Part 85 (1/2)

DEM. (_aside_). _Charming!_ See there! he calls me _charming_ now.

--My brother's house will be a thoroughfare; Throng'd with whole crowds of people; much expense Will follow; very much: what's that to me?

I am call'd _charming_, and get into favor.

--Ho! order Babylo immediately To pay him twenty minae.--Prithee, Syrus, Why don't you execute your orders?

SYRUS. What?

DEM. Down with the wall!-- (_Exit SYRUS._) You, Geta, go and bring The ladies over.

GETA. Heaven bless you, Demea, For all your friends.h.i.+p to our family! (_Exit GETA._

DEM. They're worthy of it.--What say you to this?

(_To aeSCHINUS._)

aeSCH. I think it admirable.

DEM. 'Tis much better Than for a poor soul, sick, and lying-in, To be conducted through the street.

aeSCH. I never Saw any thing concerted better, Sir.

DEM. 'Tis just my way.--But here comes Micio.

SCENE V.

_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!

aeSCH. 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?