Dem.

  Equidem scio iam, filius quod amet meus
  istanc meretricem e proxumo Philaenium.
  estne hoc ut dico, Libane?

      As a matter of fact, I know already that my son has an
      affair with that wench, Philaenium, next door.  Isn’t that
      so, Libanus?

Lib.

  Rectam instas viam.
  ea res est. sed eum morbus invasit gravis.

      You’re on the right track, sir.  That’s how it is.  But he has
      suffered a severe shock.

Dem.

  Quid morbi est?

      Shock?  What?

Lib.

  Quia non suppetunt dictis data.

      Well, his presents are falling short of his promises.

Dem.

  Tune es adiutor nunc amanti filio?

      Are you aiding my son in this amour?

Lib.

  Sum vero, et alter noster est Leonida.

      Indeed I am, sir, and so is my mate, your servant Leonida.

Dem.

  Bene hercle facitis et a me initis gratiam.
  verum meam uxorem, Libane, nescis qualis sit? 60

      Well, well, my lad, thanks!  You are both earning my
      gratitude.  But (looking cautiously around) my wife,
      Libanus, don’t you know her temperament?

Lib.

  Tu primus sentis, nos tamen in pretio sumus.

      (with certainty) You feel it first, sir, but we get plenty
      of it.

Dem.

  Fateor eam esse importunam atque incommodam.

      (awkwardly) I confess that she is ... high-handed and ...
      hard to get along with.

Lib.

  Posterius istuc dicis quam credo tibi.

      I believe that before you speak a word, sir.

Dem.

Omnes parentes, Libane, liberis suis qui mi auscultabunt, facient obsequellam[3] quippe qui mage amico utantur gnato et benevolo. atque ego me id facere studeo, volo amari a meis;

(with an air of profound moral conviction) Libanus, all parents who take my advice will be a bit indulgent to their children, seeing it makes a son more friendly and affectionate.  Yes, and I am anxious to be so myself.  I wish to be loved by my own flesh and blood;

volo me patris mei similem, qui causa mea nauclerico ipse ornatu per fallaciam quam amabam abduxit ab lenone mulierem; 70 neque puduit eum id aetatis sycophantias struere et beneficiis me emere gnatum suom sibi. eos me decretumst persequi mores patris.

I wish to model myself on my own father who dressed up as a shipmaster for my sake and swindled a slave-dealer out of a girl I was in love with.  He felt no shame at going in for hocus-pocus at his time of life, and buying his son’s