Bacchides, or The Twin Sisters

That you are to be with me.

You mention all that I desire.

I have seen wicked men; but not one worse than yourself.

I am as I am.

Step this way in-doors with me, where you may be elegantly received with viands, wine, and unguents.

Enough, enough now of your banquets; it matters not to me how I’m received. My son and Chrysalus have choused me out of four hundred Philippeans. If I don’t surely this day put him to the torture, may I never receive as large a sum again.

What, pray, if half the gold is paid you back? Will you go in-doors here with me, and so control your feelings as to forgive them their faults?

He’ll do it.

Certainly not—I won’t—I don’t care—let me alone, now. (Shakes him off.) I had rather punish them both.

Take you care, you good-for-nothing man, that through your own fault you don’t lose even that which the favouring Gods offer you. One half of the gold is offered; take it, and carouse, and enjoy yourself with your partner.

What, am I to carouse in that very place where my son is being corrupted?

You must carouse there.

Am I to be the witness of it when she is reclining with him at table?

Nay, so far as I’m concerned, i’ faith, I’ll recline at table with your own self.

My head does itch so. (Aside.) I’m a ruined man—I can scarce deny her.

And has it not before this come into your mind, that if, while you live, you enjoy yourself,

that, i’ faith, is for no very long time; and that, if you lose the present day, it can never return to you after you are dead?

What am I to do?

What are you to do? Do you even ask it?

I should like, and yet I’m afraid.

What are you afraid of?

Lest I should be exposed before my son and my servant.

Pray now, my honey; such things do happen. He’s your own son; whence do you suppose that he is to have money, except that only which you give him yourself? Let me obtain pardon of you for them both.

How she does work her way.

She’s now prevailing on me against that which I was quite resolved upon.

I will love you, and embrace you.

Through your doing, and for your sake am I corrupted.

I certainly had rather ’twere for your own than for mine.

Come then, however that may be, although it is to my disgrace, I’ll submit; I’ll induce my feelings to do so.

Have I that solemnly promised?

What I have once said, I will not alter.

The day wears apace. Come into the house, to take your places at table: your sons are expecting within—

How soon, in fact, we may be dead, d’ye mean?

’Tis evening, already; come, follow us.

Lead us in like bondsmen.

Right cleverly are these persons entrapped themselves, who for their sons had laid a snare.

Had not these old men been worthless from their youth upwards, they would not, with their hoary heads, have this day done an action so disgraceful; nor, indeed, should we have represented this, if we had not, before this, seen it happen

that fathers became the rivals of their sons in the houses of procurers. Spectators, we wish you Farewell! and that you will grant us loud applause.