Perde 5
[Textpart 2]
am I standing here alone, and am not forwarding the business that I was intending to transact? I will accost these persons.
1150
CHARMIDES
Who is this person that is coming this way towards us?
LYSITELES
Lysiteles salutes his father-in-law Charmides.
CHARMIDES
May the Gods grant you, Lysiteles, whatever you may desire.
CALLICLES
Am I not worthy of a salutation?
LYSITELES
Yes; health to you, Callicles. It is right that I should give him the preference: the tunic is nearer The tunic is nearer: — This was, perhaps, a proverbial saying, used when a preference was expressed. Of course he would pay more respect to his anticipated father-in-law than to an ordinary friend. The tumca supplied the place of the shirt of modern times. the skin than the cloak.
CALLICLES
I trust that the Gods may direct your plans aright.
1155
CHARMIDES
I hear that my daughter has been betrothed to you?
LYSITELES
Unless you are unwilling.
CHARMIDES
Nay, I am not unwilling.
LYSITELES
Do you, then, promise your daughter for my wife?
CHARMIDES
I promise a thousand gold Philippean pieces, as well, for a portion.
LYSITELES
I care nothing about a portion.
CHARMIDES
If she pleases you, the portion which she presents to you must be pleased as well.
In fine, the object which you desire you shall not have, unless you shall take that which you do not desire.
1160
CALLICLES
He asks but justice.
LYSITELES
He shall obtain it, you the advocate and the judge. On these conditions, do you engage that your daughter shall be given to me as my wife?
CHARMIDES
I do promise her.
CALLICLES
And I promise her likewise.
LYSITELES
O save you, my connexions by marriage.
