Jove, what a life! what manners! what distraction! A bride just coming home without a portion; A Music-Girl already there in keeping: A house of waste; the youth a libertine; Th' old man a dotard!--'Tis not in the pow'r Of Providence herself, howe'er desirous, To save from ruin such a family. SCENE XI. _Enter at a distance SYRUS, drunk._ SYRUS. (_to himself_). Faith, little Syrus, you've ta'en special care Of your sweet self, and play'd your part most rarely. --Well, go your ways:--but having had my fill Of ev'ry thing within, I've now march'd forth To take a turn or two abroad. DEM. (_behind_). Look there! A pattern of instruction! SYRUS. (_seeing him_). But see there: Yonder's old Demea. (_Going up to him._) What's the matter now? And why so melancholy? DEM. Oh thou villain! SYRUS. What! are you spouting sentences, old wisdom? DEM. Were you my servant---- SYRUS. You'd be plaguy rich, And settle your affairs most wonderfully. DEM. I'd make you an example. SYRUS. Why? for what? DEM. Why, Sirrah?--In the midst of the disturbance, And in the heat of a most heavy crime, While all is yet confusion, you've got drunk, As if for joy, you rascal! SYRUS. Why the plague Did not I keep within? (_Aside._) SCENE XII. _Enter DROMO, hastily._ DROMO. Here! hark ye, Syrus! Ctesipho begs that you'd come back. SYRUS. Away! (_Pushes him off._) DEM. What's this he says of Ctesipho? SYRUS. Pshaw! nothing. DEM. How! dog, is Ctesipho within? SYRUS. Not he. DEM. Why does he name him then? SYRUS. It is another. Of the same name--a little parasite---- D'ye know him? DEM. But I will immediately. (_Going._) SYRUS. (_stopping him_). What now? where now? {_DEMEA and SYRUS struggling._} DEM. Let me alone. SYRUS. Don't go! DEM. Hands off! what won't you? must I brain you, rascal? (_Disengages himself from SYRUS, and Exit._ SCENE XIII. _SYRUS alone._ He's gone--gone in--and faith no welcome roarer---- --Especially to Ctesipho.--But what Can I do now; unless, till this blows over, I sneak into some corner, and sleep off This wine that lies upon my head?--I'll do't. (_Exit reeling._ SCENE XIV. _Enter MICIO from SOSTRATA._ MICIO. (_to SOSTRATA within_). All is prepar'd: and we are ready, Sostrata, As I have already told you, when you please. (_Comes forward._) But who's this forces open our street door With so much violence? _Enter DEMEA on t'other side._ DEM. Confusion! death! What shall I do? or how resolve? where vent My cries and exclamations? Heav'n! Earth! Sea! MICIO (_behind._) So! all's discover'd: that's the thing he raves at. --Now for a quarrel!--I must help the boy. DEM. (_seeing him._) Oh, there's the grand corrupter of our children! MICIO. Appease your wrath, and be yourself again!