University of Virginia Library

PROLOGUE.

The HOUSHOLD GOD.
Lest any one should wonder who I am,
I'll tell you in few words. I am the God
Domestic of this family, from whence
Ye saw me come. It now is many years,
Since I've possess'd this house, protecting it
Both in the grandfather's and father's time
Of him, who now inhabits it. The grandfather,
Unknown to every one, intrusted me
With a rare treasure all of gold: for this
He dug an hiding-place beneath the hearth,
Beseeching me with pray'rs to keep it for him.
He died, and was withal so covetous,
He would not even tell it to his son,
But rather chose to leave him indigent
Than shew him this same treasure. On his death,
He left his son a bit of ground, from whence
He might pick up a piteous livelihood
With industry and labour. Now when he
Was dead, who with this gold had trusted me,
I set me to observe, whether the son
Would hold me in more honour than his father
Had done before him: but he treated me
With less regard, less honour'd and rever'd me.
I did the same with him. He also died,
And left a son, who now inhabits here,
Of the same close and niggard disposition
As was his father and his grandfather.
He has an only daughter: she indeed
Makes ev'ry day her constant supplications
With frankincense, or wine, or something else,
And gives me wreaths of flowers. For her sake
Have I caus'd Euclio to find out this treasure,
That, if he please, he may more readily
Dispose of her in marriage; for a youth
Of highest quality has made her pregnant:
He knows her, who she is; she knows not him:
Nor has her father learn'd, that she is pregnant.
Now will I cause, that the old gentleman,
Who lives here in the neighbourhood, shall ask
The girl in marriage; and on this account
I do it, that the youth, who made her pregnant,
May find the means more readily to marry her:
For this old gentleman is the youth's uncle,
Who forc'd her on the night of Ceres' festival.
But hark!—I hear old Euclio now within
Making an uproar, as he's wont to do.
He's thrusting his old woman out of doors,
That she should nothing know. Belike he wants
To see his treasure, if it be not stolen.

[Exit.