The Comedies of Terence Part 69

But, Demea, let us each look to our own; Let me take care of one, and mind you t'other.

For to concern yourself with both, appears As if you'd redemand the boy you gave.

DEMEA. Ah, Micio!

MICIO. So it seems to me.

DEMEA. Well, well; Let him, if 'tis your pleasure, waste, destroy.

And squander; it is no concern of mine.

If henceforth I e'er say one word----

MICIO. Again?

Angry again, good Demea?

DEMEA. You may trust me.

Do I demand him back again I gave you?

--It hurts me. I am not a stranger to him.

--But if I once oppose--Well, well, I've done.

You wish I should take care of one. I do Take special care of him; and he, thank Heav'n, Is as I wish he _should_ be: which your ward, I warrant, shall find out one time or other.

I will not say aught worse of him at present. (_Exit._

[Changes:

_Harper_ DEMEA. Is it a question, when there's aeschinus To trouble us, what makes me so uneasy?

MICIO. I said it would be so.--What has he done?

DEMEA. What has he done? a wretch, whom neither ties Of shame, nor fear, nor any law can bind!

For not to speak of all his former pranks, What has he been about but even now!

MICIO. What has he done?

DEMEA. Burst open doors, and forc'd His way into another's house, and beat The master and his family half dead; And carried off a wench whom he was fond of.

The whole town cries out shame upon him, Micio.

I have been told of it a hundred times Since my arrival. 'Tis the common talk.---- _Colman 1768_ DEMEA. Uneasy? well I may.--The matter, say you?

What can the matter be but aeschinus?

MICIO. I said it would be so.--What has he done?

DEMEA. What has he done! a wretch whom neither fear, Nor modesty, nor any law can bind!

For not to speak of all his former pranks, What has he been about but even now!

MICIO. What has he done?

DEMEA. Burst open doors, and made His way by force into another's house; Half-kill'd the master and his family, And carried off a wench whom he was fond of.

All Athens cries out shame upon him for it.

I have been told of it a hundred times Since my arrival. 'Tis the town-talk, Micio.

_Harper_ Judge wrongly of these matters. 'Tis no crime _Colman 1768_ Misjudge these matters. 'Tis no heinous crime

_Harper_ Or cease, or choose some arbiter between us _Colman 1768_ Have done, or chuse some arbiter between us

_Harper_ MICIO. Must I still hear the same thing o'er and o'er?

_Colman 1768_ MICIO. Must I be plagued with the same thing so often?]

SCENE III.

_MICIO alone._

Though what he says be not entirely true, There's something in it, and it touches me.

But I dissembled my concern with him, Because the nature of the man is such, To pacify, I must oppose and thwart him; And even thus I scarce can teach him patience.

But were I to inflame, or aid his anger, I were as great a madman as himself.

Yet aeschinus, 'tis true, has been to blame.

What wench is there he has not lov'd? to whom He has not made some present--And but lately (Tir'd, I suppose, and sick of wantonness) He told me he propos'd to take a wife.

I hop'd the heyday of the blood was over, And was rejoic'd: but his intemperance Breaks out afresh.--Well, be it what it may, I'll find him out; and know it instantly, If he is to be met with at the Forum. (_Exit._

[Changes:

_Harper_ What wench is there he has not lov'd? to whom He has not made some present--And but lately _Colman 1768_ What wench is there but he is her gallant?

Or tempts her with some gift?--But lately too]

ACT THE SECOND.

SCENE I.

_Enter aeSCHINUS, SANNIO, PARMENO, the _Music-Girl_, and a crowd of People._

SAN. Help, help, dear countrymen, for Heaven's sake!

a.s.sist a miserable, harmless man!

Help the distress'd!

aeSCH. (_to the Girl_). Fear nothing: stand just there!

Why d'ye look back? you're in no danger. Never, While I am by, shall he lay hands upon you.

SAN. Aye, but I will, in spite of all the world.

aeSCH. Rogue as he is, he'll scarce do any thing To make me cudgel him again to-day.

SAN. One word, Sir aeschinus! that you may not Pretend to ignorance of my profession; I'm a procurer.

aeSCH. True.

SAN. And in my way Of as good faith as any man alive.

Hereafter, to absolve yourself, you'll cry, That you repent of having wrong'd me thus.

I sha'n't care _that_ for your excuse. (_Snapping his fingers._) Be sure I'll prosecute my right; nor shall fine words Atone for evil deeds. I know your way, --"I'm sorry that I did it: and I'll swear You are unworthy of this injury"---- Though all the while I'm us'd most scurvily.

aeSCH. (_to PAR._) Do you go forward, Parmeno, and throw The door wide open.

SAN. That sha'n't signify.

aeSCH. (_to PARMENO_). Now in with her!

SAN. (_stepping between_). I'll not allow it.