingratiis
Postilla coepit victum vulgo quaerere.
Nunc cum sine magno intertrimento non potest
Haberi, quidvis dare cupis: nam ut tu scias
Quam ea nunc instructa pulchre ad perniciem siet,
Primum, iam ancillas secum adduxit plus decem,
Oneratas veste atque auro. Satrapes si siet
Amator, nunquam sufferre eius sumtus queat;
Nedum tu possis.

[¶115] MENEDEMUS:
Is she at your house?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Estne ea intus?

[¶116] CHREMES:
Is she, do you ask?
I have felt it; for I have given her and her retinue one dinner; had I to give them another such, it would be all over with me; for, to pass by other matters, what a quantity of wine she did consume for me in tasting only, saying thus, “This wine is too acid, respected sir, do please look for something more mellow.”
I opened all the casks, all the vessels; she kept all on the stir: and this but a single night. What do you suppose will become of you when they are constantly preying upon you? So may the Gods prosper me, Menedemus, I do pity your lot.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Sit rogas?
Sensi: namque ei unam coenam atque eius comitibus
Dedi; quod si iterum mihi sit danda, actum siet.
Nam ut alia omittam, pytissando modo mihi
Quid vini absumsit! “Sic hoc,” dicens; “Asperum,”
“Pater, hoc est; aliud lenius sodes vide.”
Relevi dolia omnia, omnes serias;
Omnes sollicitos habui: atque haec una nox.
Quid te futurum censes quem assidue exedent?
Sic me Di amabunt, ut me tuarum miseritum est,
Menedeme, fortunarum.

[¶117] MENEDEMUS:
Let him do what he will;
let him take, waste, and squander; I’m determined to endure it, so long as I only have him with me.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Faciat quod libet:
Sumat, consumat, perdat, decretum est pati,
Dum illum modo habeam mecum.

[¶118] CHREMES:
If it is your determination thus to act, I hold it to be of very great foment that he should not be aware that with a full knowledge you grant him this.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Si certum est tibi
Sic facere, illud permagni referre arbitror,
Ut ne cientem sentiat te id sibi dare.

[¶119] MENEDEMUS:
What shall I do?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Quid faciam?

[¶120] CHREMES:
Any thing, rather than what you are thinking of;
supply him with money through some other person; suffer yourself to be imposed upon by the artifices of his servant: although I have smelt out this too, that they are about that, and are secretly planning it among them. Syrus is always whispering with that servant of yours; they impart their plans to the young men; and it were better for you to lose
a talent this way, than a mina the other. The money is not the question now, but this—in what way we can supply it to the young man with the least danger. For if he once knows the state of your feelings, that you would sooner part with your life, and sooner
with all your money, than allow your son to leave you; whew! what an inlet will you be opening for his debauchery! aye, and so much so, that henceforth to live can not be desirable to you. For we all become worse through indulgence. Whatever comes into his head, he’ll be wishing for; nor
will he reflect whether that which he desires is right or wrong. You will not be able to endure your estate and him going to ruin. You will refuse to supply him: he will immediately have recourse to the means by which he finds that he has the greatest hold upon you, and threaten that he will immediately leave you.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quidvis potius quam quod cogitas:
Per alium quemvis ut des; falli te sinas
Technis per servulum; etsi subsensi id quoque,
Illos ibi esse et id agere inter se clanculum.
Syrus cum illo vestro consusurrat; conferunt
Consilia ad adolescentes: et tibi perdere
Talentum hoc pacto satius est quam illo minam.
Non nunc pecunia agitur; sed illud, quomodo
Minimo periclo id demus adolescentulo.
Nam si semel tuum animum ille intellexerit,
Prius proditurum te tuam vitam, et prius
Pecuniam omnem, quam abs te amittas filium; hui,
Quantam fenestram ad nequitiam patefeceris!
Tibi autem porro ut non sit suave vivere:
Nam deteriores omnes sumus licentia.
Quodcunque inciderit in mentem volet: neque id
Putabit, pravum siet an rectum quod petet.
Tu rem perire et ipsum non poteris pati.
Dare denegaris; ibit ad illud ilico,
Quo maxime apud te se valere sentiet:
Abiturum se abs te esse ilico minabitur.

[¶121] MENEDEMUS:
You seem to speak the truth, and just what is the fact.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Videre verum, atque ita uti res est, dicere.

[¶122] CHREMES:
I’faith, I have not been sensible of sleep this night with my eyes, for thinking of this—how to restore your son to you.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Somnum hercle ego hac nocte oculis non vidi meis,
Dum id quaero tibi qui filium restituerem.

[¶123] MENEDEMUS: (taking his hand.)
Give me your right hand. I request that you will still act in a like manner, Chremes.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Cedo dextram: porro te idem oro ut facias, Chreme.

[¶124] CHREMES:
I am ready to serve you.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Paratus sum.

[¶125] MENEDEMUS:
Do you know what it is I now want you to do?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Scin quid nunc facere te volo?

[¶126] CHREMES:
Tell me.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Dic.

[¶127] MENEDEMUS:
As you have perceived that they are laying a plan to deceive me, that they may hasten to complete it. I long to give him whatever he wants: I am now longing to behold him.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Quod sensisti illos me incipere fallere.
Id ut maturent facere: cupio illi dare
Quod vult: cupio iam videre.

[¶128] CHREMES:
I’ll lend my endeavors. This little business is in my way. Our neighbors Simus and Crito are disputing here about boundaries;
they have chosen me for arbitrator. I’ll go and tell them that I can not possibly give them my attention to-day as I had stated I would. I’ll be here immediately.
(Exit.)

> Latin: CHREMES:
Operam dabo.
Paulum negoti mihi obstat: Simus et Crito
Vicini nostri hic ambigunt de finibus:
Me cepere arbitrum: ibo ac dicam, ut dixeram
Operam daturum me, hodie non posse his dare.
Continuo hic adero.

[¶129] MENEDEMUS:
Pray do. (To himself.) Ye Gods, by our trust in you! That the nature of all men should be so constituted, that they can see and judge of other men’s affairs better
than their own! Is it because in our own concerns we are biased either with joy or grief in too great a degree? How much wiser now is he for me, than I have been for myself!
(Re-enter CHREMES.)

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Ita quaeso. Di vestram fidem!
Ita comparatam esse hominum naturam omnium,
Aliena ut melius videant et diiudicent
Quam sua? an eo fit quia in re nostra aut gaudio
Sumus praepediti nimio aut aegritudine?
Hic mihi quanto nunc plus sapit quam egomet mihi!

[¶130] CHREMES:
I have disengaged myself, that I might lend you my services at my leisure. Syrus must be found and instructed by me in this business.
Some one, I know not who, is coming out of my house: do you step hence home, that they may not perceive that we are conferring together.
(MENEDEMUS goes into his house.)

> Latin: CHREMES:
Dissolvi me otiosus operam ut tibi darem.
Syrus est prehendendus, atque adhortandus mihi.
A me nescio quis exit: concede hinc domum,
Ne nos inter nos congruere sentiant.

[¶131] (Enter SYRUS from the house of CHREMES.)
SYRUS: (aloud to himself.)
Run to and fro in every direction; still, money, you must be found: a trap must be laid for the old man.

> Latin: (SYRUS. CHREMES.)
SYRUS:
Hac illac circumcursa: inveniendum est tamen
Argentum: intendenda in senem est fallacia.

[¶132] CHREMES: (apart, overhearing him.)
Was I deceived in saying that they were planning this?
That servant of Clinia’s is somewhat dull; therefore that province has been assigned to this one of ours.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Num me fefellit hosce id struere? Videlicet
[Quia] Cliniae ille servus tardiusculus est,
Idcirco huic nostro tradita est provincia.

[¶133] SYRUS: (in a low voice.)
Who’s that speaking? (Catches sight of CGREMES.) I’m undone! Did he hear it, I wonder?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quis hic loquitur? Perii. Numnam haec audivit?

[¶134] CHREMES:
Syrus.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Syre.

[¶135] SYRUS:
Well—

> Latin: SYRUS:
Hem.

[¶136] CHREMES:
What are you doing here?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid tu istic?

[¶137] SYRUS:
All right. Really, I am quite surprised at you, Chremes, up so early, after drinking so much yesterday.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Recte equidem: sed te miror, Chreme,
Tam mane qui heri tantum biberis.

[¶138] CHREMES:
Not too much.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Nihil nimis.

[¶139] SYRUS:
Not too much, say you? Really, you’ve seen the old age of an eagle, as the saying is.

> Latin: SYRUS:
“Nihil” narras? visa vero est, quod dici solet,
Aquilae senectus.

[¶140] CHREMES:
Pooh, pooh!

> Latin: CHREMES:
Heia.

[¶141] SYRUS:
A pleasant and agreeable woman this Courtesan.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Mulier commoda et
Faceta haec meretrix.

[¶142] CHREMES:
Why, so she seemed to me, in fact.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Sane, idem visa est mihi.

[¶143] SYRUS:
And really of handsome appearance.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Et quidem hercle forma luculenta.

[¶144] CHREMES:
Well enough.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Sic satis.

[¶145] SYRUS:
Not like those of former days, but as times are now, very passable:
nor do I in the least wonder that Clinia doats upon her. But he has a father—a certain covetous, miserable, and niggardly person—this neighbor of ours (pointing to the house). Do you know him? Yet, as if he was not abounding in wealth, his son ran away through want. Are you aware that it is the fact, as I am saying?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ita non ut olim; sed uti nunc, sane bona:
Minimeque miror Clinia hanc si deperit.
Sed habet patrem quendam avidum, miserum, atque aridum,
Vicinum hunc: nostine? At quasi is non divitiis
Abundet, gnatus eius profugit inopia.
Scis esse factum ut dico?

[¶146] CHREMES:
How should I not be aware?
A fellow that deserves the mill.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid ego nesciam?
Hominem pistrino dignum.

[¶147] SYRUS:
Who?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quem?

[¶148] CHREMES:
That servant of the young gentleman, I mean.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Istunc servulum
Dico adolescentis.

[¶149] SYRUS: (aside.)
Syrus! I was sadly afraid for you.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Syre, tibi timui male.

[¶150] CHREMES:
To suffer it to come to this!

> Latin: CHREMES:
Qui passus est id fieri.

[¶151] SYRUS:
What was he to do?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quid faceret?

[¶152] CHREMES:
Do you ask the question? He ought to have found some expedient, contrived some stratagem, by means of which there might have been something for the young man to give to his mistress,
and thus have saved this crabbed old fellow in spite of himself.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Rogas?
Aliquid reperiret, fingeret fallacias,
Unde esset adolescenti amicae quod daret;
Atque hunc difficilem invitum servaret senem.

[¶153] SYRUS:
You are surely joking.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Garris.

[¶154] CHREMES:
This ought to have been done by him, Syrus.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Haec facta ab illo oportebat, Syre.

[¶155] SYRUS:
How now—pray, do you commend servants, who deceive their masters?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Eho quaeso, laudas qui heros fallunt?

[¶156] CHREMES:
Upon occasion—I certainly do commend them.

> Latin: CHREMES:
In loco
Ego vero laudo.

[¶157] SYRUS:
Quite right.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Recte sane.

[¶158] CHREMES:
Inasmuch as it often is the remedy for great disturbances.
Then would this man’s only son have staid at home.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quippe quia
Magnarum saepe id remedium aegritudinum est.
Huic iam mansisset unicus gnatus domi.

[¶159] SYRUS: (aside.)
Whether he says this in jest or in earnest, I don’t know; only, in fact, that he gives me additional zest for longing still more to trick him.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Iocone an serio illaec dicat, nescio;
Nisi mihi quidem addit animum, quo lubeat magis.

[¶160] CHREMES:
And what is he now waiting for, Syrus? Is it until his father drives him away from here a second time, when he can no longer support her expenses?
Has he no plot on foot against the old gentleman?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Et nunc quid exspectat, Syre? an dum hinc denuo
Abeat, cum tolerare huius sumtus non queat?
Nonne ad senem aliquam fabricam fingit?

[¶161] SYRUS:
He is a stupid fellow.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Stolidus est.

[¶162] CHREMES:
Then you ought to assist him—for the sake of the young man.

> Latin: CHREMES:
At te adiutare oportet adolescentuli
Causa.

[¶163] SYRUS:
For my part, I can do so easily, if you command me; for I know well in what fashion it is usually done.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Facile equidem facere possum, si iubes:
Etenim quo pacto id fieri soleat calleo.

[¶164] CHREMES:
So much the better, i’ faith.
SYRUS:’Tis not my way to tell an untruth.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Tanto hercle melior.
SYRUS:
Non est mentiri meum.

[¶165] CHREMES:
Do it then.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Fac ergo.

[¶166] SYRUS:
But hark you! Just take care and remember this, in case any thing of this sort should perchance happen at a future time, such are human affairs!—your son might do the same.

