YRUS._

SYRUS. Oh Sir! your brother has dispatch'd me to you
To beg you'd not go further off.

DEM. Who's there?----
What, honest Syrus! save you: how is't with you?
How goes it?

SYRUS. Very well, Sir.

DEM. (_aside._) Excellent!
Now for the first time, I, against my nature,
Have added these three phrases, "Honest Syrus!----
How is't?--How goes it?"-- (_To SYRUS._) You have prov'd yourself
A worthy servant. I'll reward you for it.

SYRUS. I thank you, Sir.

DEM. I will, I promise you;
And you shall be convinc'd on't very soon.

SCENE III.

_Enter GETA._

GETA (_to SOSTRATA within_). Madam, I'm going to look after them,
That they may call the bride immediately.
--But here is Demea. Save you!

DEM. Oh! your name?

GETA. Geta, Sir.

DEM. Geta, I this day have found you
To be a fellow of uncommon worth:
For sure that servant's faith is well approv'd
Who holds his master's interest at heart,
As I perceiv'd that you did, Geta! wherefore,
Soon as occasion offers, I'll reward you.
--I am endeavoring to be affable,
And not without success. (_Aside._)

GETA. 'Tis kind in you
To think of your poor slave, Sir.

DEM. (_aside._) First of all
I court the mob, and win them by degrees.

SCENE IV.

_Enter AESCHINUS._

AESCH. They murder me with their delays; and while
They lavish all this pomp upon the nuptials,
They waste the livelong day in preparation.

DEM. How does my son?

AESCH. My father! are you here?

DEM. Aye, by affection, and by blood your father,
Who love you better than my eyes.--But why
Do you not call the bride?

AESCH. 'Tis what I long for:
But wait the music and the singers.

DEM. Pshaw!
Will you for once be rul'd by an old fellow?

AESCH. Well?

DEM. Ne'er mind singers, company, lights, music;
But tell them to throw down the garden-wall,
As soon as possible. Convey the bride
That way, and lay both houses into one.
Bring too the mother, and whole family,
Over to us.

AESCH. I will. O charming father!

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.

G