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Enter SYRUS, drunk, and DEMEA, on the opposite side of the stage.
SYRUS
Upon my faith, my dear little Syrus, you have taken delicate care of yourself, and have done your duty1 with exquisite taste; be off with you. But since I've had my fill of every thing in-doors, I have felt disposed to take a walk. DEMEA
apart. Just look at that--there's an instance of their good training! SYRUS
to himself. But see, here comes our old man. Addressing him. What's the matter ? Why out of spirits? DEMEA
Oh you rascal! SYRUS
Hold now; are you spouting your sage maxims here? DEMEA
If you were my servant---- SYRUS
Why, you would be a rich man, Demea, and improve your estate. DEMEA
I would take care that you should be an example to all the rest. SYRUS
For what reason ? What have I done ? DEMEA
Do you ask me ? in the midst of this confusion, and during the greatest mischief, which is hardly yet set right, you have been getting drunk, you villain, as though things had been going on well. SYRUS
aside. Really, I wish I hadn't come out.
1 Have done your duty: His duty of providing the viands and drink for the entertainment. So Ergasilus says in the Captivi of Plautus, l. 912 "Now I will go off to my government (praefecturam), to give laws to the bacon."
The Comedies of Terence. Henry Thomas Riley. Ney York. Harper and Brothers. 1874.
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