GETA. This is doing nothing at all, Phædria, let’s be gone; why do we waste our time here to no purpose. I shall be off. PHÆD. And I too. (_They move as if going._) ANT. Pray, now, if I assume an air, will that do? (_He endeavors to assume another air._) GETA. You are trifling. ANT. Look at my countenance-- there’s for you. (_Assuming a different air._) Will that do? GETA. No. ANT. Well, will this? (_Assuming another air._) GETA. Pretty well. ANT. Well then, this? (_Assuming a still bolder air._) GETA. That’s just the thing. There now, keep to that, and answer him word for word, like for like; don’t let him, in his anger, disconcert you with his blustering words. ANT. I understand. GETA. {Say} that you were forced against your will by law, by sentence of the court; do you take me? (_Looking earnestly in one direction._) But who is the old man that I see at the end of the street? ANT. ’Tis he himself. I can not stand it. (_Going._) GETA. Oh! What are you about? Whither are you going, Antipho? Stop, I tell you. ANT. I know my own self and my offense; to your management I trust Phanium and my own existence. (_Exit hastily._ SCENE V. _PHÆDRIA and GETA._ PHÆD. Geta, what’s to be done now? GETA. You will just hear some harsh language: I shall be trussed up and trounced, if I am not somewhat mistaken. But what we were just now advising Antipho to do, the same we must do ourselves, Phædria. PHÆD. Away with your “musts;” rather do you command me what I am to do. GETA. Do you remember what were your words formerly on our entering upon this project, with the view of protecting yourselves from ill consequences-- that their cause was just, clear, unanswerable, {and} most righteous? PHÆD. I remember it. GETA. Well then, now there’s need of that {plea}, or of one still better and more plausible, if such there can be. PHÆD. I’ll use my best endeavors. GETA. Do you then accost him first; I’ll be here in reserve,[37] by way of reinforcement, if you give ground at all. PHÆD. Very well. (_They retire to a distance._) SCENE VI. _Enter DEMIPHO, at the other side of the stage._ DEM. (_to himself._) And is it possible that Antipho has taken a wife without my consent? and that no authority of mine-- but let alone “authority”[38]-- no displeasure of mine, at all events, has he been in dread of? To have no sense of shame! O audacious conduct! O Geta, {rare} adviser! GETA (_apart to PHÆDRIA._) Just {brought in} at last. DEM. What will they say to me, or what excuse will they find? I wonder much. GETA (_apart._) Why, I’ve found that out already; do think of something else. DEM. Will he be saying this to me: “I did it against my will; the law compelled me?” I hear {you, and} admit it. GETA (_apart._) Well said! DEM. But knowingly, in silence, to give up the cause to his adversaries-- did the law oblige him to do that as well? GETA (_apart._) That is a hard {blow}. PHÆD. I’ll clear that up; let me alone {for that}.