Scene VI
To them Syrus.
Syrus. I have executed
Your orders, Demea.
Dem. A good fellow!——Truly
Syrus, I think, should be made free to-day.
Micio. Made free! He!——Wherefore?
Dem. Oh, for many reasons.
Syrus. Oh Demea, you’re a noble gentleman.
I’ve taken care of both your sons from boys;
Taught them, instructed them, and given them
The wholesomest advice that I was able.
Dem. The thing’s apparent: and these offices,
To cater;—bring a wench in, safe and snug;
—Or in mid-day prepare an entertainment;——
All these are talents of no common man.
Syrus. Oh most delightful gentleman!
Dem. Besides,
He has been instrumental too this day
In purchasing the Music-Girl. He manag’d
The whole affair. We should reward him for it.
It will encourage others.—In a word,
Your Æschinus would have it so.
Micio. Do you
Desire it?
Æsch. Yes, Sir.
Micio. Well, if you desire it——
Come hither, Syrus!—Be thou free! (Syrus kneels; Micio strikes him, being the ceremony of manumission, or giving a slave his freedom.)
Syrus. I thank you:
Thanks to you all; but most of all, to Demea!
Dem. I’m glad of your good fortune.
Æsch. So am I.
Syrus. I do believe it; and I wish this joy
Were quite complete, and I might see my wife,
My Phrygia too, made free, as well as I.
Dem. The very best of women!
Syrus. And the first
That suckled my young master’s son, your grandson.
Dem. Indeed! the first who suckled him!—Nay then,
Beyond all doubt, she should be free.
Micio. For what?
Dem. For that. Nay, take the sum, whate’er it be,
Of me.
Syrus. Now all the powers above grant all
Your wishes, Demea!
Micio. You have thriv’d to-day
Most rarely, Syrus.
Dem. And besides this, Micio,
It would be handsome to advance him something
To try his fortune with. He’ll soon return it.
Micio. Not that. (Snapping his fingers.)
Æsch. He’s honest.
Syrus. Faith I will return it.
Do but advance it.
Æsch. Do, Sir!
Micio. Well, I’ll think on’t.
Dem. I’ll see that he shall do’t. (To Syrus.)
Syrus. Thou best of men!
Æsch. My most indulgent father!
Micio. What means this?
Whence comes this hasty change of manners, brother?
Whence flows all this extravagance? and whence
This sudden prodigality?
Dem. I’ll tell you:
To show you, that the reason why our sons
Think you so pleasant and agreeable,
Is not from your deserts, or truth, or justice,
But your compliance, bounty, and indulgence.
—Now, therefore, if I’m odious to you, son,
Because I’m not subservient to your humor
In all things, right or wrong; away with care!
Spend, squander, and do what you will!—but if,
In those affairs where youth has made you blind,
Eager, and thoughtless, you will suffer me
To counsel and correct—and in due season
Indulge you—I am at your service.
Æsch. Father,
In all things we submit ourselves to you.
What’s fit and proper, you know best.—But what
Shall come of my poor brother?
Dem. I consent
That he shall have her: let him finish there.
Æsch. All now is as it should be.— (To the audience.) Clap your hands!