_Men._ I am not very wise myself or clever, that I know: And I may have behaved in a manner open to criticism, I may have even provoked derision, that may be; I think I have. But this same would-be helper of mine, My counsellor and guide, Chremes, is very far beyond me. 1399 I never did anything half so foolish in all my life As to trust my secrets to him. In time now; here he comes. _Enter Chremes._ _CHREMES._ Ah, my good Menedemus, now I have news indeed. _Men._ I know it, Chremes, and give you my hearty congratulations. ’Tis a happy day for us both: for you have found a daughter, And I ... _Chr._ You know it already? Who told you? _Men._ My son. _Chr._ Your son! _Men._ Clinia. Yes. He is in my house. I was coming across To ask you to join your treasure so newly found with mine: And to give your daughter to-day to my son in marriage. _Chr._ Well! I cannot understand it. Where did he come from? When? _Men._ Why, that’s the strangest of all: he landed only this morning, 1410 Met your son in the town; & has been in yóur house Ever since. _Chr._ My house? _Men._ It seems your son is a friend of his: He introduced him, but under another name, because He did not wish to be known. _Chr._ Not Clitipho? _Men._ Ay, ’twas that. _Chr._ There then! O how I have been deceived! And you were right About the Persians too: they were a make-believe. _Men._ So I guessed all along, Chremes. _Chr._ But who then were they? _Men._ Forgive me, my good friend, I ask you once for all, The annoyance my family affairs have been to you to-day. 1419 Your kindness has brought you only vexation. _Chr._ O, I am sure You are welcome enough to any service that I can render. _Men._ Then pray oblige me in this, and overlook the folly Of the actors in thís fárce. The intention was to deceive Me and not you: till you accidentally, as it seems, Came in their way: and then they could not help themselves: They even tried to avoid you. _Chr._ Who were they? _Men._ Remember too ’Tis the feast of Bacchus to-day, ’tis not so great a crime To droll on a private person, at a time that is set apart For mirth and jollity, and when buffoonery too makes up A part of the festival. _Chr._ I think no gentleman 1430 Should suffer buffoonery to cover an insult. _Men._ Supposing not, Yet none was intended. _Chr._ Who were they?