The Comedies of Terence Part 113

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?

GETA. He'll not marry her.

ANT. Oh, no: but when they redemand the money, On my account he'll rather go to jail! (_Ironically._)

GETA. Many a tale is spoiled in telling, Antipho.

You take out all the good, and leave the bad.

--Now hear the other side--If he receives The money, he must wed the girl: I grant it.

But then some little time must be allow'd For wedding-preparation, invitation, And sacrifices.--Meanwhile, Phaedria's friends Advance the money they have promis'd him: Which Phormio shall make use of for repayment.

ANT. How so? what reason can he give?

GETA. What reason?

A thousand.--"Since I made this fatal bargain, Omens and prodigies have happen'd to me.

There came a strange black dog into my house!

A snake fell through the tiling! a hen crow'd!

The Soothsayer forbade it! The Diviner Charg'd me to enter on no new affair Before the winter."--All sufficient reasons.

Thus it shall be.

ANT. Pray Heav'n it may be!

GETA. It shall.

Depend on me:--But here's your father.--Go; Tell Phaedria that the money's safe. (_Exit ANTIPHO._

SCENE V.

_Re-enter DEMIPHO and CHREMES._

DEM. Nay, peace!

I'll warrant he shall play no tricks upon us: I'll not part rashly with it, I a.s.sure you; But pay it before witnesses, reciting To whom 'tis paid, and why 'tis paid.

GETA. How cautious, Where there is no occasion! (_Aside._)

CHREM. You had need.

But haste, dispatch it while the fit's upon him: For if the other party should be pressing, Perhaps he'll break with us.

GETA. You've hit it, Sir.

DEM. Carry me to him then.

GETA. I wait your pleasure.

CHREM. (_to DEMIPHO_). When this is done, step over to my wife, That she may see the girl before she goes; And tell her, to prevent her being angry, "That we've agreed to marry her to Phormio, Her old acquaintance, and a fitter match; That we have not been wanting in our duty, But giv'n as large a portion as he ask'd."

DEM. Pshaw! what's all this to you?

CHREM. A great deal, brother.