Enter SYRUS, from the house. SYRUS 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. MICIO He free! For what reason? DEMEA 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. DEMEA The thing is evident; and then, besides all this, to cater for them, secretly bring, home a wench, prepare a morning entertainment; 
 A morning entertainment : A banquet in the early part or middle of the day was considered by the Greeks a debauch. these are the accomplishments of no ordinary person. SYRUS 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.
 MICIO to AESCHINUS. Do you desire this to be done? AESCHINUS 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. 
 Be a free man : He touches Syrus on the ear, and makes him free. The same occurs in the Epidicus of Plautus, Act V., Sc. 2, 1. 65. 
 SYRUS You act generously; I return my thanks to you all;—and to you, Demea, in particular. DEMEA I congratulate you. AESCHINUS And I. SYRUS I believe you. I wish that this joy were made complete—that I could see my wife, Phrygia , 
 My wife, Phrygia 
 : The so-called marriage, or rather cohabitation, of the Roman slaves will be found treated upon in the Notes to Plautus. Syrus calls Phrygia his wife on anticipation that she will become a free woman. free as well. DEMEA Really, a most excellent woman. SYRUS 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. MICIO What, for doing that? DEMEA For doing that; in fine, receive the amount from me 
 Receive the amount from me : The only sign of generosity he has yet shown. at which she is valued. SYRUS May all the Gods always grant you, Demea, all you desire. MICIO Syrus, you have thrived pretty well to-day. 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. MICIO Less than this snapping his fingers . AESCHINUS He is a deserving fellow. SYRUS Upon my word, I will repay it; only lend it me. AESCHINUS Do, father. MICIO I'll consider of it afterward. DEMEA He'll do it, Syrus. SYRUS O most worthy man ! AESCHINUS 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? 
 This sudden liberality : " Quid prolubium? Quae istaec subita est largitas? " Madame Dacier tells us that this passage was borrowed from Coeilius, the Comic Poet. 
 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. 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? DEMEA I consent. Let him have his mistress: 
 Let him have his mistress : It must be remembered that he has the notions of a Greek parent, and sees no such criminality in this sanction as a parent would be sensible of at the present day. with her let him make an end of his follies. MICIO That's right. To the AUDIENCE. Grant us your applause.