> Latin: SYRUS:
At heus tu, facitodum eadem haec memineris,
Si quid huius simile forte aliquando evenerit,
Ut sunt humana, tuus ut faciat filius.

[¶167] CHREMES:
The necessity will not arise, I trust.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Non usus veniet, spero.

[¶168] SYRUS:
I’ faith, and I trust so too: nor do I say so now, because I have suspected him in any way;
but in case, none the more —You see what his age is; (aside) and truly, Chremes, if an occasion does happen, I may be able to handle you right handsomely.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Spero hercle ego quoque.
Neque eo nunc dico, quo quicquam illum senserim:
Sed si quid, ne quid. Quae sit eius aetas vides.
Et nae ego te, si usus veniat, magnifice, Chreme,
Tractare possim.

[¶169] CHREMES:
As to that, we’ll consider what is requisite when the occasion does happen. At present do you set about this matter.
(Goes into his house.)

> Latin: CHREMES:
De istoc, quum usus venerit,
Videbimus quid opus sit: nunc istuc age.

[¶170] SYRUS: (to himself.)
Never on any occasion did I hear my master talk more to the purpose;
nor at any time could I believe that I was authorized to play the rogue with greater impunity. I wonder who it is coming out of our house?
(Stands aside.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Nunquam commodius unquam herum audivi loqui,
Nec quum male facerem crederem mihi impunius
Licere. Quisnam a nobis egreditur foras?

[¶171] (Enter CHREMES and CLITIPHO from the house of the former.)
CHREMES:
Pray, what does this mean? What behavior is this, Clitipho? Is this acting as becomes you?

> Latin: (CHREMES.
CLITIPHO. SYRUS.)
CHREMES:
Quid istuc, quaeso? qui istic mos est, Clitipho? itane fieri oportet?

[¶172] CLITIPHO:
What have I done?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quid ego feci?

[¶173] CHREMES:
Did I not see you just now putting your hand into this Courtesan’s bosom?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Vidine ego te modo manum in sinum huic meretrici
Inserere?

[¶174] SYRUS: (apart.)
It’s all up with us—I’m utterly undone!

> Latin: SYRUS:
Acta haec res est: perii.

[¶175] CLITIPHO:
What, I?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Mene?

[¶176] CHREMES:
With these self-same eyes I saw it—don’t deny it.
Besides, you wrong him unworthily in not keeping your hands off: for indeed it is a gross affront to entertain a person, your friend, at your house, and to take liberties with his mistress. Yesterday, for instance, at wine, how rude you were—

> Latin: CHREMES:
Hisce oculis; ne nega.
Facis adeo indigne iniuriam illi, qui non abstineas manum:
Nam istaec quidem contumelia est,
Hominem amicum recipere ad te, atque eius amicam subagitare.
Vel heri in vino quam immodestus fuisti!

[¶177] SYRUS: (apart.)
’Tis the truth

> Latin: SYRUS:
Factum.

[¶178] CHREMES:
How annoying you were! So much so, that for my part, as the Gods may prosper me, I dreaded what in the end might be the consequence.
I understand lovers. They resent highly things that you would not imagine.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quam molestus!
Ut equidem, ita me Di ament, metui quid futurum denique esset.
Novi ego amantium animum: advertunt graviter quae non censeas.

[¶179] CLITIPHO:
But he has full confidence in me, father, that I would not do any thing of that kind.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
At mihi fides apud hunc est nihil me istius facturum, pater.

[¶180] CHREMES:
Be it so; still, at least, you ought to go somewhere for a little time away from their presence. Passion prompts to many a thing; your presence acts as a restraint upon doing them. I form a judgment from myself. There’s not one of my friends this day
to whom I would venture, Clitipho, to disclose all my secrets. With one, his station forbids it; with another, I am ashamed of the action itself, lest I may appear a fool or devoid of shame; do you rest assured that he does the same. But it is our part to be sensible of this; and, when and where it is requisite, to show due complaisance.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Esto: at certe concedas hinc aliquo ab ore eorum aliquantisper.
Multa fert libido: ea prohibet facere tua praesentia.
Ego de me facio coniecturam: nemo est meorum amicorum hodie
Apud quem expromere omnia mea occulta, Clitipho, audeam;
Apud alium prohibet dignitas, apud alium ipsius facti pudet,
Ne ineptus, ne protervus videar; quod illum facere credito.
Sed nostrum est intelligere, utcumque atque ubicumque opus sit obsequi.

[¶181] SYRUS: (coming forward and whispering to CLITIPHO.)
What is it he is saying?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quid istic narrat?

[¶182] CLITIPHO: (aside, to SYRUS.)
I’m utterly undone!

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Perii.

[¶183] SYRUS:
Clitipho, these same injunctions I gave you.
You have acted the part of a prudent and discreet person.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Clitipho, haec ego praecipio tibi?
Hominis frugi et temperantis functus es officium?

[¶184] CLITIPHO:
Hold your tongue, I beg.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Tace sodes.

[¶185] SYRUS:
Very good.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Recte sane.

[¶186] CHREMES: (approaching them.)
Syrus, I am ashamed of him.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Syre, pudet me.

[¶187] SYRUS:
I believe it; and not without reason. Why, he vexes myself even.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Credo; neque id iniuria.
Quin mihi molestum est.

[¶188] CLITIPHO: (to SYRUS.)
Do you persist, then?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Pergis hercle?

[¶189] SYRUS:
I’ faith, I’m saying the truth, as it appears to me.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Verum dico quod videtur.

[¶190] CLITIPHO:
May I not go near them?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Non accedam ad illos?

[¶191] CHREMES:
How now—pray, is there but one way of going near them?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Eho quaeso, una accedendi via est?

[¶192] SYRUS: (aside.)
Confusion! He’ll be betraying himself before I’ve got the money.
(Aloud.) Chremes, will you give attention to me, who am but a silly person?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Actum est: hic prius se indicarit quam ego argentum effecero.
Chreme, vin tu homini stulto mihi auscultare?

[¶193] CHREMES:
What am I to do?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid faciam?

[¶194] SYRUS:
Bid him go somewhere out of the way.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Iube hunc
Abire hinc aliquo.

[¶195] CLITIPHO:
Where am I to go?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quo hinc abeam ego?

[¶196] SYRUS:
Where you please; leave the place to them; be off and take a walk.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quo? quo libet: da illis locum.
Abi deambulatum.

[¶197] CLITIPHO:
Take a walk! where?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Deambulatum quo?

[¶198] SYRUS:
Pshaw! Just as if there was no place to walk in. Why, then, go this way, that way, where you will.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Vah! quasi desit locus.
Abi sane istac, istorsum, quo vis.

[¶199] CHREMES:
He says right, I’m of his opinion.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Recte dicit: censeo.

[¶200] CLITIPHO:
May the Gods extirpate you, Syrus, for thrusting me away from here.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Di te eradicent, Syre, qui me hinc extrudis.

[¶201] SYRUS: (aside to CLITIPHO.)
Then
do you for the future keep those hands of yours within bounds. (Exit CLITIPHO.) Really now (to CHREMES), what do you think? What do you imagine will become of him next, unless, so far as the Gods afford you the means, you watch him, correct and admonish him?

> Latin: SYRUS:
At
Tu pol tibi istas posthac comprimito manus.
Censen vero? quid illum porro credis facturum, Chreme,
Nisi eum, quantum tibi opis Di dant, servas, castigas, mones?

[¶202] CHREMES:
I’ll take care of that.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ego istuc curabo.

[¶203] SYRUS:
But now, master, he must be looked after by you.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Atqui nunc, here, hic tibi asservandus est.

[¶204] CHREMES:
It shall be done.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Fiet.

[¶205] SYRUS:
If you are wise,—for now he minds me less and less every day.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Si sapias: nam mihi iam minus minusque obtemperat.

[¶206] CHREMES:
What say you? What have you done, Syrus, about that matter which I was mentioning to you a short time since? Have you any plan that suits you, or not yet even?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid tu? ecquid de illo quod dudum tecum egi egisti, Syre? aut
Repperisti, tibi quod placeat? an nondum etiam?

[¶207] SYRUS:
You mean the design upon Menedemus? I have; I have just hit upon one.

> Latin: SYRUS:
De fallacia
Dicis? st! inveni nuper quandam.

[¶208] CHREMES:
You are a clever fellow; what is it? Tell me.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Frugi es: cedo, quid est?

[¶209] SYRUS:
I’ll tell you; but, as one matter arises out of another—

> Latin: SYRUS:
Dicam: verum, ut aliud ex alio incidit.

[¶210] CHREMES:
Why, what. is it, Syrus?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quidnam, Syre?

[¶211] SYRUS:
This Courtesan is a very bad woman.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Pessima haec est meretrix.

[¶212] CHREMES:
So she seems.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ita videtur.

[¶213] SYRUS:
Aye, if you did but know.
O shocking! just see what she is hatching. There was a certain old woman here from Corinth,—this Bacchis lent her a thousand silver drachmae.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Immo si scias.
Vah, vide, quod inceptet facinus. Fuit quaedam anus Corinthia
Hic: huic drachmarum argenti haec mille dederat mutuum.

[¶214] CHREMES:
What then?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid tum?

[¶215] SYRUS:
She is now dead: she has left a daughter, a young girl. She has been left with this Bacchis as a pledge for that sum.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ea mortua est: reliquit filiam adolescentulam.
Ea relicta huic arrhaboni est pro illo argento.

[¶216] CHREMES:
I understand you.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Intelligo.

[¶217] SYRUS:
She has brought her hither along with her, her I mean who is now with your wife.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Hanc secum huc adduxit, ea quae est nunc apud uxorem tuam.

[¶218] CHREMES:
What then?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid tum?

[¶219] SYRUS:
She is soliciting Clinia at once to advance her this money; she says, however, that this girl is to be a security, that, at a future time, she will repay the thousand pieces of money.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Cliniam orat sibi uti id nunc det; illam illi tamen
Post daturam. Mille nummum poscit.

[¶220] CHREMES:
And would she really be a security?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Et poscit quidem?

[¶221] SYRUS:
Dear me, is it to be doubted?
I think so.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Hui,
Dubium id est?

[¶222] CHREMES:
What then do you intend doing?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ego sic putavi: quid nunc facere cogitas?

[¶223] SYRUS:
What, I? I shall go to Menedemus; I’ll tell him she is a captive from Caria, rich, and of noble family; if he redeems her, there will be a considerable profit in this transaction.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Egone? ad Menedemum ibo: dicam hanc esse captam ex Caria
Ditem et nobilem; si redimat, magnum inesse in ea lucrum.

[¶224] CHREMES:
You are in an error.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Erras.

[¶225] SYRUS:
Why so?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quid ita?

[¶226] CHREMES:
I’ll now answer you for Menedemus—I will not purchase her.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Pro Menedemo nunc tibi ego respondeo:
Non emo: quid ais?

[¶227] SYRUS:
What is it you say? Do speak more agreeably to our wishes.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Optata loquere.

[¶228] CHREMES:
But there is no occasion.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Atqui non est opus.

[¶229] SYRUS:
No occasion?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Non opus est?

[¶230] CHREMES:
Certainly not, i’ faith.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Non hercle vero.

[¶231] SYRUS:
How so, I wonder?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quid istuc? miror.

[¶232] CHREMES:
You shall soon know.
SYRUS:
Stop, stop; what is the reason that there is such a great noise at our door?
(They retire out of sight.)

> Latin: CHREMES:
Iam scies.
Mane, mane: quid est quod tam a nobis graviter crepuerunt fores?

[¶233] (Enter SOSTRATA and a NURSE in haste from the house of CHREMES, and CHREMES and SYRUS on the other side of the stage unperceived.)
SOSTRATA: (holding up a ring and examining it.)
Unless my fancy deceives me, surely this is the ring which I suspect it to be, the same with which my daughter was exposed.

> Latin: (SOSTRATA.
CHREMES. NUTRIX. SYRUS.)
SOSTRATA:
Nisi me animus fallit, hic profecto est annulus quem ego suspicor
Is quicum exposita est gnata.

[¶234] CHREMES: (apart.)
Syrus, what is the meaning of these expressions?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid volt sibi, Syre, haec oratio?

[¶235] SOSTRATA:
Nurse, how is it? Does it not seem to you the same?
NURSE:
As for me, I said it was the same the very instant that you showed it me.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Quid est? isne tibi videtur?
NUTRIX:
Dixi equidem ubi mihi ostendisti ilico
Eum esse.

[¶236] SOSTRATA:
But have you now examined it thoroughly, my dear nurse?
NURSE:
Thoroughly.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
At ut satis contemplata modo sis, mea nutrix.
NUTRIX:
Satis.

[¶237] SOSTRATA:
Then go in-doors at once, and if she has now done bathing, bring me word. I’ll wait here in the mean time for my husband.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Abi iam nunc intro, atque illa si iam laverit mihi nuntia:
Hic ego virum interea opperibor.

