GETA. Can you imagine to what an extent? Observe the consequence. The day after, he goes straight to the old woman; entreats her to let him have her: she, on the other hand, refuses him, and says that he is not acting properly; that she is a citizen of Athens, virtuous, and born of honest {parents}: that if he wishes to make her his wife, he is at liberty to do so according to law; but if otherwise, she gives him a refusal. Our {youth} was at a loss what to do. He was both eager to marry her, and he dreaded his absent father. DAV. Would not his father, if he had returned, have given him leave? GETA. He let him marry a girl with no fortune, and of obscure birth! He would never do {so}. DAV. What came of it at last? GETA. What came of it? There is one Phormio here, a Parasite, a fellow of great assurance; may all the Gods confound him! DAV. What has he done? GETA. He has given this piece of advice, which I will tell you of. “There is a law, that orphan girls are to marry those who are their next-of-kin; and the same law commands such persons to marry them. I’ll say you are the next-of-kin, and take out a summons[32] against you; I’ll pretend that I am a friend of the girl’s father; we will come before the judges: who her father was, who her mother, how she is related to you-- all this I’ll trump up, just as will be advantageous and suited to my purpose; on your disproving none of these things, I shall prevail, of course. Your father will return; a quarrel will be the consequence; what care I? She will still be ours.” DAV. An amusing piece of assurance! GETA. He was persuaded to this. It was carried out; they came {into court}: we were beaten. He has married her. DAV. What is it you tell me? GETA. Just what you have heard. DAV. O Geta, what will become of you? GETA. Upon my faith, I don’t know; this one thing I do know, whatever fortune may bring, I’ll bear it with firmness. DAV. You please me; well, that is the duty of a man. GETA. All my hope is in myself. DAV. I commend you. GETA. Suppose I have recourse to some one to intercede for me, who will plead for me in these terms: “Pray, do forgive him this time; but if after this {he does} any thing, I make no entreaty:” if only he doesn’t add, “When I’ve gone, e’en kill him {for my part}.” DAV. What of the one who was usher to the Music-girl?[33] GETA (_shrugging his shoulders._) So so, but poorly. DAV. Perhaps he hasn’t much to give. GETA. Why, really, nothing at all, except mere hopes. DAV. Is his father come back or not? GETA. Not yet. DAV. Well, when do you expect your old man? GETA. I don’t know for certain; but I just now heard that a letter has been brought from him, and has been left with the officers of the customs: I’m going to fetch it. DAV. Is there any thing else that you want with me, Geta?