SYR. But hark you! Just take care and remember this, in case any thing of this sort should perchance happen at a future time, such are human affairs! --your son might do {the same}. CHREM. The necessity will not arise, I trust. SYR. I’ faith, and I trust so too: nor do I say so now, because I have suspected him in any way; but in case, none the more[64]-- You see what his age is; (_aside_) and truly, Chremes,[65] if an occasion does happen, I may be able to handle you right handsomely. CHREM. As to that, we’ll consider what is requisite when the occasion does happen. At present do you set about this matter. (_Goes into his house._) SYR. (_to himself._) Never on any occasion did I hear my master talk more to the purpose; nor {at any time} could I believe that I was authorized to play the rogue with greater impunity. I wonder who it is coming out of our house? (_Stands aside._) SCENE III. _Enter CHREMES and CLITIPHO from the house of the former._ CHREM. Pray, what does this mean? What behavior is this, Clitipho? Is this acting as becomes you? CLIT. What have I done? CHREM. Did I not see you just now putting your hand into this Courtesan’s bosom? SYR. (_apart._) It’s all up with us-- I’m utterly undone! CLIT. What, I? CHREM. With these self-same eyes {I saw it}-- don’t deny it. Besides, you wrong him unworthily in not keeping your hands off: for indeed it is a gross affront to entertain a person, your friend, at your house, and to take liberties with his mistress. Yesterday, for instance, at wine, how rude you were-- SYR. (_apart._) ’Tis the truth.[66] CHREM. How annoying {you were}! So much so, that for my part, as the Gods may prosper me, I dreaded what in the end might be {the consequence}. I understand lovers. They resent highly things that you would not imagine. CLIT. But he has {full} confidence in me, father, that I would not do any thing of that kind. CHREM. Be it so; still, at least, you ought to go somewhere for a little time away from their presence. Passion prompts to many a thing; your presence acts as a restraint upon doing them. I form a judgment from myself. There’s not one of my friends this day to whom I would venture, Clitipho, to disclose all my secrets. With one, {his} station forbids it; with another, I am ashamed of the action itself, lest I may appear a fool or devoid of shame; do you rest assured that he does the same.[67] But it is our part to be sensible of {this}; and, when and where it is requisite, to show due complaisance. SYR. (_coming forward and whispering to CLITIPHO._) What is it he is saying? CLIT. (_aside, to SYRUS._) I’m utterly undone! SYR. Clitipho, these same injunctions I gave you. You have acted the part of a prudent and discreet person.[68] CLIT. Hold your tongue, I beg. SYR. Very good. CHREM. (_approaching them._) Syrus, I am ashamed {of him}. SYR. I believe it; and not without reason. Why, he vexes myself even. CLIT. (_to SYRUS._) Do you persist, then?