Scene VIII.

Enter Menedemus .

Mene. Now in good faith our Chremes plagues his son Too long and too severely. I come forth To reconcile him, and make peace between them. And there they are!

Chrem. Ha, Menedemus! wherefore Is not my daughter summon'd? and the portion, I settled on her; ratified by you?

Sostra. Dear husband, I beseech you not to do it!

Clit. My father, I entreat you pardon me!

Mene. Forgive him, Chremes! let his pray'rs prevail!

Chrem. What! shall I then with open eyes bestow My whole estate on Bacchis? I'll not do't.

Mene. We will prevent that. It shall not be so.

Clit. If you regard my life, forgive me, father!

Sostra. Do, my dear Chremes!

Mene. Do, I prithee now! Be not obdurate, Chremes!

Chrem. Why is this? I see I can't proceed as I've begun.

Mene. 'Tis as it should be now.

Chrem. On this condition, That he agrees to do what I think fit.

Clit. I will do ev'ry thing. Command me, father!

Chrem. Take a wife.

Clit. Father!

Chrem. Nay, Sir, no denial!

Mene. I take that charge upon me. He shall do't.

Chrem. But I don't hear a word of it from him.

Clit. Confusion!

Sostra. Do you doubt then, Clitipho?

Chrem. Nay, which he pleases.

Mene. He'll obey in all; Whate'er you'd have him.

Sostra. This at first is grievous, While you don't know it; when you know it, easy.

Clit. I'm all obedience, father!

Sostra. Oh my son, I'll give you a sweet wife, that you'll adore, Phanocrata's, our neighbor's daughter.

Clit. Her! That red-hair'd, blear-eyed, wide-mouth'd, hook-nos'd wench? I can not, father.

Chrem. Oh, how nice he is! Would any one imagine it?

Sostra. I'll get you Another then.

Clit. Well, well; since I must marry, I know one pretty near my mind.

Sostra. Good boy!

Clit. The daughter of Archonides, our neighbor.

Sostra. Well chosen!

Clit. One thing, father, still remains.

Chrem. What?

Clit. That you'd grant poor Syrus a full pardon For all that he hath done on my account.

Chrem. Be it so. - (To the Audience.) Farewell Sirs, and clap your hands!