Perde 5
[Textpart 2]
On the contrary, I’m both now thinking of that, and have been about it all the time your father was speaking just now; and so far as I can perceive—
SYRUS
It will not be wanting long.
CLITIPHO
What is it, then?
985
SYRUS
It is this—I think that you are not their son.
985
CLITIPHO
How’s that, Syrus? Are you quite in your senses?
985
SYRUS
I’ll tell you what’s come into my mind; be you the judge. While they had you alone, while they had no other source of joy more nearly to affect them, they indulged you, they lavished upon you. Now a daughter has been found, a pretense has been found in fact on which to turn you adrift.
CLITIPHO
It’s very probable.
990
SYRUS
Do you suppose that he is so angry on account of this fault?
990
CLITIPHO
I do not think so.
SYRUS
Now consider another thing. All mothers are wont to be advocates for their sons when in fault, and to aid them against a father’s severity; ’tis not so here.
CLITIPHO
You say true; what then shall I now do, Syrus?
SYRUS
Question them on this suspicion; mention the matter without reserve;
either, if it is not true, you’ll soon bring them both to compassion, or else you’ll soon find out whose son you are.
995
CLITIPHO
You give good advice; I’ll do so.
SYRUS
Most fortunately did this come into my mind. For the less hope the young man entertains, the greater the difficulty with which he’ll bring his father to his own terms. I’m not sure even, that he may not take a wife, and then no thanks for Syrus.
But what is this? The old man’s coming out of doors; I’ll be off. What has so far happened, I am surprised at, that he didn’t order me to becarried off from here: now I’ll away to Menedemus here, I’ll secure him as my intercessor; I can put no trust in our old man.
1000
[Textpart 3]
Really, sir, if you don’t take care, you’ll be causing some mischief to your son; and indeed I do wonder at it,
SOSTRATA
my husband, how anything so foolish could ever come into your head.
1005
CHREMES
Oh, you persist in being the woman? Did I ever wish for any one thing in all my life, Sostrata, but that you were my contradicter on that occasion? And yet if I were now to ask you what it is that I have done amiss, or why you act thus, you would not know in what point you are now so obstinately opposing me in your folly.
