prevail {upon
myself} to yield to you, and not oppose your inclination.

LACH. And look, most opportunely I see Phidippus; I'll presently know
from him how it is. (_Accosting him._) Phidippus, although I am aware
that I am particularly indulgent to all my family, still it is not to
that degree to let my good nature corrupt their minds. And if you
would do the same, it would be more for your own interest and ours. At
present I see that you are under the control of those {women}.

PHID. Just look at that, now!

LACH. I waited on you yesterday about your daughter; you sent me away
just as wise as I came. It does not become you, if you wish this
alliance to continue, to conceal your resentment. If there is any
fault on our side, disclose it; either by clearing ourselves, or
excusing it, we shall remedy these matters for you, yourself the
judge. But if this is the cause of detaining her at your house,
because she is ill, {then} I think that you do me an injustice,
Phidippus, if you are afraid lest she should {not} be attended with
sufficient care at my house. But, so may the Gods prosper me, I do not
yield in this to you, although you are her father, that you can wish
her well more than {I do}, and that on my son's account, who I know
values her not less than his own self. Nor, in fact, is it unknown to
you, how much, {as} I believe, it will vex him, if he comes to
know[33] of this; for this reason, I wish to have her home before he
returns.

PHID. Laches, I am sensible of both your carefulness and your
good-will, and I am persuaded that all you say is just as you say: and
I would have you believe me in this; I am anxious for her to return to
you, if I possibly can by any means effect it.

LACH. What is it prevents you from effecting it? Come, now, does she
make any complaint against her husband?

PHID. By no means; for when I urged it still more strongly, and
attempted to constrain her by force to return, she solemnly protested
that she couldn't possibly remain with you, while Pamphilus was
absent. Probably each has his own failing; I am naturally of an
indulgent disposition; I can not thwart my own family.

LACH. (_turning to his wife, who stands apart._) Ha! Sostrata![34]

SOS. (_sighing deeply._) Alas! wretched me!

LACH. (_to PHIDIPPUS._) Is this your final determination?

PHID. For the present, at least, as it seems; but have you any thing
else to say? for I have some business that obliges me to go at once