r. My master, as the elder of the two, obtained the old house;
yours built this new and elegant mansion. One son, the handsome Phaon,
has grown up under our roof, while yours shelters the lovely Xanthe. My
master has gone to Messina, not only to sell our oil and yours, but to
speak to the guardian of a wealthy heiress, of whom his brother had
written. He wants her for Phaon's wife; but I think Phaon was created for
Xanthe and Xanthe for him. There's nothing lacking, except to have
Hymen--"

"To have Hymen unite them," interrupted Semestre. "There's no hurry about
heiresses; they don't let themselves be plucked like blackberries. If she
has scorned her country suitor, it may well seem desirable to Protarch
and all of you that Xanthe should prove more yielding, for then our
property would be joined with yours."

"It would be just the same as during Dionysius's lifetime."

"And you alone would reap the profit."

"No, Semestre, it would be an advantage to both us and you; for, since
your master had that unlucky fall from the high wall of the vineyard, the
ruler's eye is lacking here, and many things don't go as they ought."

"People see what they want to see," cried Semestre. "Our estates are no
worse managed than yours."

"I only meant to say--"

"That your Phaon seems to you well fitted to supply my master's place. I
think differently, and, if Lysander continues to improve, he'll learn to
use his limbs again."

"An invalid needs rest, and, since the deaths of your mistress and mine,
quarrelling never ceases--"

"We never disturb the peace."

"And quarrelling is even more unpleasant to us than to you; but how often
the shepherds and vine-dressers fight over the spring, which belongs to
us both, and whose beautiful wall and marble bench are already damaged,
and will soon be completely destroyed, because your master says mine
ought to bear the expense of the work--"

"And I daily strengthen him in this belief. We repaired the inclosing
wall of the spring, and it's only fair to ask Protarch to mend the
masonry of the platform. We won't yield, and if you--"

"If we refuse to do Lysander's will, it will lead to the quarrelling I
would fain prevent by Phaon's marriage with your Xanthe. Your master is
in the habit of following your advice, as if you were his own mother. You
nurse the poor invalid like one, and if you would only--"

"Lysander has other plans, and Phaon's father is seeking an heiress for
his son in