Page:Comedies of Publius Terentius Afer (1870).djvu/50

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32
ANDRIA.
Act III. Sc. 4.

They are consistent with their happiness,
Then call them hither, let them marry straight.
If, on the other hand, they bode for ill—
Evil to both—I pray you pause a while;
Let us take counsel in this case together,
As if she were your daughter, he my son.

Sim. Therefore I wish it, therefore I demand it;
Ah, Chremes! if it were not evident
For good, I would not ask it.

Chr. Well, how so?

Sim. Glycerium and my son have fallen out.

Chr. Well:

Sim. And irretrievably, as I believe.

Chr. Fables!

Sim. Nay, it is fact.

Chr. Hercle! e'en thus:
"Quarrels of lovers but renew their love."

Sim. Ah, Chremes! aid us, whilst the time avails;
Whilst passion is the prey of contumely;
Before the harlot tears convert to smiles;
Before the angry humour change to love,
Grant him the wife; won by connubial bliss,
And conversation with a worthy wife,
He will retrieve himself from depths of ill.

Chr. It may seem so to you, but not to me;
I have no faith in his so fickle love;
Nor will I trust it.

Sim. But how can you tell,
Unless you make essayal?

Chr. Essayal, by the hand
Of my dear daughter—no—that were unjust!

Sim. The utmost inconvenience could arise