Chapter 135

_Enter MICIO._

MICIO (_at entering._) My brother order it, d'ye say? where is he? --Was this your order, Demea?

DEM. 'Twas my order: And by this means, and every other way, I would unite, serve, cherish, and oblige, And join the family to ours!

ÆSCH. Pray do, Sir! (_To MICIO._)

MICIO. I don't oppose it.

DEM. Nay, but 'tis our duty. First, there's the mother of the bride----

MICIO. What then?

DEM. Worthy and modest.

MICIO. So they say.

DEM. In years.

MICIO. True.

DEM. And so far advanc'd, that she is long Past child-bearing, a poor lone woman too, With none to comfort her.

MICIO. What means all this?

DEM. This woman 'tis your place to marry, brother; --And yours (_to ÆSCHINUS_) to bring him to't.

MICIO. I marry her?

DEM. You.

MICIO. I?

DEM. Yes, you I say.

MICIO. Ridiculous!

DEM. (_to ÆSCHINUS_). If you're a man, he'll do't.

ÆSCH. (_to MICIO_). Dear father!

MICIO. How! Do you then join him, fool?

DEM. Nay, don't deny. It can't be otherwise.

MICIO. You've lost your senses!

ÆSCH. Let me prevail upon you, Sir!

MICIO. You're mad. Away!

DEM. Oblige your son.

MICIO. Have you your wits? I a new married man at sixty-five! And marry a decrepit poor old woman! Is that what you advise me!

ÆSCH. Do it, Sir! I've promis'd them.

MICIO. You've promis'd them, indeed! Prithee, boy, promise for yourself.

DEM. Come, come! What if he ask'd still more of you?

MICIO. As if This was not ev'n the utmost.

DEM. Nay, comply!

ÆSCH. Be not obdurate!

DEM. Come, come, promise him.

MICIO. Won't you desist?

ÆSCH. No, not till I prevail.

MICIO. This is mere force.

DEM. Nay, nay, comply, good Micio!

MICIO. Though this appears to me absurd, wrong, foolish, And quite repugnant to my scheme of life, Yet, if you're so much bent on't, let it be!

ÆSCH. Obliging father, worthy my best love!

DEM. (_aside_). What now?--This answers to my wish.--What more? --Hegio's their kinsman (_to MICIO_), our relation too, And very poor. We should do him some service.

MICIO. Do what?

DEM. There is a little piece of ground, Which you let out near town. Let's give it him To live upon.

MICIO. So little, do you call it?

DEM. Well, if 'tis large, let's give it. He has been Father to her; a good man; our relation. It will be given worthily. In short, That saying, Micio, I now make my own, Which you so lately and so wisely quoted; "It is the common failing of old men To be too much intent on worldly matters." Let us wipe off that stain. The saying's true, And should be practic'd.

MICIO. Well, well; be it so, If he requires it. (_Pointing to ÆSCHINUS._)

ÆSCH. I beseech it, father.

DEM. Now you're indeed my brother, soul and body.

MICIO. I'm glad to find you think me so.

DEM. I foil him At his own weapons. (_Aside._)

[Changes:

_Harper_ [Demea's entire speech, beginning Well, if 'tis large ...] _Colman 1768_ DEM. Well, if 'tis large, let's give it. He has been A father to the bride; a worthy man; Our kinsman too. It will be well bestow'd. In short, that saying I now make my own, Which you but now so wisely quoted, Micio; "It is the common failing of old men To be too much intent on worldly matters." Let us wipe off that stain. The saying's true, And worthy notice.]