(_giving way temporarily_) Come on then, no matter what
it is, disgraceful though it be, I'll stand it, I'll bring
myself to it. (_after a pause, doubtfully_) Am I to look
on while she's on the couch beside him?

_Bacch._

Immo equidem pol tecum accumbam,
te amabo et te amplexabor.

Goodness me, no indeed! I'll be on the couch beside you,
loving you and hugging you. (_snuggles up to him_)

_Nic._

Caput prurit, perii, vix negito.

(_aside_) My head does itch! Dear, dear, dear! It is hard to
keep on saying no!

_Bacch._

Non tibi venit in mentem, amabo,
si dum vivas tibi bene facias
tam pol id quidem esse haud perlonginquom,
neque, si hoc hodie amissis, post in
morte eventurum esse umquam?

My dear man, doesn't it occur to you that, supposing you do
enjoy yourself all your life, this life is very, very short,
after all,--good gracious, yes!--and that if you let this
chance slip, it won't come again when you're dead, ever?

_Nic._

Quid ago?

(_nearly helpless_) What am I to do?

_Phil._

Quid agas? rogitas etiam?

To do? The idea of asking that!

_Nic._

Libet et metuo.

I long to, and--I'm afraid.

_Bacch._

Quid metuis?

Afraid of what?

_Nic._

Ne obnoxius filio sim et servo.

Of humbling myself before my son and servant.

_Bacch._

Mel meum, amabo, etsi haec fiunt,
tuost: unde illum sumere censes, nisi quod tute illi dederis?
hanc veniam illis sine te exorem.

Oh, honey, there's a dear, now! Even if it's all so, he's
your own boy: where do you think he's to get money, except
from your own generous self? Do let me persuade you to
forgive them.

_Nic._

Ut terebrat! satin offirmatum
quod mihi erat, id me exorat? 1200
tua sum opera et propter te improbior.

(_half aside_) How she does drill through a man! Is she
actually persuading me against my fixed intention? (_giving
up the struggle and yielding to Bacchis's caresses_) I'm a
reprobate now, and all because of you and your efforts.

_Bacch._

Ne tis[32] quam mea mavellem.
satin ego istuc habeo firmatum?

(_softly and tenderly_) Oh, I do wish it had been your
efforts rather than (_giving her sister a dreary smile_)
mine. So I'm actually to take that as your fixed intenti