Deign then, for my sake, to accept this plea, And grant me some remission from my labor.
For they, who now produce new comedies, Spare not my age! If there is aught laborious, They run to me; but if of little weight, Away to others. In our piece to-day The style is pure: now try my talents then In either character. If I for gain, Never o"er-rated my abilities; If I have held it still my chief reward To be subservient to your pleasure; fix In me a fair example, that our youth May seek to please you, rather than themselves.
ACT THE FIRST.
SCENE I.
_CHREMES, MENEDEMUS._
CHREM. Though our acquaintance is as yet but young, Since you have bought this farm that neighbors mine, And little other commerce is betwixt us; Yet or your virtue, or good neighborhood, (Which is in my opinion kin to friendship,) Urge me to tell you, fairly, openly, That you appear to me to labor more Than your age warrants, or affairs require.
Now, in the name of heav"n and earth, what is"t You want? what seek you? Threescore years of age, Or older, as I guess; with an estate, Better than which, more profitable, none In these parts hold; master of many slaves; As if you had not one at your command, You labor in their offices yourself.
I ne"er go out so soon at morn, return So late at eve, but in your grounds I see you Dig, plow, or fetch and carry: in a word, You ne"er remit your toil, nor spare yourself.
This, I am certain, is not done for pleasure.
--You"ll say, perhaps, it vexes you to see Your work go on so slowly;--do but give The time you spend in laboring yourself To set your slaves to work, "twill profit more.
MENE. Have you such leisure from your own affairs To think of those, that don"t concern you, Chremes?
CHREM. I am a man, and feel for all mankind.
Think, I advise, or ask for information: If right, that I may do the same; if wrong, To turn you from it.
MENE. I have need to do thus.
Do you as you think fit.
CHREM. Need any man Torment himself?
MENE. I need.
CHREM. If there"s a cause, I"d not oppose it. But what evil"s this?
What is th" offense so grievous to your nature, That asks such cruel vengeance on yourself?
MENE. Alas! alas! (_In tears._)
CHREM. Nay, weep not; but inform me.
Be not reserv"d; fear nothing: prithee, trust me: By consolation, counsel, or a.s.sistance, I possibly may serve you.
MENE. Would you know it?
CHREM. Aye, for the very reason I have mention"d.
MENE. I will inform you.
CHREM. But meanwhile lay down Those rakes: don"t tire yourself.
MENE. It must not be.
CHREM. What mean you?
MENE. Give me leave: that I may take No respite from my toil.
CHREM. I"ll not allow it. (_Taking away the rakes._)
MENE. Ah, you do wrong.
CHREM. What, and so heavy too! (_Weighing them in his hand._)
MENE. Such my desert.
CHREM. Now speak. (_Laying down the rakes._)
MENE. One only son I have.--_Have_, did I say?--_Had_ I mean, Chremes.
Have I or no, is now uncertain.
CHREM. Wherefore?
MENE. That you shall know. An old Corinthian woman Now sojourns here, a stranger in these parts, And very poor. It happen"d, of her daughter My son became distractedly enamor"d;---- E"en to the brink of marriage; and all this Unknown to me: which I no sooner learn"d Than I began to deal severely with him, Not as a young and love-sick mind requir"d, But in the rough and usual way of fathers.
Daily I chid him; crying, "How now, Sir!
Think you that you shall hold these courses long, And I your father living?--Keep a mistress, As if she were your wife!--You are deceiv"d, If you think that, and do not know me, Clinia.
While you act worthily, you"re mine; if not, I shall act toward you worthy of myself.
All this arises from mere idleness.
I, at your age, ne"er thought of love; but went To seek my fortune in the wars in Asia, And there acquir"d in arms both wealth and glory."
--In short, things came to such a pa.s.s, the youth, O"ercome with hearing still the self-same thing, And wearied out with my reproaches; thinking, Age and experience had enabled me To judge his interest better than himself, Went off to serve the king in Asia, Chremes.
CHREM. How say you?
MENE. Stole away three months ago, Without my knowledge.
CHREM. Both have been to blame: And yet this enterprise bespeaks a mind, Modest and manly.
MENE. Having heard of this From some of his familiars, home I came Mournful, half-mad, and almost wild with grief.
I sit me down; my servants run to me; Some draw my sandals off; while others haste To spread the couches, and prepare the supper: Each in his way, I mark, does all he can To mitigate my sorrow. Noting this, "How," said I to myself, "so many then Anxious for me alone? to pleasure me?
So many slaves to dress me? All this cost For me alone?--Meanwhile, my only son, For whom all these were fit, as well as me, Nay rather more, since he is of an age More proper for their use; him, him, poor boy, Has my unkindness driven forth to sorrow.
Oh I were worthy of the heaviest curse, Could I brook that!--No; long as he shall lead A life of penury abroad, an exile Through my unjust severity, so long Will I revenge his wrongs upon myself, Laboring, sc.r.a.ping, sparing, slaving for him."
--In short, I did so; in the house I left Nor clothes, nor movables: I sc.r.a.p"d up all.
My slaves, both male and female, except those Who more than earn"d their bread in country-work, I sold: Then set my house to sale: In all I got together about fifteen talents; Purchas"d this farm; and here fatigue myself; Thinking I do my son less injury, While I"m in misery too; nor is it just For me, I think, to taste of pleasure here, Till he return in safety to partake on"t.
CHREM. You I believe a tender parent, him A duteous son, if govern"d prudently.
But you was unacquainted with his nature, And he with yours: sad life, where things are so!
You ne"er betray"d your tenderness to him; Nor durst he place that confidence in you, Which well becomes the bosom of a father.
Had that been done, this had not happen"d to you.
MENE. True, I confess; but I was most in fault.
CHREM. All, Menedemus, will, I hope, be well, And trust, your son will soon return in safety.
MENE. Grant it, good G.o.ds!