 | The Miser |  |
SCENE I.
Enter STROBILUS, Servant to LYCONIDES.'Tis a good servant's duty to behave
As I do,—to obey his master's orders
Without delay or grumbling: for whoever
Seeks to demean him to his master's liking,
Ought to be quick in what concerns his master,
And slow to serve himself: his very dreams,
When sleeping, should remind him what he is.
If any serve a master that's in love,
(As I do for example) and he find
His passion has subdu'd him, 'tis his duty
To keep him back, restrain him for his good,
Not push him forward where his inclinations
Hurry him on. As boys, that learn to swim,
Rest on a kind of raft compos'd of rushes,
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And swim more easily; so should a servant
Buoy up his master, that is plung'd in love,
From sinking like a plummet.—Such an one
Will read his master's pleasure in his looks,
And what he orders haste to execute
As quick as lightning. Whatsoever servant
Acts in this wise, will never feel the lash,
Nor make his fetters bright by constant wear.—
My master is enamour'd with the daughter
Of this poor fellow Euclio, and has learn'd
She's to be married to our Megadorus.
He therefore sent me hither as a spy,
T'inform him of what passes.—I may seat me
Close by this altar here without suspicion;
Whence I can learn what's doing on all sides.
[Sits down by an altar.
| The Miser | |