CHREM. Nay, nay, Nothing could be more happy to effect The point we labor at. ANT. (_behind_). Undone! CHREM. (_to GETA_). Go on. GETA. At first he rav'd. DEM. Why, what did he demand? GETA. Too much: as much as came into his head. CHREM. Well, but the sum? GETA. He talk'd of a great talent. DEM. Plague on the rascal! what! has he no shame? GETA. The very thing I said to him.--"Suppose He was to portion out an only daughter, What could he give her more?--He profits little, Having no daughter of his own; since one Is found to carry off a fortune from him." --But to be brief, and not to dwell upon All his impertinences, he at last Gave me this final answer.--"From the first, I wish'd," said he, "as was indeed most fit, To wed the daughter of my friend myself. For I was well aware of her misfortune; That, being poor, she would be rather given In slavery, than wedlock, to the rich. But I was forc'd, to tell you the plain truth, To take a woman with some little fortune, To pay my debts: and still, if Demipho Is willing to advance as large a sum As I'm to have with one I'm now engag'd to. There is no wife I'd rather take than her." ANT. (_behind_). Whether through malice or stupidity, He is rank knave or fool, I can not tell. DEM. (_to GETA_). What, if he owes his soul? GETA. "I have a farm," Continued he, "that's mortgag'd for ten minae." DEM. Well, let him take her then: I'll pay the money. GETA. "A house for ten more." DEM. Huy! huy! that's too much. CHREM. No noise! demand those ten of me. GETA. "My wife Must buy a maid; some little furniture Is also requisite; and some expense To keep our wedding: all these articles," Continues he, "we'll reckon at ten minae." DEM. No; let him bring a thousand writs against me. I'll give him nothing. What! afford the villain An opportunity to laugh at me? 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 passage says in part: "I have ... rendered the _sexcentas_ of Terence by _Ten Thousand_, as being most agreeable to the English idiom, as well as the Greek."_] SCENE IV.