Page:Comedies of Publius Terentius Afer (1870).djvu/49

Rh

My son has made the promise. Now, I go

To find out Chremes, and to win the wife.

If he consents, I see no reason why

This marriage should not come to pass, to-day.

Altho' my son consents, there is no doubt

My rights paternal also may constrain him.

Here Chremes comes, and at the nick of time.

Sim. Health unto Chremes!

Chr. Ah! I sought for you.

Sim. I sought for you, too.

Chr. You come at the wish.

I hear that you have rumoured it abroad

To-day your son is to wed with my daughter.

Now, are my neighbours crazy, or are you?

Sim. Now, hear me a few words. You know my wishes—

You know the truth of what you now demand.

Chr. Speak then, I am attention.

Sim. By the gods,

I do entreat you, Chremes: by that friendship

Which has existed from our early boyhood,

And which has grown with years. I do entreat you, by

Your only daughter and my only son,

Whose happiness is now within your hands,

Aid and consent to this; and suffer now

This marriage, promised, and then broken off.

Chr. Nay, ask it not, I say; and do not deem

That this can be accorded unto prayers.

Think you that I am other than I was,

When I consented to their nuptials? If