Perde 5
[Textpart 4]
(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.
1030
CHREMES
But I say, if you fear me, take care how I find these propensities existing in you.
CLITIPHO
What propensities?
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.
CLITIPHO
This is not the language of a parent.
1035
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.By your profligacy: It is probably this ebullition of Comic anger which is referred to by Horace, in his Art of Poetry: Interdum tamen et vocem Comoedia tollit, Iratusque Chremes tumido delitigat ore. Yet sometimes Comedy as well raises her voice, and enraged Chremes censures in swelling phrase.
1035
SOSTRATA
May the Gods forbid it.
CHREMES
I don’t know as to the Gods;I don’t know as to the Gods: Deos nescio. The Critic Lambinus, in his letter to Charles the Ninth of France, accuses Terence of impiety in this passage. Madame Dacier has, however, well observed, that the meaning is not I care not for the Gods, but I know not what the Gods will do. 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.
1040
CLITIPHO
Alas! how thoroughly displeased I now am with myself! How much ashamed! nor do I know how to make a beginning to pacify him.
[Textpart 5]
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.
1045
CHREMES
Well, Menedemus, why don’t you order my daughter to be sent for, and close with the offerAnd close with the offer: Firmas. This ratification or affirmation would be made by Menedemus using the formal word Accipio, I accept. of the portion that I mentioned?
SOSTRATA
My husband, I entreat you not to do it.
CLITIPHO
Father, I entreat you to forgive me.
MENEDEMUS
Forgive him, Chremes;
do let then prevail upon you.
1050
CHREMES
Am I knowingly to make my property a present to Bacchis? I’ll not do it.
1050
MENEDEMUS
Why, we would not suffer it.
CLITIPHO
If you desire me to live, father, do forgive me.
SOSTRATA
Do, my dear Chremes.
