Perde 3
[Textpart 1]
You seem to speak the truth, and just what is the fact.
490
CHREMES
I’faith, I have not been sensible of sleep this night with my eyes,This night with my eyes: Colman has the following Note here: Hedelin obstinately contends from this passage, that neither Chremes nor any of his family went to bed the whole night; the contrary of which is evident, as Menage observes, from the two next Scenes. For why should Syrus take notice of his being up so early, if he had never retired to rest? Or would Chremes have reproached Clitipho for his behavior the night before, had the feast never been interrupted? Eugraphius’s interpretation of these words is natural and obvious, who explains them to signify that the anxiety of Chremes to restore Clinia to Menedemus broke his rest. for thinking of this—how to restore your son to you.
MENEDEMUS
Give me your right hand. I request that you will still act in a like manner, Chremes.
CHREMES
I am ready to serve you.
MENEDEMUS
Do you know what it is I now want you to do?
MENEDEMUS
As you have perceived that they are laying a plan to deceive me, that they may hasten to complete it. I long to give him whatever he wants: I am now longing to behold him.
495
CHREMES
I’ll lend my endeavors. This little business is in my way. Our neighbors Simus and Crito are disputing here about boundaries;
they have chosen me for arbitrator. I’ll go and tell them that I can not possibly give them my attention to-day as I had stated I would. I’ll be here immediately.
500
MENEDEMUS
Pray do. (To himself.) Ye Gods, by our trust in you! That the nature of all men should be so constituted, that they can see and judge of other men’s affairs better
than their own! Is it because in our own concerns we are biased either with joy or grief in too great a degree? How much wiser now is he for me, than I have been for myself!
505
CHREMES
I have disengaged myself, that I might lend you my services at my leisure. Syrus must be found and instructed by me in this business.
Some one, I know not who, is coming out of my house: do you step hence home, that they may not perceiveThat they may not perceive: Madame Dacier observes that Chremes seizes this as a very plausible and necessary pretense to engage Menedemus to return home, and not to his labors in the field, as he had at first intended. that we are conferring together.
510
[Textpart 2]
Run to and fro in every direction; still, money, you must be found: a trap must be laid for the old man.
CHREMES
Was I deceived in saying that they were planning this?
That servant of Clinia’s is somewhat dull; therefore that province has been assigned to this one of ours.
515
SYRUS
Who’s that speaking? (Catches sight of CGREMES.) I’m undone! Did he hear it, I wonder?
CHREMES
What are you doing here ?
