Perde 4
[Textpart 7]
Very well, give it me.
SYRUS
Follow me this way directly. (To CHREMES.) You in the mean while will wait here for us till we return; for there’s no occasion for us to stay there long.
CHREMES
My daughter, in fact, has now had ten minae from me, which I consider as paid for her board; another ten will follow these for clothes; and then she will require two talents for her portion. How many things, both just and unjust, are sanctioned by custom!Are sanctioned by custom: He inveighs, perhaps justly, against the tyranny of custom; but in selecting this occasion for doing so, he does not manifest any great affection for his newly-found daughter.
835
Now I’m obliged, neglecting my business, to look out for some one on whom to bestow my property, that has been acquired by my labor.
840
[Textpart 8]
My son, I now think myself the happiest of all men, since I find that you have returned to a rational mode of life.
CHREMES
How much he is mistaken!
MENEDEMUS
Chremes, you are the very person I wanted;
preserve, so far as in you lies, my son, myself, and my family.
845
CHREMES
Tell me what you would have me do.
MENEDEMUS
You have this day found a daughter.
MENEDEMUS
Clinia wishes her to be given him for a wife.
CHREMES
Prithee, what kind of a person are you?
CHREMES
Have you already forgotten what passed between us, concerning a scheme,
that by that method some money might be got out of you?
850
MENEDEMUS
I remember.
850
CHREMES
That self-same thing they are now about.
MENEDEMUS
What do you tell me, Chremes? Why surely, this Courtesan, who is at my house, is Clitipho’s mistress.
CHREMES
So they say, and you believe it all; and they say that he is desirous of a wife, in order that, when I have betrothed her,
