Part 113 (1/2)

CHREM. Nay, but be pacified! I'll pay the money.

Only do you prevail upon your son To marry her whom we desire.

ANT. (_behind_). Ah me!

Geta, your treachery has ruin'd me.

CHREM. She's put away on my account: 'tis just That I should pay the money.

GETA. ”Let me know,”

Continues he, ”as soon as possible, Whether they mean to have me marry her; That I may part with t'other, and be certain.

For t'other girl's relations have agreed To pay the portion down immediately.”

CHREM. He shall be paid this too immediately.

Let him break off with her, and take this girl!

DEM. Aye, and the plague go with him!

CHREM. Luckily It happens I've some money here; the rents Of my wife's farms at Lemnos. I'll take that; (_to DEMIPHO_) And tell my wife that you had need of it. (_Exeunt._

[Changes:

_Harper_ DEM. No; let him bring a thousand writs against me.

_Colman 1768_ DEM. No; let him bring ten thousand writs against me.

_Colman's note on this pa.s.sage says in part: ”I have ... rendered the _s.e.xcentas_ of Terence by _Ten Thousand_, as being most agreeable to the English idiom, as well as the Greek.”_]

SCENE IV.

_Manent ANTIPHO, GETA._

ANT. (_coming forward_). Geta!

GETA. Ha, Antipho!

ANT. What have you done!

GETA. Trick'd the old bubbles of their money.

ANT. Well, Is that sufficient, think ye?

GETA. I can't tell.

'Twas all my orders.

ANT. Knave, d'ye shuffle with me? (_Kicks him._)

GETA. Plague! what d'ye mean?

ANT. What do I mean, Sirrah!

You've driven me to absolute perdition.

All pow'rs of heav'n and h.e.l.l confound you for't, And make you an example to all villains!

--Here! would you have your business duly manag'd, Commit it to this fellow!--What could be More tender than to touch upon this sore, Or even name my wife? my father's fill'd With hopes that she may be dismiss'd.--And then, If Phormio gets the money for the portion, He, to be sure, must marry her.--And what Becomes of me then?