Syr. (aside.) He warms a little. (To Clitipho.) What is it you want?
Clit. Come back, come back.
Syr. (coming back to him.) Here I am; tell me what you would have. You’ll be presently saying that this, too, doesn’t please you.
Clit. Nay, Syrus, I commit myself, and my love, and my reputation entirely to you: you are the seducer; take care you don’t deserve any blame.
Syr. It is ridiculous for you to give me that caution, Clitipho, as if my interest was less at stake in this affair than yours. Here, if any ill luck should perchance befall us, words will be in readiness for you, but for this individual blows (pointing to himself.) For that reason, this matter is by no means to be neglected on my part: but do prevail upon him (pointing to Clinia) to pretend that she is his own mistress.
Clin. You may rest assured I’ll do so. The matter has now come to that pass, that it is a case of necessity.
Clit. ’Tis with good reason that I love you, Clinia.
Clin. But she mustn’t be tripping at all.
Syr. She is thoroughly tutored in her part.
Clit. But this I wonder at, how you could so easily prevail upon her, who is wont to treat such great people[46] with scorn.