_Ph._ What matter, when all the time you are just behind the hedge? 410 No reason I see to wound him: I shall feel my way. An hour will settle all. If he be kindly bent, Or I can move him towards you, you must stand prepared To strike while the iron is hot. The lady, I understand, Will be with you here: be ready, and when I give the word, You step across the road and kneel for the old man’s blessing. _Clin._ I have told you, Pamphilus, Antiphila must not come. Your father’s interference is most unfortunate: He is not my judge for good or ill. It shall not be. _Pam._ I have promised. _Clin._ I am determined. _Ph._ A very delicate point. 420 And yet ’tis a pity they should not come. _Pam._ O Clinia, Your obstinacy will ruin all. _Ph._ (_to Pam._). I understand. Your friend objects to the lady coming, because he thinks Your father will know her? _Pam._ And so he will. _Ph._ Nay, not at all. Chremes need never know her. _Pam._ How can you manage that? _Ph._ The thing’s as easy as lying. Let the ladies change Their names; or if so be Chremes knows not their names, Let them but change their parts. Gorgo—for that’s the lady, 428 Whom you would bring, I guess—let Gorgo pass to-day For Clinia’s mistress; let Antiphila play the maid; W^h hinders not that when they come, each take his own. You have your Gorgo; you, sir, your Antiphila: And none will be any the wiser. _Pam._ Good. What say you now? _Clin._ ’Twould make all kinds of complications, Pamphilus: And all to no manner of purpose. _Pam._ Why, I should keep my promise, And spend the day with Gorgo. _Clin._ I’ll play no part in this. You quite forget besides that as yet I know not how Antiphila will receive me. I have been six months away; She may have thrown me over, may have another lover, And think of me no more. _Ph._ Wish you to find out that? 440 I’ll serve you too in this. Give me the word to go And visit her where she lives, and if I find her true, To bring her along at once. _Clin._ ’Tis extremely kind of you, sir, To throw yourself so quickly and hotly into my affairs: But indeed I do not need it. _Ph._ ’Tis plain to me you do. A runaway just returned, afraid to face his father, Fearful lest in his absence his mistress have proved untrue— Not need a friend? Why a friend is just what you do need, To discover for you the state of affairs, and put you in train.