But these fathers have souls of flint.

What can I say, or what can I propose,

When thy foul deeds defeat my best intentions?

The reproaches of such a father would be almost intolerable.

Why did’st thou court the neighbourhood of whores?

From the gross baits why didst thou not retire?

Why clasp a lewd adulteress to thy bosom?

Here squander, dissipate; you may for me.

If griping want shall seize thee, thou must mourn.

I have a competency that will serve

To prop the stooping remnant of my years.

To this disspirited, decrepit old man, Caelius might answer, that he had been enticed from the right path by no lust of the eye. But how can you prove that?—No extravagance of expense; no diminution of fortune; no running into debt. But the thing was talked of.—But who can help being talked of in a city so full of scandal? Is it surprising that a neighbour of this lady should be scandalized, when her own brother could not escape the slanders of the malicious? But to a gentle, indulgent parent, who should talk at this rate: has he broke open doors? They shall be repaired. Has he torn a garment? It shall be mended. The boy has a ready apology; for in such circumstances, how easy is it for one to be vindicated? I speak nothing of this lady; but if there is one of a character different from hers, who has been a common prostitute; who has always lived in avowed lewdness with some one or other; who orders her gardens, houses, and bagnios, to be thrown open to a promiscuous traffic in every impurity; who even maintains young men, whose purse makes amends for the sparing allowances of close-fisted fathers; if she is wanton in widowhood, insolent in airs, profuse in wealth, and if her lusts should lead her into a keeping-expense, can I think a man an adulterer who shall make some free addresses to such a lady?