[¶238] SYRUS: (apart.)
She wants you, see what it is she wants;
she is in a serious mood, I don’t know why; it is not without a cause—I fear what it may be.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Te vult: videas, quid velit.
Nescio quid tristis est: non temere est: metuo quid sit.

[¶239] CHREMES:
What it may be? I’ faith, she’ll now surely be announcing some important trifle, with a great parade.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid siet?
Nae, ista hercle magno iam conatu magnas nugas dixerit.

[¶240] SOSTRATA: (turning round.)
Ha! my husband!

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Ehem mi vir.

[¶241] CHREMES:
Ha! my wife!

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ehem mea uxor.

[¶242] SOSTRATA:
I was looking for you.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Te ipsum quaero.

[¶243] CHREMES:
Tell me what you want.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Loquere quid velis.

[¶244] SOSTRATA:
In the first place, this I beg of you, not to believe that I have ventured to do any thing contrary to your commands.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Primum hoc te oro ne quid credas me adversum edictum tuum
Facere esse ausam.

[¶245] CHREMES:
Would you have me believe you in this, although so incredible? Well, I will believe you.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Vin me istuc tibi, etsi incredibile est, credere?
Credo.

[¶246] SYRUS: (aside.)
This excuse portends I know not what offense.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Nescio quid peccati portet haec purgatio.

[¶247] SOSTRATA:
Do you remember me being pregnant, and yourself declaring to me, most peremptorily, that if I should bring forth a girl, you would not have it brought up.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Meministin me esse gravidam, et mihi te maximopere dicere,
Si puellam parerem nolle tolli?

[¶248] CHREMES:
I know what you have done, you have brought it up.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Scio quid feceris:
Sustulisti.

[¶249] SYRUS: (aside.)
Such is the fact, I’m sure: my young master has gained a loss in consequence.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Sic est factum, domina, ergo herus damno auctus est.

[¶250] SOSTRATA:
Not at all; but there was here an elderly woman of Corinth, of no indifferent character; to her I gave it
to be exposed.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Minime: sed erat hic Corinthia anus haud impura: ei dedi
Exponendam.

[¶251] CHREMES:
O Jupiter! that there should be such extreme folly in a person’s mind.

> Latin: CHREMES:
O Iupiter, tantamne esse in animo inscitiam!

[¶252] SOSTRATA:
Alas! what have I done?

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Perii: quid ego feci?

[¶253] CHREMES:
And do you ask the question?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Rogitas?

[¶254] SOSTRATA:
If I have acted wrong, my dear Chremes, I have done so in ignorance.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Si peccavi, mi Chreme,
Insciens feci.

[¶255] CHREMES:
This, indeed, I know for certain, even if you were to deny it, that in every thing you both speak and act ignorantly and foolishly: how many blunders you disclose in this single affair! For, in the first place, then, if
you had been disposed to obey my orders, the child ought to have been dispatched; you ought not in words to have feigned her death, and in reality to have left hopes of her surviving. But that I pass over; compassion, maternal affection, I allow it. But how finely you did provide for the future! What was your meaning? Do reflect. It’s clear, beyond a doubt, that your daughter was betrayed by you to this old woman,
either that through you she might make a living by her, or that she might be sold in open market as a slave. I suppose you reasoned thus: “any thing is enough, if only her life is saved:” what are you to do with those who understand neither law, nor right and justice? Be it for better or for worse, be it for them or against them, they see nothing except just what they please.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Id equidem ego si tu neges, certo scio
Te inscientem atque imprudentem dicere ac facere omnia:
Tot peccata in hac re ostendis: nam iam primum, si meum
Imperium exsequi voluisses, interemtam oportuit;
Non simulare mortem verbis, re ipsa spem vitae dare.
At id omitto: misericordia, animus maternus: sino.
Quam bene vero abs te prospectum est! quid voluisti? cogita.
Nempe anui illi prodita abs te filia est planissime,
Per te vel uti quaestum faceret, vel uti veniret palam.
Credo id cogitasti: “Quidvis satis est dum vivat modo.”
Quid cum illis agas, qui neque ius, neque bonum atque aequum sciunt?
Melius, peius; prosit, obsit; nihil vident, nisi quod libet.

[¶256] SOSTRATA:
My dear Chremes, I have done wrong, I own; I am convinced. Now this I beg of you;
inasmuch as you are more advanced in years than I, be so much the more ready to forgive; so that your justice may be some protection for my weakness.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Mi Chreme, peccavi, fateor: vincor: nunc hoc te obsecro,
Quanto tuus est animus natu gravior, ignoscentior,
Ut meae stultitiae in iustitia tua sit aliquid praesidi.

[¶257] CHREMES:
I’ll readily forgive you doing this, of course; but, Sostrata, my easy temper prompts you to do amiss. But, whatever this circumstance is, by reason of which this was begun upon, proceed to tell it.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Scilicet equidem istuc factum ignoscam: verum, Sostrata,
Male docet te mea facilitas multa. Sed istuc, quicquid est,
Qua hoc occeptum est causa loquere.

[¶258] SOSTRATA:
As we women are all foolishly and wretchedly
superstitious, when I delivered the child to her to be exposed, I drew a ring from off my finger, and ordered her to expose it, together with the child; that if she should die, she might not be without some portion of our possessions.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Ut stultae et misere omnes sumus
Religiosae, quum exponendam do illi, de digito annulum
Detraho; et eum edico ut una cum puella exponeret;
Si moreretur, ne expers partis esset de nostris bonis.

[¶259] CHREMES:
That was right; thereby you proved the saving of yourself and her.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Istuc recte: conservasti te atque illam.

[¶260] SOSTRATA: (holding out the ring.)
This is that ring.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Is hic est annulus.

[¶261] CHREMES:
Whence did you get it?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Unde habes?

[¶262] SOSTRATA:
From the young woman whom Bacchis brought here with her.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Quam Bacchis secum adduxit adolescentulam.

[¶263] SYRUS: (aside.)
Ha!

> Latin: SYRUS:
Hem!

[¶264] CHREMES:
What does she say?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid ea narrat?

[¶265] SOSTRATA:
She gave it me to keep for her, while she went to bathe. At first I paid no attention to it; but after I looked at it, I at once recognized it, and came running to you.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Ea lavatum dum it servandum mihi dedit.
Animum non adverti primum; sed postquam aspexi, ilico
Cognovi: ad te exsilui.

[¶266] CHREMES:
What do you suspect now, or have you discovered, relative to her?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid nunc suspicare, aut invenis
De illa?

[¶267] SOSTRATA:
I don’t know; unless you inquire of herself whence she got it, if that can possibly be discovered.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Nescio; nisi ut ex ipsa quaeras unde hunc habuerit,
Si potis est reperiri.

[¶268] SYRUS: (aside.)
I’m undone! I see more hopes from this incident than I desire.
If it is so, she certainly must be ours.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Interii: plus spei video quam volo.
Nostra est, si ita est.

[¶269] CHREMES:
Is this woman living to whom you delivered the child?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Vivitne illa cui tu dederas?

[¶270] SOSTRATA:
I don’t know.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Nescio.

[¶271] CHREMES:
What account did she bring you at the time?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid renuntiavit olim?

[¶272] SOSTRATA:
That she had done as I had ordered her.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Fecisse id quod iusseram.

[¶273] CHREMES:
Tell me what is the woman’s name, that she may be inquired after.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Nomen mulieris cedo quod sit, ut quaeratur.

[¶274] SOSTRATA:
Philtere.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Philtere.

[¶275] SYRUS: (aside.)
’Tis the very same. It’s a wonder if she isn’t found, and I lost.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ipsa est: mirum ni illa salva est, et ego perii.

[¶276] CHREMES:
Sostrata, follow me this way in-doors.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Sostrata,
Sequere me intro hac.

[¶277] SOSTRATA:
How much beyond my hopes has this matter turned out! How dreadfully afraid I was,
Chremes, that you would now be of feelings as unrelenting as formerly you were on exposing the child.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Ut praeter spem evenit. Quam timui male
Ne nunc animo ita esses duro ut olim in tollenda, Chreme!

[¶278] CHREMES:
Many a time a man can not be such as he would be, if circumstances do not admit of it. Time has now so brought it about, that I should be glad of a daughter; formerly I wished for nothing less.
(CHREMES and SOSTRATA go into the house.)

> Latin: CHREMES:
Non licet hominem esse saepe ita ut volt, si res non sinit.
Nunc ita tempus est mihi ut cupiam filiam; olim nihil minus.

[¶279] (SYRUS alone.)
SYRUS:
Unless my fancy deceives me, retribution will not be very far off from me; so much by this incident are my forces now utterly driven into straits;
unless I contrive by some means that the old man mayn’t come to know that this damsel is his son’s mistress. For as to entertaining any hopes about the money, or supposing I could cajole him, it’s useless; I shall be sufficient triumphant, if I’m allowed to escape with my sides covered. I’m vexed that such a tempting morsel has been so suddenly snatched away from my jaws. What am I to do? Or what shall I devise? I must begin upon my plan over again.
Nothing is so difficult, but that it may be found out by seeking. What now if I set about it after this fashion. (He considers.) That’s of no use. What, if after this fashion? I effect just about the same. But this I think will do. It can not. Yes! excellent. Bravo! I’ve found out the best of all—I’ faith, I do believe that after all I shall lay hold of this same run-away money.

> Latin: (SYRUS.)
SYRUS:
Nisi me animus fallit, haud permultum a me aberit infortunium:
Ita hac re in angustum oppido nunc meae coguntur copiae;
Nisi aliquid video ne esse amicam hanc gnati resciscat senex.
Nam quod de argento sperem, aut posse postulem me fallere,
Nihil est: triumpho si licet me latere tecto abscedere.
Crucior, bolum tantum mihi ereptum tam de subito e faucibus.
Quid agam? aut quid comminiscar? ratio de integro ineunda est mihi.
Nihil tam difficile est quin quaerendo investigari possiet.
Quid si hoc nunc sic incipiam? Nihil est. Quid si sic? Tantundem egero.
At sic opinor. Non potest. Immo optime. Euge, habeo optimam.
Retraham hercle opinor ad me idem illud fugitivum argentum tamen.

[¶280] (Enter CLINIA at the other side of the stage.)
CLINIA: (to himself.)
Nothing can possibly henceforth befall me of such consequence
as to cause me uneasiness; so extreme is this joy that has surprised me. Now then I shall give myself up entirely to my father, to be more frugal than even he could wish.

> Latin: (CLINIA. SYRUS.)
CLINIA:
Nulla mihi res posthac potest iam intervenire tanta
Quae mihi aegritudinem afferat: tanta haec laetitia oborta est.
Dedo patri me nunc iam ut frugalior sim quam vult.

[¶281] SYRUS: (apart.)
I wasn’t mistaken; she has been discovered, so far as I understand from these words of his. (Acvancing.) I am rejoiced that this matter has turned out for you so much to your wish.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Nihil me fefellit: cognita est, quantum audio huius verba.
Istuc tibi ex sententia tua obtigisse laetor.

[¶282] CLINIA:
O my dear Syrus, have you heard of it, pray?

> Latin: CLINIA:
O mi Syre, audistine obsecro?

[¶283] SYRUS:
How shouldn’t I, when I was present all the while?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quidni, qui usque una adfuerim?

[¶284] CLINIA:
Did you ever hear of any thing falling out so fortunately for any one?

> Latin: CLINIA:
Cuiquam aeque audisti commodius quicquam evenisse?

[¶285] SYRUS:
Never.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Nulli.

[¶286] CLINIA:
And, so may the Gods prosper me, I do not now rejoice so much on my own account as hers, whom I know to be deserving of any honor.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Atque ita me Di ament ut ego nunc non tam meapte causa
Laetor quam illius quam ego scio esse honore quovis dignam.

[¶287] SYRUS:
I believe it: but now, Clinia, come, attend to me in my turn. For your friend’s business as well,—it must be seen to—that it is placed in a state of security,
lest the old gentleman should now come to know any thing about his mistress.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ita credo: sed nunc, Clinia, age, da te mihi vicissim:
Nam amici quoque res est videnda in tuto ut collocetur;
Ne quid de amica nunc senex.

[¶288] CLINIA:
O Jupiter!

> Latin: CLINIA:
O Iupiter!

[¶289] SYRUS:
Do be quiet.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quiesce.

[¶290] CLINIA:
My Antiphila will be mine.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Antiphila mea nubet mihi.

[¶291] SYRUS:
Do you still interrupt me thus?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Sicine mihi interloquere?

## 3. Lines 679–1067

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/terence-heautontimorumenos/3/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/terence-heautontimorumenos/3/#p-N

[¶0] CLINIA:
What can I do? My dear Syrus, I’m transported with joy! Do bear with me.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Quid faciam, Syre mi? gaudeo: fer me.

