DEM. Yes, to her nearest relative, indeed; but why to us, or on what ground? PHOR. Well, well, a thing tried, they say, you can’t try over {again}. DEM. Not try it? On the contrary, I shall not desist until I have gone through with it. PHOR. You are trifling. DEM. Only let me alone {for that}. PHOR. In short, Demipho, I have nothing to do with you; your son has been cast, {and} not you; for your time of life for marrying has now gone by. DEM. Consider that it is he that says to you all I now say, or else assuredly, together with this wife {of his}, I’ll be forbidding him the house. GETA (_aside._) He’s in a passion. PHOR. You’ll be acting more considerately. DEM. Are you so resolved, you unlucky fellow, to do me all the mischief you can? PHOR. (_aside, to GETA._) He’s afraid of us, although he’s so careful to conceal it. GETA (_aside, to PHORMIO._) Your beginning has turned out well. PHOR. But if, on the contrary, you endure what must be endured, you’ll be doing what’s worthy of you, so that we may be on friendly terms. DEM. (_indignantly._) What, I seek your friendship, or have any wish to see or hear you? PHOR. If you can agree with her, you will have some one to cheer up your old age; {just} consider your time of life. DEM. Let her cheer up yourself; keep her to yourself. PHOR. Really, do moderate your passion. DEM. Mark what I say. There have been words enough already; if you don’t make haste to fetch away the woman, I shall turn her out: I have said it, Phormio. PHOR. If you use her in any other manner than is befitting a free-born woman, I shall be bringing a swinging action against you: I have said it, Demipho. (_To GETA._) Hark you, if there should be any occasion for me, I shall be at home. GETA (_apart._) I understand you. (_Exit PHORMIO._ SCENE III. _DEMIPHO, HEGIO, CRATINUS, CRITO, and GETA._ DEM. What care and anxiety my son does bring upon me, by entangling himself and me in this same marriage! And he doesn’t {so much as} come into my sight, that at least I might know what he says about this matter, or what his sentiments are. (_To GETA._) Be off, go see whether he has returned home or not by this. GETA. I will. (_Goes into the house._) DEM. (_to the ASSISTANTS._) You see how the case stands. What am I to do? Tell {me}, Hegio. HEG. What, I? I think Cratinus {ought}, if it seems good to you. DEM. Tell {me}, Cratinus. CRAT. What, do you wish me to speak? I should like you to do what is most for your advantage; it is my opinion, that what this son of yours has done in your absence, in law and justice ought to be annulled; and that you’ll obtain redress. That’s my opinion. DEM. Say now, Hegio. HEG. I believe that he has spoken with due deliberation; but it is the fact, “as many men, so many minds;”[55] every one his own way. It doesn’t appear to me that what has been done by law can be revoked; and it is wrong to attempt it. DEM. Speak, Crito.