Chrem. For what reason?
Clit. Why, because he is as yet undetermined what to do with himself. He is but just arrived. He fears every thing; his father’s displeasure, and how his mistress may be disposed toward him. He loves her to distraction: on her account, this trouble and going abroad took place.
Chrem. I know it.
Clit. He has just sent a servant into the city to her, and I ordered our Syrus to go with him.
Chrem. What does Clinia say?
Clit. What does he say? That he is wretched.
Chrem. Wretched? Whom could we less suppose so? What is there wanting for him to enjoy every thing that among men, in fact, are esteemed as blessings? Parents, a country in prosperity, friends, family, relations, riches? And yet, all these are just according to the disposition of him who possesses them. To him who knows how to use them, they are blessings; to him who does not use them rightly, they are evils.
Clit. Aye, but he always was a morose old man; and now I dread nothing more, father, than that in his displeasure he’ll be doing something to him more than is justifiable.
Chrem. What, he? (Aside.) But I’ll restrain myself; for that the other one should be in fear of his father is of service to him.[31]
Clit. What is it you are saying to yourself!