The Comedies of Terence Part 115

CHREM. O ye powers of heav'n, How often fortune blindly brings about More than we dare to hope for! Coming home, I've found my daughter, even to my wish, Match'd to the very person I desir'd.

What we have both been laboring to effect, Has this poor woman all alone accomplish'd.

SOPH. But now consider what is to be done!

The bridegroom's father is return'd; and he, They say, is much offended at this marriage.

CHREM. Be of good comfort: there's no danger there.

But, in the name of heav'n and earth, I charge you, Let n.o.body discover she's my daughter.

SOPH. None shall discover it from me.

CHREM. Come then!

Follow me in, and you shall hear the rest. (_Exeunt._

ACT THE FOURTH.

SCENE I.

_DEMIPHO, GETA._

DEM. 'Tis our own fault that we encourage rogues, By overstraining the due character Of honesty and generosity.

"Shoot not beyond the mark," the proverb goes.

Was't not enough that he had done us wrong, But we must also throw him money too, To live till he devises some new mischief?

GETA. Very right!

DEM. Knavery's now its own reward.

GETA. Very true!

DEM. How like fools have we behav'd!

GETA. So as he keeps his word, and takes the girl, 'Tis well enough.

DEM. Is that a doubt at present?

GETA. A man, you know, may change his mind.

DEM. How! change?

GETA. That I can't tell: but, if perhaps, I say.

DEM. I'll now perform my promise to my brother, And bring his wife to talk to the young woman.

You, Geta, go before, and let her know Nausistrata will come and speak with her. (_Exit DEMIPHO._

SCENE II.

_GETA alone._

The money's got for Phaedria: all is hush'd: And Phanium is not to depart as yet.

What more then? where will all this end at last?

--Alas! you're sticking in the same mire still: You've only chang'd hands, Geta. The disaster That hung but now directly over you, Delay perhaps will bring more heavy on you.

You're quite beset, unless you look about.

--Now then I'll home; to lesson Phanium, That she mayn't stand in fear of Phormio, Nor dread this conf'rence with Nausistrata. (_Exit._

SCENE III.

_Enter DEMIPHO and NAUSISTRATA._

DEM. Come then, Nausistrata, afford us now A little of your usual art, and try To put this woman in good humor with us; That what is done she may do willingly.

NAUS. I will.

DEM. And now a.s.sist us with your counsel, As with your cash a little while ago.

NAUS. With all my heart: and I am only sorry That 'tis my husband's fault I can't do more.

DEM. How so?

NAUS. Because he takes such little care Of the estate my father nurs'd so well: For from these very farms he never fail'd To draw two talents by the year. But ah!

What difference between man and man!

DEM. Two talents?

NAUS. Aye--in worse times than these--and yet two talents?

DEM. Huy!

NAUS. What, are you surpris'd?

DEM. Prodigiously.

NAUS. Would I had been a man! I'd show----

DEM. No doubt.

NAUS. --By what means----

DEM. Nay, but spare yourself a little For the encounter with the girl: lest she, Flippant and young, may weary you too much.

NAUS. --Well, I'll obey your orders: but I see My husband coming forth.

SCENE IV.