ETA. Heaven bless you, Demea,
For all your friendship to our family! (_Exit GETA._

DEM. They're worthy of it.--What say you to this?
(_To AESCHINUS._)

AESCH. I think it admirable.

DEM. 'Tis much better
Than for a poor soul, sick, and lying-in,
To be conducted through the street.

AESCH. I never
Saw any thing concerted better, Sir.

DEM. 'Tis just my way.--But here comes Micio.

SCENE V.

_Enter MICIO._

MICIO (_at entering._) My brother order it, d'ye say? where is he?
--Was this your order, Demea?

DEM. 'Twas my order:
And by this means, and every other way,
I would unite, serve, cherish, and oblige,
And join the family to ours!

AESCH. Pray do, Sir! (_To MICIO._)

MICIO. I don't oppose it.

DEM. Nay, but 'tis our duty.
First, there's the mother of the bride----

MICIO. What then?

DEM. Worthy and modest.

MICIO. So they say.

DEM. In years.

MICIO. True.

DEM. And so far advanc'd, that she is long
Past child-bearing, a poor lone woman too,
With none to comfort her.

MICIO. What means all this?

DEM. This woman 'tis your place to marry, brother;
--And yours (_to AESCHINUS_) to bring him to't.

MICIO. I marry her?

DEM. You.

MICIO. I?

DEM. Yes, you I say.

MICIO. Ridiculous!

DEM. (_to AESCHINUS_). If you're a man, he'll do't.

AESCH. (_to MICIO_). Dear father!

MICIO. How!
Do you then join him, fool?

DEM. Nay, don't deny.
It can't be otherwise.

MICIO. You've lost your senses!

AESCH. Let me prevail upon you, Sir!

MICIO. You're mad.
Away!

DEM. Oblige your son.

MICIO. Have you your wits?
I a new married man at sixty-five!
And marry a decrepit poor old woman!
Is that what you advise me!

AESCH. Do it, Sir!
I've promis'd them.

MICIO. You've promis'd them, indeed!
Prithee, boy, promise for yourself.

DEM. Come, come!
What if he ask'd still more of you?

MICIO. As if
This was not ev'n the utmost.

DEM. Nay, comply!

AESCH. Be not obdurate!

DEM. Come, come, promise him.

MICIO. Won't you desist?

AESCH. No, not till I prevail.

MICIO. This is mere force.

DEM. Nay, nay, comply, good Micio!

MICIO. Though this appears to me absurd, wrong, foolish,
And quite repugnant to my scheme of life,
Yet, if you're so much bent on't, let it be!

AESCH. Obliging father, worthy my best love!

DEM. (_aside_). What now?--This answers to my wish.--What more?
--Hegio's their kinsman (_to MICIO_), our relation too,
And very poor. We should do hi