Perde 4
[Textpart 5]
I believe you.
SYRUS
But for my part, Chremes, I take it well and good, either way.
CHREMES
But still, I especially wish you to do your best for it to be brought about; but in some other way.
SYRUS
It shall be done: some other method must be thought of; but as to what I was telling you of,—about the money which she owes to Bacchis,—that must now be repaid her. And you will not, of course, now be having recourse to this method; What have I to do with it? Was it lent to me? Did I give any orders? Had she the power to pawn my daughter
790
without my consent? They quote that saying, Chremes, with good reason, Riorous lawRigorous law: Cicero mentions the same proverb in his work De Officiis, B. i., ch. 10, substituting the word injuria for malitia. Extreme law, extreme injustice, is now become a stale proverb in discourse. The same sentiment is found in the Fragments of Menander. is often rigorous injustice.
795
CHREMES
I will not do so.
SYRUS
On the contrary, though others were at liberty, you are not at liberty; all think that you are in good and very easy circumstances.
CHREMES
Nay rather, I’ll at once carry it to her myself.
SYRUS
Why no; request your son in preference.
CHREMES
For what reason?
800
SYRUS
Why, because the suspicion of being in love with her has been transferred to him with Menedemus.
800
SYRUS
Because it will seem to be more like probability when he gives it her; and at the same time I shall effect more easily what I wish. Here he comes too; go, and bring out the money.
[Textpart 6]
There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it with reluctance. As this walk of mine, for instance, though not fatiguing, it has reduced me to weariness. And now I dread nothing more than that I should be packed off somewhere hence once again, that I may not have access to Bacchis.
805
CLITIPHO
May then all the Gods and Goddesses, as many as exist, confound you, Syrus, with these stratagems and plots of yours. You are always devising something of this kind, by means of which to torture me.
810
SYRUS
Will you not away with you—to where you deserve? How nearly had your forwardness proved my ruin!
CLITIPHO
Upon my faith, I wish it had been so; just what you deserve.
815
SYRUS
Deserve? How so? Really, I’m glad that I’ve heard this from you before you had the money which I was just going to give you.
815
CLITIPHO
What then would you have me to say to you? You’ve made a fool of me; brought my mistress hither, whom I’m not allowed to touch—
