MICIO. I believe it; For well I know you have a liberal mind: But I'm afraid you are too negligent, For in what city do you think you live? You have abus'd a virgin, whom the law Forbade your touching.--'Twas a fault, a great one; But yet a natural failing. Many others, Some not bad men, have often done the same. --But after this event, can you pretend You took the least precaution? or consider'd What should be done, or how?--If shame forbade Your telling me yourself, you should have found Some other means to let me know of it. Lost in these doubts, ten months have slipp'd away. You have betray'd, as far as in you lay, Yourself, the poor young woman, and your child. What! did you think the Gods would bring about This business in your sleep; and that your wife, Without your stir, would be convey'd to you Into your bed-chamber?--I would not have you Thus negligent in other matters.--Come, Cheer up, son! you shall wed her. AESCH. How! MICIO. Cheer up, I say! AESCH. Nay, prithee, do not mock me, father! MICIO. Mock you? I? wherefore? AESCH. I don't know; unless That I so much desire it may be true, I therefore fear it more. MICIO. --Away; go home; And pray the Gods, that you may call your wife Away! AESCH. How's that? my wife? what! now? MICIO. Now. AESCH. Now? MICIO. Ev'n now, as soon as possible. AESCH. May all The Gods desert me, Sir, but I do love you, More than my eyes! MICIO. Than her? AESCH. As well. MICIO. That's much. AESCH. But where is that Milesian? MICIO. Gone: Vanish'd: on board the ship.--But why d'ye loiter? AESCH. Ah, Sir, you rather go, and pray the Gods; For, being a much better man than I, They will the sooner hear your pray'rs. MICIO. I'll in, To see the needful preparations made. You, if you're wise, do as I said. (_Exit._ [Changes: More than my eyes! _Harper edition has question mark_ SCENE VII. _AESCHINUS alone._ How's this? Is this to be a father? Or is this To be a son?--Were he my friend or brother, Could he be more complacent to my wish? Should I not love him? bear him in my bosom! Ah! his great kindness has so wrought upon me, That it shall be the study of my life To shun all follies, lest they give him pain. --But I'll in straight, that I may not retard My marriage by my own delay. (_Exit._ [Changes: _Harper_ --But I'll in straight, that I may not retard My marriage by my own delay. _Colman 1768_ But wherefore do I loiter here, and thus Retard my marriage by my own delay? SCENE VIII. _DEMEA alone._ I'm tir'd With walking.--Now great Jove confound you, Syrus; You and your blind directions! I have crawl'd All the town over: to the gate; the pond; Where not? No sign of any shop was there, Nor any person who had seen my brother. --Now I'll in, therefore, and set up my rest In his own house, till he comes home again. (_Going._ [Changes: