Scene I.

Demea alone.

Never did man lay down so fair a plan, So wise a rule of life, but fortune, age, Or long experience made some change in it; And taught him that those things he thought he knew He did not know, and what he held as best, In practice he threw by. The very thing That happens to myself. For that hard life Which I have ever led, my race near run, Now in the last stage, I renounce: and why? But that by dear experience I've been told, There's nothing so advantages a man As mildness and complacency. Of this My brother and myself are living proofs: He always led an easy, cheerful life; Good-humor'd, mild, offending nobody, Smiling on all; a jovial bachelor, His whole expenses centred in himself. I, on the contrary, rough, rigid, cross, Saving, morose, and thrifty, took a wife: - What miseries did marriage bring! - had children; - A new uneasiness! - and then besides, Striving all ways to make a fortune for them, I have worn out my prime of life and health: And now, my course near finish'd, what return Do I receive for all my toil? Their hate. Meanwhile my brother, without any care, Reaps all a father's comforts. Him they love, Me they avoid: to him they open all Their secret counsels; doat on him; and both Repair to him; while I am quite forsaken. His life they pray for, but expect my death. Thus those, brought up by my exceeding labor, He, at a small expense, has made his own: The care all mine, and all the pleasure his. - Well then, let me endeavor in my turn To teach my tongue civility, to give With open-handed generosity, Since I am challeng'd to't! - and let me too Obtain the love and reverence of my children! And if 'tis bought by bounty and indulgence, I will not be behind-hand. - Cash will fail: What's that to me, who am the eldest born?