_Harper_ The good old Simulus, on his death-bed _Colman 1768_ On his death-bed, the good old Simulus _Harper_ HEGIO. AEschinus, your elder son, Adopted by your brother, has committed _Colman 1768_ HEGIO. AEschinus, your elder son, Your brother's by adoption, has committed HEGIO. Ha! Is she then in labor, _Geta_? _"Geta" italicized in Harper edition_] SCENE VII. _DEMEA alone._ This is no more than I foretold: and well If his intemp'rance would stop _here!_--But this Immoderate indulgence must produce Some terrible misfortune in the end. --I'll hence, find out my brother, tell my news, And empty all my indignation on him. (_Exit._ SCENE VIII. _Re-enter HEGIO, speaking to SOSTRATA at the door._ Be of good cheer, my Sostrata; and comfort, As much as in your pow'r, poor Pamphila! I'll find out Micio, if he's at the Forum, And tell him the whole story: if he'll act With honor in it, why 'tis well; if not, Let him but speak his mind to me, and then I shall know how to act accordingly. (_Exit._ ACT THE FOURTH. SCENE I. _CTESIPHO, SYRUS._ CTES. My father gone into the country, say you? SYRUS. Long since. CTES. Nay; speak the truth! SYRUS. He's at his farm, And hard at work, I warrant you. CTES. I wish, So that his health were not the worse for it, He might so heartily fatigue himself, As to be forc'd to keep his bed these three days! SYRUS. I wish so too; and more, if possible. CTES. With all my heart: for I would fain consume, As I've begun, the livelong day in pleasure. Nor do I hate that farm of ours so much For any thing, as that it is so near. For if 'twas at a greater distance, night Would come upon him ere he could return. But now, not finding me, I'm very sure He'll hobble back again immediately; Question me where I've been, that I've not seen him All the day long; and what shall I reply? SYRUS. What? can you think of nothing? CTES. No, not I. SYRUS. So much the worse.--Have you no client, friend, Or guest? CTES. I have. What then? SYRUS. You've been engag'd With them. CTES. When not engag'd? It can not be. SYRUS. It may. CTES. Aye, marry, for the day I grant you. But if I pass the night here, what excuse Then, Syrus? SYRUS. Ah! I would it were the custom To be engag'd at night too with one's friends! --But be at ease! I know his mind so well, That when he raves the loudest, I can make him As gentle as a lamb. CTES. How so? SYRUS. He loves To hear you prais'd. I sing your praises to him, And make you out a little God. CTES. Me! SYRUS. You. And then the old man blubbers like a child, For very joy.--But have a care! (_Looking out._) CTES. What now? SYRUS. The wolf i' th' fable! CTES. What, my father? SYRUS. He. CTES. What's the best, Syrus? SYRUS. In! fly! I'll take care. CTES. You have not seen me, if he asks: d'ye hear? SYRUS. Can't you be quiet? (_Pushes out CTESIPHO._) SCENE II. _Enter DEMEA at another part of the stage._