_Pam._ It’s very funny: he’s not to be seen.
_Pam._ To-day’s my birthday, Clinia: We have asked some friends to come: if you will be my guest, 220 Our house is very handy. No one shall hear your name. My father will not suspect you.
_Clin._ No, no, I am ill-disposed For company. Pray excuse me. Besides I am sure your father Must be acquainted with mine.
_Pam._ I doubt it. He often says He wonders who in the world his eccentric neighbour is. But whether he knows or not we’ll soon find out: for look, He is coming down the road. Stand back where you can hear; And if he has any knowledge that can be of use to you, I’ll worm it out.
_Chr._ What are you doing, Pamphilus, 230 Looking over the hedge into our neighbour’s garden? Do you not know how vulgar curiosity is? Spying and prying thus into other folk’s affairs. I am quite ashamed of you, sir!
_Pam._ I was only looking to see If I could catch a glimpse of old Menedemus, father. I’ve found out something about him.
_Chr._ Clinia, Clinia? Yes— Of course, why he’s Menedemus’ son, who is now in Persia. I know about him.
_Pam._ Well, he’s an old school-friend of mine.
_Pam._ You know when first I came to school at Athens, 240 He was kind to me, and afterwards, when we all came here to live, I met him again. I never dreamed that ’twas his father, Who took this place next door. I used to hear he was quite A different sort of person.
_Chr._ Ay, no doubt he was. The trouble his son has brought upon him has broke him down.
_Chr._ Perhaps he had no debts: But I could tell you more about him than you imagine. I have never been able to take any pleasure, Pamphilus, In any one of your friendships; and now I am grieved to find You are intimate with this foolish, dissolute young man. 250 Evil communications corrupt good manners.
_Pam._ I know he fell in love with a girl that lives in the town, And wanted to marry her, only his father would not hear of it, And sent him off to Asia, and now—
_Pam._ And if he did, no wonder, considering his father’s treatment.
_Chr._ Of course all parents are always sorry for their sons’ misconduct.
_Pam._ But he has far more cause to be sorry now for his own.
_Chr._ (_aside_). I must not let my son 260 Know how this old man dotes. If he should think all fathers As soft as poor Menedemus, pretty pranks he’d play me!