Perde 3
[Textpart 3]
to listen to you just at present: I have got some fish just to my taste, and must take care they are not spoiled; for that would be as much a crime in me, as for you, Demea, not to observe those maxims which you have just been mentioning; and so far as I can, I lay down precepts for my fellow-servants on the very same plan;
420
SYRUS
this is too salt, that is quite burned up, this is not washed enough, that is very well done; remember and do so another time. I carefully instruct them so far as I can to the best of my capacity. In short, Demea, I bid them look into their sauce-pans as though into a mirror,As though into a mirror: He parodies the words of Demea in l. 415, where he speaks of looking into the lives of men as into a mirror. and suggest to them what they ought to do.
425
I am sensible these things are trifling which we do; but what is one to do? According as the man is, so must you humor him. Do you wish any thing else?
430
DEMEA
That more wisdom may be granted you.
SYRUS
You will be going off into the country, I suppose?
SYRUS
For what should you do here, where, if you do give any good precepts, no one will regard them?
DEMEA
I certainly will be off, as he on whose account I came hither has gone into the country. I have a care for him: that alone is my own concern, since my brother will have it so; let him look to the other himself. But who is it I see yonder at a distance? Isn’t it Hegio of our tribes?Of our tribe: Solon divided the Athenians into ten tribes, which he named after ten of the ancient heroes: Erectheis, Aegeis, Pandionis, Leontis, Acamantis, OEneis, Cecrops, Hippothoontis, Aeantis, and Antiochis. These tribes were each divided into ten Demi. If I see right, i’ faith, it is he. Ah,
435
a man I have been friendly with from a child! Good Gods! we certainly have a great dearth of citizens of that stamp nowadays, with the old-fashioned virtue and honesty. Not in a hurry will any misfortune accrue to the public from him.
440
How glad I am to find some remnants of this race even still remaining; now I feel some pleasure in living. I’ll wait here for him, to ask him how he is, and have some conversation with him.
[Textpart 4]
Oh immortal Gods! a disgraceful action, Geta! What is it you tell me?
HEGIO
That so ignoble a deed should come from that family! Oh Aeschinus,
assuredly you haven’t taken after your father in that!
450
DEMEA
Why surely, he has heard this about the Music-girl; that gives him concern, though a stranger; this father of his thinks nothing of it. Ah me! I wish he were somewhere close at hand to overhear this.
450
HEGIO
Unless they do as they ought to do, they shall not come off so easily.
GETA
All our hopes, Hegio, are centred in you; you we have for our only friend; you are our protector, our father. The old man, Simulus, when dying, recommended us to you; if you forsake us, we are undone.
455
HEGIO
Beware how you mention that; I neither will do it, nor do I think that, with due regard to the ties of relationship, I could.
DEMEA
I’ll accost him. (Approaches HEGIO.) Hegio, I bid you welcome right heartily;
460
HEGIO
Oh! you are the very man I was looking for. Greetings to you, Demea.
