Adelphi; or, The Brothers (859-928)

Never was there any person of ever such well-trained habits of life, but that experience, age, and custom are always bringing him something new, or suggesting something; so much so, that what you believe you know you don't know, and what you have fancied of first importance to you, on making trial you reject; and this is my case at present: for the rigid life I have hitherto led, my race nearly run, I now renounce. Why so ?—I have found, by experience, that there is nothing better for a man than an easy temper and complacency. That this is the truth, it is easy for any one to understand on comparing me with my brother. He has always spent his life in ease and gayety; mild, gentle, offensive to no one, having a smile for all, he has lived for himself, and has spent his money for himself; all men speak well of him, all love him. I, again, a rustic, a rigid, cross, self-denying, morose and thrifty person, married a wife; what misery I entailed in consequence! Sons were born—a fresh care. And just look, while I have been studying to do as much as possible for them, I have worn out my life and years in saving; now, in the decline of my days, the return I get from them for my pains is their dislike. He, on the other hand, with out any trouble on his part, enjoys a father's comforts; they love him; me they shun; him they trust with all their secrets, are fond of him, are always with him. I am forsaken; they wish him to live; but my death, forsooth, they are longing for. Thus, after bringing them up with all possible pains, at a trifling cost he has made them his own; thus I bear all the misery, he enjoys the pleasure. Well, then, henceforward let us try, on the other hand, whether I can't speak kindly and act complaisantly, as he challenges me to it: I also want myself to be loved and highly valued by my friends. If that is to be effected by giving and indulging, I will not be behind him. If our means fail, that least concerns me, as I am the eldest.

Hark you, Demea, your brother begs you will not go out of the way.

Who is it?—O Syrus, my friend,

Very well.

Very good. Aside. I have now for the first time used these three expressions contrary to my nature,—"O Syrus, my friend, how are you ?—how goes it with you?" To SYRUS. You show yourself far from an unworthy servant, and I shall gladly do you a service.

I thank you.

Yes, Syrus, it is the truth; and you shall be convinced of it by experience before long.

to SOSTRATA, within. Mistress, I am going to see after them, that they may send for the damsel as soon as possible; but see, here's Demea. Accosting him. Save you!

O, what's your name?

Geta.

Geta, I have this day come to the conclusion that you are a man of very great worth, for I look upon him as an undoubtedly good servant who has a care for his master; as I have found to be your case, Geta; and for that reason, if any opportunity should offer, I would gladly do you a service. Aside. I am practicing the affable, and it succeeds very well.

You are kind, sir, to think so.

aside. Getting on by degrees—I'll first make the lower classes my own.

to himself. They really are killing me while too intent on performing the nuptials with all ceremony; the whole day is being wasted in their preparations.

Aeschinus ! how goes it?

Ha, my father! are you here ?

Your father, indeed, both by affection and by nature; as I love you more than my very eyes; but why don't you send for your wife ?

So I wish to do; but I am waiting for the music-girl

Come now, are you willing to listen to an old fellow like me?

What is it?

Let those things alone, the nuptial song, the crowds, the torches,

With all my heart, kindest father.

aside. Well done! now I am called " kind." My brother's house will become a thoroughfare; he will be bringing home a multitude, incurring expense in many ways: what matters it to me ? I, as the kind Demea, shall get into favor. Now then, bid that Babylonian

What am I to do?

Pull down the wall: and you, Geta, go and bring them across.

May the Gods bless you, Demea, as I see you so sincere a well-wisher to our family. GETA and SYRUS go into MICIO'S house.

I think they deserve it. What say you, Aeschinus, as to this plan ?

I quite agree to it.

It is much more proper than that she, being sick and lying-in, should be brought hither through the street.

Why, my dear father, I never did see any thing better contrived.

It's my way; but see, here's Micio coming out.

speaking to GETA, within. Does my brother order it? Where is he? To DEMEA. Is this your order, Demea?

Certainly, I do order it, and in this matter, and in every thing else, wish especially to make this family one with ourselves, to oblige, serve, and unite them.

Father, pray let it be so.

I do not oppose it.

On the contrary, i' faith, it is what we ought to do: in the first place, she is the mother of his wife pointing to AESCHINUS.

She is. What then?

An honest and respectable woman.

So they say.

Advanced in years.

I am aware of it.

Through her years, she is long past child-bearing; there is no one to take care of her; she is a lone woman.

aside. What can be his meaning ?

It is right you should marry her; and that you, Aeschinus, should use your endeavors to effect it.

I, marry her, indeed ?

You.

I?

You, I say.

You are trifling !

Aeschinus, if you are a man, he'll do it

My dear father—

What, ass! do you attend to him?

'T is all in vain; it can not be otherwise.

You are mad!

Do let me prevail on you, my father.

Are you out of your senses? Take yourself off.

Come, do oblige your son.

Are you quite in your right mind? Am I, in my five-and-sixtieth year, to be marrying at last? A decrepit old woman too ? Do you advise me to do this?

Do; I have promised it.

Promised, indeed; be generous at your own cost, young man.

Come, what if he should ask a still greater favor ?

As if this was not the greatest !

Do comply.

Don't make any difficulty.

Do promise.

Will you not have done?

Not until I have prevailed upon you.

Really, this is downright force.

Act with heartiness, Micio.

Although this seems to me

You act obligingly.

With reason I love you; but—

What ?

I will tell you, when my wish has been complied with.

What now ? What remains to be done?

Hegio here is their nearest relation; he is a connection of ours and poor; we ought to do some good for him.

Do what?

There is a little farm here in the suburbs, which you let out; let us give it him to live upon.

But is it a little one ?

If it were a large one, still it ought to be done; he has been as it were a father to her; he is a worthy man, and connected with us; it would be properly bestowed. In fine, I now adopt that proverb which you, Micio, a short time ago repeated with sense and wisdom—it is the common vice of all, in old age, to be too intent upon our own interests. This stain we ought to avoid: it is a true maxim, and ought to be observed in deed.

What am I to say to this? Well then, as he desires it pointing to AESCHINUS, it shall be given him.

My father!

Now, Micio, you are indeed my brother, both in spirit and in body.

I am glad of it.

aside. I foil him at his own weapon.