[¶1] SYRUS:
I’ faith, I really do bear with you.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Fero hercle vero.

[¶2] CLINIA:
We are blest with the life of the Gods.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Deorum vitam apti sumus.

[¶3] SYRUS:
I’m taking pains to no purpose, I doubt.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Frustra operam, opinor, sumo.

[¶4] CLINIA:
Speak; I hear you.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Loquere; audio.

[¶5] SYRUS:
But still you’ll not mind it.

> Latin: SYRUS:
At iam hoc non ages.

[¶6] CLINIA:
I will.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Agam.

[¶7] SYRUS:
This must be seen to, I say,
that your friend’s business as well is placed in a state of security. For if you now go away from us, and leave Bacchis here, our old man will immediately come to know that she is Clitipho’s mistress; if you take her away with you, it will be concealed just as much as it has been hitherto concealed.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Videndum est, inquam,
Amici quoque res, Clinia, tui in tuto ut collocetur:
Nam si nunc a nobis abis, et Bacchidem hic relinquis,
Noster resciscet ilico esse amicam hanc Clitiphonis:
Si abduxeris, celabitur itidem ut celata adhuc est.

[¶8] CLINIA:
But still, Syrus, nothing can make more against my marriage than this;
for with what face am I to address my father about it? You understand what I mean?

> Latin: CLINIA:
At enim istoc nihil est magis, Syre, meis nuptiis adversum:
Nam quo ore appellabo patrem? Tenes quid dicam?

[¶9] SYRUS:
Why not?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quidni?

[¶10] CLINIA:
What can I say? What excuse can I make?

> Latin: CLINIA:
Quid dicam? quam causam afferam?

[¶11] SYRUS:
Nay, I don’t want you to dissemble; tell him the whole case just as it really is.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quin nolo mentiare.
Aperte ita ut res sese habet narrato.

[¶12] CLINIA:
What is it you say?

> Latin: CLINIA:
Quid ais?

[¶13] SYRUS:
I bid you do this; tell him that you are in love with her, and want her for a wife: that this Bacchis is Clitipho’s mistress.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Iubeo;
Illam te amare et velle uxorem: hanc esse Clitiphonis.

[¶14] CLINIA:
You require a thing that is fair and reasonable, and easy to be done.
And I suppose, then, you would have me request my father to keep it a secret from your old man.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Bonam atque iustam rem oppido imperas, et factu facilem;
Et scilicet iam me hoc voles patrem exorare ut celet
Senem vestrum.

[¶15] SYRUS:
On the contrary; to tell him directly the matter just as it is.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Immo, ut recta via rem narret ordine omnem.

[¶16] CLINIA:
What? Are you quite in your senses or sober? Why, you were for ruining him outright. For how could he be in a state of security? Tell me that.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Hem,
Satin sanus es, aut sobrius? tu quidem illum plane prodis.
Nam qui ille poterit esse in tuto? dic mihi.

[¶17] SYRUS:
For my part, I yield the palm to this device. Here I do pride myself exultingly, in having in myself such exquisite resources, and power of address so great, as to deceive them both by telling the truth: so that when your old man tells ours that she is his son’s mistress, he’ll still not believe him.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Huic equidem consilio palmam do: hic me magnifice effero,
Qui vim tantam in me et potestatem habeam tantae astutiae,
Vera dicendo ut eos ambos fallam; ut quum narret senex
Vester nostro istam esse amicam gnati, non credat tamen.

[¶18] CLINIA:
But yet, by these means you again cut off all hopes of my marriage; for as long as Chremes believes that she is my mistress, he’ll not give me his daughter.
Perhaps you care little what becomes of me, so long as you provide for him.

> Latin: CLINIA:
At enim spem istoc pacto rursum nuptiarum omnem eripis:
Nam, dum amicam hanc meam esse credet, non committet filiam.
Tu fortasse quid me fiat parvi pendis dum illi consulas.

[¶19] SYRUS:
What the plague, do you suppose I want this pretense to be kept up for an age?’Tis but for a single day, only till I have secured the money: you be quiet; I ask no more.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quid, malum, me aetatem censes velle id assimularier?
Unus est dies, dum argentum eripio: pax: nihil amplius.

[¶20] CLINIA:
Is that sufficient? If his father should come to know of it, pray, what then?

> Latin: CLINIA:
Tantum sat habes? quid tum, quaeso, si hoc pater resciverit?

[¶21] SYRUS:
What if I have recourse to those who say, “What now if the sky were to fall?”

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quid si redeo ad illos qui aiunt, “Quid si nunc coelum ruat?”

[¶22] CLINIA:
I’m afraid to go about it.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Metuo quid agam.

[¶23] SYRUS:
You, afraid! As if it was not in your power to clear yourself at any time you like, and discover the whole matter.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Metuis? quasi non ea potestas sit tua,
Quo velis in tempore ut te exsolvas, rem facias palam.

[¶24] CLINIA:
Well, well; let Bacchis be brought over to our house.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Age, age, traducatur Bacchis.

[¶25] SYRUS:
Capital! she is coming out of doors.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Optime ipsa exit foras.

[¶26] (Enter BACCHIS and PHRYGIA, from the house of CHREMES.)
BACCHIS: (pretending not to see CLINIA and SYRUS.)
To a very fine purpose, upon my faith, have the promises of Syrus brought me hither, who agreed to lend me ten minae. If now he
deceives me, oft as he may entreat me to come, he shall come in vain. Or else, when I’ve promised to come, and fixed the time, when he has carried word back for certain, and Clitipho is on the stretch of expectation, I’ll disappoint him and not come. Syrus will make atonement to me with his back.

> Latin: (BACCHIS.
CLINIA.
SYRUS.
DROMO. PHRYGIA.)
BACCHIS:
Satis pol proterve me Syri promissa huc induxerunt;
Decem minas quas mihi dare pollicitus est. Quod si is nunc
Me deceperit, saepe obsecrans me ut veniam frustra veniet.
Aut quum venturam dixero et constituero; quum is certo
Renuntiarit; Clitipho cum in spe pendebit animi;
Decipiam, ac non veniam: Syrus mihi tergo poenas pendet.

[¶27] CLINIA: (apart, to SYRUS.)
She promises you very fairly.

> Latin: CLINIA:
Satis scite promittit tibi.

[¶28] SYRUS: (to CLINIA.)
But do you think she is in jest?
She’ll do it, if I don’t take care.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Atqui tu hanc iocari credis?
Faciet, nisi caveo.

[¶29] BACCHIS: (aside.)
They’re asleep —I’faith, I’ll rouse them. (Aloud.) My dear Phrygia, did you hear about the country-seat of Charinus, which that man was showing us just now?
PHRYGIA:
I heard of it.

> Latin: BACCHIS:
Dormiunt: ego pol istos commovebo.
Mea Phrygia, audisti modo iste homo quam villam demonstravit
Charini?
PHRYGIA:
Audivi.

[¶30] BACCHIS: (aloud.)
That it was the next to the farm here on the right-hand side.
PHRYGIA:
I remember.

> Latin: BACCHIS:
Proximam esse huic fundo ad dextram?
PHRYGIA:
Memini.

[¶31] BACCHIS: (aloud.)
Run thither post-haste; the Captain is keeping the feast of Bacchus at his house.

> Latin: BACCHIS:
Curriculo percurre: apud eum miles Dionysia agitat.

[¶32] SYRUS: (apart.)
What is she going to be at?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quid inceptat?

[¶33] BACCHIS: (aloud.)
Tell him I am here very much against my inclination, and am detained;
but that by some means or other I’ll give them the slip and come to him.
(PHRYGIA moves.)

> Latin: BACCHIS:
Dic me hic oppido esse invitam, atque asservari;
Verum aliquo pacto verba me his daturam esse, et venturam.

[¶34] SYRUS: (coming forward.)
Upon my faith, I’m ruined! Bacchis, stay, stay; prithee, where are you sending her? Order her to stop.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Perii hercle. Bacchis, mane, mane: quo mittis istanc quaeso?
Iube maneat.

[¶35] BACCHIS: (to PHRYGIA.)
Be off.

> Latin: BACCHIS:
I.

[¶36] SYRUS:
Why, the money’s ready.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quin est paratum argentum.

[¶37] BACCHIS:
Why, then I’ll stay.
(PHRYGIA returns.)

> Latin: BACCHIS:
Quin ego maneo.

[¶38] SYRUS:
And it will be given you presently.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Atqui iam dabitur.

[¶39] BACCHIS:
Just when you please; do I press you?

> Latin: BACCHIS:
Ut libet: num ego insto?

[¶40] SYRUS:
But do you know what you are to do, pray?

> Latin: SYRUS:
At scin quid, sodes?

[¶41] BACCHIS:
What?

> Latin: BACCHIS:
Quid?

[¶42] SYRUS:
You must now go over to the house of Menedemus, and your equipage
must be taken over thither.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Transeundum nunc tibi ad Menedemum est, et tua pompa
Eo traducenda est.

[¶43] BACCHIS:
What scheme are you upon, you rascal?

> Latin: BACCHIS:
Quam rem agis, scelus?

[¶44] SYRUS:
What, I? Coining money to give you.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Egone? argentum cudo
Quod tibi dem.

[¶45] BACCHIS:
Do you think me a proper person for you to play upon?

> Latin: BACCHIS:
Dignam me putas quam illudas?

[¶46] SYRUS:
It’s not without a purpose.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Non est temere.

[¶47] BACCHIS: (pointing to the house.)
Why, have I any business then with you here?

> Latin: BACCHIS:
Etiamne tecum res hic mihi est?

[¶48] SYRUS:
O no; I’m only going to give you what’s your own.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Minime: tuum tibi reddo.

[¶49] BACCHIS:
Then let’s be going.

> Latin: BACCHIS:
Eatur.

[¶50] SYRUS:
Follow this way. (Goes to the door of MENEDIEMUS, and calls.) Ho there! Dromo.
(Enter DROMO from the house.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Sequere hac. Heus, Dromo.

[¶51] DROMO:
Who is it wants me?

> Latin: DROMO:
Quis me vult?

[¶52] SYRUS:
Syrus.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Syrus.

[¶53] DROMO:
What’s the matter?

> Latin: DROMO:
Quid est rei?

[¶54] SYRUS:
Take over all the attendants of Bacchis to your house here immediately.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ancillas omnes Bacchidis traduce huc ad vos propere.

[¶55] DROMO:
Why so?

> Latin: DROMO:
Quamobrem?

[¶56] SYRUS:
Ask no questions. Let them take what they brought here with them. The old gentleman will hope his expenses are lightened by their departure; for sure he little knows how much loss this trifling gain will bring him. You, Dromo, if you are wise, know nothing of what you do know.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ne quaeras: efferant quae secum huc attulerunt.
Sperabit sumtum tibi senex levatum esse harum abitu.
Nae ille haud scit paullum lucri quantum ei damni apportet.
Tu nescis id quod scis, Dromo, si sapies.

[¶57] DROMO:
You shall own that I’m dumb.
(CLINIA, BACCHIS, and PHRYGIA go into the house of MENEDEMUS, and DROMO follows with BACCHIS’s retinue and baggage.)

> Latin: DROMO:
Mutum dices.

[¶58] (Enter CHREMES from his house.)
CHREMES: (to himself)
So may the Deities prosper me, I am now concerned for the fate of Menedemus,
that so great a misfortune should have befallen him. To be maintaining that woman with such a retinue! Although I am well aware he’ll not be sensible of it for some days to come, his son was so greatly missed by him; but when he sees such a vast expense incurred by him
every day at home, and no limit to it, he’ll wish that this son would leave him a second time. See—here comes Syrus most opportunely.

> Latin: (CHREMES. SYRUS.)
CHREMES:
Ita me Di amabunt ut nunc Menedemi vicem
Miseret me tantum devenisse ad eum mali.
Hancine mulierem alere cum illa familia?
Etsi scio hosce aliquot dies non sentiet;
Ita magno desiderio fuit ei filius:
Verum ubi videbit tantos sibi sumtus domi
Quotidiano fieri, nec fieri modum,
Optabit rursum ut abeat ab se filius.
Syrum optime eccum!

[¶59] SYRUS: (to himself, as he comes forward.)
Why delay to accost him?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Cesso hunc adoriri?

[¶60] CHREMES:
Syrus.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Syre.

[¶61] SYRUS:
Well.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Hem.

[¶62] CHREMES:
How go matters?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid est?

[¶63] SYRUS:
I’ve been wishing for some time for you to be thrown in my way.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Te mihi ipsum iam dudum optabam dari.

[¶64] CHREMES:
You seem, then, to have effected something, I know not what, with the old gentleman.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Videre egisse iam nescio quid cum sene.

[¶65] SYRUS:
As to what we were talking of a short time since? No sooner said than done.

> Latin: SYRUS:
De illo quod dudum? dictum ac factum reddidi.

