Publii Terentii Carthaginiensis Afris poëtae lepidissimi comoediae sex Anglo-Latinae in usum ludi-discipulorum, quo Feliciùs venustatem linguae Latinae ad sermonem quotidianum exercendum assequantur / a Carolo Hoole ... = Six comedies of that excellent poet Publius Terentius, an African of Carthage, in English and Latine : for the use of young scholars, that they may the more readily attain the purity of the Latine tongue for common discourse / by Charles Hoole ...

Act. IV. Scen. VII.

MITIO. DEMEA.

M.

I will go and tell them, there is no delay in us.

D.

But lo where he is; I have been looking for you a great while, Mitio.

M.

What is the matter?

D.

I bring you other great lewd pranks Of that honest young-man.

M.

But loe.

D.

New pranks, [line 5] Worthie of death.

M.

Enough, now.

D.

Alas, you know not what a man he is.

M.

I do know.

D.

Ah you fool, you dream that I speak of the singing-wench: This offence is done against a maid that is a citizen.

M.

I know it.

D.

Ho, do you know it, and suffer it?

M.

VVhat should I do but suf∣fer it?

D.

Tell me. Do not you crie out? are you not out of your wits?

M.

No, I had ra∣ther you were.

D.

[line 10] There is a child born.

M.

God blesse him and send him good luck.

D.

The maid hath nothing.

M.

I heard as much.

D.

And must he marry one without a portion?

M.

Ye.

D.

VVhat will now become of it?

M.

That forsooth which the matter affordeth. The maid shall be brought over from thence hither.

D.

O Iupiter! Must it be done on that fashion?

M.

VVhat should I do else?

D.

[line 15] Ask you what you should do? if that do not grieve you in ve•…•… deed,

Certainly it is a wise man's part to make as though it did.

M.

But I have alreadie Betrothed the maid to him, the matter is concluded, the marriage is to be made. I have taken away all fear; these things are rather belonging to a man.

D.

But, Doth this doing please you, Mitio?

M.

No; if I could tell how [line 20] To alter it; now that I cannot, I take it patiently. Man's life is so, as when you play at tables, If that fall not, which is most needfull to be cast, You must amend that by skill, which fell out by chance.

D.

You an amender! for sooth twentie pounds are lost by your skill [line 25] For this singing-wench; who is to be packt away somewhither, As soon as may be, if not for a piece of money, yet for nothing.

M.

Neither is she to be sold, nor indeed doth he desire to sell her.

D.

What will you do then?

M.

She shall be at my house.

D.

O strange! A whore, and a good-wife of the house under one roof?

M.

[line 30] Why not?

D.

Do you think you are well in your wits?

M.

Truly I think so.

D.

I swear, as far as I understand your follie, I think you will do this, that you may have one to sing with you.

M.

Why not?

D.

And the new married woman shall learn these same things?

M.

Yes forsooth.

D.

And you shall dance among them leading the ring.

M.

Verie well. [line 35] And if need be, you shall dance with us' too.

D.

Woe is me. Are you not ashamed of these things?

M.

But now, Demea, forbear That peevishnesse of yours, and make your self blithe and buxome at your son's marriage. I will go talk with these, and come hither again afterwards.

D.

O Jupi∣ter! Is this a life fit to be led? are these manners to be used? is this mad∣nesse to be shewn? [line 40] A wife shall come without a portion; a singing-wench is within∣door; A costly house is to be maintained; a young-man is undone by riot; An old man is turned dotard. Salus her self if she should desire it, Cannot at all be able to preserve this familie from ruine.