Adelphi; or, The Brothers (903)

AESCHINUS

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.

DEMEA

Aeschinus ! how goes it?

AESCHINUS

Ha, my father! are you here ?

DEMEA

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 ?

AESCHINUS

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

[*] and people to sing the nuptial song.

DEMEA

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

AESCHINUS

What is it?

DEMEA

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

[*] and the music-girls, and order the stone wall in the garden [*] here to be pulled down with all dispatch, and bring her over that way; make but one house of the two; bring the mother and all the domestics over to our house.

AESCHINUS

With all my heart, kindest father.

DEMEA

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

[*] pay down his twenty minae. To SYRUS. Syrus, do you delay to go and do it ?

SYRUS

What am I to do?

DEMEA

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

GETA

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.

DEMEA

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

AESCHINUS

I quite agree to it.

DEMEA

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

AESCHINUS

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

DEMEA

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