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842
(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.
My son, I now think myself the happiest of all men, since I find that you have returned to a rational mode of life.
CHREMES
(aside.)
How much he is mistaken!
How much he is mistaken!
MENEDEMUS
Chremes, you are the very person I wanted;
preserve, so far as in you lies, my son, myself, and my family.
845
Chremes, you are the very person I wanted;
preserve, so far as in you lies, my son, myself, and my family.
845
CHREMES
Tell me what you would have me do.
Tell me what you would have me do.
MENEDEMUS
You have this day found a daughter.
You have this day found a daughter.
CHREMES
What then?
What then?
MENEDEMUS
Clinia wishes her to be given him for a wife.
Clinia wishes her to be given him for a wife.
CHREMES
Prithee, what kind of a person are you?
Prithee, what kind of a person are you?
MENEDEMUS
Why?
Why?
CHREMES
Have you already forgotten what passed between us, concerning a scheme,
that by that method some money might be got out of you?
850
Have you already forgotten what passed between us, concerning a scheme,
that by that method some money might be got out of you?
850
MENEDEMUS
I remember.
I remember.
CHREMES
That self-same thing they are now about.
That self-same thing they are now about.
MENEDEMUS
What do you tell me, Chremes? Why surely, this Courtesan, who is at my house, is Clitipho’s mistress.
What do you tell me, Chremes? Why surely, this Courtesan, who is at my house, is Clitipho’s mistress.
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.
855
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.
855
MENEDEMUS
That is it, no doubt; that money will be given to his mistress.
That is it, no doubt; that money will be given to his mistress.
CHREMES
Of course it is to be given.
Of course it is to be given.
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?
860
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?
860
CHREMES
To heart, indeed! you are too indulgent to him, Menedemus.
To heart, indeed! you are too indulgent to him, Menedemus.
MENEDEMUS
Let me go on; I have now begun: assist me in this throughout, Chremes.
Let me go on; I have now begun: assist me in this throughout, Chremes.
CHREMES
Say then, that you have seen me, and have treated about the marriage.
Say then, that you have seen me, and have treated about the marriage.
MENEDEMUS
I’ll say so—what then?
I’ll say so—what then?
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.
865
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.
865
MENEDEMUS
Well, that’s what I wanted—
Well, that’s what I wanted—
CHREMES
That he may the sooner ask of you, and you may as soon as possible give him what you wish.
That he may the sooner ask of you, and you may as soon as possible give him what you wish.
MENEDEMUS
It is my wish.
It is my wish.
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.
870
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.
870
MENEDEMUS
I’ll do so.
I’ll do so.
CHREMES
Go in-doors and see how much he requires. I shall be at home, if you should want me for any thing.
Go in-doors and see how much he requires. I shall be at home, if you should want me for any thing.
MENEDEMUS
I certainly do want you; for I shall let you know whatever I do.
(They go into their respective houses.)
I certainly do want you; for I shall let you know whatever I do.
Heautontimorumenos. Publius Terentius Afer (Terence). Henry Thomas Riley (Translator), George Colman (Translator). Ney York. 1874.
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