SIM. I’ll do so. In the first place, in this affair I give you notice: this, which you suppose to be such, is not a real marriage. SOS. Why do you pretend it then? SIM. You shall hear all the matter from the beginning; by that means you’ll be acquainted with both my son’s mode of life and my own design, and what I want you to do in this affair. For after he had passed youthfulness,[28] Sosia, and had obtained free scope of living, (for before, how could you know or understand his disposition, while _youthful_ age, fear, _and_ a master[29] were checking him?)-- SOS. That’s true. SIM. What all young men, for the most part, do,-- devote their attention to some particular pursuit, either to training horses or dogs for hunting, or to the philosophers;[30] in not one of these did he engage in particular beyond the rest, and yet in all of them in a moderate degree. I was pleased. SOS. Not without reason; for this I deem in life to be especially advantageous; that {one do} nothing to excess.[31] SIM. Such was his mode of life; readily to bear and to comply with all; with whomsoever he was in company, to them to resign himself; to devote himself to their pursuits; at variance with no one; never preferring himself to them. Thus most readily you may acquire praise without envy, and gain friends. SOS. He has wisely laid down his rule of life; for in these days obsequiousness begets friends; sincerity, dislike. SIM. Meanwhile, three years ago,[32] a certain woman from Andros removed hither into this neighborhood, driven by poverty and the neglect of her relations, of surpassing beauty and in the bloom of youth. SOS. Ah! I’m afraid that this Andrian will bring some mischief. SIM. At first, in a modest way, she passed her life with thriftiness and in hardship, seeking a livelihood with her wool and loom. But after an admirer made advances, promising her a recompense, {first} one and then another; as the disposition of all mankind has a downward tendency from industry toward pleasure, she accepted their proposals, {and} then began to trade {upon her beauty}. Those who then were her admirers, by chance, as it {often} happens, took my son thither that he might be in their company. Forthwith I {said} to myself, “He is surely caught; he is smitten.”[33] In the morning I used to observe their servant-boys coming or going away; I used to make inquiry, “Here, my lad, tell me, will you, who had Chrysis yesterday?” for that was the name of the Andrian (_touching SOSIA on the arm_). SOS. I understand.