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Enter MENEDEMUS from his house.
MENEDEMUS
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. CHREMES
Well, Menedemus, why don't you order my daughter to be sent for, and close with the offer1 of the portion that I mentioned? SOSTRATA
My husband, I entreat you not to do it. CLITIPHO
Father, I entreat you to forgive me. MENEDEMUS
Forgive him, Chremes; do let then prevail upon you. CHREMES
Am I knowingly to make my property a present to Bacchis? I'll not do it. MENEDEMUS
Why, we would not suffer it. CLITIPHO
If you desire me to live, father, do forgive me. SOSTRATA
Do, my dear Chremes. MENEDEMUS
Come, Chremes, pray, don't be so obdurate. CHREMES
What am I to do here? I see I am not allowed to carry this through, as I had intended. MENEDEMUS
You are acting as becomes you. CHREMES
On this condition, then, I'll do it; if he does that which I think it right he should do. CLITIPHO
Father, I'll do any thing; command me. CHREMES
You must take a wife. CLITIPHO
Father---- CHREMES
I'll hear nothing. MENEDEMUS
I'll take it upon myself; he shall do so. CHREMES
I don't hear any thing from him as yet. CLITIPHO
aside. I'm undone! SOSTRATA
Do you hesitate, Clitipho? CHREMES
Nay, just as he likes. MENEDEMUS
He'll do it all. SOSTRATA
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. CLITIPHO
I'll do it, father. SOSTRATA
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. CLITIPHO
What! that red-haired girl, with cat's eyes, freckled face,2 and hooked nose? I can not, father. CHREMES
Heyday! how nice he is! You would fancy he had set his mind upon it. SOSTRATA
I'll name another. CLITIPHO
Why no--since I must marry, I myself have one that I should pretty nearly make choice of. SOSTRATA
Now, son, I commend you. CLITIPHO
The daughter of Archonides here. SOSTRATA
I'm quite agreeable. CLITIPHO
Father, this now remains. CHREMES
What is it? CLITIPHO
I want you to pardon Syrus for what he has done for my sake. CHREMES
Be it so. To the Audience. Fare you well, and grant us your applause.
1 And close with the offer: "Firmas." This ratification or affirmation would be made by Menedemus using the formal word "Accipio," "I accept."
2 Freckled face: Many take "sparso ore" here to mean "wide-mouthed." Lemonnier thinks that must be the meaning, as he has analyzed the other features of her countenance. There is, however, no reason why he should not speak of her complexion; and it seems, not improbably, to have the same meaning as the phrase "os lentiginosum," "a freckled face."
The Comedies of Terence. Henry Thomas Riley. Ney York. Harper and Brothers. 1874.
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