The Comedies of Terence Part 86

DEM. Nay, comply!

aeSCH. Be not obdurate!

DEM. Come, come, promise him.

MICIO. Won't you desist?

aeSCH. No, not till I prevail.

MICIO. This is mere force.

DEM. Nay, nay, comply, good Micio!

MICIO. Though this appears to me absurd, wrong, foolish, And quite repugnant to my scheme of life, Yet, if you're so much bent on't, let it be!

aeSCH. Obliging father, worthy my best love!

DEM. (_aside_). What now?--This answers to my wish.--What more?

--Hegio's their kinsman (_to MICIO_), our relation too, And very poor. We should do him some service.

MICIO. Do what?

DEM. There is a little piece of ground, Which you let out near town. Let's give it him To live upon.

MICIO. So little, do you call it?

DEM. Well, if 'tis large, let's give it. He has been Father to her; a good man; our relation.

It will be given worthily. In short, That saying, Micio, I now make my own, Which you so lately and so wisely quoted; "It is the common failing of old men To be too much intent on worldly matters."

Let us wipe off that stain. The saying's true, And should be practic'd.

MICIO. Well, well; be it so, If he requires it. (_Pointing to aeSCHINUS._)

aeSCH. I beseech it, father.

DEM. Now you're indeed my brother, soul and body.

MICIO. I'm glad to find you think me so.

DEM. I foil him At his own weapons. (_Aside._)

[Changes:

_Harper_ [Demea's entire speech, beginning Well, if 'tis large ...]

_Colman 1768_ DEM. Well, if 'tis large, let's give it. He has been A father to the bride; a worthy man; Our kinsman too. It will be well bestow'd.

In short, that saying I now make my own, Which you but now so wisely quoted, Micio; "It is the common failing of old men To be too much intent on worldly matters."

Let us wipe off that stain. The saying's true, And worthy notice.]

SCENE VI.

_To them SYRUS._

SYRUS. I have executed Your orders, Demea.

DEM. A good fellow!----Truly Syrus, I think, should be made free to-day.

MICIO. Made free! He!----Wherefore?

DEM. Oh, for many reasons.

SYRUS. Oh Demea, you're a n.o.ble gentleman.

I've taken care of both your sons from boys; Taught them, instructed them, and given them The wholesomest advice that I was able.

DEM. The thing's apparent: and these offices, To cater;--bring a wench in, safe and snug; --Or in mid-day prepare an entertainment;---- All these are talents of no common man.

SYRUS. Oh most delightful gentleman!

DEM. Besides, He has been instrumental too this day In purchasing the Music-Girl. He manag'd The whole affair. We should reward him for it.

It will encourage others.--In a word, Your aeschinus would have it so.

MICIO. Do you Desire it?

aeSCH. Yes, Sir.

MICIO. Well, if you desire it---- Come hither, Syrus!--Be thou free! (_SYRUS kneels; MICIO strikes him, being the ceremony of manumission, or giving a slave his freedom._)

SYRUS. I thank you: Thanks to you all; but most of all, to Demea!

DEM. I'm glad of your good fortune.

aeSCH. So am I.

SYRUS. I do believe it; and I wish this joy Were quite complete, and I might see my wife, My Phrygia too, made free, as well as I.

DEM. The very best of women!

SYRUS. And the first That suckled my young master's son, your grandson.

DEM. Indeed! the first who suckled him!--Nay then, Beyond all doubt, she should be free.

MICIO. For what?

DEM. For that. Nay, take the sum, whate'er it be, Of me.

SYRUS. Now all the powers above grant all Your wishes, Demea!

MICIO. You have thriv'd to-day Most rarely, Syrus.

DEM. And besides this, Micio, It would be handsome to advance him something To try his fortune with. He'll soon return it.