_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 assistant here, And counselor, and grand controller Chremes, Outgoes me far: dolt, blockhead, ninny, ass; 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 Gods 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! MENE. What do you laugh at? CHREM. I was thinking of The cunning rogueries of that slave, Syrus. (_Laughing._) MENE. Oh, was that it? CHREM. Why, he can form and mould The very visages of men, a rogue! (_Laughing._) MENE. Meaning my son's well-acted transport? CHREM. Aye. (_Laughing._) MENE. The very same thing I was thinking of. CHREM. A subtle villain! (_Laughing._) MENE. Nay, if you knew more, You'd be still more convinc'd on't. CHREM. Say you so? MENE. Aye; do but hear. CHREM. (_laughing_). Hold! hold! inform me first How much you're out of pocket. For as soon As you inform'd your son of my consent, Dromo, I warrant, gave you a broad hint That the bride wanted jewels, clothes, attendants; That you might pay the money. MENE. No. CHREM. How? No? MENE. No, I say. CHREM. What! nor Clinia? MENE. Not a word; But only press'd the marriage for to-day. CHREM. Amazing!--But our Syrus? Did not he Throw in a word or two? MENE. Not he. CHREM. How so?