The Comedies of Terence Part 62

'Tis as you say. From what a pleasing hope Have I then fall'n!

CHREM. And she, I warrant you, Now at your house, is my son's mistress? Eh!

MENE. So they say.

CHREM. What! and you believ'd it?

MENE. All.

CHREM. --And they say too he wants to marry her; That soon as I've consented, you may give him Money to furnish her with jewels, clothes, And other necessaries.

MENE. Aye, 'tis so: The money's for his mistress.

CHREM. To be sure.

MENE. Alas, my transports are all groundless then.

--Yet I would rather bear with any thing, Than lose my son again.--What answer, Chremes, Shall I return with, that he mayn't perceive I've found him out, and take offense?

CHREM. Offense!

You're too indulgent to him, Menedemus!

MENE. Allow me. I've begun, and must go through.

Do but continue to a.s.sist me.

CHREM. Say, That we have met, and treated of the match.

MENE. Well; and what else?

CHREM. That I give full consent; That I approve my son-in-law;--In short, You may a.s.sure him also, if you please, That I've betroth'd my daughter to him.

MENE. Good!

The thing I wanted.

CHREM. So shall he the sooner Demand the money; you, as you desire, The sooner give.

MENE. 'Tis my desire indeed.

CHREM. 'Troth, friend, as far as I can judge of this, You'll soon be weary of your son again.

But as the case now stands, give cautiously, A little at a time, if you are wise.

MENE. I will.

CHREM. Go in, and see what he demands.

If you should want me, I'm at home.

MENE. 'Tis well.

For I shall let you know, do what I will. (_Exeunt severally._

[Changes:

_Harper_ Do but continue to a.s.sist me.

CHREM. Say, That we have met, and treated of the match.

_Colman 1768_ Do but continue to a.s.sist me, Chremes.

CHREM. Say we have met, and treated of the match.

_Harper_ MENE. Good!

The thing I wanted.

CHREM. So shall he the sooner Demand the money; you, as you desire, The sooner give.

MENE. 'Tis my desire indeed.

CHREM. 'Troth, friend, as far as I can judge of this, You'll soon be weary of your son again.

But as the case now stands, give cautiously, A little at a time, if you are wise.

_Colman 1768_ MENE. Good!

The very thing I wanted.

CHREM. So your son The sooner shall demand the money of you; And so shall you, according to your wish The sooner give.

MENE. It is my wish indeed.

CHREM. 'Fore heaven, friend, as far as I can judge, You'll soon be weary of your son again.

But be it as it may, give cautiously, A little at a time, if you are wise.]

ACT THE FIFTH.

SCENE I.

_MENEDEMUS alone._

That I'm not overwise, no conjurer, I know full well: but my a.s.sistant here, And counselor, and grand controller Chremes, Outgoes me far: dolt, blockhead, ninny, a.s.s; Or these, or any other common terms By which men speak of fools, befit me well: But him they suit not: his stupidity Is so transcendent, it exceeds them all.

SCENE II.

_Enter CHREMES._

CHREM. (_to SOSTRATA, within_). Nay prithee, good wife, cease to stun the G.o.ds With thanking them that you have found your daughter; Unless you fancy they are like yourself, And think they can not understand a thing Unless said o'er and o'er a hundred times.

--But meanwhile (_coming forward_) wherefore do my son and Syrus Loiter so long?

MENE. Who are those loiterers, Chremes?

CHREM. Ha, Menedemus, are you there?--Inform me, Have you told Clinia what I said?

MENE. The whole.

CHREM. And what said he?

MENE. Grew quite transported at it, Like those who wish for marriage.

CHREM. Ha! ha! ha!