_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 hell 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 assure 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. DEM. Is't not sufficient to have done your duty, Unless the world approves it? CHREM. I would choose To have the whole thing done by her consent, Lest she pretend she was turn'd out o' doors.