CLIT. If this is true, Clinia, as I believe it is, who is there more fortunate than you? Do you mark this {girl} whom he speaks of, as dirty and drabbish? This, too, is a strong indication that the mistress is out of harm’s way, when her confidant is in such ill plight; for it is a rule with those who wish to gain access to the mistress, first to bribe the maid. CLIN. (_to SYRUS._) Go on, I beseech you; and beware of endeavoring to purchase favor by telling an untruth. What did she say, when you mentioned me? SYR. When we told her that you had returned, and had requested her to come to you, the damsel instantly put away the web, and covered her face all over with tears; so that you might easily perceive that it really was caused by her affection for you. CLIN. So may the Deities bless me, I know not where I am for joy! I was so alarmed {before}. CLIT. But I was sure that there was no reason, Clinia. Come now, Syrus, tell {me}, in my turn, who this other lady is. SYR. Your Bacchis, {whom} we are bringing.[42] CLIT. Ha! What! Bacchis? How now, you rascal! whither are you bringing her? SYR. Whither {am I bringing} her? To our house, to be sure. CLIT. What! to my father’s? SYR. To the very same. CLIT. Oh, the audacious impudence of the fellow! SYR. Hark’ye, no great and memorable action is done without some risk. CLIT. Look {now}; are you seeking to gain credit for yourself, at the hazard of my character, you rascal, in a point, where, if you only make the slightest slip, I am ruined? What would you be doing with her? SYR. But still-- CLIT. Why “still?” SYR. If you’ll give me leave, I’ll tell you. CLIN. Do give him leave. CLIT. I give him leave {then}. SYR. This affair is now just as though when-- CLIT. Plague on it, what roundabout story is he beginning to tell me? CLIN. Syrus, he says what’s right-- do omit {digressions}; come to the point. SYR. Really I can not hold my tongue. Clitipho, you are every way unjust, and can not possibly be endured. CLIN. Upon my faith, he ought to have a hearing. (_To CLITIPHO._) Do be silent. SYR. You wish to indulge in your amours; you wish to possess {your mistress}; you wish that to be procured wherewithal to make her presents; in getting {this}, you do not wish the risk to be your own. You are not wise to no purpose,-- if indeed it is being wise to wish for that which can not happen. Either the one must be had with the other, or the one must be let alone with the other. Now, of these two alternatives, consider which one you would prefer; although this project which I have formed, I know to be both a wise and a safe one. For there is an opportunity for your mistress to be with you at your father’s house, without fear {of a discovery}; besides, by these self-same means, I shall find the money which you have promised her-- to effect which, you have already made my ears deaf with entreating me. What would you have more? CLIT. If, indeed, this could be brought about--