to play upon?

SYR. It's not without a purpose.

BACCH. (_pointing to the house._) Why, have I any business then with
you here?

SYR. O no; I'm only going to give you what's your own.

BACCH. {Then} let's be going.[87]

SYR. Follow this way. (_Goes to the door of MENEDEMUS, and calls._) Ho
there! Dromo.

_Enter DROMO from the house._

DRO. Who is it wants me?

SYR. Syrus.

DRO. What's the matter?

SYR. Take over all the attendants of Bacchis to your house here
immediately.

DRO. Why so?

SYR. Ask no questions. Let them take what they brought here with them.
The old gentleman will hope his expenses are lightened by their
departure; for sure he little knows how much loss this trifling gain
will bring him. You, Dromo, if you are wise, know nothing of what you
do know.

DRO. You shall own that I'm dumb. (_CLINIA, BACCHIS, and PHRYGIA go
into the house of MENEDEMUS, and DROMO follows with BACCHIS'S retinue
and baggage._)

SCENE V.

_Enter CHREMES from his house._

CHREM. (_to himself._) So may the Deities prosper me, I am now
concerned for the fate of Menedemus, that so great a misfortune should
have befallen him. To be maintaining that woman with such a retinue!
Although I am well aware he'll not be sensible of it for some days to
come, his son was so greatly missed by him; but when he sees such a
vast expense incurred by him every day at home, and no limit to it,
he'll wish that this son would leave him a second time. See-- here
comes Syrus most opportunely.

SYR. (_to himself, as he comes forward._) {Why} delay to accost him?

CHREM. Syrus.

SYR. Well.

CHREM. How go matters?

SYR. I've been wishing for some time for you to be thrown in my way.

CHREM. You seem, then, to have effected something, I know not what,
with the old gentleman.

SYR. As to what we were talking of a short time since? No sooner said
than done.

CHREM. In real earnest?

SYR. In real.

CHREM. Upon my faith, I can not forbear patting your head {for it}.
Come here, Syrus; I'll do you some good turn for this matter, and with
pleasure. (_Patting his head._)

SYR. But if you knew how cleverly it came into my head----

CHREM. Pshaw! Do you boast because it has turned out according to your
wishes?

SYR. On my word, not I, indeed; I am telling the truth.

CHREM. Tell {me} how it is.

SYR. Clinia has told Menedemus, that this Bacchis is your Clitipho's
mistress, and that {he} has taken her thither with him