T. Maccius Plautus Mercator 5.3

LYSIMACHUS

[Demipho ¹ , this saying of the wise, I think you have often heard, Pleasure is the bait for misfortune; because, by it, not less are men aught than are fishes with the hook Although aged people fly from it, still you don’t pay that regard to your old age: since it hasn’t even withdrawn love from you, but has forced you to it even more vehemently. Wherefore it utterly confounds yourself and your understanding and your mind, and dazzles your eyesight. Myself too have you brought into great trouble, and I know not what to do,

DEMIPHO

Lysimachus, this is the will of the Gods, not of men. If you reflect upon this with yourself, you will be of opinion that you are not doing right, in censuring so heavily a person your friend and the sharer of your secrets.]

As though you yourself had never done anything like this action.

LYSIMACHUS

By heavens, never. I took care not to do anything: wretch that I am, I am scarcely alive; for my wife is lying all in a ferment about her.

DEMIPHO

But I’ll undertake to clear you, so that she mayn’t be angry.

960

LYSIMACHUS

Follow me—but I see my son coming out.