O— CALLICLESWhat’s the matter?CHARMIDESI forgot just now to tell you of it in-doors. As I was coming hither, a while ago, a certain swindling fellow met me—a very finished sharper. He told me that he was carrying a thousand gold pieces, of my giving, to you and my son Lesbonicus; a fellow, that I know not who he was, nor have I ever seen him anywhere before. But why do you laugh?CALLICLESHe came by my directions, as though he was one bringing the gold from you to me, to give as a portion to your daughter; that your son, when I should give it to her from my own hands, might suppose that it had been brought from you,and that he might not anyhow be enabled to discover the fact itself—that your treasure was in my possession, and demand it of meAnd demand it of me: — On the supposition of his father’s death, the laws would probably have decreed it to him as his father’s heir., as having belonged to his father, by the public laws.CHARMIDESCleverly contrived, i’ troth. CALLICLESMegaronides, a common well-wisher of yours and mine, planned this.CHARMIDESWell, I applaud his device, and approve of it.LYSITELES(behind.)Why, in my foolishness, while I fear to interrupt their discourse,am I standing here alone, and am not forwarding the business that I was intending to transact? I will accost these persons.(He advances.)CHARMIDESWho is this person that is coming this way towards us?LYSITELES(going up to CHARMIDES.)Lysiteles salutes his father-in-law Charmides.CHARMIDESMay the Gods grant you, Lysiteles, whatever you may desire.CALLICLESAm I not worthy of a salutation?LYSITELESYes; health to you, Callicles. It is right that I should give him the preference: the tunic is nearerThe tunic is nearer: — This was, perhaps, a proverbial saying, used when a preference was expressed. Of course he would pay more respect to his anticipated father-in-law than to an ordinary friend. The tumca supplied the place of the shirt of modern times. the skin than the cloak.CALLICLESI trust that the Gods may direct your plans aright.CHARMIDESI hear that my daughter has been betrothed to you?LYSITELESUnless you are unwilling. CHARMIDESNay, I am not unwilling.LYSITELESDo you, then, promise your daughter for my wife?CHARMIDESI promise a thousand gold Philippean pieces, as well, for a portion.LYSITELESI care nothing about a portion.CHARMIDESIf she pleases you, the portion which she presents to you must be pleased as well.In fine, the object which you desire you shall not have, unless you shall take that which you do not desire.CALLICLES(to LYSITELES.)He asks but justice.LYSITELESHe shall obtain it, you the advocate and the judge. On these conditions, do you engage that your daughter shall be given to me as my wife?CHARMIDESI do promise her. CALLICLESAnd I promise her likewise.LYSITELESO save you, my connexions by marriage.