extreme poverty be possessed of so considerable a fortune?
SOCRATES.
I told you before, she had more than she thought she had: I knew her father's affairs better than herself: let it suffice that you both enjoy a fortune which you deserve: the secrets of the dead should be preserved as religiously as those of the living.
SOPHRONIMUS.
I am only afraid the priest of Ceres, to whom you have preferred Sophronimus, will endeavor to avenge Aglae's refusal upon you: he is a man whom we have reason to dread.
SOCRATES.
What has he to fear who does his duty? I know the malice of my enemies; I know all their calumnies; but when we take care never to offend God, and endeavor to do all the good we can to mankind, then is it that we are afraid of nothing, or whilst we live, or when we die.
SOPHRONIMUS.
I know it well; yet I should die with grief if the happiness you bestowed on me should induce your enemies to put your virtue to the trial.
SCENE II.
SOCRATES, SOPHRONIMUS, AGLAE.
AGLAE.
O my benefactor, my father, let me fall at your feet, thou more than man; join me, Sophronimus, in mutual acknowledgments; 'tis he, 'tis Socrates
