Enter GETA, on the other side of the stage, not seeing DEMIPHO or CHREMES.GETA

to himself. I never saw a more cunning fellow than this Phormio. I came to the fellow to tell him that money was needed, and by what means it might be procured. Hardly had I said one half, when he understood me; he was quite delighted; complimented me; asked where the old man was; gave thanks to the Gods that an opportunity was afforded him for showing himself no less a friend to Phaedria than to Antipho: I bade the fellow wait for me at the Forum; whither I would bring the old gentlemanly. But see, here's the very man catching sight of the Old Man. Who is the further one? Heyday, Phaedria's father has got back! still, brute beast that I am, what was I afraid of? Is it because two are presented instead of one for me to dupe? I deem it preferable to enjoy a two-fold hope. I'll try for it from him from whom I first intended: if he gives it me, well and good; if I can make nothing of him, then I'll attack this new-comer.

Enter ANTIPHO from the house, behind at a distance.ANTIPHO

to himself. I'm expecting every moment that Geta will be here. But I see my uncle standing close by, with my father. Ah me! how much I fear what influence his return may have upon my father!

GETA

to himself I'll accost them. Goes up to them. O welcome to you, our neighbor Chremes.

CHREMES

Save you, Geta.

GETA

I'm delighted to see you safe returned.

CHREMES

I believe you.

GETA

How go matters?

CHREMES

Many changes here upon my arrival, as usually the case.

GETA

True; have you heard what has happened to Antipho?

CHREMES

All.

GETA

to DEMIPHO. What, have you told him? Disgraceful conduct, Chremes, thus to be imposed on.

DEMIPHO

It was about that I was talking to him just now.

GETA

But really, on carefully reflecting upon this matter I think I have found a remedy.

DEMIPHO

What is the remedy?

GETA

When I left you, by accident Phormio met me.

CHREMES

Who is Phormio?

GETA

He who patronized her.

CHREMES

I understand.

GETA

It seemed to me that I might first sound him; I took the fellow aside: "Phormio," said I, "why don't we try to settle these matters between us rather with a good grace than with a bad one? My master's a generous man, and one who hates litigation; but really, upon my faith, all his friends were just now advising him with one voice to turn her instantly out of doors."

ANTIPHO

apart. What is he about? Or where is this to end at last?

GETA

continuing the supposed conversation. "He'll have to give satisfaction at law, you say, if he turns her out? That has been already inquired into: aye, aye, you'll have enough to do, if you engage with him; he is so eloquent. But suppose he's beaten; still, however, it's not his life, but his money that's at stake." After I found that the fellow was influenced by these words, I said: "We are now by ourselves here; come now, what should you like to be given you, money down, to drop this suit with my master, so that she may betake herself off, and you annoy us no more?"

ANTIPHO

apart. Are the Gods quite on good terms with him? Good terms with him: Meaning, "Is he in his senses or not?"

GETA

continuing the conversation. "For I'm quite sure, if you were to mention any thing that's fair and reasonable, as he is a reasonable man, you'll not have to bandy three words with him."

DEMIPHO

Who ordered you to say so?

CHREMES

Nay, he could not have more happily contrived to bring about what we want.

ANTIPHO

apart. Undone!

CHREMES

Go on with your story.

GETA

At first the fellow raved.

DEMIPHO

Say, what did he ask?

GETA

What? A great deal too much.

CHREMES

How much? Tell me.

GETA

Suppose he were to give a great talent.

DEMIPHO

Aye, faith, perdition to him rather; has he no shame?

GETA

Just what I said to him: "Pray," said I, "suppose he was portioning an only daughter of his own. It has been of little benefit that he hasn't one of his own, when another has been found to be demanding a fortune." To be brief, and to pass over his impertinences, this at last was his final answer: "I," said he," from the very first, have been desirous to marry the daughter of my friend, as was fit I should; for I was aware of the ill results of this, a poor wife being married into a rich family, and becoming a slave. But, as I am now conversing with you unreservedly, I was in want of a wife to bring me a little money with which to pay off my debts; and even yet, if Demipho is willing to give as much as I am to receive with her to whom I am engaged, there is no one whom I should better like for a wife."

ANTIPHO

apart. Whether to say he's doing this through folly or mischief, through stupidity or design, I'm in doubt.

DEMIPHO

What if he's in debt to the amount of his life? Amount of his life: "Quid si animam debet?" Erasmus tells us that this was a proverb among the Greeks applied to those who ran so deeply in debt, that their persons, and consequently, in one sense, their very existence, came into the power of their creditors.

GETA

His land is mortgaged,—for ten minae he said.

DEMIPHO

Well, well, let him take her then; I'll give it.

GETA

He has a house besides, mortgaged for another ten.

DEMIPHO

Huy, huy! that's too much.

CHREMES

Don't be crying out; you may have those ten of me.

GETA

A lady's maid must be brought for his wife; and then too, a little more is wanted for some furniture, and some is wanted for the wedding expenses. " Well then," said he, "for these items, put down ten more."

DEMIPHO

Then let him at once bring six hundred actions Six hundred actions: "Sescentos;" literally, "six hundred." The Romans used this term as we do the words "ten thousand," to signify a large, but indefinite number. against me; I shall give nothing at all; is this dirty fellow to be laughing at me as well?

