He can do the most, who is strong the most. He was a man; he was the strongest; he prevailed; what he wanted, he carried off.CALLICLESAnd, i’ faith, he too brought a heavy mishap, in fact, upon yourself. A MAID-SERVANT of Callicles.The thing itself experienced, I myself fully know that, even if you had held your tongue.CALLICLESNever, this day, have I been able to made you declare who he was.A MAID-SERVANT of Callicles.(aside, on catching sight of DINARCHUS.)I’ve held my tongue; but now I shan’t hold my tongue, since he’s here; it’s necessary I should tell. DINARCHUS(apart.)I’m petrified; in my wretchedness, I dare not move myself; the matter’s all out! The trial’s now going on here for my life!These are my misdeeds, this is my folly. I’m in dread how soon I may be named.CALLICLES(to the MAID-SERVANT.)Speak out, who was it, debauched my maiden daughter?A MAID-SERVANT of Callicles.I see him near you. A supporter of the wallSupporter of the wall: Dinarchus, in his fright, is sneaking close to the wall. The servant espying him, sneeringly calls him patronus parieti,the patron or supporter of the wall..CALLICLESHussy, who was it?In the translation this interjection breaks up the lines of the maid servant, resulting in three parts to line 822. For purposes of clarity, the lines above on 822 have been re-joined and this portion has been moved here.DINARCHUS(apart.)I’m neither alive nor dead, nor know I what I am now to do; neither know I how to go away hence, nor how to accost him; I’m numbed with fear.CALLICLESWill you tell me, or no? A MAID-SERVANT of Callicles.It is Dinarchus, to whom you first betrothed her.CALLICLES(looking round.)Where is this person whom you mention?DINARCHUS(stepping forward.)Here I am, Callicles. (Falling on the ground.) By your knees I do entreat you that you will bear with wisdom that which was done in folly; and that you will pardon me that, which, losing my senses, I did through the bad influence of wine.CALLICLESYou please me not. You throw the blame on what is dumbOn what is dumb: By throwing the blame on wine, that could not defend itself., that which cannot speak. But the wine, if it could speak, would defend itself. It’s not wine that’s in the habit of ruling men, but men wine; those, indeed, who are virtuous men; but he who is bad, although he drinks water, or if indeed he abstains from intoxicating liquors, still, by nature he’s bad.DINARCHUSWell, I’m sensible that many reproaches must be heard by me, which I would prefer not. I confess that I’ve offended you, and am privy to the crime.A MAID-SERVANT of Callicles.Callicles, prithee beware that you do injury to no person; the accused is pleading his cause at large, the witnesses you are keeping in bonds.CALLICLES(to his SLAVES.)Release those women. (They are unbound.) Come (to each of them in turn), do you be off home, and you home as well. (To SYRA.) Tell your mistress this: she must give up the child, if any one asks for it. (SYRA goes into the house of PHRONESIUM, and exit the MAID-SERVANT.)You, Dinarchus, let’s go before the judge.DINARCHUSWhy do you wish me to go before the judge? You are the Praetor to me. But I entreat of you, Callicles, that you’ll give me your daughter for a wife.CALLICLESI’ faith, I find, indeed, that you’ve come to a decision on that point yourself; for you haven’t waited till I gave her; you have helped yourself. Now keep her, as you’ve got her, but I’ll fine you this grand haul;six great talents will I deduct from her dowry for this folly.DINARCHUSYou act kindly towards me.CALLICLES’Twere best for you to demand your son back from thence. (Pointing to the house of PHRONESIUM.) But your wife, as soon as possible, take away from my house. I shall at once, therefore, send a messenger to that kinsman of mine by marriage, and tell him to look out for another match for his son.(Exit.)DINARCHUS(to himself.)But I’ll demand back the child of her, lest by-and-by she should deny it. That’s of no use; for she herself, of her own accord, has discovered the whole matter to me, how it happened. But see, right opportunely, i’ faith, is she coming out of doors from her house. Assuredly, a far-darting sting has that woman, who even from that distance is wounding my heart.(Stands aside.)

(Enter PHRONESIUM and ASTAPHIUM, from the house of the former.)PHRONESIUM(to herself.)A woman is a spoony and a trolloping slut, if she hasn’t a view to her own interests, even in her cups. If her other limbs are soaked in wine, at least let her head be sober. But it’s a vexation to me that my hair-dresser has been thus badly treated. She has been telling me that this child has been discovered to be the son of Dinarchus. When I heard that (She moves, as if going.)