The Comedies of Terence Part 80

aeSCH. In what?

MICIO. I'll tell you.

This house is tenanted by some poor women, Whom, I believe, you know not;--Nay, I'm sure on't, For 'twas but lately they came over hither.

aeSCH. Well?

MICIO. A young woman and her mother.

aeSCH. Well?

MICIO. The father's dead.--This friend of mine, it seems, Being her next relation, by the law Is forc'd to marry her.

aeSCH. Confusion! (_Aside._)

MICIO. How?

aeSCH. Nothing.--Well?--pray go on, Sir!----

MICIO. He's now come To take her home, for he is of Miletus.

aeSCH. How! take her home with him?

MICIO. Yes, take her home.

aeSCH. What, to Miletus?

MICIO. Aye.

aeSCH. Oh torture! (_Aside._)-- Well?

What say the women?

MICIO. Why, what should they? Nothing.

Indeed the mother has devis'd a tale About her daughter's having had a child By some one else, but never mentions whom: His claim, she says, is prior; and my friend Ought not to have her.

aeSCH. Well? and did not this Seem a sufficient reason?

MICIO. No.

aeSCH. No, Sir?

And shall this next relation take her off?

MICIO. Aye, to be sure: why not?

aeSCH. Oh barbarous, cruel!

And to speak plainly, Sir--ungenerous!

MICIO. Why so?

aeSCH. Why so, Sir?--What d'ye think Will come of him, the poor unhappy youth Who was connected with her first--who still Loves her, perhaps, as dearly as his life;---- When he shall see her torn out of his arms, And borne away forever?--Oh shame, shame!

MICIO. Where is the shame on't?--Who betroth'd, who gave her?

When was she married? and to whom? Where is he, And wherefore did he wed another's right?

aeSCH. Was it for her, a girl of such an age, To sit at home, expecting till a kinsman Came, n.o.body knows whence, to marry her?

--This, Sir, it was your business to have said, And to have dwelt on it.

MICIO. Ridiculous!

Should I have pleaded against him to whom I came an advocate?--But after all, What's this affair to us? or, what have we To do with them? let's go!--Ha! why those tears?

aeSCH. Father, beseech you, hear me!

MICIO. aeschinus, I have heard all, and I know all, already: For I do love you; wherefore all your actions Touch me the more.

aeSCH. So may you ever love me, And so may I deserve your love, my father, As I am sorry to have done this fault, And am asham'd to see you!

MICIO. I believe it; For well I know you have a liberal mind: But I'm afraid you are too negligent, For in what city do you think you live?

You have abus'd a virgin, whom the law Forbade your touching.--'Twas a fault, a great one; But yet a natural failing. Many others, Some not bad men, have often done the same.

--But after this event, can you pretend You took the least precaution? or consider'd What should be done, or how?--If shame forbade Your telling me yourself, you should have found Some other means to let me know of it.

Lost in these doubts, ten months have slipp'd away.

You have betray'd, as far as in you lay, Yourself, the poor young woman, and your child.

What! did you think the G.o.ds would bring about This business in your sleep; and that your wife, Without your stir, would be convey'd to you Into your bed-chamber?--I would not have you Thus negligent in other matters.--Come, Cheer up, son! you shall wed her.

aeSCH. How!

MICIO. Cheer up, I say!

aeSCH. Nay, prithee, do not mock me, father!

MICIO. Mock you? I? wherefore?

aeSCH. I don't know; unless That I so much desire it may be true, I therefore fear it more.

MICIO. --Away; go home; And pray the G.o.ds, that you may call your wife Away!

aeSCH. How's that? my wife? what! now?

MICIO. Now.

aeSCH. Now?

MICIO. Ev'n now, as soon as possible.

aeSCH. May all The G.o.ds desert me, Sir, but I do love you, More than my eyes!

MICIO. Than her?

aeSCH. As well.

MICIO. That's much.