[¶66] CHREMES:
In real earnest?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Bonane fide?

[¶67] SYRUS:
In real.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Bona hercle.

[¶68] CHREMES:
Upon my faith, I can not forbear patting your head for it. Come here, Syrus; I’ll do you some good turn for this matter, and with pleasure.
(Patting his head.)

> Latin: CHREMES:
Non possum pati
Quin tibi caput demulceam. Accede huc, Syre:
Faciam boni tibi aliquid pro ista re, ac libens.

[¶69] SYRUS:
But if you knew how cleverly it came into my head—

> Latin: SYRUS:
At si scias, quam scite in mentem venerit.

[¶70] CHREMES:
Pshaw! Do you boast because it has turned out according to your wishes

> Latin: CHREMES:
Vah, gloriare evenisse ex sententia?

[¶71] SYRUS:
On my word, not I, indeed; I am telling the truth.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Non hercle vero: verum dico.

[¶72] CHREMES:
Tell me how it is.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Dic, quid est?

[¶73] SYRUS:
Clinia has told Menedemus, that this Bacchis is your Clitipho’s mistress, and that he has taken her thither with him in order that you might not come to know of it.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Tui Clitiphonis esse amicam hanc Bacchidem
Menedemo dixit Clinia; et ea gratia
Secum adduxisse, ne tu id persentisceres.

[¶74] CHREMES:
Very good.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Probe.

[¶75] SYRUS:
Tell me, please, what you think of it.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Dic sodes.

[¶76] CHREMES:
Extremely good, I declare.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Nimium, inquam.

[¶77] SYRUS:
Why yes, pretty fair. But listen, what a piece of policy still remains. He is then to say that he has seen your daughter—that her beauty charmed him as soon as he beheld her; and that he desires her for a wife.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Immo sic satis.
Sed porro ausculta quod superest fallaciae.
Sese ipse dicet tuam vidisse filiam;
Eius sibi complacitam formam, postquam aspexerit;
Hanc cupere uxorem.

[¶78] CHREMES:
What, her that has just been discovered?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Modone quae inventa est?

[¶79] SYRUS:
The same;
and, in fact, he’ll request that she may be asked for.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Eam.
Et quidem iubebit posci.

[¶80] CHREMES:
For what purpose, Syrus? For I don’t altogether comprehend it.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quamobrem istuc, Syre?
Nam prorsum nihil intelligo.

[¶81] SYRUS:
O dear, you are so dull.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Hui! tardus es.

[¶82] CHREMES:
Perhaps so.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Fortasse.

[¶83] SYRUS:
Money will be given him for the wedding—with which golden trinkets and clothes—do you understand me?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Argentum dabitur ei ad nuptias,
Aurum, atque vestem, qui,—tenesne?

[¶84] CHREMES:
To buy them—?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Comparet?

[¶85] SYRUS:
Just so.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Id ipsum.

[¶86] CHREMES:
But I neither give nor betroth my daughter to him.

> Latin: CHREMES:
At ego illi neque do, neque despondeo.

[¶87] SYRUS:
But why?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Non? quamobrem?

[¶88] CHREMES:
Why, do you ask me? To a fellow—

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quamobrem? me rogas? Homini fugitivo dabo?

[¶89] SYRUS:
Just as you please. I don’t mean that in reality you should give her to him, but that you should pretend it.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Non ego dicebam in perpetuum illam illi ut dares;
Verum ut simulares.

[¶90] CHREMES:
Pretending is not in my way; do you mix up these plots of yours, so as not to mix me up in them. Do you think that I’ll betroth my daughter to a person to whom I will not marry her?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Non mea est simulatio.
Ita tu istaec tua misceto ne me admisceas.
Ego cui daturus non sum ut ei despondeam?

[¶91] SYRUS:
I imagined so.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Credebam.

[¶92] CHREMES:
By no means.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Minime.

[¶93] SYRUS:
It might have been cleverly managed; and I under-took this affair for the very reason, that a short time since you so urgently requested it.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Scite poterat fieri.
Et ego hoc, quia dudum tu tantopere iusseras,
Eo coepi.

[¶94] CHREMES:
I believe you.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Credo.

[¶95] SYRUS:
But for my part, Chremes, I take it well and good, either way.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Caeterum equidem istuc, Chreme,
Aequi bonique facio.

[¶96] CHREMES:
But still, I especially wish you to do your best for it to be brought about; but in some other way.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Atqui cummaxime
Volo te dare operam ut fiat, verum alia via.

[¶97] SYRUS:
It shall be done: some other method must be thought of; but as to what I was telling you of,—about the money which she owes to Bacchis,—that must now be repaid her. And you will not, of course, now be having recourse to this method; “What have I to do with it? Was it lent to me? Did I give any orders? Had she the power to pawn my daughter”
“without my consent?” They quote that saying, Chremes, with good reason, “Riorous law is often rigorous injustice.”

> Latin: SYRUS:
Fiat: quaeratur aliud: sed illud quod tibi
Dixi de argento, quod ista debet Bacchidi,
Id nunc reddendum est illi: neque tu scilicet
Eo nunc confugies: “Quid mea? num datum mihi est?”
“Num iussi? num illa oppignerare filiam”
“Meam, me invito, potuit?” Verum illud, Chreme,
Dicunt, Ius summum saepe summa malitia est.

[¶98] CHREMES:
I will not do so.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Haud faciam.

[¶99] SYRUS:
On the contrary, though others were at liberty, you are not at liberty; all think that you are in good and very easy circumstances.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Immo aliis si licet, tibi non licet.
Omnes te in lauta et bene acta parte putant.

[¶100] CHREMES:
Nay rather, I’ll at once carry it to her myself.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quin egomet iam ad eam deferam.

[¶101] SYRUS:
Why no; request your son in preference.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Immo filium
Iube potius.

[¶102] CHREMES:
For what reason?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quamobrem?

[¶103] SYRUS:
Why, because the suspicion of being in love with her has been transferred to him with Menedemus.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quia enim in hunc suspicio est
Translata amoris.

[¶104] CHREMES:
What then?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid tum?

[¶105] SYRUS:
Because it will seem to be more like probability when he gives it her; and at the same time I shall effect more easily what I wish. Here he comes too; go, and bring out the money.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quia videbitur
Magis verisimile id esse, quum hic illi dabit:
Simul et conficiam facilius ego, quod volo.
Ipse adeo adest: abi, effer argentum.

[¶106] CHREMES:
I’ll bring it.
(Goes into his house.)

> Latin: CHREMES:
Effero.

[¶107] (Enter CLITIPHO.)
CLITIPHO: (to himself.)
There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it with reluctance. As this walk of mine, for instance, though not fatiguing, it has reduced me to weariness. And now I dread nothing more than that I should be packed off somewhere hence once again, that I may not have access to Bacchis.
May then all the Gods and Goddesses, as many as exist, confound you, Syrus, with these stratagems and plots of yours. You are always devising something of this kind, by means of which to torture me.

> Latin: (CLITIPHO. SYRUS.)
CLITIPHO:
Nulla est tam facilis res quin difficilis siet,
Quam invitus facias. Vel me haec deambulatio,
Quam non laboriosa, ad languorem dedit.
Nec quicquam magis nunc metuo quam ne denuo
Miser aliquo extrudar hinc, ne accedam ad Bacchidem.
Ut te quidem omnes Dii Deaeque, quantum est, Syre,
Cum tuo istoc invento, cumque incepto perduint.
Huiusmodi res semper comminiscere,
Ubi me excarnifices.

[¶108] SYRUS:
Will you not away with you—to where you deserve? How nearly had your forwardness proved my ruin!

> Latin: SYRUS:
I tu hinc quo dignus es.
Quam pene tua me perdidit protervitas!

[¶109] CLITIPHO:
Upon my faith, I wish it had been so; just what you deserve.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Vellem hercle factum: ita meritus es.

[¶110] SYRUS:
Deserve? How so? Really, I’m glad that I’ve heard this from you before you had the money which I was just going to give you.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Meritus? quomodo?
Nae me istuc ex te prius audivisse gaudeo
Quam argentum haberes, quod daturus iam fui.

[¶111] CLITIPHO:
What then would you have me to say to you? You’ve made a fool of me; brought my mistress hither, whom I’m not allowed to touch—

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quid igitur dicam tibi vis? abiisti, mihi
Amicam adduxti, quam non liceat tangere.

[¶112] SYRUS:
Well, I’m not angry then. But do you know where Bacchis is just now?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Iam non sum iratus: sed scin ubi nunc sit tibi
Tua Bacchis?

[¶113] CLITIPHO:
At our house.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Apud nos.

[¶114] SYRUS:
No.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Non.

[¶115] CLITIPHO:
Where then?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Ubi ergo?

[¶116] SYRUS:
At Clinia’s.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Apud Cliniam.

[¶117] CLITIPHO:
I’m ruined!

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Perii.

[¶118] SYRUS:
Be of good heart; you shall presently carry to her the money that you promised her.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Bono animo es: iam argentum ad eam deferes
Quod ei es pollicitus.

[¶119] CLITIPHO:
You do prate away.—Where from?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Garris: unde?

[¶120] SYRUS:
From your own father.

> Latin: SYRUS:
A tuo patre.

[¶121] CLITIPHO:
Perhaps you are joking with me.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Ludis fortasse me.

[¶122] SYRUS:
The thing itself will prove it.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ipsa re experibere.

[¶123] CLITIPHO:
Indeed, then, I am a lucky man. Syrus, I do love you from my heart.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Nae ego fortunatus homo sum: deamo te, Syre.

[¶124] SYRUS:
But your father’s coming out. Take care not to express surprise at any thing, for what reason it is done; give way at the proper moment; do what he orders, and say but little.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Sed pater egreditur: cave quicquam admiratus sies
Qua causa id fiat: obsecundato in loco.
Quod imperabit facito; loquitor paucula.

[¶125] (Enter CHREMES from the house, with a bag of money.)
CHREMES:
Where’s Clitipho now?

> Latin: (CHREMES.
CLITIPHO. SYRUS.)
CHREMES:
Ubi Clitipho nunc est?

[¶126] SYRUS: (aside to CLITIPHO.)
Say—here I am.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Eccum me, inque.

[¶127] CLITIPHO:
Here am I.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Eccum hic tibi.

[¶128] CHREMES: (to SYRUS.)
Have you told him how it is?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid rei esset dixti huic?

[¶129] SYRUS:
I’ve told him pretty well every thing.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Dixi pleraque omnia.

[¶130] CHREMES:
Take this money, and carry it.
(Holding out the bag.)

> Latin: CHREMES:
Cape hoc argentum ac defer.

[¶131] SYRUS: (aside to CLITIPHO.)
Go—why do you stand still, you stone; why don’t you take it?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Hei, quid stas? lapis?
Quin accipis?

[¶132] CLITIPHO:
Very well, give it me.
(Receives the bag.)

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Cedo sane.

[¶133] SYRUS: (to CLITIPHO.)
Follow me this way directly. (To CHREMES.) You in the mean while will wait here for us till we return; for there’s no occasion for us to stay there long.
(CLITIPHO and SYRUS go into the house of MENEDEMUS.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Sequere hac me ocius.
Tu hic nos dum eximus interea opperibere;
Nam nihil est illic quod moremur diutius.

[¶134] CHREMES: (to himself.)
My daughter, in fact, has now had ten minae from me, which I consider as paid for her board; another ten will follow these for clothes; and then she will require two talents for her portion. How many things, both just and unjust, are sanctioned by custom!
Now I’m obliged, neglecting my business, to look out for some one on whom to bestow my property, that has been acquired by my labor.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Minas quidem iam decem habet a me filia,
Quas pro alimentis esse nunc duco datas:
Hasce ornamentis consequentur alterae.
Porro haec talenta dotis adposcent duo.
Quam multa iniusta ac prava fiunt moribus!
Mihi nunc, relictis rebus, inveniendus est
Aliquis labore inventa mea cui dem bona.

[¶135] (Enter MENEDEMUS from his house.)
MENEDEMUS: (to CLINIA within.)
My son, I now think myself the happiest of all men, since I find that you have returned to a rational mode of life.

> Latin: (MENEDEMUS. CHREMES.)
MENEDEMUS:
Multo omnium nunc me fortunatissimum
Factum puto esse, gnate, quum te intelligo
Resipisse.

[¶136] CHREMES: (aside.)
How much he is mistaken!

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ut errat.

[¶137] MENEDEMUS:
Chremes, you are the very person I wanted;
preserve, so far as in you lies, my son, myself, and my family.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Te ipsum quaerebam, Chreme.
Serva, quod in te est, filium et me et familiam.

[¶138] CHREMES:
Tell me what you would have me do.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Cedo quid vis faciam?

[¶139] MENEDEMUS:
You have this day found a daughter.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Invenisti hodie filiam.

