n yourself with her; and order
The couches to be spread, and all prepar'd.
For, these preliminaries once dispatch'd,
I shall march homeward with provisions.

CTES. Do!
And since this business has turn'd out so well,
Let's spend the day in mirth and jollity!
(_Exeunt severally._

[Changes:

_Harper_
SAN. Not in such haste: though truly I have no cause
To loiter here.
_Colman 1768_
SAN. Not in such haste: though truly I've no cause
To loiter here.]

ACT THE THIRD.

SCENE I.

_SOSTRATA, CANTHARA._

SOS. Prithee, good nurse, how will it go with her?

CAN. How go with her? Why well, I warrant you.

SOS. Her pains begin to come upon her, nurse.

CAN. You're as much frighten'd at your time of day,
As if you ne'er was present at a labor,
Or never had been brought to bed yourself.

SOS. Alas, I've no soul here: we're all alone.
Geta is absent; nor is there a creature
To fetch a midwife, or call AEschinus.

CAN. He'll be here presently, I promise you:
For he, good man, ne'er lets a single day
Go by, but he is sure to visit us.

SOS. He is my only comfort in my sorrows.

CAN. Troth, as the case stands, madam, circumstances
Could not have happen'd better than they have:
And since your daughter suffer'd violence,
'Twas well she met with such a man as this;
A man of honor, rank, and family.

SOS. He is, indeed, a worthy gentleman:
The gods preserve him to us!

SCENE II.

_Enter GETA hastily at another part of the stage._

GETA. We are now
So absolutely lost, that all the world
Joining in consultation to apply
Relief to the misfortune that has fallen
On me, my mistress, and her daughter, all
Would not avail.--Ah me! so many troubles
Environ us at once, we sink beneath them.
Rape, poverty, oppression, solitude,
And infamy! oh, what an age is this!
O wicked, oh vile race!--oh impious man!

SOS. (_to CANTHARA_). Ah, why should Geta seem thus terrified
And agitated?

GETA (_to himself._) Wretch! whom neither honor,
Nor oaths, nor pity could control or move!
Nor her approaching labor; her, on whom
He shamefully committed violation!

SOS. I don't well understand him.

CAN. Prithee then
Let us draw nearer, Sostrata!

GETA (_to himself._) Alas,
I'm scarcely in my perfect mind, I burn
With such fierce anger.--Oh, that I had all
That villain-family before me now,
That I might vent my indignation on them,
While yet it boils within me.--There is nothing
I'd n