_Pam._ I do beseech you, Clinia, Don’t leave a friend in the lurch. Hark you; to tell the truth, My scheme suits me to a T as well as you. My father Expects Antiphila to bring a companion with her: Now I have a lady friend, with whom I am circumstanced 351 Much as you are with yours. My father, just as yours, Would never hear of my asking her home; but if she comes To-day as Antiphila’s friend, he’ll not guess who she is; So you may have your love to yourself, & I have mine. And see, here comes Philolaches, our other guest: I’ll tell him what is arranged: he’ll be a strong ally.
_Clin._ Indeed, I can’t consent: and who is Philolaches, That you sh^d wish to tell him all my private affairs?
_Pam._ Ah, he can smell a rat; but don’t be afraid of him; 360 He’s my sworn friend: & sure no less to keep a secret, Than he is to find out anything in the mortal world That you seek to withhold.
_Clin._ I pray, say nothing to him of me.
_Clin._ Pamphilus! why he’s gone. Now save me from my friends! Indeed this Pamphilus Will be my ruin: I wish to heaven I had never met him. He’ll tell his father next, this old Ionian huckster, Sponge-mongering Chremes; the gods defend me from him, And his family feast, and his prosy wisdom! I thought to spend This day of my return with sweet Antiphila: 370 And here I am, caught by the ears. And yet my troublesome friend Means well: I would not hurt his feelings; but at any cost I must get clear, and in one matter I cannot yield: I will not have Antiphila brought to the judgment-seat Of this suburban oracle. What has he to do With me & mine, my father or her—to push his nose Into our affairs?
_Pam._ Allow me, Clinia, here’s my friend Philolaches, the actor. Philolaches, my friend Clinia: who is, as I told you, in Persia, you understand. He looks for some assurance of your discretion.
Sir, 380 You have it. Take this hand. And by the dog I swear Not to divulge a tittle; in friendship’s secrecy Rather to aid—
_Clin._ No need, sir: I take the will for the deed. My business is my own, and not of such a kind As another can help in.
_Ph._ A family quarrel— Meddling of course resented. But while your father, sir, Treats you so ill, expels you his house, denies his ear To the pitiful plea—