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Enter, at a distance, DEMIPHO, HEGIO, CRATINUS, and CRITO, following him.
DEMIPHO
Well now--did you ever hear of an injury being done to any person in a more affronting manner than this has to me? Assist me, I do beg of you. GETA
apart. He's in a passion. PHORMIO
apart. Do you mind your cue; I'll rouse him just now. Stepping forward and crying aloud. Oh immortal Gods! does Demipho deny that Phanium here is related to him? GETA
He does deny it. DEMIPHO
to his friends. I believe it is the very man I was speaking about. Follow me. They all come forward. PHORMIO
to GETA. And that he knows who her father was? GETA
He does deny it. PHORMIO
And that he knows who Stilpho was? GETA
He does deny it. PHORMIO
Because the poor thing was left destitute, her father is disowned; she herself is slighted: see what avarice does. GETA
in a loud voice. If you are going to accuse my: master of avarice, you shall hear what you won't like. DEMIPHO
Oh, the impudence of the fellow! Does he come on purpose to accuse me? PHORMIO
For really, I have no reason why I should be offended at the young man, if he did not know him; since that person, when growing aged and poor, and supporting himself by his labor, generally confined himself to the country; there hehad a piece of land from my father to cultivate; full oft, in the mean time, did the old. man tell me that this kinsman of his neglected him: but what a man? The very best I ever saw in all my life. GETA
in a loud voice. Look to yourself as well as to him, how you speak. PHORMIO
with affected indignation. Away, to utter perdition, with you. For if I had not formed such an opinion of him, I should never have incurred such enmity with your family on her account, whom he now slights in such an ungenerous manner. GETA
aloud. What, do you persist in speaking abusively of my master in his absence, you most abominable fellow? PHORMIO
Why, it's just what he deserves. GETA
aloud. Say you so, you jail-bird? DEMIPHO
calling aloud. Geta! GETA
aloud. A plunderer of people's property--a perverter of the laws! DEMIPHO
calling aloud. Geta! PHORMIO
apart, in a low voice. Answer him. GETA
Who is it? Looking round. Oh!---- DEMIPHO
Hold your peace. GETA
He has never left off uttering abuse against you behind your back, unworthy of you, and just befitting himself. DEMIPHO
Well now, have done. Addressing PHORMIO. Young man, in the first place, with your good leave, I ask you this, if you may possibly be pleased to give me an answer: explain to me who this friend of yours was, that you speak of, and how he said that he was related to me. PHORMIO
sneeringly. You are fishing it out, just as if you didn't know. DEMIPHO
I, know? PEM.
Yes. DEMIPHO
I say I do not; you, Who affirm it, recall it to my recollection. PHORMIO
Come now, didn't you know your own cousin-ger-man? DEMIPHO
You torture me to death; tell me his name. PHORMIO
His name? DEMIPHO
Of course. PHORMIO hesitates. Why are you silent now? PHORMIO
aside. Heavens, I'm undone; I've forgot the name. DEMIPHO
Well, what do you say? PHORMIO
aside, to GETA. Geta, if you recollect the name I told you a short time since, prompt me. Aloud, to DEMIPHO. Well then, I sha'n't tell you; as if you didn't know, you come to pump me. DEMIPHO
I, come to pump you, indeed? GETA
whispering to PHORMIO. Stilpho. PHORMIO
But, after all, what matters that to me? It is Stilpho. DEMIPHO
Whom did you say? PHORMIO
Stilpho, I tell you; you knew him. DEMIPHO
I neither know him, nor had I ever any relation of that name. PHORMIO
Say you so? Are you not ashamed of this? But if he had left you ten talents---- DEMIPHO
May the Gods confound you! PHORMIO
You'd have been the first, from memory, to trace your line of kindred, even as far back as from grandfather and great-grandfather. DEMIPHO
Very likely what you say. In that case, when I had undertaken it, I should have shown how she was related to me; do you do the same: tell me, how is she related to me? GETA
Well done, my master, that's right! Threateningly to PHORMIO. Hark you, take you care. PHORMIO
I've already made the matter quite plain where I ought, before the judges; besides, if it was untrue, why didn't your son disprove it? DEMIPHO
Do you talk about my son to me? Of whose folly there is no speaking in the language it deserves. PHORMIO
Then do you, who are so wise, go to the magistrates, that for you they may give a second decision in the same cause, since you reign alone1 here, and are the only man allowed to get a second trial in the same cause. DEMIPHO
Although wrong has been done me, still, however, rather than engage in litigation, or listen to you, just as though she had been my relation, as the law orders one to find her a portion, rid me of her, and take five minae. PHORMIO
laughing.) Ha, ha, ha! a pleasant individual! DEMIPHO
Well! am I asking any thing unfair? Or am I not to obtain even this, which is my right at common law? PHORMIO
Pray, really is it so, that when you have abused-her like a courtesan, the law orders you to pay her hire and pack her off? Or is it the fact, that in order that a citizen may bring no disgrace upon herself through poverty, she has been ordered to be given to her nearest relative, to pass her life with him alone? A thing which you mean to prevent. DEMIPHO
Yes, to her nearest.relative, indeed; but why to us, or on what ground? PHORMIO
Well, well, a thing tried, they say, you can't try over again. DEMIPHO
Not try it? On the contrary, I shall not desist until I have gone through with it. PHORMIO
You are trifling. DEMIPHO
Only let me alone for that. PHORMIO
In short, Demipho, I have nothing to do with you; your son has been cast, and not you; for your time of life for marrying has now gone by. DEMIPHO
Consider that it is he that says to you all I now say, or else assuredly, together with this wife of his, I'll be forbidding him the house. GETA
aside. He's in a passion. PHORMIO
You'll be acting more considerately. DEMIPHO
Are you so resolved, you unlucky fellow, to do me all the mischief you can? PHORMIO
aside, to GETA. He's afraid of us, although he's so careful to conceal it. GETA
aside, to PHORMIO. Your beginning has turned out well. PHORMIO
But if, on the contrary, you endure what must be endured, you'll be doing what's worthy of you, so that we may be on friendly terms. DEMIPHO
indignantly. What, I seek your friendship, or have any wish to see or hear you? PHORMIO
If you can agree with her, you will have some one to cheer up your old age; just consider your time of life. DEMIPHO
Let her cheer up yourself; keep her to yourself. PHORMIO
Really, do moderate your passion. DEMIPHO
Mark what I say. There have been words enough already; if you don't make haste to fetch away the woman, I shall turn her out: I have said it, Phormio. PHORMIO
If you use her in any other manner than is befitting a free-born woman, I shall be bringing a swinging action against you: I have said it, Demipho. To GETA. Hark you, if there should be any occasion for me, I shall be at home. GETA
apart. I understand you. (Exit PHORMIO.)
1 Since you reign alone)--Ver. 605. This is a remark well put into the mouth of an Athenian, as the public were very jealous of any person becoming paramount to the laws, and to prevent it, were frequently guilty of the most odious oppression.
The Comedies of Terence. Henry Thomas Riley. Ney York. Harper and Brothers. 1874.
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