so:
The money's for his mistress.

CHREM. To be sure.

MENE. Alas, my transports are all groundless then.
--Yet I would rather bear with any thing,
Than lose my son again.--What answer, Chremes,
Shall I return with, that he mayn't perceive
I've found him out, and take offense?

CHREM. Offense!
You're too indulgent to him, Menedemus!

MENE. Allow me. I've begun, and must go through.
Do but continue to assist me.

CHREM. Say,
That we have met, and treated of the match.

MENE. Well; and what else?

CHREM. That I give full consent;
That I approve my son-in-law;--In short,
You may assure him also, if you please,
That I've betroth'd my daughter to him.

MENE. Good!
The thing I wanted.

CHREM. So shall he the sooner
Demand the money; you, as you desire,
The sooner give.

MENE. 'Tis my desire indeed.

CHREM. 'Troth, friend, as far as I can judge of this,
You'll soon be weary of your son again.
But as the case now stands, give cautiously,
A little at a time, if you are wise.

MENE. I will.

CHREM. Go in, and see what he demands.
If you should want me, I'm at home.

MENE. 'Tis well.
For I shall let you know, do what I will. (_Exeunt severally._

[Changes:

_Harper_
Do but continue to assist me.
CHREM. Say,
That we have met, and treated of the match.
_Colman 1768_
Do but continue to assist me, Chremes.
CHREM. Say we have met, and treated of the match.

_Harper_
MENE. Good!
The thing I wanted.
CHREM. So shall he the sooner
Demand the money; you, as you desire,
The sooner give.
MENE. 'Tis my desire indeed.
CHREM. 'Troth, friend, as far as I can judge of this,
You'll soon be weary of your son again.
But as the case now stands, give cautiously,
A little at a time, if you are wise.
_Colman 1768_
MENE. Good!
The very thing I wanted.
CHREM. So your son
The sooner shall demand the money of you;
And so shall you, according to your wish
The sooner give.
MENE. It is my wish indeed.
CHREM. 'Fore heaven, friend, as far as I can judge,
You'll soon be weary of your son again.
But be it as it may, give cautiously,
A little at a time, if you are wise.]

ACT THE FIFTH.

SCENE I.

_MENEDEMUS alone._

That I'm not overwise, no conjurer,
I know full well: but my assistant here,
And counselor, and grand controller Chremes,
Outgoes me far: dolt, blockhead, ninny, ass;
Or thes