[¶140] CHREMES:
What then?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid tum?

[¶141] MENEDEMUS:
Clinia wishes her to be given him for a wife.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Hanc sibi uxorem dari vult Clinia.

[¶142] CHREMES:
Prithee, what kind of a person are you?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quaeso quid tu hominis es?

[¶143] MENEDEMUS:
Why?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Quid est?

[¶144] CHREMES:
Have you already forgotten what passed between us, concerning a scheme,
that by that method some money might be got out of you?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Iamne oblitus es
Inter nos quid sit dictum de fallacia,
Ut ea via abs te argentum auferretur?

[¶145] MENEDEMUS:
I remember.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Scio.

[¶146] CHREMES:
That self-same thing they are now about.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ea res nunc agitur ipsa.

[¶147] MENEDEMUS:
What do you tell me, Chremes? Why surely, this Courtesan, who is at my house, is Clitipho’s mistress.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Quid dixti, Chreme?
Immo haec quidem, quae apud me est, Clitiphonis est
Amica.

[¶148] CHREMES:
So they say, and you believe it all; and they say that he is desirous of a wife, in order that, when I have betrothed her,
you may give him money, with which to provide gold trinkets and clothing, and other things that are requisite.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ita aiunt: et tu credis omnia:
Et illum aiunt velle uxorem, ut, quum desponderim,
Des qui aurum ac vestem atque alia quae opus sunt comparet.

[¶149] MENEDEMUS:
That is it, no doubt; that money will be given to his mistress.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Id est profecto: id amicae dabitur.

[¶150] CHREMES:
Of course it is to be given.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Scilicet
Daturum.

[¶151] MENEDEMUS:
Alas! in vain then, unhappy man, have I been overjoyed; still however, I had rather any thing than be deprived of him. What answer now shall I report from you, Chremes,
so that he may not perceive that I have found it out, and take it to heart?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Vah, frustra sum igitur gavisus miser.
Quidvis tamen iam malo quam hunc amittere.
Quid nunc renuntiem abs te responsum, Chreme,
Ne sentiat me sensisse, atque aegre ferat?

[¶152] CHREMES:
To heart, indeed! you are too indulgent to him, Menedemus.

> Latin: CHREMES:
“Aegre?” nimium illi, Menedeme, indulges.

[¶153] MENEDEMUS:
Let me go on; I have now begun: assist me in this throughout, Chremes.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Sine.
Inceptum est: perfice hoc mihi perpetuo, Chreme.

[¶154] CHREMES:
Say then, that you have seen me, and have treated about the marriage.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Dic convenisse; egisse te de nuptiis.

[¶155] MENEDEMUS:
I’ll say so—what then?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Dicam: quid deinde?

[¶156] CHREMES:
That I will do every thing;
that as a son-in-law he meets my approbation; in fine, too, if you like, tell him also that she has been promised him.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Me facturum esse omnia;
Generum placere: postremo etiam, si voles,
Desponsam quoque esse dicito.

[¶157] MENEDEMUS:
Well, that’s what I wanted—

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Hem, istuc volueram.

[¶158] CHREMES:
That he may the sooner ask of you, and you may as soon as possible give him what you wish.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Tanto ocius te ut poscat, et tu id quod cupis
Quam ocissime ut des.

[¶159] MENEDEMUS:
It is my wish.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Cupio.

[¶160] CHREMES:
Assuredly, before very long, according as I view this matter, you’ll have enough of him.
But, however that may be, if you are wise, you’ll give to him cautiously, and a little at a time.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Nae tu propediem,
Ut istam rem video, istius obsaturabere.
Sed haec ut ut sunt, cautim et paulatim dabis,
Si sapies.

[¶161] MENEDEMUS:
I’ll do so.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Faciam.

[¶162] CHREMES:
Go in-doors and see how much he requires. I shall be at home, if you should want me for any thing.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Abi intro; vide quid postulet.
Ego domi ero, si quid me voles.

[¶163] MENEDEMUS:
I certainly do want you; for I shall let you know whatever I do.
(They go into their respective houses.)

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Sane volo:
Nam te sciente faciam, quicquid egero.

[¶164] (Enter MENEDEMUS from his house.)
MENEDEMUS: (to himself.)
I am quite aware that I am not so overwise, or so very quick-sighted;
but this assistant, prompter, and director of mine, Chremes, outdoes me in that. Any one of those epithets which are applied to a fool is suited to myself, such as dolt, post, ass, lump of lead; to him not one can apply; his stupidity surpasses them all.
(Enter CHREMES, speaking to SOSTRATA within.)

> Latin: (MENEDEMUS. CHREMES.)
MENEDEMUS:
Ego me non tam astutum, neque ita perspicacem esse certo scio:
Sed hic adiutor meus et monitor et praemonstrator Chremes
Hoc mihi praestat. In me quidvis harum rerum convenit
Quae sunt dicta in stultum; caudex, stipes, asinus, plumbeus:
In illum nihil potest; nam exsuperat eius stultitia haec omnia.

[¶165] CHREMES:
Hold now, do, wife, leave off dinning the Gods with thanksgivings
that your daughter has been discovered; unless you judge of them by your own disposition, and think that they understand nothing, unless the same thing has been told them a hundred times. But, in the mean time, why does my son linger there so long with Syrus?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ohe, iam desine Deos, uxor, gratulando obtundere,
Tuam esse inventam gnatam; nisi illos ex tuo ingenio iudicas,
Ut nihil credas intelligere nisi idem dictum sit centies.
Sed interim, quid illic iam dudum gnatus cessat cum Syro?

[¶166] MENEDEMUS:
What persons do you say are lingering?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Quos ais homines, Chreme, cessare?

[¶167] CHREMES:
Ha! Menedemus, you have come opportunely. Tell me, have you told Clinia what I said?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ehem, Menedeme, advenis?
Dic mihi, Cliniae quae dixi nuntiastine?

[¶168] MENEDEMUS:
Every thing.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Omnia.

[¶169] CHREMES:
What did he say?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid ait?

[¶170] MENEDEMUS:
He began to rejoice, just like people do who wish to be married.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Gaudere adeo coepit quasi qui cupiunt nuptias.

[¶171] CHREMES: (laughing.)
Ha! ha! ha!

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ha ha he!

[¶172] MENEDEMUS:
Why are you laughing?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Quid risisti?

[¶173] CHREMES:
The sly tricks of my servant, Syrus, just came into my mind.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Servi venere in mentem Syri
Calliditates.

[¶174] MENEDEMUS:
Did they?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Itane?

[¶175] CHREMES:
The rogue can even mould the countenances of people.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Vultus quoque hominum fingit scelus.

[¶176] MENEDEMUS:
That my son is pretending that he is overjoyed, is it that you mean?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Gnatus quod se adsimulat laetum, id dicis?

[¶177] CHREMES:
Just so.
(Laughing.)

> Latin: CHREMES:
Id.

[¶178] MENEDEMUS:
The very same thing came into my mind.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Idem istuc mihi
Venit in mentem.

[¶179] CHREMES:
A crafty knave!

> Latin: CHREMES:
Veterator!

[¶180] MENEDEMUS:
Still more would you think such to be the fact, if you knew more.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Magis, si magis noris, putes
Ita rem esse.

[¶181] CHREMES:
Do you say so?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ain tu?

[¶182] MENEDEMUS:
Do you give attention then?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Quin tu ausculta.

[¶183] CHREMES:
Just stop—first I want to know this, what money you have squandered; for when you told your son that she was promised, of course Dromo would at once throw in a word that golden jewels, clothes, and attendants would be needed for the bride, in order that you might give the money.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Mane. Hoc prius scire expeto,
Quid perdideris. Nam ubi desponsam nuntiasti filio,
Continuo iniecisse verba tibi Dromonem scilicet,
Sponsae vestem, aurum, atque ancillas opus esse, argentum ut dares.

[¶184] MENEDEMUS:
No.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Non.

[¶185] CHREMES:
How, no?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid? non?

[¶186] MENEDEMUS:
No, I tell you.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Non, inquam.

[¶187] CHREMES:
Nor yet your son himself?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Neque ipse gnatus?

[¶188] MENEDEMUS:
Not in the slightest, Chremes.
He was only the more pressing on this one point, that the match might be concluded to-day.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Nihil prorsus, Chreme:
Magis unum etiam instare ut hodie conficerentur nuptiae.

[¶189] CHREMES:
You say what’s surprising. What did my servant Syrus do? Didn’t even he say any thing?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Mira narras. Quid Syrus meus? ne is quidem quicquam?

[¶190] MENEDEMUS:
Nothing at all.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Nihil.

[¶191] CHREMES:
For what reason, I don’t know.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quamobrem nescio.

[¶192] MENEDEMUS:
For my part, I wonder at that, when you know other things so well. But this same Syrus has moulded your son, too, to such perfection, that there could not be even the slightest suspicion that she is Clinia’s mistress!

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Equidem miror, qui alia tam plane scias.
Sed ille tuum quoque Syrus idem mire finxit filium,
Ut ne paululum quidem subolat, esse amicam hanc Cliniae.

[¶193] CHREMES:
What do you say?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid ais?

[¶194] MENEDEMUS:
Not to mention, then, their kissing and embracing; that I count nothing.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Mitto iam osculari atque amplexari: id nihil puto.

[¶195] CHREMES:
What more could be done to carry on the cheat?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid est, quod amplius simuletur?

[¶196] MENEDEMUS:
Pshaw!

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Vah!

[¶197] CHREMES:
What do you mean?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid est?

[¶198] MENEDEMUS:
Only listen. In the inner part of my house there is a certain room at the back; into this a bed was brought, and was made up with bed-clothes.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Audi modo:
Est mihi ultimis conclave in aedibus quoddam retro:
Huc est intro latus lectus; vestimentis stratus est.

[¶199] CHREMES:
What took place after this?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid postquam hoc est factum?

[¶200] MENEDEMUS:
No sooner said than done, thither went Clitipho.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Dictum factum, huc abiit Clitipho.

[¶201] CHREMES:
Alone?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Solus?

[¶202] MENEDEMUS:
Alone.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Solus.

[¶203] CHREMES:
I’m alarmed.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Timeo.

[¶204] MENEDEMUS:
Bacchis followed directly.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Bacchis consecuta est ilico.

[¶205] CHREMES:
Alone?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Sola?

[¶206] MENEDEMUS:
Alone.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Sola.

[¶207] CHREMES:
I’m undone!

> Latin: CHREMES:
Perii.

[¶208] MENEDEMUS:
When they had gone into the room, they shut the door.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Ubi abiere intro, operuere ostium.

[¶209] CHREMES:
Well—did Clinia see all this going on?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Hem,
Clinia haec fieri videbat?

[¶210] MENEDEMUS:
How shouldn’t he? He was with me.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Quidni? mecum una simul.

[¶211] CHREMES:
Bacchis is my son’s mistress, Menedemus I’m undone.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Fili est amica Bacchis, Menedeme. Occidi.

[¶212] MENEDEMUS:
Why so?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Quamobrem?

[¶213] CHREMES:
I have hardly substance to suffice for ten days.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Decem dierum vix mihi est familia.

[¶214] MENEDEMUS:
What! are you alarmed at it, because he is paying attention to his friend?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Quid? istuc times quod ille operam amico dat suo?

[¶215] CHREMES:
His “she-friend” rather.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Immo quod amicae.

[¶216] MENEDEMUS:
If he really is paying it.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Si dat.

[¶217] CHREMES:
Is it a matter of doubt to you? Do you suppose that there is any person of so accommodating and tame a spirit as to suffer his own mistress, himself looking on, to—

> Latin: CHREMES:
An dubium id tibi est?
Quemquamne animo tam communi esse, aut leni putas,
Qui se vidente amicam patiatur suam?—

[¶218] MENEDEMUS: (chuckling and speaking ironically.)
Why not? That I may be imposed upon the more easily.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Quidni? quo verba facilius dentur mihi.

[¶219] CHREMES:
Do you laugh at me? You have good reason. How angry I now am with myself! How many things gave proof, whereby, had I not been a stone, I might have been fully sensible of this? What was it I saw? Alas! wretch that I am! But assuredly they shall not escape my vengeance if I live; for this instant—

> Latin: CHREMES:
Derides merito. Mihi nunc ego succenseo.
Quot res dedere ubi possem persentiscere,
Nisi essem lapis? Quae vidi! Vae misero mihi.
At nae illud haud inultum, si vivo, ferent:
Nam iam-

[¶220] MENEDEMUS:
Can you not contain yourself? Have you no respect for yourself?
Am I not a sufficient example to you?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Non tu te cohibes? non te respicis?
Non tibi ego exempli satis sum?

[¶221] CHREMES:
For very anger, Menedemus, I am not myself.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Prae iracundia,
Menedeme, non sum apud me.

