SOS. Take breath!--But why thus mov'd, good Geta? GETA. We're quite---- SOS. Quite what? GETA. Undone: We're ruin'd, Madam. SOS. Explain, for Heaven's sake! GETA. Ev'n now---- SOS. What now? GETA. AEschinus---- SOS. What of AEschinus? GETA. Has quite Estrang'd himself from all our family. SOS. How's that? confusion! why? GETA. He loves another. SOS. Wretch that I am! GETA. Nor that clandestinely; But snatch'd her in the face of all the world From a procurer. SOS. Are you sure of this? GETA. Sure? With these very eyes I saw it, Madam. SOS. Alas, alas! What then can we believe? To whom give credit?--What? our AEschinus! Our very life, our sole support and hope! Who swore he could not live one day without her, And promis'd he would place the new-born babe Upon his father's lap, and in that way Wring from him his consent to marry her! GETA. Nay, weep not, mistress; but consider rather What course were best to follow: to conceal This wrong, or to disclose it to some friend? CAN. Disclose it! Are you mad? Is this a thing To be disclos'd, d'ye think? GETA. I'd not advise it. For first, that he has quite abandon'd us, The thing itself declares. If we then make The story known, no doubt but he'll deny it. Your reputation, and your daughter's life Will be endanger'd: or if he confess, Since he affects another, 'twere not good That he should wed your daughter.--For which reasons, Silence is requisite. SOS. Ah, no: not I. GETA. What mean you? SOS. To disclose the whole. GETA. How, Madam! Think what you are about. SOS. Whatever happens, The thing can't be in a worse state than now. In the first place my daughter has no portion, And that which should have been her second dowry Is also lost; and she can ne'er be giv'n In marriage as a virgin. For the rest, If he denies his former commerce with her, I have the ring he lost to vouch the fact. In short, since I am conscious to myself. That I am not to blame in this proceeding, And that no sordid love of gain, nor aught Unworthy of my daughter or myself, Has mix'd in this affair, I'll try it, Geta. GETA. Well, I agree, 'twere better to disclose it. SOS. You then away, as fast as possible, And run to Hegio our good friend and kinsman, To let him know the whole affair: for he Was the chief friend of my dear Simulus, And ever show'd a great regard for us. GETA. And well he does, for no one else cares for us. SOS. And you, good Canthara, away with haste, And call a midwife; that we may be sure Of her assistance in the time of need. (_Exeunt severally._ SCENE III. _Enter DEMEA._