CHREM. I don’t know as to the Gods;[104] so far as I shall be enabled, {I will} carefully {prevent it}. You are seeking that which you possess-- parents; that which you are in want of you don’t seek-- in what way to pay obedience to a father, and to preserve what he acquired by {his} industry. That you by trickery should bring before my eyes-- I am ashamed to mention the unseemly word in her presence (_pointing to SOSTRATA_), but you were not in any degree ashamed to act thus. CLIT. (_aside._) Alas! how thoroughly displeased I now am with myself! How much ashamed! nor do I know how to make a beginning to pacify him. SCENE V. _Enter MENEDEMUS from his house._ MEN. (_to himself._) Why really, Chremes is treating his son too harshly and too unkindly. I’m come out, therefore, to make peace {between them}. Most opportunely I see them {both}. CHREM. Well, Menedemus, why don’t you order my daughter to be sent for, and close with the offer[105] of the portion that I mentioned? SOS. My husband, I entreat you not to do it. CLIT. Father, I entreat you to forgive me. MEN. Forgive him, Chremes; do let them prevail upon you. CHREM. Am I knowingly to make my property a present to Bacchis? I’ll not do {it}. MEN. Why, we would not suffer {it}. CLIT. If you desire me to live, father, do forgive me. SOS. Do, my {dear} Chremes. MEN. Come, Chremes, pray, don’t be so obdurate. CHREM. What {am I to do} here? I see I am not allowed to carry this through, as I had intended. MEN. You are acting as becomes you. CHREM. On this condition, then, I’ll do it; if he does that which I think it right he {should do}. CLIT. Father, I’ll do any thing; command me. CHREM. You must take a wife. CLIT. Father---- CHREM. I’ll hear nothing. MEN. I’ll take it upon myself; he shall do so. CHREM. I don’t hear any thing from {him} as yet. CLIT. (_aside._) I’m undone! SOS. Do you hesitate, Clitipho? CHREM. Nay, just as he likes. MEN. He’ll do it all. SOS. This course, while you are making a beginning, is disagreeable, and while you are unacquainted with it. When you have become acquainted with it, {it will become} easy. CLIT. I’ll do it, father. SOS. My son, upon my honor I’ll give you that charming girl, whom you may soon become attached to, the daughter of our neighbor Phanocrata. CLIT. What! that red-haired girl, with cat’s eyes, freckled face,[106] {and} hooked nose? I can not, father. CHREM. Heyday! how nice he is! You would fancy he had set his mind upon it. SOS. I’ll name another. CLIT. Why no-- since I must marry, I myself have one that I should pretty nearly make choice of. SOS. Now, son, I commend you. CLIT. The daughter of Archonides {here}. SOS. I’m quite agreeable. CLIT. Father, this now remains. CHREM. What {is it}? CLIT. I want you to pardon Syrus for what he has done for my sake. CHREM. Be it so. (_To the Audience._) Fare you well, and grant us your applause. FOOTNOTES [Footnote 1: See the Dramatis Personæ of the Andria.]