[¶222] MENEDEMUS:
For you to talk in that manner! Is it not a shame for you to be giving advice to others, to show wisdom abroad and yet be able to do nothing for yourself?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Tene istuc loqui?
Nonne id flagitium est, te aliis consilium dare,
Foris sapere, tibi non posse auxiliarier?

[¶223] CHREMES:
What shall I do?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid faciam?

[¶224] MENEDEMUS:
That which you said I failed to do:
make him sensible that you are his father; make him venture to intrust every thing to you, to seek and to ask of you; so that he may look for no other resources and forsake you.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Id quod me fecisse aiebas parum.
Fac te patrem esse sentiat; fac ut audeat
Tibi credere omnia, abs te petere et poscere;
Ne quam aliam quaerat copiam, ac te deserat.

[¶225] CHREMES:
Nay, I had much rather he would go any where in the world, than by his debaucheries here reduce his father to beggary!
For if I go on supplying his extravagance, Menedemus, in that case my circumstances will undoubtedly be soon reduced to the level of your rake.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Immo abeat multo malo quovis gentium,
Quam hic per flagitium ad inopiam redigat patrem:
Nam, si illi pergo suppeditare sumtibus,
Menedeme, mihi illaec vero ad rastros res redit.

[¶226] MENEDEMUS:
What evils you will bring upon yourself in this affair, if you don’t act with caution! You’ll show yourself severe, and still pardon him at last; that too with an ill grace.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Quot incommoditates in hac re accipies, nisi caves?
Difficilem ostendes te esse, et ignosces tamen
Post; et id ingratum.

[¶227] CHREMES:
Ah! you don’t know how vexed I am.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ah, nescis quam doleam.

[¶228] MENEDEMUS:
Just as you please.
What about that which I desire—that she may be married to my son? Unless there is any other step that you would prefer.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Ut libet.
Quid hoc quod volo, ut illa nubat nostro? nisi quid est
Quod mavis.

[¶229] CHREMES:
On the contrary, both the son-in-law and the connection are to my taste.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Immo et gener et affines placent.

[¶230] MENEDEMUS:
What portion shall I say that you have named for your daughter? Why are you silent?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Quid dotis dicam te dixisse filio?
Quid obticuisti?

[¶231] CHREMES:
Portion?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Dotis?

[¶232] MENEDEMUS:
I say so.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Ita dico.

[¶233] CHREMES:
Alas!

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ah!

[¶234] MENEDEMUS:
Chremes, don’t be at all afraid to speak, if it is but a small one. The portion is no consideration at all with us.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Chreme,
Ne quid vereare si minus: nihil nos dos movet.

[¶235] CHREMES:
I did think that two talents were sufficient, according to my means. But if you wish me to be saved, and my estate and my son, you must say to this effect, that I have settled all my property on her as her portion.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Duo talenta pro re nostra ego esse decrevi satis.
Sed ita dictu opus est, si me vis salvum esse, rem, et filium,
Me mea omnia bona doti dixisse illi.

[¶236] MENEDEMUS:
What scheme are you upon?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Quam rem agis?

[¶237] CHREMES:
Pretend that you wonder at this, and at the same time ask him the reason why I do so.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Id mirari te simulato, et illum hoc rogitato simul,
Quamobrem id faciam.

[¶238] MENEDEMUS:
Why, really, I can’t conceive the reason for your doing so.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Quin ego vero quamobrem id facias nescio.

[¶239] CHREMES:
Why do I do so? To check his feelings, which are now hurried away by luxury and wantonness, and to bring him down so as not to know which way to turn himself.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Egone? ut eius animum, qui nunc luxuria et lascivia
Diffluit, retundam, redigam ut quo se vertat nesciat.

[¶240] MENEDEMUS:
What is your design?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Quid agis?

[¶241] CHREMES:
Let me alone, and give me leave to have my own way in this matter.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Mitte; sine me in hac re gerere mihi morem.

[¶242] MENEDEMUS:
I do give you leave: is this your desire?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Sino.
Itane vis?

[¶243] CHREMES:
It is so.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ita.

[¶244] MENEDEMUS:
Then be it so.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Fiat.

[¶245] CHREMES:
And now let your son prepare to fetch the bride. The other one shall be schooled in such language as befits children. But Syrus—

> Latin: CHREMES:
Age iam uxorem ut arcessat paret.
Hic ita ut liberos est aequum dictis confutabitur.
Sed Syrum.

[¶246] MENEDEMUS:
What of him?

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Quid eum?

[¶247] CHREMES:
What? If I live, I will have him so handsomely dressed, so well combed out, that he shall always remember me as long as he lives; to imagine that I’m to be a laughing-stock and a plaything for him! So may the Gods bless me! he would not have dared to do to a widow-woman the things which he has done to me.
(They go into their respective houses.)

> Latin: CHREMES:
Egone? si vivo, adeo exornatum dabo,
Adeo depexum, ut dum vivat meminerit semper mei;
Qui sibi me pro ridiculo ac delectamento putat.
Non, ita me Di ament, auderet haec facere viduae mulieri,
Quae in me fecit.

[¶248] (Enter MENEDEMUS, with CLITIPHO and SYRUS.)
CLITIPHO:
Prithee, is it really the fact, Menedemus, that my father can,
in so short a space of time, have cast off all the natural affection of a parent for me? For what crime? What so great enormity have I, to my misfortune, committed? Young men generally do the same.

> Latin: (CLITIPHO.
MENEDEMUS.
CHREMES. SYRUS.)
CLITIPHO:
Itane tandem quaeso, Menedeme, ut pater
Tam in brevi spatio omnem de me eiecerit animum patris?
Quodnam ob facinus? quid ego tantum sceleris admisi miser?
Vulgo faciunt.

[¶249] MENEDEMUS:
I am aware that this must be much more harsh and severe to you, on whom it falls; but yet I take it no less amiss than you. How it is so I know not, nor can I account for it, except that from my heart I wish you well.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Scio tibi esse hoc gravius multo ac durius,
Cui fit; verum ego haud minus aegre patior. Id qui nescio,
Nec rationem capio, nisi quod tibi bene ex animo volo.

[¶250] CLITIPHO:
Did not you say that my father was waiting here?
(Enter CHREMES from his house.)

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Hic patrem adstare aibas?

[¶251] MENEDEMUS:
See, here he is.
(MENEDEMUS goes into his house.)

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Eccum.

[¶252] CHREMES:
Why are you blaming me, Clitipho? Whatever I have done in this matter, I had a view to you and your imprudence. When I saw that you were of a careless disposition, and held the pleasures of the moment of the first importance, and did not look forward to the future, I took measures that you might neither want nor be able to waste this which I have.
When, through your own conduct, it was not allowed me to give it you, to whom I ought before all, I had recourse to those who were your nearest relations; to them I have made over and intrusted every thing. There you’ll always find a refuge for your folly; food, clothing, and a roof under which to betake yourself.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid me incusas, Clitipho?
Quicquid ego huius feci, tibi prospexi et stultitiae tuae.
Ubi te vidi animo esse omisso, et suavia in praesentia
Quae essent prima habere, neque consulere in longitudinem,
Cepi rationem ut neque egeres, neque ut haec posses perdere.
Ubi cui decuit primo tibi non licuit per te mihi dare,
Abii ad proximos qui erant tibi; eis commisi et credidi:
Ibi tuae stultitiae semper erit praesidium, Clitipho;
Victus, vestitus, quo in tectum te receptes.

[¶253] CLITIPHO:
Ah me!

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Hei mihi!

[¶254] CHREMES:
It is better than that, you being my heir, Bacchis should possess this estate of mine.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Satius est quam te ipso herede haec possidere Bacchidem.

[¶255] SYRUS: (apart.)
I’m ruined irrevocably!—Of what mischief have I, wretch that I am, unthinkingly been the cause?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Disperii: scelestus quantas turbas concivi insciens!

[¶256] CLITIPHO:
Would I were dead!

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Emori cupio.

[¶257] CHREMES:
Prithee, first learn what it is to live. When you know that, if life displeases you, then try the other.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Prius quaeso disce quid sit vivere:
Ubi scies, si displicebit vita, tum istoc utitor.

[¶258] SYRUS:
Master, may I be allowed—?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Here, licetne?

[¶259] CHREMES:
Say on.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Loquere.

[¶260] SYRUS:
But may I safely?

> Latin: SYRUS:
At tuto?

[¶261] CHREMES:
Say on.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Loquere.

[¶262] SYRUS:
What injustice or what madness is this, that that in which I have offended, should be to his detriment?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quae ista est pravitas,
Quaeve amentia est, quod peccavi ego id obesse huic?

[¶263] CHREMES:
It’s all over.
Don’t you mix yourself up in it; no one accuses you, Syrus, nor need you look out for an altar, or for an intercessor for yourself.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ilicet.
Ne te admisce: nemo accusat, Syre, te; nec tu aram tibi
Nec precatorem pararis.

[¶264] SYRUS:
What is your design?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quid agis?

[¶265] CHREMES:
I am not at all angry either with you, (to SYRUS), or with you (to CLITIPHO); nor is it fair that you should be so with me for what I am doing.
(He goes into his house.)

> Latin: CHREMES:
Nihil succenseo,
Nec tibi nec huic: nec vos est aequum quod facio mihi.

[¶266] SYRUS:
He’s gone. I wish I had asked him—

> Latin: SYRUS:
Abiit; vah, rogasse vellem.

[¶267] CLITIPHO:
What, Syrus?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quid?

[¶268] SYRUS:
Where I am to get my subsistence; he has so utterly cast us adrift. You are to have it, for the present, at your sister’s, I find.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Unde mihi peterem cibum:
Ita nos alienavit: tibi iam esse ad sororem intelligo.

[¶269] CLITIPHO:
Has it then come to this pass, Syrus—that I am to be in danger even of starving?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Adeon rem rediisse ut periculum etiam fame mihi sit, Syre?

[¶270] SYRUS:
So we only live, there’s hope—

> Latin: SYRUS:
Modo liceat vivere, est spes—

[¶271] CLITIPHO:
What hope?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quae?

[¶272] SYRUS:
That we shall be hungry enough.

> Latin: SYRUS:
nos esurituros satis.

[¶273] CLITIPHO:
Do you jest in a matter so serious, and not give me any assistance with your advice?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Irrides in re tanta, neque me quicquam consilio adiuvas?

[¶274] SYRUS:
On the contrary, I’m both now thinking of that, and have been about it all the time your father was speaking just now; and so far as I can perceive—

> Latin: SYRUS:
Immo et ibi nunc sum, et usque id egi dudum, dum loquitur pater;
Et, quantum ego intelligere possum—

[¶275] CLITIPHO:
What?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quid?

[¶276] SYRUS:
It will not be wanting long.
(He meditates.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
non aberit longius.

[¶277] CLITIPHO:
What is it, then?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quid id ergo?

[¶278] SYRUS:
It is this—I think that you are not their son.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Sic est, non esse horum te arbitror.

[¶279] CLITIPHO:
How’s that, Syrus? Are you quite in your senses?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quid istuc, Syre?
Satin sanus es?

[¶280] SYRUS:
I’ll tell you what’s come into my mind; be you the judge. While they had you alone, while they had no other source of joy more nearly to affect them, they indulged you, they lavished upon you. Now a daughter has been found, a pretense has been found in fact on which to turn you adrift.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ego dicam quod mihi in mentem: tu diiudica.
Dum istis fuisti solus, dum nulla alia delectatio
Quae propior esset, te indulgebant, tibi dabant: nunc filia
Postquam est inventa vera, inventa est causa qua te expellerent.

[¶281] CLITIPHO:
It’s very probable.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Est verisimile.

[¶282] SYRUS:
Do you suppose that he is so angry on account of this fault?

> Latin: SYRUS:
An tu ob peccatum hoc esse illum iratum putas?

[¶283] CLITIPHO:
I do not think so.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Non arbitror.

[¶284] SYRUS:
Now consider another thing. All mothers are wont to be advocates for their sons when in fault, and to aid them against a father’s severity;’tis not so here.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Nunc aliud specta: matres omnes filiis
In peccato adiutrices, auxilio in paterna iniuria
Solent esse: id non fit.

[¶285] CLITIPHO:
You say true; what then shall I now do, Syrus?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Verum dicis: quid nunc faciam, Syre?

[¶286] SYRUS:
Question them on this suspicion; mention the matter without reserve;
either, if it is not true, you’ll soon bring them both to compassion, or else you’ll soon find out whose son you are.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Suspicionem istanc ex illis quaere; rem profer palam:
Si non est verum, ad misericordiam ambos adduces cito, aut
Scibis cuius sis.

[¶287] CLITIPHO:
You give good advice; I’ll do so.
(He goes into the house of CHREMES.)

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Recte suades; faciam.

