SYR. (_apart._) I believe it. CLIN. (_apart._) Syrus, I can scarce endure it![49] Wretch that I am, that I should not be allowed to possess one of such a disposition at my own discretion! SYR. Nay, so far as I understand your father, he will for a long time yet be giving you a hard task. BACCH. Why, who is that young man that’s looking at us? ANTI. (_seeing CLINIA._) Ah! do support me, I entreat you! BACCH. Prithee, what is the matter with you? ANTI. I shall die, alas! I shall die! BACCH. Why are you {thus} surprised, Antiphila? ANTI. Is it Clinia that I see, or not? BACCH. Whom do you see? CLIN. (_running to embrace ANTIPHILA._) Blessings on you, my life! ANTI. Oh my long-wished for Clinia, blessings on you! CLIN. How fare you, {my love}? ANTI. I’m overjoyed that you have returned safe. CLIN. And do I embrace you, Antiphila, {so} passionately longed for by my soul? SYR. Go in-doors; for the old gentleman has been waiting for us some time. (_They go into the house of CHREMES._) ACT THE THIRD. SCENE I. _Enter CHREMES from his house._ CHREM. (_to himself._) It is now daybreak.[50] {Why} do I delay to knock at my neighbor’s door, that he may learn from me the first that his son has returned? Although I am aware that the youth would not prefer this. But when I see him tormenting himself {so} miserably about his absence, can I conceal a joy so unhoped for, {especially} when there can be no danger to him from the discovery? I will not do {so}; but as far as I can I will assist the old man. As I see my son aiding his friend and year’s-mate, and acting as his confidant in his concerns, it is {but} right that we old men as well should assist each other. _Enter MENEDEMUS from his house._ MEN. (_to himself._) Assuredly I was either born with a disposition peculiarly suited for misery, or else that {saying} which I hear commonly repeated, that “time assuages human sorrow,” is false. For really my sorrow about my son increases daily; and the longer he is away from me, the more anxiously do I wish for him, and the more I miss him. CHREM. (_apart._) But I see him coming out of his house; I’ll go speak to him. (_Aloud._) Menedemus, good-morrow; I bring you news, which you would especially desire to be imparted. MEN. Pray, have you heard any thing about my son, Chremes? CHREM. He’s alive, and well. MEN. Why, where is he, pray? CHREM. Here, at my house, at home. MEN. My son? CHREM. Such is the fact. MEN. Come {home}? CHREM. Certainly. MEN. My son, Clinia, come {home}? CHREM. I say {so}. MEN. Let us go. Lead me to him, I beg of you. CHREM. He does not wish you yet to know of his return, and he shuns your presence; he’s afraid that, on account of that fault, your former severity may even be increased. MEN. Did you not tell him how I was affected?[51] CHREM. No-- MEN. For what reason, Chremes?