 | The Brothers |  |
SCENE IX.
Enter MICIO.Micio.
I'll go and let the women know we're ready.
Dem.
But here he is.—I have long sought you, Micio.
Micio.
What now?
Dem.
I bring you more offences; great ones;
Of that sweet youth—
See there!
Dem.
New; capital!
Micio.
Nay, nay, no more!
Dem.
Ah, you don't know—
Micio.
I do.
Dem.
O fool, you think I mean the Musick-Girl.
This is a rape upon a citizen.
Micio.
I know it.
Dem.
How? d'ye know it, and endure it?
Micio.
Why not endure it?
Dem.
Tell me, don't you rave?
Don't you go mad?
Micio.
No; to be sure I'd rather—
Dem.
There's a child born.
Micio.
Heav'n bless it!
Dem.
And the girl
Has nothing.
Micio.
I have heard so.
Dem.
And is He
To marry her without a fortune?
Micio.
Ay.
Dem.
What's to be done then?
Micio.
What the case requires.
The girl shall be brought over here.
Oh Jove!
Can that be proper?
Micio.
What can I do else?
Dem.
What can you do?—If you're not really griev'd,
It were at least your duty to appear so.
Micio.
I have contracted the young woman to him:
The thing is settled: 'tis their wedding-day:
And all their apprehensions I've remov'd.
This is still more my duty.
Dem.
Are you pleas'd then
With this adventure, Micio?
Micio.
Not at all,
If I could help it: now 'tis past all cure,
I bear it patiently. The life of man
Is like a game at tables. If the cast
Which is most necessary, be not thrown,
That, which chance sends, you must correct by art.
Dem.
Oh rare Corrector!—By your art no less
Than Twenty Minæ have been thrown away
On yonder Musick-Wench; who, out of hand,
Micio.
Not in the least; nor do I mean to sell her.
Dem.
What will you do then!
Micio.
Keep her in my house.
Dem.
Oh heav'n and earth! a harlot and a wife
In the same house!
Micio.
Why not?
Dem.
Have you your wits?
Micio.
Truly I think so.
Dem.
Now, so help me heav'n,
Seeing your folly, I believe you keep her
To sing with you.
Micio.
Why not?
Dem.
And the young bride
Shall be her pupil?
Micio.
To be sure.
Dem.
And you
Dance hand in hand with them?
Micio.
Ay.
Ay?
Micio.
And you
Make one amongst us too upon occasion.
Dem.
Ah! are you not asham'd on't?
Micio.
Patience, Demea!
Lay by your wrath, and seem, as it becomes you,
Chearful and free of heart at your son's wedding.
—I'll but speak with the bride and Sostrata,
And then return to you immediately.
[Exit.
Menander might possibly borrow this moral maxim from a passage in the tenth book of Plato's Republick, where it is said, “That we should take counsel from accidents, and, as in a game at dice, act according to what has fallen, in that manner which reason directs us to be the best.” Dacier.
Micio is here involved in a ridiculous dilemma, in which he had rather appear absurd, than betray Ctesipho. Donatus.
Restim ductans saltabis. Restim ducere; literally, to lead the cord: which would induce one to imagine that when many persons were dancing together in those days, they held a cord—but why a cord? might they not as well take hold of each other's hands? I am persuaded that they did, and agree with Donatus that the expression is merely metaphorical. Dacier.
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