University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

A table, and every thing necessary for an entertainment at the farther end of the stage.
Enter ARGYRIPPUS, DEMÆNETUS, and PHILENIUM.
Arg.
Come on, my father,
Let each one take his place.

Dem.
Let it be so,
Since you command it, son.

Arg.
Lads, spread the table.

Dem.
'Twill not, I hope, displease you, son, if she
Rests on the couch with me—

Arg.
My duty, sir,
Forbids my doing ought may grieve your sight.
And tho' I love Philenium desperately,
Yet I'll restrain myself; nor be uneasy
To have her place herself by you—

Dem.
My son,
It well becomes a young man to be modest.

Arg.
That, the respect I owe to you, would teach me.

Dem.
This entertainment let us season, then,
With wine, and joyous conversation—I
Would not that you should stand in awe of me,
My son: No, no, I'd rather you should love me.

Arg.
Sir, I'll do both: that's what becomes a son.

Dem.
I should believe you, did I see you chearful.

Arg.
And do you think me melancholy, sir?

Dem.
What! when I see you look as sorrowful,
As if the judge was passing sentence on you.

Arg.
Ah! say not so.

Dem.
I won't, if you'll not look so.

Arg.
Well! now look on me: now you see I'm laughing.

[affecting to laugh.
Dem.
Would those who wish me ill, would laugh just so!

Arg.
I know, sir, why you think me melancholy;
Because Philenium is next to you.
To say the truth, my father, 'tis a thing
That hurts me not a little—Yet, what I say,
Is not, that I desire to oppose your will.
But, sir, I love her, and full well could bear
To see another next you.

Dem.
But I chuse
This girl should be so.

Arg.
Well, you have your wish.
Would I could have mine too.

Dem.
But this one day
Let it be so—I've given you the power
To be the year round with her; money too,
To answer the expences of your love.

Arg.
You by this act have bound me to your service.

Dem.
Well, let me see you gay and chearful then.

[They go to the farther end of the stage and place themselves on their respective couches: Philenium places herself with Demænetus.]