MIC. Syrus, you have thrived pretty well to-day. DEM. If, in addition, Micio, you will do your duty, and lend him a little ready money in hand for present use, he will soon repay you. MIC. Less than this (_snapping his fingers_). ÆSCH. He is a deserving fellow. SYR. Upon my word, I will repay it; only lend it me. ÆSCH. Do, father. MIC. I’ll consider of it afterward. DEM. He’ll do it, {Syrus}. SYR. O most worthy man! ÆSCH. O most kind-hearted father! MIC. How is this? What has so suddenly changed your disposition, {Demea}? What caprice {is this}? What means this sudden liberality?[103] DEM. I will tell you:-- That I may convince you of this, Micio, that the fact that they consider you an easy and kind-hearted man, does not proceed from your real life, nor, indeed, from {a regard for} virtue and justice; but from your humoring, indulging, and pampering them. Now therefore, Æschinus, if my mode of life has been displeasing to you, because I do not quite humor you in every thing, just {or} unjust, I have done: squander, buy, do what you please. But if you would rather have one to reprove and correct those faults, the results of which, by reason of your youth, you can not see, which you pursue too ardently, {and} are thoughtless upon, and in due season to direct you; behold me ready to do it for you. ÆSCH. Father, we leave it to you; you best know what ought to be done. But what is to be done about my brother? DEM. I consent. Let him have {his mistress}:[104] with her let him make an end {of his follies}. MIC. That’s right. (_To the AUDIENCE._) Grant us your applause. FOOTNOTES [Footnote 1: From δημὸς, “the people.”] [Footnote 2: From Μικιὼν, a Greek proper name.] [Footnote 3: From ἡγεῖσθαι, “to lead,” or “take charge of.”] [Footnote 4: From αισχὸς, “disgrace.”] [Footnote 5: From κτησὶς, “a patrimony,” and φῶς, “light.”] [Footnote 6: From σαννὸς, “foolish.”] [Footnote 7: One of the nation of the Getæ.] [Footnote 8: See the Dramatis Personæ of the Eunuchus.] [Footnote 9: From Syria, his native country.] [Footnote 10: See the Dramatis Personæ of the Andria.] [Footnote 11: See the Dramatis Personæ of the Eunuchus.] [Footnote 12: See the Dramatis Personæ of the Heautontimorumenos.] [Footnote 13: From κανθαρὸς [“a cup.”] [Footnote 14: _Of Æmilius Paulus_)--This Play (from the Greek Ἀδελφοὶ, “The Brothers”) was performed at the Funeral Games of Lucius Æmilius Paulus, who was surnamed Macedonicus, from having gained a victory over Perseus, King of Macedon. He was so poor at the time of his decease, that they were obliged to sell his estate in order to pay his widow her dower. The Q. Fabius Maximus and P. Cornelius Africanus here mentioned were not, as some have thought, the Curale Ædiles, but two sons of Æmilius Paulus, who had taken the surnames of the families into which they had been adopted.]