Scene I.
Scene I.
Chremes, Simo.
Chremes. Cease your entreaties, Simo; enough, [192] and more than enough have I already shewn my friendship towards you: enough have I risked for you. In my endeavours to oblige you, I have nearly trifled away my daughter’s happiness.
Simo. Nay, Chremes, it is now more than ever that I beg, and even implore that the kindness you granted me by promise, may now be fulfilled in deed.
Chremes. Your eagerness to obtain what you desire makes you unjust, and forgetful of your usual friendship and consideration; for, if you reflected for a moment on what you ask of me, you would cease to urge me to do myself such an injustice.
Simo. What injustice.
Chremes. Can you ask? you prevailed on me to choose as my daughter’s husband, a young man distracted with love for another, and detesting every thought of marriage: if this union had been consummated, it would have inthralled her with a husband who would not have loved her, and exposed her to all the miseries of an unhappy union: that, at the expense of her happiness, I might attempt the cure of your son. You obtained your request: the treaty went forward, while circumstances allowed of it; but now the affair wears a different aspect, be satisfied, and bear your disappointment with temper. It is said that Glycera is a citizen of Athens; [193]and that she has a son by Pamphilus: this sets us free.
Simo. I conjure you, Chremes, by the gods, not to suffer yourself to be led away by those who wish to make their advantage of my son’s follies: all those reports are invented and spread abroad, with a view to prevent the marriage: when their cause ceases, they will cease also.