Enter CLITIPHO.CLITIPHO

to himself. There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it with reluctance. As this walk of mine, for instance, though not fatiguing, it has reduced me to weariness. And now I dread nothing more than that I should be packed off somewhere hence once again, that I may not have access to Bacchis. May then all the Gods and Goddesses, as many as exist, confound you, Syrus, with these stratagems and plots of yours. You are always devising something of this kind, by means of which to torture me.

SYRUS

Will you not away with you—to where you deserve? How nearly had your forwardness proved my ruin!

CLITIPHO

Upon my faith, I wish it had been so; just what you deserve.

SYRUS

Deserve? How so? Really, I'm glad that I've heard this from you before you had the money which I was just going to give you.

CLITIPHO

What then would you have me to say to you? You've made a fool of me; brought my mistress hither, whom I'm not allowed to touch—

SYRUS

Well, I'm not angry then. But do you know where Bacchis is just now?

CLITIPHO

At our house.

SYRUS

No.

CLITIPHO

Where then?

SYRUS

At Clinia's.

CLITIPHO

I'm ruined!

SYRUS

Be of good heart; you shall presently carry to her the money that you promised her.

CLITIPHO

You do prate away.—Where from?

SYRUS

From your own father.

CLITIPHO

Perhaps you are joking with me.

SYRUS

The thing itself will prove it.

CLITIPHO

Indeed, then, I am a lucky man. Syrus, I do love you from my heart.

SYRUS

But your father's coming out. Take care not to express surprise at any thing, for what reason it is done; give way at the proper moment; do what he orders, and say but little.

Enter CHREMES from the house, with a bag of money.CHREMES

Where's Clitipho now?

SYRUS

aside to CLITIPHO. Say—here I am.

CLITIPHO

Here am I.

CHREMES

to SYRUS. Have you told him how it is?

SYRUS

I've told him pretty well every thing.

CHREMES

Take this money, and carry it. Holding out the bag.

SYRUS

aside to CLITIPHO. Go—why do you stand still, you stone; why don't you take it?

CLITIPHO

Very well, give it me. Receives the bag.

SYRUS

to CLITIPHO. Follow me this way directly. To CHREMES. You in the mean while will wait here for us till we return; for there's no occasion for us to stay there long. CLITIPHO and SYRUS go into the house of MENEDEMUS.

CHREMES

to himself. My daughter, in fact, has now had ten minae from me, which I consider as paid for her board; another ten will follow these for clothes; and then she will require two talents for her portion. How many things, both just and unjust, are sanctioned by custom! Are sanctioned by custom: He inveighs, perhaps justly, against the tyranny of custom; but in selecting this occasion for doing so, he does not manifest any great affection for his newly-found daughter. Now I'm obliged, neglecting my business, to look out for some one on whom to bestow my property, that has been acquired by my labor.