_Chr._ Ha! I’ll tell you what I was saying; That in any case his duty was to have stayed at home. ’Tis possible that his father was somewhat more severe Than he found pleasant; but still he should have put up with it. For whom sh^d a lad submit to, if not to his own father? Ought his father, tell me, to have fallen in with him, Or he with his father? And then what he is pleased to call A hardship, was nothing of the kind: the so-called severities 270 Of fathers are much of a piece: the least strict do not like To see their sons continually in bad company, Continually drinking: and so they are sparing in what they allow them; For such restrictions, remember, promote good morals. But when a man’s mind has once become the slave Of evil passions, he is driven of necessity from bad to worse. There’s wisdom, Pamphilus, in the saying, _By others’ faults Wise men correct their own._
_Chr._ Very well. Then I need say no more.
_Pam._ Would not the old man, sir, Be glad to see him back?
_Chr._ He would be glad to see him Return from his evil ways to a dutiful course of conduct. 281
_Pam._ I guess he’d let him marry the girl.
_Chr._ Nay, Pamphilus: attend to me. No father Would ever give in to his son in a matter of this kind. Learn this lesson: see what shame your friend has brought On his poor old father. No, ’twould never do to yield. I can promise you too that he will not. I should not advise it myself.
_Pam._ You don’t know Clinia, sir; and have never seen the girl. You go entirely by what this old Menedemus says. He never saw her himself.
_Chr._ (_aside_). That’s true.—And you have seen her?
_Pam._ I tell you, I know now what she’s like— The statue that stands in the hall: the third on the left.
_Pam._ If you were to see her, you’d say the same.
_Chr._ Should I? Then just attend. I wish to help my neighbour. If all were ready to lend their neighbours a helping hand, We should not hear the complaints we do against ill fortune. I am always ready myself; am now: in point of fact I have promised to do what I can: but since, before I act, 299 Or even judge, I am willing to know all sides of a case, ’Tis part of my duty to see this girl. Could you procure That I should speak with her?