The Comedies of Terence Part 85

DEM. (_aside_). _Charming!_ See there! he calls me _charming_ now.

--My brother's house will be a thoroughfare; Throng'd with whole crowds of people; much expense Will follow; very much: what's that to me?

I am call'd _charming_, and get into favor.

--Ho! order Babylo immediately To pay him twenty minae.--Prithee, Syrus, Why don't you execute your orders?

SYRUS. What?

DEM. Down with the wall!-- (_Exit SYRUS._) You, Geta, go and bring The ladies over.

GETA. Heaven bless you, Demea, For all your friends.h.i.+p to our family! (_Exit GETA._

DEM. They're worthy of it.--What say you to this?

(_To aeSCHINUS._)

aeSCH. I think it admirable.

DEM. 'Tis much better Than for a poor soul, sick, and lying-in, To be conducted through the street.

aeSCH. I never Saw any thing concerted better, Sir.

DEM. 'Tis just my way.--But here comes Micio.

SCENE V.

_Enter MICIO._

MICIO (_at entering._) My brother order it, d'ye say? where is he?

--Was this your order, Demea?

DEM. 'Twas my order: And by this means, and every other way, I would unite, serve, cherish, and oblige, And join the family to ours!

aeSCH. Pray do, Sir! (_To MICIO._)

MICIO. I don't oppose it.

DEM. Nay, but 'tis our duty.

First, there's the mother of the bride----

MICIO. What then?

DEM. Worthy and modest.

MICIO. So they say.

DEM. In years.

MICIO. True.

DEM. And so far advanc'd, that she is long Past child-bearing, a poor lone woman too, With none to comfort her.

MICIO. What means all this?

DEM. This woman 'tis your place to marry, brother; --And yours (_to aeSCHINUS_) to bring him to't.

MICIO. I marry her?

DEM. You.

MICIO. I?

DEM. Yes, you I say.

MICIO. Ridiculous!

DEM. (_to aeSCHINUS_). If you're a man, he'll do't.

aeSCH. (_to MICIO_). Dear father!

MICIO. How!

Do you then join him, fool?

DEM. Nay, don't deny.

It can't be otherwise.

MICIO. You've lost your senses!

aeSCH. Let me prevail upon you, Sir!

MICIO. You're mad.

Away!

DEM. Oblige your son.

MICIO. Have you your wits?

I a new married man at sixty-five!

And marry a decrepit poor old woman!

Is that what you advise me!

aeSCH. Do it, Sir!

I've promis'd them.

MICIO. You've promis'd them, indeed!

Prithee, boy, promise for yourself.

DEM. Come, come!

What if he ask'd still more of you?

MICIO. As if This was not ev'n the utmost.