But what’s he to do?(Pointing at CLINIA.)SYRUS He will stay here.CLITIPHO O happy man!SYRUS Take yourself off.(Exit CLITIPHO.)

(Enter BACCHIS and ANTIPHILA at a distance.)BACCHIS Upon my word, my dear Antiphila, I commend you, and think you fortunate in having made it your study that your manners should be conformable to those good looks of yours: and so may the Gods bless me, I do not at all wonder if every man is in love with you. For your discourse has been a proof to me what kind of disposition you possess.And when now I reflect in my mind upon your way of life, and that of all of you, in fact, who keep the public at a distance from yourselves, it is not surprising both that you are of that disposition, and that we are not; for it is your interest to be virtuous; those, with whom we are acquainted, will not allow us to be so. For our lovers, allured merely by our beauty, court us for that;when that has faded, they transfer their affections elsewhere; and unless we have made provision in the mean time for the future, we live in destitution. Now with you, when you have once resolved to pass your life with one man whose manners are especially kindred to your own, those personsA man whose manners—those persons: Cujus—hi; a change of number by the use of the figure Enallage. become attached to you. By this kindly feeling, you are truly devoted to each other; and no calamity can ever possibly interrupt your love.ANTIPHILA I know nothing about other women: I’m sure that I have, indeed, always used every endeavor to derive my own happiness from his happiness.CLINIA(apart, overhearing ANTIPHILA.)Ah! ’tis for that reason, my Antiphila, that you alone have now caused me to return to my native country; for while I was absent from you, all other hardships which I encountered were light to me, save the being deprived of you.SYRUS(apart.)I believe it.CLINIA(apart.)Syrus, I can scarce endure it!I can scarce endure it: Colman has the following remark on this passage: Madame Dacier, contrary to the authority of all editions and MSS., adopts a conceit of her father’s in this place, and places this speech to Clitipho, whom she supposes to have retired to a hiding-place, where he might overhear the conversation, and from whence he peeps out to make this speech to Syrus. This she calls an agreeable jeu de théâtre, and doubts not but all lovers of Terence will be obliged to her father for so ingenious a remark; but it is to be feared that critical sagacity will not be so lavish of acknowledgments as filial piety. There does not appear the least foundation for this remark in the Scene, nor has the Poet given us the least room to doubt of Clitipho being actually departed. To me, instead of an agreeable jeu de théâtre, it appears a most absurd and ridiculous device; particularly vicious in this place, as it most injudiciously tends to interrupt the course of Clinia’s more interesting passion, so admirably delineated in this little Scene. Wretch that I am, that I should not be allowed to possess one of such a disposition at my own discretion!SYRUS Nay, so far as I understand your father, he will for a long time yet be giving you a hard task.BACCHIS Why, who is that young man that’s looking at us?ANTIPHILA(seeing CLINIA.)Ah! do support me, I entreat you!BACCHIS Prithee, what is the matter with you?ANTIPHILAI shall die, alas! I shall die!BACCHIS Why are you thus surprised, Antiphila?ANTIPHILA Is it Clinia that I see, or not?BACCHIS Whom do you see?CLINIA(running to embrace ANTIPHILA.)Blessings on you, my life!ANTIPHILA Oh my long-wished for Clinia, blessings on you!CLINIA How fare you, my love?ANTIPHILA I’m overjoyed that you have returned safe.CLINIA And do I embrace you, Antiphila, so passionately longed for by my soul?SYRUS Go in-doors; for the old gentleman has been waiting for us some time.(They go into the house of CHREMES.)

(Enter CHREMES from his house.)CHREMES(to himself.)It is now daybreak.It is now daybreak: Though this is the only Play which includes more than one day in the action, it is not the only one in which the day is represented as breaking. The Amphitryon and the Curculio of Plautts commence before daybreak, and the action is carried on into the middle of the day. Madame Dacier absolutely considers it as a fact beyond all doubt, that the Roman Audience went home after the first two Acts of the Play, and returned for the representation of the third the next morning at daybreak. Scaliger was of the same opinion; but it is not generally entertained by Commentators. Why do I delay to knock at my neighbor’s door, that he may learn from me the first that his son has returned? Although I am aware that the youth would not prefer this. But when I see him tormenting himself so miserably about his absence, can I conceal a joy so unhoped for, especially when there can be no danger to him from the discovery? I will not do so; but as far as I can I will assist the old man. As I see my son aiding his friend and year’s-mate, and acting as his confidant in his concerns, it is but right that we old men as well should assist each other.(Enter MENEDEMUS from his house.)MENEDEMUS(to himself)Assuredly I was either born with a disposition peculiarly suited for misery, or else that saying which I hear commonly repeated, that time assuages human sorrow, is false. For really my sorrow about my son increases daily; and the longer