Multimodis meditatus egomet mecum sum, et ita esse arbitror homini amico, qui est amicus ita uti nomen possidet, nisi deos ei nil praestare, id opera expertus sum esse ita nam ut in Ephesum hinc abii—­hoc factumst ferme abhinc biennium—­ ex Epheso huc ad Pistoclerum meum sodalem litteras misi, amicam ut mi inveniret Bacchidem. illum intellego 390 invenisse, ut servos meus mi nuntiavit Chrysalus.

I’ve given the question careful consideration, and what I believe is this:  nothing but Heaven itself excels a friend who is a friend in the full sense of the term; I’ve found this is so from my own experience.  After I went away from here to Ephesus—­almost two years ago, that was—­I sent a letter from there to my chum Pistoclerus asking him to find my mistress, Bacchis, for me.  And find her he did, it seems, according to that fellow Chrysalus of mine.

condigne is quam techinam de auro advorsum meum fecit patrem, ut mi amanti copia esset[13] nam pol quidem meo animo ingrato homine nihil inpensiust, malefactorem amitti satius quam relinqui beneficum; nimio inpendiosum praestat te quam ingratum dicier; illum laudabunt boni, hunc etiam ipsi culpabunt mali.

(pauses) Quite worthy of Chrysalus, that scheme of his against my father to get the money, so that my amorous self might have supplies. (pauses) Well, well, to my own mind there’s nothing more expensive than being an ingrate.  Letting a malefactor off is better than turning your back on a benefactor.  The name of being too extravagant is a great deal better for you than that of being ungrateful.  Good men will speak well of the first sort of fellow:  even rascals themselves will blame the second.

qua me causa magis cum cura esse aecum, obvigilatost opus. nunc, Mnesiloche, specimen specitur, nunc certamen cernitur, sisne necne ut esse oportet, malus, bonus quoivis modi, 400 iustus iniustus, malignus largus, comis incommodus. cave sis te superare servom siris faciundo bene utut eris, moneo, haud celabis. sed eccos video incedere patrem sodalis et magistrum. hinc auscultabo quam rem agant.

I must take all the more care, then, how I act and keep my eyes open.  Here’s where you show a sample of yourself, Mnesilochus; here’s where you’re put to the test whether you’re the man you should be or not—­bad or good, whatever you are—­just or unjust—­mean or generous—­gentleman or cad.  Mind you look out not to let your servant be your better in doing the kindly thing.  No matter what you’ll be, I warn you you can’t conceal it. (looking down street) Hullo, though!  Here come my chum’s father and tutor ambling along.  I’ll listen to what they’re up to from over here. (withdraws)

III. 3.

    Scene 3.

    ENTER Lydus AND Philoxenus.