The Portable Roman Reader (Portable Library) by Various

turn her off, nor pow’r to keep her—but what’s here? Isn’t that Geta that comes running hither? ‘Tis he himself: I’m afraid, lest he shou’d bring some news now that wo’n’t please me.

ACT I, SCENE IV
    (Geta, Antipho, and Phædria)
    GETA (to himself, not seeing them ) : Thou‘rt undone, Geta, unless thy invention can relieve thee soon, so many sudden misfortunes hang over thy head now when thou’rt ill prepar’d for ‘em; which I know neither how to ward against, nor to get myself out of; for the boldness of our proceedings can’t be a secret long; which, if not cunningly guarded against, will fall heavily on me or my master.
    ANTIPHO (to Phædria): What’s the meaning of his confusion here?
    GETA (to himself): Then I’ve scarcely a minute to turn myself about in, my master’s so near.
    ANTIPHO: What mischief’s forwards?
    GETA (still not seeing them) : Which when he shall hear of, how shall I oppose his anger? Suppose I pretend to speak? I shall enrage him: what, if I say nothing? I shall provoke him: how if I attempt to clear myself? ‘Twill be labour in vain. Alast what an unhappy fellow I am! While I tremble for myself, I am as much on the rack for Antipho; I am concern’d for him; I fear on his account; ’tis he that detains me; for, was it not for him, I shou’d have taken care enough of myself, and have been reveng’d on the old man’s anger; I shou’d have scrap’d up something for my journey, and have march’d off directly.
    ANTIPHO (to Phædria): What journey is he making, or what is he scraping up?
    GETA (to himself) : But where shall I find Antipho? Or where shall I look for him?
    PHÆDRIA (to Antipho): He names you.
    ANTIPHO (to Phædria): I’m afraid he’s the messenger of some very ill news, tho I don’t know what.
    PHÆDRIA (to Antipho ): Ah! Have you loss’d your senses?
    GETA (to himself): I’ll make the best of my way homewards: ‘tis most likely he’s there.
    PHÆDRIA (to Antipho): Let’s call the fellow back.
    ANTIPHO (to Geta): Stop, you, immediately.
    GETA (hearing, but not seeing him): Huy, huy! You speak with authority, whoever you are.
    ANTIPHO (aloud): Geta.
    GETA (seeing him) : ‘Tis the very person I wanted to meet.
    ANTIPHO (to Geta): Pray let us know what you’re so full of, and tell us in a word, if you can.
    GETA: SO I will.
    ANTIPHO: Out with it.
    GETA: There’s now put into port—
    ANTIPHO: Who, my father?
    GETA: You’re right.
    ANTIPHO: I’m ruin’d.
    PHÆDRIA: Pshaw!
    ANTIPHO: What shall I do?
    PHÆDRIA (to Geta): What say you?
    GETA: That I saw his father your uncle.
    ANTIPHO: Alas! what remedy shall I find now to this sudden evil? If such my fortune, my dear Phany, that I must be torn from you, let me part with life and you together.
    GETA: Therefore as the affair stands, Antipho, you have the more need to look sharp about you: fortune helps the brave.
    ANTIPHO: I’m quite confounded.
    GETA: But now you’ve most occasion to exert yourself, Antipho; for if your father perceives you to be afraid, he’ll conclude you’re in fault.
    PHÆDRIA: That’s true.
    ANTIPHO: I can’t change my nature.
    GETA: What wou’d you do if you had now a more difficult affair on your hands?
    ANTIPHO : Since I can’t go thro this, I shou’d be less able to bear that.
    GETA: Here’s nothing in this, Phaedria; let him go. Why do we labour in vain here? I’ll be gone.
    PHÆDRIA: SO Will I.
    ANTIPHO: Pray now, suppose I put on a countenance, will it do?
    GETA: You do but trifle.
    ANTIPHO: Look in my face: hum! Will this do?
    GETA: No.
    ANTIPHO: What say you to this?
    GETA: That will almost do.
    ANTIPHO: What to this?
    GETA: That will do: ay, keep that; and answer him word for word, and give him as good as he brings; and don’t let him bluster you out of countenance in his passion.
    ANTIPHO : Very well.
    GETA: Say you was fore‘d, against your will, by the law, and decree of the court: do you understand me? But what old man’s that, which I see at the