Perde 5
[Textpart 1]
This individual This individual: — He is speaking of himself in the third person, and is congratulating himself on his being about to obtain the hand of the daughter of Charmides. is the very first of all men; excelling all in pleasures and delights. So truly do the blessings which I desire befal me, that whatever I undertake is brought about, and constantly succeeds: so does one delight succeed other delights.
1115
LYSITELES
Just now, Stasimus, the servant of Lesbonicus, came to me at home. He told me that his master, Charmides, had arrived here from abroad. Now he must be forthwith waited upon by me, that the father may prove a more sure foundation in that matter on which I have treated with his son. I’ll go. But this door, with its creaking, inopportunely causes me delay.
1120
[Textpart 2]
There never was, nor will there be, nor yet do I think that there is a person upon the earth, whose fidelity and constancy towards his friend equals yours. For without you, it would have been that he would have ousted me out of this house.
1125
CALLICLES
If I have in any way acted well towards my friend, or have faithfully consulted his advantage, I seem not to be deserving of praise, but I think I am free from fault.
For a benefit which is conferred on a man for his own, at once is lost to the giver; what is given only as a loan, the same there is a right to ask back, whenever you please.
1130
CHARMIDES
’Tis so as you say. But I cannot sufficiently-wonder at this, that he has betrothed his sister into a family so influential.
CALLICLES
Aye; to Lysiteles, the son of Philto.
LYSITELES
Why, he is mentioning my name.
CHARMIDES
He has got into a most worthy family.
1135
LYSITELES
Why do I hesitate to address these persons? But still, I think, I may wait awhile; for something is going to be said to the purpose about this matter.
1135
CALLICLES
What’s the matter?
CHARMIDES
I forgot just now to tell you of it in-doors. As I was coming hither, a while ago, a certain swindling fellow met me—a very finished sharper. He told me that he was carrying a thousand gold pieces,
of my giving, to you and my son Lesbonicus; a fellow, that I know not who he was, nor have I ever seen him anywhere before. But why do you laugh?
1140
CALLICLES
He came by my directions, as though he was one bringing the gold from you to me, to give as a portion to your daughter; that your son, when I should give it to her from my own hands, might suppose that it had been brought from you,
and that he might not anyhow be enabled to discover the fact itself—that your treasure was in my possession, and demand it of me And demand it of me: — On the supposition of his father’s death, the laws would probably have decreed it to him as his father’s heir., as having belonged to his father, by the public laws.
1145
CHARMIDES
Cleverly contrived, i’ troth.
CALLICLES
Megaronides, a common well-wisher of yours and mine, planned this.
CHARMIDES
Well, I applaud his device, and approve of it.
LYSITELES
Why, in my foolishness, while I fear to interrupt their discourse,
