The Comedies of Terence Part 75

DEM. Oh, Syrus!

He's full of all those precepts, he!

SYRUS. No doubt on't: He need not go from home for good instruction.

DEM. I spare no pains; neglect no means; I train him.

--In short, I bid him look into the lives Of all, as in a mirror, and thence draw From others an example for himself.

--"Do this."----

SYRUS. Good!

DEM. "Fly that."

SYRUS. Very good!

DEM. "This deed Is commendable."

SYRUS. That's the thing!

DEM. "That's reprehensible."

SYRUS. Most excellent!

DEM. "And then moreover----"

SYRUS. Faith, I have not time To give you further audience just at present, I've got an admirable dish of fish; And I must take good care they are not spoil'd.

For that were an offense as grievous, Demea, In us, as 'twere in you to leave undone The things you just now mentioned: and I try, According to my weak abilities, To teach my fellow-slaves the self-same way.

--"This is too salt.--This is burnt up too much.

That is not nice and cleanly.--That's well done.

Mind, and do so again."--I spare no pains, And give them the best precepts that I can.

In short, I bid them look into the dishes, As in a mirror, Demea, and thence learn The duty of a cook.--This school of ours, I own, is idle: but what can you do?

According to the man must be the lesson.

--Would you aught else with us?

DEM. Your reformation.

SYRUS. Do you go hence into the country?

DEM. Straight.

SYRUS. For what should you do here, where n.o.body, However good your precepts, cares to mind them? (_Exit._

[Changes:

_Harper_ SYRUS. We've just Disclos'd the whole of this affair to Micio, _Colman 1768_ SYRUS. We've just disclos'd The whole of this affair to Micio,

_Harper_ DEM. So! if you'd have your business well ta'en care of, _Colman 1768_ DEM. So! if you'd have your business well discharg'd

_Harper_ Cleanse you the rest of those fish, Dromo: let _Colman 1768_ Here! Hark ye, Dromo! see you gut and scale The other fish immediately: But let

SYRUS. As fathers form their children, so they prove.

_Harper text reads "as fathers from"

_Harper_ DEM. But now we're speaking of him, have you seen The lad to-day?

SYRUS. Your son d'ye mean?--I'll drive him Into the country. --He is hard at work Upon your grounds by this time.

DEM. Are you sure on't?

_Colman 1768_ DEM. But, prithee, have you seen the lad to-day?

SYRUS. Your son, d'ye mean?--I'll drive him out of town.

He's hard at work upon your grounds by this time.

DEM. Ay? Are you sure he's gone into the country?]

_Harper_ Do you commit these crimes? and do you bring Such a disgrace upon our family?

_Colman 1768_ These your persuits? enormities like these?

Oh shame! oh scandal to our family!

_Harper_ Is commendable.

_Colman 1768_ Is highly commendable.]

SCENE V.

_DEMEA alone._

I then will hence, since he, on whose account I hither came, is gone into the country.

_He_ is my only care, _He's_ my concern.

My brother, since he needs will have it so, May look to aeschinus himself.----But who Is coming yonder? Hegio, of our tribe?

If I see plainly, beyond doubt 'tis he.

Ah, we've been old acquaintance quite from boys; And such men nowadays are wondrous scarce.

A citizen of ancient faith and virtue!

The commonwealth will ne'er reap harm from him.

How I rejoice to see but the remains Of this old stock! Ah, life's a pleasure now.

I'll wait, that I may ask about his health, And have a little conversation with him.

SCENE VI.

_Enter HEGIO, GETA conversing at a distance._

HEGIO. Good Heaven! a most unworthy action, Geta!

GETA. Ev'n so.

HEGIO. A deed so base Sprung from that family?--Oh aeschinus, I'm sure this was not acting like your father.

DEM. (_behind._) So! he has heard about this Music-Girl, And is affected at it, though a stranger, While his good father truly thinks it nothing.

Oh monstrous! would that he were somewhere nigh, And heard all this!

HEGIO. Unless they do what's just, They shall not carry off the matter thus.

GETA. Our only hope is in you, Hegio.