MEN. Why, really, I can’t conceive the reason for your doing so. CHREM. Why {do I do so}? To check his feelings, which are now hurried away by luxury and wantonness, and to bring him down so as not to know which way to turn himself. MEN. What is your design? CHREM. Let me alone, and give me leave to have my own way in this matter. MEN. I do give you leave: is this your desire? CHREM. It is so. MEN. {Then} be it so. CHREM. And now let your son prepare to fetch the bride. The other one shall be schooled in {such} language as befits children. But Syrus---- MEN. What of him? CHREM. What? If I live, I will have him so handsomely dressed, so well combed out, that he shall always remember me as long as he lives; to imagine that I’m to be a laughing-stock and a plaything for him! So may the Gods bless me! he would not have dared to do to a widow-woman the things which he has done to me.[97] (_They go into their respective houses._) SCENE II. _Enter MENEDEMUS, with CLITIPHO and SYRUS._ CLIT. Prithee, is it really the fact, Menedemus, that my father can, in so short a space {of time}, have cast off all the {natural} affection of a parent for me? For what crime? What so great enormity have I, to my misfortune, committed? {Young men} generally do {the same}. MEN. I am aware that this must be much more harsh and severe to you, on whom it falls; but {yet} I take it no less amiss {than you}. How it is so I know not, nor can I account for it, except that from my heart I wish you well. CLIT. Did not you say that my father was waiting here? _Enter CHREMES from his house._ MEN. See, here he is. (_MENEDEMUS goes into his house._) CHREM. Why are you blaming me, Clitipho? Whatever I have done in this matter, I had a view to you and your imprudence. When I saw that you were of a careless disposition, and held the pleasures of the moment of the first importance, and did not look forward to the future, I took measures that you might neither want nor be able to waste this {which I have}. When, through your own {conduct}, it was not allowed me to give it you, to whom I ought before all, I had recourse to those who were your nearest relations; to them I have made over and intrusted every thing.[98] There you’ll always find a refuge for your folly; food, clothing, and a roof under which to betake yourself. CLIT. Ah me! CHREM. It is better than that, you being my heir, Bacchis should possess this {estate of mine}. SYR. (_apart._) I’m ruined irrevocably! --Of what mischief have I, wretch that I am, unthinkingly been the cause? CLIT. Would I were dead! CHREM. Prithee, first learn what it is to live. When you know that, if life displeases you, then try the other. SYR. Master, may I be allowed----? CHREM. Say on. SYR. But {may I} safely? CHREM. Say on. SYR. What injustice or what madness is this, that that in which I have offended, should be to his detriment?