Читать книгу Yale Required Reading - Collected Works (Vol. 2) - Луций Анней Сенека - Страница 46

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Enter Micio from his house.

Mic. (speaking to the people within.) I’ll go and tell them there’s no delay on our part.

Dem. But see here’s the very man: O Micio, I have been seeking you this long time.

Mic. Why, what’s the matter?

Dem. I’m bringing you some new and great enormities of that hopeful youth.

Mic. Just look at that!

Dem. Fresh ones, of blackest dye.

Mic. There now—at it again.

Dem. Ah, Micio! you little know what sort of person he is.

Mic. I do.

Dem. O simpleton! you are dreaming that I’m talking about the Music-girl; this crime is against a virgin and a citizen.

Mic. I know it.

Dem. So then, you know it, and put up with it!

Mic. Why not put up with it?

Dem. Tell me, pray, don’t you exclaim about it? Don’t you go distracted?

Mic. Not I: certainly I had rather79——

Dem. There has been a child born.

Mic. May the Gods be propitious to it.

Dem. The girl has no fortune.

Mic. So I have heard.

Dem. And he—must he marry her without one?

Mic. Of course.

Dem. What is to be done then?

Mic. Why, what the case itself points out: the young woman must be brought hither.

Dem. O Jupiter! must that be the way then?

Mic. What can I do else?

Dem. What can you do? If in reality this causes you no concern, to pretend it were surely the duty of a man.

Mic. But I have already betrothed the young woman to him; the matter is settled: the marriage takes place to-day. I have removed all apprehensions. This is rather the duty of a man.

Dem. But does the affair please you, Micio?

Mic. If I were able to alter it, no; now, as I can not, I bear it with patience. The life of man is just like playing with dice:80 if that which you most want to throw does not turn up, what turns up by chance you must correct by art.

Dem. O rare corrector! of course it is by your art that twenty minæ have been thrown away for a Music-girl; who, as soon as possible, must be got rid of at any price; and if not for money, why then for nothing.

Mic. Not at all, and indeed I have no wish to sell her.

Dem. What will you do with her then?

Mic. She shall be at my house.

Dem. For heaven’s sake, a courtesan and a matron in the same house!

Mic. Why not?

Dem. Do you imagine you are in your senses?

Mic. Really I do think so.

Dem. So may the Gods prosper me, I now see your folly; I believe you are going to do so that you may have somebody to practice music with.

Mic. Why not?

Dem. And the new-made bride to be learning too?

Mic. Of course.

Dem. Having hold of the rope,81 you will be dancing with them.

Mic. Like enough; and you too along with us, if there’s need.

Dem. Ah me! are you not ashamed of this?

Mic. Demea, do, for once, lay aside this anger of yours, and show yourself as you ought at your son’s wedding, cheerful and good-humored. I’ll just step over to them, and return immediately.

Goes into Sostrata’s house.