The Brothers: Act the Fourth: Scene II

DEM. Verily I amA most unhappy man! for first of all,I can not find my brother any where:And then besides, in looking after him,I chanc'd on one of my day laborers,Who had but newly left my farm, and told meCtesipho was not there. What shall I do?

CTES. (peeping out.) Syrus?

CTES. Does he seek me?

DEM. (to himself). Plague on it, what ill luck is this?I can't account for it: but I believeThat I was born for nothing but misfortunes.I am the first who feels our woes; the firstWho knows of them; the first who tells the news:And come what may, I bear the weight alone.

SYRUS (behind). Ridiculous! he says he knows all first;And he alone is ignorant of all.

DEM. I'm now return'd to see if MicioBe yet come home again.

CTES. (peeping out). Take care, good Syrus,He don't rush in upon us unawares!SYRUS. Peace! I'll take care.

CTES. 'Faith, I'll not trust to you,But shut myself and her in some by-placeTogether: that's the safest.

SYRUS. Well, away! (CTESIPHO disappears.)I'll drive the old man hence, I warrant you.

DEM. (seeing SYRUS). But see that rascal Syrus coming hither!

SYRUS (advancing hastily, and pretending not to see DEMEA).By Hercules, there is no living here,For any one, at this rate.--I'd fain knowHow many masters I'm to have.--Oh monstrous!

DEM. What does he howl for? what's the meaning on't?Hark ye, my good Sir! prithee tell me ifMy brother be at home.

SYRUS. My good Sir! Plague!Why do you come with your good Sirs to me?I'm half-kill'd.DEM. What's the matter?

SYRUS. What's the matter!Ctesipho, vengeance on him, fell upon me,And cudgel'd me and the poor Music-GirlAlmost to death.

SYRUS. Indeed. Nay seeHow he has cut my lip. (Pretending to show it.)

DEM. On what account?

SYRUS. The girl, he says, was bought by my advice.

DEM. Did not you say you saw him out of townA little while ago?

SYRUS. And so I did.But he came back soon after, like a madman.He had no mercy.--Was not he asham'dTo beat a poor old fellow? to beat me;Who bore him in my arms but t'other day,An urchin thus high? (Showing.)

DEM. Oh rare, Ctesipho!Father's own son! a man, I warrant him.

SYRUS. Oh rare, d'ye cry? I' faith, if he is wise,He'll hold his hands another time.

SYRUS. Oh mighty brave, indeed!--Because he beatA helpless girl, and me a wretched slave,Who durst not strike again;--oh, to be sure,Mighty brave, truly!

DEM. Oh, most exquisite!My Ctesipho perceived, as well as I,That you was the contriver of this business.--But is my brother here?SYRUS. Not he. (Sulkily.)

DEM. I'm thinkingWhere I shall seek him.

SYRUS. I know where he is:But I'll not tell.DEM. I'll break your head.

SYRUS. I can not tell the nameOf him he's gone to, but I know the place.

DEM. Well, where's the place?

SYRUS. D'ye know the PorticoJust by the market, down this way? (Pointing.)

SYRUS. Go up that street; keep straight along: and thenYou'll see a hill; go straight down that: and thenOn this hand, there's a chapel; and just byA narrow lane. (Pointing.)DEM. Where? (Looking.)

SYRUS. There; by the great wild fig-tree.D'ye know it, Sir?

SYRUS. Go through that lane.

DEM. That lane's no thoroughfare.

SYRUS. Aye, very true:No more it is, Sir.--What a fool I am!I was mistaken--You must go quite backInto the portico; and after all,This is the nearest and the safest way.--D'ye know Cratinus' house? the rich man?

SYRUS. When you've pass'd that, turn short upon the left.Keep straight along that street, and when you reachDiana's Temple, turn upon the right.And then, on this side of the city gate,Just by the pond, there is a baker's shop,And opposite a joiner's.--There he is.

DEM. What business has he there?

SYRUS. He has bespokeSome tables to be made with oaken legsTo stand the sun.

DEM. For you to drink upon.Oh brave! But I lose time. I'll after him.(Exit hastily.

HarperSYRUS. Go up that street; keep straight along: and thenColman 1768