ÆSCH. You act obligingly. DEM. With reason I love you; but---- MIC. What? DEM. I will tell you, when my wish has been complied with. MIC. What now? What remains {to be done}? DEM. Hegio here is their nearest relation; {he is} a connection of ours {and} poor; we ought to do some good for him. MIC. Do what? DEM. There is a little farm here in the suburbs, which you let out; let us give it him to live upon. MIC. But is it a little one? DEM. If it were a large one, {still} it ought to be done; he has been as it were a father to her; he is a worthy man, {and} connected with us; it would be properly bestowed. In fine, I now adopt that proverb which you, Micio, a short time ago repeated with sense and wisdom-- it is the common vice of all, in old age, to be too intent upon our own interests. This stain we ought to avoid: it is a true maxim, and ought to be observed in deed. MIC. What am I to say to this? Well then, as he desires it (_pointing to ÆSCHINUS_), it shall be given {him}. ÆSCH. My father! DEM. Now, Micio, you are {indeed} my brother, both in spirit and in body. MIC. I am glad of it. DEM. (_aside._) I foil him at his own weapon.[98] SCENE IX. _Enter SYRUS, from the house._ SYR. It has been done as you ordered, Demea. DEM. You are a worthy fellow. Upon my faith,-- in my opinion, at least,-- I think Syrus ought at once to be made free. MIC. He free! For what reason? DEM. For many. SYR. O my {dear} Demea! upon my word, you are a worthy man! I have strictly taken care of both these {sons} of yours, from childhood; I have taught, advised, {and} carefully instructed them in every thing I could. DEM. The thing is evident; and then besides {all} this, to cater {for them}, secretly bring home a wench, prepare a morning entertainment;[99] these are the accomplishments of no ordinary person. SYR. O, what a delightful man! DEM. Last of all, he assisted to-day in purchasing this Music-wench-- he had the management of it; it is right he should be rewarded; other servants will be encouraged {thereby}: besides, he (_pointing to ÆSCHINUS_) desires it to be so. MIC. (_to ÆSCHINUS._) Do you desire this to be done? ÆSCH. I do wish it. MIC. Why then, if you desire it, just come hither, Syrus, to me (_performing the ceremony of manumission_); be a free man.[100] SYR. You act generously; I return my thanks to you all;-- and to you, Demea, in particular. DEM. I congratulate you. ÆSCH. And I. SYR. I believe you. I wish that this joy were made complete-- that I could see my wife, Phrygia,[101] free as well. DEM. Really, a most excellent woman. SYR. And the first to suckle your grandchild, his son, today (_pointing to ÆSCHINUS_). DEM. Why really, in seriousness, if she was the first to do so, there is no doubt she ought to be made free. MIC. {What}, for doing that? DEM. For doing that; in fine, receive the amount from me[102] at which she is valued. SYR. May all the Gods always grant you, Demea, all you desire.