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959b
(Enter SYRUS, from the house.)
(Enter SYRUS, from the house.)
SYRUS
It has been done as you ordered, Demea.
It has been done as you ordered, Demea.
DEMEA
You are a worthy fellow. Upon my faith,—in my opinion, at least,—I think Syrus ought at once to be made free.
960
You are a worthy fellow. Upon my faith,—in my opinion, at least,—I think Syrus ought at once to be made free.
960
MICIO
He free! For what reason?
He free! For what reason?
DEMEA
For many.
For many.
SYRUS
O my dear Demea! upon my word, you are a worthy man! I have strictly taken care of both these sons of yours, from childhood; I have taught, advised, and carefully instructed them in every thing I could.
O my dear Demea! upon my word, you are a worthy man! I have strictly taken care of both these sons of yours, from childhood; I have taught, advised, and carefully instructed them in every thing I could.
DEMEA
The thing is evident; and then, besides all this, to cater for them, secretly bring, home a wench, prepare a morning entertainment;
1
these are the accomplishments of no ordinary person.
965
The thing is evident; and then, besides all this, to cater for them, secretly bring, home a wench, prepare a morning entertainment;
1
these are the accomplishments of no ordinary person.
965
SYRUS
O, what a delightful man!
O, what a delightful man!
DEMEA
Last of all, he assisted to-day in purchasing this Music-wench—he had the management of it; it is right he should be rewarded; other servants will be encouraged thereby: besides, he
(pointing to AESCHINUS) desires it to be so.
Last of all, he assisted to-day in purchasing this Music-wench—he had the management of it; it is right he should be rewarded; other servants will be encouraged thereby: besides, he
(pointing to AESCHINUS) desires it to be so.
MICIO
(to AESCHINUS.)
Do you desire this to be done?
Do you desire this to be done?
AESCHINUS
I do wish it.
I do wish it.
MICIO
Why then, if you desire it, just come hither, Syrus, to me
(performing the ceremony of manumission); be a free man.
2
Why then, if you desire it, just come hither, Syrus, to me
(performing the ceremony of manumission); be a free man.
2
SYRUS
You act generously; I return my thanks to you all;—and to you, Demea, in particular.
You act generously; I return my thanks to you all;—and to you, Demea, in particular.
DEMEA
I congratulate you.
I congratulate you.
AESCHINUS
And I.
And I.
SYRUS
I believe you. I wish that this joy were made complete—that I could see my wife, Phrygia,
3
free as well.
I believe you. I wish that this joy were made complete—that I could see my wife, Phrygia,
3
free as well.
DEMEA
Really, a most excellent woman.
975
Really, a most excellent woman.
975
SYRUS
And the first to suckle your grandchild, his son, today
(pointing to AESCHINUS).
And the first to suckle your grandchild, his son, today
(pointing to AESCHINUS).
DEMEA
Why really, in seriousness, if she was the first to do so, there is no doubt she ought to be made free.
Why really, in seriousness, if she was the first to do so, there is no doubt she ought to be made free.
MICIO
What, for doing that?
What, for doing that?
DEMEA
For doing that; in fine, receive the amount from me
4
at which she is valued.
For doing that; in fine, receive the amount from me
4
at which she is valued.
SYRUS
May all the Gods always grant you, Demea, all you desire.
May all the Gods always grant you, Demea, all you desire.
MICIO
Syrus, you have thrived pretty well to-day.
980
Syrus, you have thrived pretty well to-day.
980
DEMEA
If, in addition, Micio, you will do your duty, and lend him a little ready money in hand for present use, he will soon repay you.
If, in addition, Micio, you will do your duty, and lend him a little ready money in hand for present use, he will soon repay you.
MICIO
Less than this
(snapping his fingers).
Less than this
(snapping his fingers).
AESCHINUS
He is a deserving fellow.
He is a deserving fellow.
SYRUS
Upon my word, I will repay it; only lend it me.
Upon my word, I will repay it; only lend it me.
AESCHINUS
Do, father.
Do, father.
MICIO
I’ll consider of it afterward.
I’ll consider of it afterward.
DEMEA
He’ll do it, Syrus.
He’ll do it, Syrus.
SYRUS
O most worthy man!
O most worthy man!
AESCHINUS
O most kind-hearted father!
O most kind-hearted father!
MICIO
How is this? What has so suddenly changed your disposition, Demea? What caprice is this? What means this sudden liberality?
5
985
How is this? What has so suddenly changed your disposition, Demea? What caprice is this? What means this sudden liberality?
5
985
DEMEA
I will tell you:—That I may convince you of this, Micio, that the fact that they consider you an easy and kind-hearted man, does not proceed from your real life, nor, indeed, from a regard for virtue and justice; but from your humoring, indulging, and pampering them.
Now therefore, Aeschinus, if my mode of life has been displeasing to you, because I do not quite humor you in every thing, just or unjust, I have done: squander, buy, do what you please.
990
But if you would rather have one to reprove and correct those faults, the results of which, by reason of your youth, you can not see, which you pursue too ardently, and are thoughtless upon, and in due season to direct you;
behold me ready to do it for you.
I will tell you:—That I may convince you of this, Micio, that the fact that they consider you an easy and kind-hearted man, does not proceed from your real life, nor, indeed, from a regard for virtue and justice; but from your humoring, indulging, and pampering them.
Now therefore, Aeschinus, if my mode of life has been displeasing to you, because I do not quite humor you in every thing, just or unjust, I have done: squander, buy, do what you please.
990
But if you would rather have one to reprove and correct those faults, the results of which, by reason of your youth, you can not see, which you pursue too ardently, and are thoughtless upon, and in due season to direct you;
behold me ready to do it for you.
AESCHINUS
Father, we leave it to you; you best know what ought to be done. But what is to be done about my brother?
Father, we leave it to you; you best know what ought to be done. But what is to be done about my brother?
DEMEA
I consent. Let him have his mistress:
6
with her let him make an end of his follies.
I consent. Let him have his mistress:
6
with her let him make an end of his follies.
MICIO
That’s right.
(To the AUDIENCE.) Grant us your applause.
That’s right.
(To the AUDIENCE.) Grant us your applause.
Adelphi. Publius Terentius Afer (Terence). Henry Thomas Riley (Translator), George Colman (Translator). New York. 1874.
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