[¶288] SYRUS: (to himself.)
Most fortunately did this come into my mind. For the less hope the young man entertains, the greater the difficulty with which he’ll bring his father to his own terms. I’m not sure even, that he may not take a wife, and then no thanks for Syrus.
But what is this? The old man’s coming out of doors; I’ll be off. What has so far happened, I am surprised at, that he didn’t order me to becarried off from here: now I’ll away to Menedemus here, I’ll secure him as my intercessor; I can put no trust in our old man.
(Goes into the house of MENEDEMUS.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Sat recte hoc mihi
In mentem venit: namque adolescens quam minima in spe situs erit
Tam facillime patris pacem in leges conficiet suas.
Etiam haud scio an uxorem ducat; ac Syro nihil gratiae.
Quid hoc autem? senex exit foras: ego fugio: adhuc quod factum est
Miror, continuo non iussisse abripi me. Ad Menedemum hunc pergam:
Eum mihi precatorem paro: seni nostro fidei nihil habeo.

[¶289] (Enter CHREMES and SOSTRATA from the house.)
SOSTRATA:
Really, sir, if you don’t take care, you’ll be causing some mischief to your son; and indeed I do wonder at it,
my husband, how anything so foolish could ever come into your head.

> Latin: (SOSTRATA. CHREMES.)
SOSTRATA:
Profecto nisi caves tu homo, aliquid gnato conficies mali:
Idque adeo miror quomodo
Tam ineptum quicquam tibi in mentem venire, mi vir, potuerit.

[¶290] CHREMES:
Oh, you persist in being the woman? Did I ever wish for any one thing in all my life, Sostrata, but that you were my contradicter on that occasion? And yet if I were now to ask you what it is that I have done amiss, or why you act thus, you would not know in what point you are now so obstinately opposing me in your folly.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Oh, pergin mulier esse? Nullamne ego rem unquam in vita mea
Volui quin tu in ea re mihi fueris adversatrix, Sostrata?
At si rogitem iam, quid est quod peccem, aut quamobrem hoc faciam, nescias:
In qua re nunc tam confidenter restas, stulta.

[¶291] SOSTRATA:
I, not know?

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Ego nescio?

[¶292] CHREMES:
Yes, rather, I should have said you do know; inasmuch as either expression amounts to the same thing.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Immo scis, potius quam quidem redeat ad integrum haec eadem oratio.

[¶293] SOSTRATA:
Alas! you are unreasonable to expect me to be silent in a matter of such importance.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Oh, iniquus es, qui me tacere de re tanta postules.

[¶294] CHREMES:
I don’t expect it; talk on then, I shall still do it not a bit the less.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Non postulo: iam loquere: nihilo minus ego hoc faciam tamen.

[¶295] SOSTRATA:
Will you do it?

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Facies?

[¶296] CHREMES:
Certainly.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Verum.

[¶297] SOSTRATA:
Don’t you see how much evil you will be causing by that course?—He suspects himself to be a foundling.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Non vides quantum mali ex ea re excites?
Subditum se suspicatur.

[¶298] CHREMES:
Do you say so?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Subditum, ain tu?

[¶299] SOSTRATA:
Assuredly it will be so.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Certe sic erit, inquam, mi vir.

[¶300] CHREMES:
Admit it.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Confitere tuum non esse.

[¶301] SOSTRATA:
Hold now—prithee, let that be for our enemies. Am I to admit that he is not my son who really is?

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Au obsecro te, istuc inimicis siet.
Egon confitear meum non esse filium qui sit meus?

[¶302] CHREMES:
What! are you afraid that you can not prove that he is yours, whenever you please?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid? metuis ne non, quum velis, convincas esse illum tuum?

[¶303] SOSTRATA:
Because my daughter has been found?

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Quod filia est inventa?

[¶304] CHREMES:
No; but for a reason why it should be much sooner believed—because he is just like you in disposition,
you will easily prove that he is your child; for he is exactly like you; why, he has not a single vice left him but you have just the same. Then, besides, no woman could have been the mother of such a son but yourself. But he’s coming out of doors, and how demure! When you understand the matter, you may form your own conclusions.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Non; sed, quod magis credendum siet,
Id quod est consimilis moribus,
Convincas facile ex te natum; nam tui similis est probe;
Nam illi nihil viti est relictum, quin sit et idem tibi.
Tum praeterea talem nisi tu nulla pareret filium.
Sed ipse egreditur: quam severus! rem cum videas, censeas.

[¶305] (Enter CLITIPHO from the house of CHREMES.)
CLITIPHO:
If there ever was any time, mother, when I caused you pleasure,
being called your son by your own desire, I beseech: you to remember it, and now to take compassion on me in my distress. A thing I beg and request—do discover to me my parents.

> Latin: (CLITIPHO.
SOSTRATA. CHREMES.)
CLITIPHO:
Si unquam ullum fuit tempus, mater, quum ego voluptati tibi
Fuerim, dictus filius tuus tua voluntate, obsecro,
Eius ut memineris, atque inopis nunc te miserescat mei:
Quod peto, et volo, parentes meos ut commonstres mihi.

[¶306] SOSTRATA:
I conjure you, my son, not to entertain that notion in your mind, that you are another person’s child.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Obsecro, mi gnate, ne istuc in animum inducas tuum,
Alienum esse te.

[¶307] CLITIPHO:
I am.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Sum.

[¶308] SOSTRATA:
Wretch that I am! (Turning to CHREMES.) Was it this that you wanted, pray?
(To CLITIPHO.) So may you be the survivor of me and of him, you are my son and his; and henceforth, if you love me, take care that I never hear that speech from you again.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Miseram me! hocine quaesisti, obsecro?
Ita mihi atque huic sis superstes ut ex me atque ex hoc natus es.
Et cave posthac, si me amas, unquam istuc verbum ex te audiam.

[¶309] CHREMES:
But I say, if you fear me, take care how I find these propensities existing in you.

> Latin: CHREMES:
At ego, si me metuis, mores cave in te esse istos sentiam.

[¶310] CLITIPHO:
What propensities?

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quos?

[¶311] CHREMES:
If you wish to know, I’ll tell you; being a trifler, an idler, a cheat, a glutton, a debauchee, a spendthrift—Believe me, and believe that you are our son.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Si scire vis, ego dicam: gerro, iners, fraus, heluo,
Ganeo, damnosus: crede, et nostrum te esse credito.

[¶312] CLITIPHO:
This is not the language of a parent.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Non sunt haec parentis dicta.

[¶313] CHREMES:
If you had been born from my head, Clitipho, just as they say Minerva was from Jove’s, none the more on that account would I suffer myself to be disgraced by your profligacy.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Non si ex capite sis meo
Natus, item ut aiunt Minervam esse ex Iove, ea causa magis
Patiar, Clitipho, flagitiis tuis me infamem fieri.

[¶314] SOSTRATA:
May the Gods forbid it.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Di istaec prohibeant.

[¶315] CHREMES:
I don’t know as to the Gods; so far as I shall be enabled, I will carefully prevent it. You are seeking that which you possess—parents; that which you are in want of you don’t seek—
in what way to pay obedience to a father, and to preserve what he acquired by his industry. That you by trickery should bring before my eyes—I am ashamed to mention the unseemly word in her presence (pointing to SOSTRATA), but you were not in any degree ashamed to act thus.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Deos nescio: ego quod potero sedulo.
Quaeris id quod habes, parentes: quod abest non quaeris, patri
Quomodo obsequare, et ut serves quod labore invenerit.
Non mihi per fallacias adducere ante oculos—? Pudet
Dicere hac praesente verbum turpe: at te id nullo modo
Puduit facere.

[¶316] CLITIPHO: (aside.)
Alas! how thoroughly displeased I now am with myself! How much ashamed! nor do I know how to make a beginning to pacify him.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Eheu, quam ego nunc totus displiceo mihi,
Quam pudet! neque quod principium inveniam ad placandum scio.

[¶317] (Enter MENEDEMUS from his house.)
MENEDEMUS: (to himself.)
Why really, Chremes is treating his son too harshly and too unkindly. I’m come out, therefore, to make peace between them. Most opportunely I see them both.

> Latin: (MENEDEMUS.
CHREMES.
CLITIPHO. SOSTRATA.)
MENEDEMUS:
Enimvero Chremes nimis graviter cruciat adolescentulum,
Nimisque inhumane. Exeo ergo ut pace conciliem. Optime
Ipsos video.

[¶318] CHREMES:
Well, Menedemus, why don’t you order my daughter to be sent for, and close with the offer of the portion that I mentioned?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ehem, Menedeme, cur non arcessi iubes
Filiam, et quod dotis dixi firmas?

[¶319] SOSTRATA:
My husband, I entreat you not to do it.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Mi vir, te obsecro
Ne facias.

[¶320] CLITIPHO:
Father, I entreat you to forgive me.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Pater, obsecro ut mihi ignoscas.

[¶321] MENEDEMUS:
Forgive him, Chremes;
do let then prevail upon you.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Da veniam, Chreme:
Sine te exoret.

[¶322] CHREMES:
Am I knowingly to make my property a present to Bacchis? I’ll not do it.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Egon mea bona ut dem Bacchidi dono sciens?
Non faciam.

[¶323] MENEDEMUS:
Why, we would not suffer it.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
At id nos non sinemus.

[¶324] CLITIPHO:
If you desire me to live, father, do forgive me.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Si me vivum vis, pater,
Ignosce.

[¶325] SOSTRATA:
Do, my dear Chremes.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Age, Chreme mi.

[¶326] MENEDEMUS:
Come, Chremes, pray, don’t be so obdurate.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Age quaeso ne tam offirma te, Chreme.

[¶327] CHREMES:
What am I to do here? I see I am not allowed to carry this through, as I had intended.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid istic? video non licere ut coeperam hoc pertendere.

[¶328] MENEDEMUS:
You are acting as becomes you.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Facis ut te decet.

[¶329] CHREMES:
On this condition, then, I’ll do it; if he does
that which I think it right he should do.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Ea lege hoc adeo faciam; si facit
Quod ego hunc aequum censeo.

[¶330] CLITIPHO:
Father, I’ll do any thing; command me.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Pater, omnia faciam: impera.

[¶331] CHREMES:
You must take a wife.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Uxorem ut ducas.

[¶332] CLITIPHO:
Father—

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Pater!

[¶333] CHREMES:
I’ll hear nothing.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Nihil audio.

[¶334] MENEDEMUS:
I’ll take it upon myself; he shall do so.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Ad me recipio:
Faciet.

[¶335] CHREMES:
I don’t hear any thing from him as yet.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Nihil etiam audio ipsum.

[¶336] CLITIPHO: (aside.)
I’m undone!

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Perii!

[¶337] SOSTRATA:
Do you hesitate, Clitipho?

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
An dubitas, Clitipho?

[¶338] CHREMES:
Nay, just as he likes.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Immo utrum vult.

[¶339] MENEDEMUS:
He’ll do it all.

> Latin: MENEDEMUS:
Faciet omnia.

[¶340] SOSTRATA:
This course, while you are making a beginning, is disagreeable, and while you are unacquainted with it. When you have become acquainted with it, it will become easy.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Haec dum incipias gravia sunt,
Dumque ignores: ubi cognoris, facilia.

[¶341] CLITIPHO:
I’ll do it, father.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Faciam, pater.

[¶342] SOSTRATA:
My son, upon my honor I’ll give you that charming girl, whom you may soon become attached to, the daughter of our neighbor Phanocrata.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Gnate mi, ego pol tibi dabo illam lepidam quam tu facile ames;
Filiam Phanocratae nostri.

[¶343] CLITIPHO:
What! that red-haired girl, with cat’s eyes, freckled face, and hooked nose? I can not, father.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Rufamne illam virginem,
Caesiam, sparso ore, adunco naso? non possum, pater.

[¶344] CHREMES:
Heyday! how nice he is! You would fancy he had set his mind upon it.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Heia, ut elegans est! credas animum ibi esse.

[¶345] SOSTRATA:
I’ll name another.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Aliam dabo.

[¶346] CLITIPHO:
Why no—since I must marry, I myself have one that I should pretty nearly make choice of.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Quid istic? quandoquidem ducenda est, egomet habeo propemodum
Quam volo.

[¶347] SOSTRATA:
Now, son, I commend you.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Nunc laudo te, gnate.

[¶348] CLITIPHO:
The daughter of Archonides here.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Archonidi huius filiam.

[¶349] SOSTRATA:
I’m quite agreeable.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Perplacet.

[¶350] CLITIPHO:
Father, this now remains.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Pater, hoc nunc restat.

[¶351] CHREMES:
What is it?

> Latin: CHREMES:
Quid?

[¶352] CLITIPHO:
I want you to pardon Syrus for what he has done for my sake.

> Latin: CLITIPHO:
Syro ignoscas volo
Quae mea causa fecit.

[¶353] CHREMES:
Be it so.
(To the Audience.) Fare you well, and grant us your applause.

> Latin: CHREMES:
Fiat.
Ω:
Vos valete, et plaudite!