my mother took me to see the procession. While I was returning home, from a secret look-out he secretly traced me even to the door; after that, he insinuated himself into the friendship of my mother and myself as well, by endearments, presents, and gifts. A PROCURESS I should like a man of that sort to be offered me. How I’d work him. SILENIUM What need is there of words? Through intercourse, I on the other hand began to love him, and he myself. A PROCURESS O my dear Silenium—! SILENIUM What’s the matter? A PROCURESS You ought to pretend to be in love; for if you fall in love at once, you’ll be much better consulting the interests of him whom you love than your own. SILENIUM But in solemn form he took an oath before my mother that he would take me as his wife. Now, another woman is about to be taken home by him, a Lemnian lady, his relation, who is living here hard by (pointing to DEMIPHO’S house) ; for his father has compelled him. Now my mother is enraged with me, because I didn’t return home to her, when I came to know of this matter, that he was about to take another as his wife. A PROCURESS Nothing’s unfair in love. SILENIUM Now, I entreat you that you’ll let her (pointing to GYMNASIUM) be here only for the next three days, and keep house for me; for I’ve been sent for to my mother’s house. A PROCURESS Although this will be a troublesome three days for me, and you’ll be causing me a loss, I’ll do so. SILENIUM You act kindly and like a friend. But you, my dear Gymnasium, if in my absence Alcesimarchus shall come, don’t you chide him roughly; however he has deserved of myself, still he has my affections; but, prithee, act gently, so that you mayn’t say anything that may cause him pain. Take the keys (giving them to her) ; if you have need to take out anything for use, take it out. I wish to go— GYMNASIUM (weeping.) How you have drawn tears from me. SILENIUM My dear Gymnasium, kindly, farewell.