The Portable Roman Reader (Portable Library) by Various Page B

uncle, to merit your displeasure.
    DEMIPHO: See how they hang together; they’re all alike; know one, you know all.
    PHÆDRIA: Indeed you mistake us.
    DEMIPHO: Let one commit a fault, and the other’s ready to defend him; if one’s here, the other’s not far off; so they help one another.
    GETA (to himself) : The old man has spoke the truth of them without knowing it.
    DEMIPHO: For if it was not so, you wou’d not stand up for him, Phædria.
    PHÆDRIA: Uncle, if Antipho had been so much his own enemy as to have been guilty of any fault, contrary to his interest or honour, I would not open my lips in his behalf, but give him over to what he might deserve; but supposing any one, by his malicious stratagems, has lay’d a snare for us youth, and has caught us in it, are we to be blam’d or the judges, who often thro envy take from the rich, and as often thro pity add to the poor?
    GETA (aside): If I did not know the affair, I shou’d believe what he’s saying to be true.
    DEMIPHO: How should any judge know your right, when you don’t speak a word for yourself, as he did not?
    PHÆDRIA: He behav’d like a gentleman; when he came before the judges, he was unable to utter what he had premeditated, his modesty and fear so confounded him.
    GETA : Well defended: but why don’t I go directly up to the old man? (To himself) Your servant, Sir: I’m glad to see you safe return’d.
    DEMIPHO: Oh! thou excellent guardian, your servant, thou prop of our family, to whose care I committed my son when I went from hence.
    GETA: I hear you have been accusing us all undeservedly, and me most undeservedly of all; for what wou’d you have me do for you in this affair? The laws don’t allow a servant to plead, nor is his evidence taken.
    DEMIPHO: Well, be it so: grant besides that the young man was foolishly fearful, I allow it, you’re but a servant; however, if she was ever so near related, there was no occasion for him to marry her; but, as the law requires, you shou’d have giv’n her a portion; and she might look out for another husband: what reason had he to take a beggar home?
    GETA: We did not want reason, but money.
    DEMIPHO: He shou’d have borrow’d it anywhere.
    GETA: Anywhere? Nothing more easily said.
    DEMIPHO: If he cou’d not borrow it on other terms, he shou’d have took it up on interest.
    GETA: Huy! that’s well said: as if any one would lend him money, while you are alive.
    DEMIPHO: No, no, it must not be so, it never can: shall I suffer her to live with him one day? There’s no temptation for it. I wish that fellow was brought before me, or that I knew where he lives.
    GETA: You mean Phormio.
    DEMIPHO: The woman’s friend.
    GETA: I’ll bring him here presently.
    DEMIPHO: Where’s Antipho now?
    GETA: Within.
    DEMIPHO: Go, Phædria, look for him, and bring him hither.
    PHÆDRIA: I’ll go directly.
    GETA (aside): Yes, to Pamphila.
    (Phædria and Geta go)

ACT I, SCENE VII
    (Demipho)
    DEMIPHO: I’ll go home and thank the Gods for my return; then I’ll go to the market, and summons some of my friends to be present in this affair, that I may not be unprovided if Phormio comes.

ACT II, SCENE I
    (Phormio and Geta)
    PHORMIO: Say you so, is he gone, and afraid to shew his face to his father?
    GETA: ‘Tis even so.
    PHORMIO: And is Phanium left to herself, say you?
    GETA: Neither better nor worse.
    PHORMIO: And is the old man in a rage?
    GETA: Yes, and in a great one.
    PHORMIO: The burden, Phormio, must lie on your shoulders: you’ve a hard crust to mumble; you must down with it: set about it.
    GETA: Pray do.
    PHORMIO: Suppose he should question me about—
    GETA: Our hope is in you.
    PHORMIO: Ay, but consider, what if he replies?
    GETA: You forced us.
    PHORMIO: Well, I think that’s right.
    GETA: Come, give us your assistance.
    PHORMIO: Let the old man come; I’ll warrant you I am provided for him.
    GETA: What do you intend?
    PHORMIO: What, but secure Phanium’s marriage, and free Antipho from what he’s