d? That can never do.

SYR. It may.

CTES. During the daytime; but if I pass the night here, what excuse
can I make, Syrus?

SYR. Dear me, how much I do wish it was the custom for one to be
engaged with friends at night as well! But you be easy; I know his
humor perfectly well. When he raves the most violently, I can make him
as gentle as a lamb.

CTES. In what way?

SYR. He loves to hear you praised: I make a god of you to him, {and}
recount your virtues.

CTES. What, mine?

SYR. Yours; immediately the tears fall from him as from a child, for
{very} joy. (_Starting._) Hah! take care----

CTES. Why, what's the matter?

SYR. The wolf in the fable[64]----

CTES. What! my father?

SYR. His own self.

CTES. What shall we do, Syrus?

SYR. You only be off in-doors, I'll see to that.

CTES. If he makes any inquiries, you {have seen} me nowhere; do you
hear?

SYR. Can you not be quiet? (_They retreat to the door of MICIO'S
house, and CTESIPHO stands in the doorway._)

SCENE II.

_Enter DEMEA, on the other side of the stage._

DEM. (_to himself._) I certainly am an unfortunate man. In the first
place, I can find my brother nowhere; and then, in the next place,
while looking for him, I met a day-laborer[65] from the farm; he says
that my son is not in the country, and what to do I know not----

CTES. (_apart._) Syrus!

SYR. (_apart._) What's the matter?

CTES. (_apart._) Is he looking for me?

SYR. (_apart._) Yes.

CTES. (_apart._) Undone!

SYR. (_apart._) Nay, do be of good heart.

DEM. (_to himself._) Plague on it! what ill luck is this? I can not
really account for it, unless I suppose myself {only} born for the
purpose of enduring misery. I am the first to feel our misfortunes;
the first to know of them all; then the first to carry the news; I am
the only one, if any thing does go wrong, to take it to heart.

SYR. (_apart._) I'm amused at him; he says that he is the first to
know of {every thing, while} he is the only one ignorant of every
thing.

DEM. (_to himself._) I've now come back; and I'll go see whether
perchance my brother has yet returned.

CTES. (_apart._) Syrus, pray do take care that he doesn't suddenly
rush in upon us here.

SYR. (_apart._) Now will you hold your tongue? I'll take care.

CTES. (_apart._) Never this day will I depend on your management for
that, upon my faith; for I'll shut myself up with her in some
cupboard[66]-- that's the safest. (_Goes into the