Perde 5
[Textpart 3]
How, my father? As if you stood in any need of this father. Home, wife, and children, provided by you against the will of your father! People suborned, too, to say that she is a citizen of this place! You have gained your point.
890
PAMPHILUS
Father, may I say a few words?
SIMO
What can you say to me?
CHREMES
But, Simo, do hear him.
SIMO
I, hear him? Why should I hear him,
CHREMES
Still, however, do allow him to speak.
895
SIMO
Well then, let him speak: I allow him.
895
PAMPHILUS
I own that I love her; if that is committing a fault, I own that also. To you, father, do I subject myself. Impose on me any injunction you please; command me. Do you wish me to take a wife? Do you wish me to give her up? As well as I can I will endure it. This only I request of you, not to think that this old gentleman has been suborned by me.
Allow me to clear myself, and to bring him here before you.
900
SIMO
To bring him here?
900
PAMPHILUS
Do allow me, father.
900
CHREMES
He asks what’s reasonable; do give him leave.
PAMPHILUS
Allow me to obtain thus much of you.
SIMO
I allow it. I desire any thing, so long as I find, Chremes, that I have not been deceived by him.
CHREMES
For a great offense, a slight punishment ought to satisfy a father.
[Textpart 4]
Forbear entreating. Of these, any one reason prompts me to do it,
CRITO
either your own sake, or the fact that it is the truth, or that I wish well for Glycerium herself.
905
CHREMES
Do I see Crito of Andros? Surely it is he.
CRITO
Greetings to you, Chremes.