CHREMES

Pray do be quiet; I'll give it: do you only bring your son to marry the woman we want him to have.

ANTIPHO

apart. Ah me! Geta, you have ruined me by your treachery.

CHREMES

'Tis on my account she's turned off; it's right that I should bear the loss.

GETA

" Take care and let me know," said he, "as soon as possible, if they are going to let me have her, that I may get rid of the other, so that I mayn't be in doubt; for the others have agreed to.pay me down the portion directly."

CHREMES

Let him have her at once; let him give notice to them that he breaks off the match with the other, and let him marry this woman.

DEMIPHO

Yes, and little joy to him of the bargain!

CHREMES

Luckily, too, I've now brought home some money with me, the rents which my wife's farms at Lemnos produce. I'll take it out of that, and tell my wife that you had occasion for it. They go into the house of CHREMES.

ANTIPHO and GETA.ANTIPHO

coming forward. Geta.

GETA

Well.

ANTIPHO

What have you been doing?

GETA

Diddling the old fellows out of their money.

ANTIPHO

Is that quite the thing?

GETA

I' faith, I don't know: it's just what I was told to do.

ANTIPHO

How now, whip-scoundrel, do you give me an answer to what I don't ask you? Kicks him.

GETA

What was it then that you did ask?

ANTIPHO

What was it I did ask? Through your agency, matters have most undoubtedly come to the pass that I may go hang myself. May then all the Gods, Goddesses, Deities above and below, with every evil confound you! Look now, if you wish any thing to succeed, intrust it to him who may bring you from smooth water on to a rock. What was there less advantageous than to touch upon this sore, or to name my wife? Hopes have been excited in my father that she may possibly be got rid of. Pray now, tell me, suppose Phormio receives the portion, she must be taken home by him as his wife: what's to become of me?

GETA

But he's not going to marry her.

ANTIPHO

I know that. But ironically when they demand the money back, of course, for our sake, he'll prefer going to prison.

GETA

There is nothing, Antipho, but what it may be made worse by being badly told: you leave out what is good, and you mention the bad. Now then, hear the other side: if he receives the money, she must be taken as his wife, you say; I grant you; still, some time at least will be allowed for preparing for the nuptials, for inviting, and for sacrificing. In the mean time, Phoedria's friends will advance what they have promised; out of that he will repay it.

ANTIPHO

On what grounds? Or what will he say?

GETA

Do you ask the question? "How many circumstances, since then, have befallen me as prodigies? A strange black dog A strange black dog: This omen, Plautus calls, in the Casina, 1. 937, "canina scaeva." entered the house; a snake came down from the tiles through the sky-light; Through the sky-light: So in the Amphitryon of Plautus, l. 1108, two great snakes come down through the "impluvium," or "sky-light." On the subject of the "impluvium," see the Notes to the Miles Gloriosus of Plautus, 1. 159. a hen crowed; A hen crowed: Donatus tells us that it was a saying, that in the house where a hen crowed, the wife had the upper hand. the soothsayer forbade it; the diviner The soothsayer—the diviner: According to some accounts there was this difference between the "hariolus" and the " arus-pex," that the former foretold human events, the latter those relating to the Deities. Donatus has remarked on these passages, that Terence seems to sneer at the superstitions referred to. warned me not: besides, before winter there is no sufficient reason for me to commence upon any new undertaking." This will be the case.

ANTIPHO

I only wish it may be the case.

GETA

It shall be the case; trust me for that. Your father's coming out; go tell Phaedria that the money is found.

Enter DEMIPHO and CHREMES, from the house of the latter, the former with a purse of money.DEMIPHO

Do be quiet, I tell you; I'll take care he shall not be playing any tricks upon us. I'll not rashly part with this without having my witnesses; I'll have it stated to whom I pay it, and for what purpose I pay it.

GETA

apart. How cautious he is, when there's no need for it!

CHREMES

Why yes, you had need do so, and with all haste, while the fit is upon him; for if this other woman shall prove more pressing, perhaps he may throw us over.

GETA

You've hit upon the very thing.

DEMIPHO

Lead me to him then.

GETA

I won't delay.

CHREMES

to DEMIPHO. When you've done so, go over to my wife, that she may call upon her before she goes away. She must tell her that we are going to give her in marriage to Phormio, that she may not be angry with us; and that he is a fitter match for her, as knowing more of her; that we have in no way departed from our duty; that as much has been given for a portion as he asked for.

DEMIPHO

What the plague does that matter to you?

CHREMES

A great deal, Demipho. It is not enough for you to do your duty, if common report does not approve of it; I wish all this to be done with her own sanction as well, that she mayn't be saying that she has been turned out of doors.

DEMIPHO

I can do all that myself.

CHREMES

It will come better from one woman to another.

DEMIPHO

I'll ask her. Goes into the house of CHREMES; and exit GETA.

CHREMES

to himself. I'm thinking where I can find them now. Can find them now: His Lemnian wife and daughter. Colman remarks: " This is intended as a transition to the next Scene; but I think it would have been better if it had followed without this kind of introduction. The Scene itself is admirable, and is, in many places, both affecting and comic, and the discovery of the real character of Phanium is made at a very proper time."