Heautontimorumenos; or, The Self-Tormenter (655b-690b)

She gave it me to keep for her, while she went to bathe. At first I paid no attention to it; but after I looked at it, I at once recognized it, and came running to you.

What do you suspect now, or have you discovered, relative to her?

I don’t know; unless you inquire of herself whence she got it, if that can possibly be discovered.

I’m undone! I see more hopes[*] from this incident than I desire.

If it is so, she certainly must be ours.

Is this woman living to whom you delivered the child?

I don’t know.

What account did she bring you at the time?

That she had done as I had ordered her.

Tell me what is the woman’s name, that she may be inquired after.

Philtere.

’Tis the very same. It’s a wonder if she isn’t found, and I lost.

Sostrata, follow me this way in-doors.

How much beyond my hopes has this matter turned out! How dreadfully afraid I was,

Chremes, that you would now be of feelings as unrelenting as formerly you were on exposing the child.

Many a time a man can not be[*] such as he would be, if circumstances do not admit of it. Time has now so brought it about, that I should be glad of a daughter; formerly I wished for nothing less.

Unless my fancy deceives me,[*] retribution[*] will not be very far off from me; so much by this incident are my forces now utterly driven into straits;

unless I contrive by some means that the old man mayn’t come to know that this damsel is his son’s mistress. For as to entertaining any hopes about the money, or supposing I could cajole him, it’s useless; I shall be sufficient triumphant, if I’m allowed to escape with my sides covered.[*] I’m vexed that such a tempting morsel has been so suddenly snatched away from my jaws. What am I to do? Or what shall I devise? I must begin upon my plan over again.

Nothing is so difficult, but that it may be found out by seeking. What now if I set about it after this fashion. (He considers.) That’s of no use. What, if after this fashion? I effect just about the same. But this I think will do. It can not. Yes! excellent. Bravo! I’ve found out the best of all—I’ faith, I do believe that after all I shall lay hold of this same run-away money.[*]

Nothing can possibly henceforth befall me of such consequence

as to cause me uneasiness; so extreme is this joy that has surprised me. Now then I shall give myself up entirely to my father, to be more frugal than even he could wish.

I wasn’t mistaken; she has been discovered, so far as I understand from these words of his. (Acvancing.) I am rejoiced that this matter has turned out for you so much to your wish.

O my dear Syrus, have you heard of it, pray?

How shouldn’t I, when I was present all the while ?

Did you ever hear of any thing falling out so fortunately for any one?

Never.

And, so may the Gods prosper me, I do not now rejoice so much on my own account as hers, whom I know to be deserving of any honor.

I believe it: but now, Clinia, come, attend to me in my turn. For your friend’s business as well,—it must be seen to—that it is placed in a state of security,

lest the old gentleman should now come to know any thing about his mistress.

O Jupiter!