Pooh, pooh!SYRUS A pleasant and agreeable woman this Courtesan.CHREMES Why, so she seemed to me, in fact.SYRUS And really of handsome appearance.CHREMES Well enough.SYRUS Not like those of former days,Not like those of former days: Syrus, by showing himself an admirer of the good old times, a laudator temporis acti, is wishful to flatter the vanity of Chremes, as it is a feeling common to old age, perhaps by no means an unamiable one, to think former times better than the present. Aged people feel grateful to those happy hours when their hopes were bright, and every thing was viewed from the sunny side of life. but as times are now, very passable:nor do I in the least wonder that Clinia doats upon her. But he has a father—a certain covetous, miserable, and niggardly person—this neighbor of ours (pointing to the house). Do you know him ? Yet, as if he was not abounding in wealth, his son ran away through want. Are you aware that it is the fact, as I am saying?CHREMES How should I not be aware?A fellow that deserves the mill.SYRUS Who? CHREMES That servant of the young gentleman, I mean.SYRUS(aside.)Syrus! I was sadly afraid for you.CHREMES To suffer it to come to this!SYRUS What was he to do?CHREMES Do you ask the question? He ought to have found some expedient, contrived some stratagem, by means of which there might have been something for the young man to give to his mistress, and thus have saved this crabbed old fellow in spite of himself.SYRUS You are surely joking.CHREMES This ought to have been done by him, Syrus.SYRUS How now—pray, do you commend servants, who deceive their masters?CHREMES Upon occasion—I certainly do commend them.SYRUS Quite right.CHREMES Inasmuch as it often is the remedy for great disturbances. Then would this man’s only son have staid at home.SYRUS(aside.)Whether he says this in jest or in earnest, I don’t know; only, in fact, that he gives me additional zest for longing still more to trick him.CHREMES And what is he now waiting for, Syrus? Is it until his father drives him away from here a second time, when he can no longer support her expenses?Can no longer support her expenses: He refers to Menedemus and Bacchis.Has he no plot on foot against the old gentleman?SYRUS He is a stupid fellow.CHREMES Then you ought to assist him—for the sake of the young man.SYRUS For my part, I can do so easily, if you command me; for I know well in what fashion it is usually done.CHREMES So much the better, i’ faith.