PHÆD. If, uncle, it is {the fact}, that Antipho has been guilty of any fault, in consequence of which he has been too regardless of his interest or his reputation, I would not allege any reason why he should not suffer what he deserves. But if some one by chance, relying upon his own artfulness, has laid a snare for our youthful age, and has succeeded, is it our fault or {that} of the judges, who often, through envy, take away from the rich, or, through compassion, award to the poor? GETA (_apart._) Unless I knew the case, I could fancy he was saying the truth. DEM. Is there any judge who can possibly know your rights, when you yourself don’t answer a word-- as he has done? PHÆD. He acted the part of an ingenuous young man; after they had come before the judges, he was not able to say what he had intended, so much did his modesty confuse him there through his bashfulness. GETA (_apart._) I commend him: but why do I hesitate at once to accost the old man? (_Going forward to DEMIPHO._) Master, welcome to you! I’m glad to see you safe returned. DEM. (_ironically._) Ah, excellent guardian! save you, stay of my family, no doubt, to whom, at my departure, I intrusted my son. GETA. For some minutes past I’ve heard you accusing all of us undeservedly; and me the most undeservedly of them all; for what would you have had me do for you in this affair? The laws do not allow a person who is a slave to plead; nor is there any giving evidence[40] {on his part}. DEM. I grant all that: I admit this too-- the young man, unused to courts, was bashful; I allow it: you, {too, are} a slave: still, if she was ever so near a relative, it was not necessary {for him} to marry her, but as the law enjoins, you might have given her a portion;[41] she could have looked out for another husband. Why, then, in preference, did he bring a pauper home? GETA. No {particular} reason; but he hadn’t the money. DEM. He might have borrowed it from some person or other. GETA. From some person or other? Nothing more easily said. DEM. After all, if on no other terms, on interest. GETA. Aye, aye, fine talking; as if any one would have trusted him, while you were living.[42] DEM. No, it shall not be so; it must not be. Ought I to allow her to remain with him as his wife a single day? She merits no indulgence. I should like this fellow to be pointed out to me, or to be shown where he lives. GETA. Phormio, do you mean? DEM. That fellow, the woman’s next friend?[43] GETA. I’ll have him here immediately. DEM. Where is Antipho at present? GETA. Away from home. DEM. Go, Phædria, look for him, and bring him here. PHÆD. I’ll go straightway to the place. GETA (_aside._) To Pamphila, you mean. (_Exeunt PHÆDRIA and GETA._ SCENE VII. _DEMIPHO, alone._