Part 64 (2/2)
Is it your pleasure?
CHREM. It is.
MENE. Be it so.
CHREM. Come then, let Clinia haste to call the bride.
And for this son of mine, he shall be school'd, As children ought.--But Syrus!
MENE. What of him?
CHREM. What! I'll so handle him, so curry him, That while he lives he shall remember me. (_Exit MENEDEMUS._ What, make a jest of me? a laughing-stock?
Now, afore Heav'n, he would not dare to treat A poor lone widow as he treated me.
[Changes:
_Harper_ MENE. The very same thing I was thinking of.
_Colman 1768_ MENE. The very thing that I was thinking of.
CHREM. What is there more that he can counterfeit?
_Harper edition reads ”more than he”_
Fool, fool! But by my life I'll be reveng'd: _the 1896 Harper printing has ”I'll he”. Everywhere else, the 1859 and 1896 printings appear to be made from the same plates_]
SCENE III.
_Re-enter MENEDEMUS, with c.l.i.tIPHO and SYRUS._
c.l.i.t. And can it, Menedemus, can it be, My father has so suddenly cast off All natural affection? for what act?
What crime, alas! so heinous have I done?
It is a common failing.
MENE. This I know, Should be more heavy and severe to you On whom it falls: and yet am I no less Affected by it, though I know not why, And have no other reason for my grief, But that I wish you well.
c.l.i.t. Did not you say My father waited here?
MENE. Aye; there he is. (_Exit MENEDEMUS._
CHREM. Why d'ye accuse your father, c.l.i.tipho?
Whate'er I've done, was providently done Tow'rd you and your imprudence. When I saw Your negligence of soul, and that you held The pleasures of to-day your only care, Regardless of the morrow; I found means That you should neither want, nor waste my substance.
When you, whom fair succession first made heir, Stood self-degraded by unworthiness, I went to those the next in blood to you, Committing and consigning all to them.
There shall your weakness, c.l.i.tipho, be sure Ever to find a refuge; food, and raiment, And roof to fly to.
c.l.i.t. Ah me!
CHREM. Better thus, Than, you being heir, for Bacchis to have all.
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