Adelphi; or, The Brothers (928-963)

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.

It has been done as you ordered, Demea.

You are a worthy fellow. Upon my faith,—in my opinion, at least,—I think Syrus ought at once to be made free.

He free! For what reason?

For many.

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.

The thing is evident; and then, besides all this, to cater for them, secretly bring, home a wench, prepare a morning entertainment;

O, what a delightful man !

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.

to AESCHINUS. Do you desire this to be done?

I do wish it.

Why then, if you desire it, just come hither, Syrus, to me performing the ceremony of manumission; be a free man.

You act generously; I return my thanks to you all;—and to you, Demea, in particular.

I congratulate you.

And I.

I believe you. I wish that this joy were made complete—that I could see my wife, Phrygia,

Really, a most excellent woman.

And the first to suckle your grandchild, his son, today pointing to AESCHINUS.

Why really, in seriousness, if she was the first to do so, there is no doubt she ought to be made free.

What, for doing that?

For doing that; in fine, receive the amount from me

May all the Gods always grant you, Demea, all you desire.

Syrus, you have thrived pretty well to-day.

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.

Less than this snapping his fingers.

He is a deserving fellow.

Upon my word, I will repay it; only lend it me.

Do, father.

I'll consider of it afterward.

He'll do it, Syrus.

O most worthy man !

O most kind-hearted father!

How is this? What has so suddenly changed your disposition, Demea? What caprice is this? What means this sudden liberality?

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. 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.

Father, we leave it to you; you best know what ought to be done. But what is to be done about my brother?

I consent. Let him have his mistress:

That's right. To the AUDIENCE. Grant us your applause.