SPECIMENS OX LATIN COMEDY. 85 



MEG. What's the matter ! 

 KU-CL. What noise was that there, like the crash of iron. 



(EucL. runs in hastily.') 



MEG. They're digging in my garden. Hey ! where is he ? 

 He's gone and left me in uncertainty. 

 He treats me with disdain, because he sees 

 I court his friendship. 'Tis the way of them : 

 If a rich man seek favour from a poor one, 

 The poor man is afraid to treat with him, 

 And by his awkward fear hurts his own interest; 

 Then, when the opportunity it lost, 

 Too late he wishes to recover it. 



EUCL. Returning, (to his Maid, within.} 

 If I don't tear your tongue out from the root, 

 Fl) give them leave to unman me. 



MEG. Oh, I see 



You think me a fit object for your sport, 

 Though at these years ; but sure I don't deserve it. 



EUCL. Not I indeed ; nor could I if I would. 



MEG. Well, will, you now betroth your daughter to me ? 



EUCL. Upon the terms I said, without a portion. 



MEG. You do betroth her then ? 



EUCL. I do betroth her. 



Heav'ns prosper it ! 



MEG. I say the same, 



EUCL. Remember, 



'Tis the agreement, that she bring no dower, 



MEG. I shan't forgetlt. 



EUCL. But I know your tricks : 



'Tis off or on, 'tis done or not done with you, 

 Just as you like. 



MEG. We shall have no dispute. 



What hinders but the wedding be to-day ? 



EuL. 'Tis best. 



MEG. I'll go then, and get all things ready, 



Would you ought else ? 



EUCL. Nothing but what you say. 



MEG. It shall be done. 



Megadorus now proceeds., as we have said, to make the most 

 munificent preparations for the approaching festival, and sends the 

 choicest meats for the occassion, with cooks to dress them. Euclio 

 Is startled at his extravagances and turns them all out, thinking they 

 they were come to make conquest of his pot of gold, and determines, 

 like the Lord Chancellor with the Great Seals, to carry it with him 

 wherever he goes. As he is going out, Megadorus is observed in 

 the distance talking in a style which he knew would please old 

 Euclio, commending the practice of frugality, and lauding the par- 

 simony of men like his friend, the miser, to the very skies. Euclio 

 goes and deposits his treasure in the temple of Faith, where he 

 thought it would certainly be safe ; but Faith proved faithless, and 

 the miser was deceived ; just as he left the place, he observed Stro- 

 bilus going in, evidently with the intention of abstracting the gold ; 

 and the scene in which Euclio is represented as dragging him out 

 and accusing him of an attempt to rob him, is sufficiently amusing to 



