ith malicious fraud,
Has laid a snare for unexperienced youth,
And triumph'd o'er it; can you lay the blame
On us, or on the judges, who oft take
Through envy from the rich, or from compassion
Add to the poor?

GETA. Unless I knew the cause,
I should imagine this was truth he spoke.

DEM. What judge can know the merits on your side,
When you put in no plea; as he has done?

PHAED. He has behav'd like an ingenuous youth.
When he came into court, he wanted pow'r
To utter what he had prepar'd, so much
He was abash'd by fear and modesty.

GETA. Oh brave!--But why, without more loss of time,
Don't I accost th' old man! (_Going up._) My master, welcome!
I am rejoic'd to see you safe return'd.

DEM. What! my good master Governor! your slave!
The prop! the pillar of our family!
To whom, at my departure hence, I gave
My son in charge.

GETA. I've heard you for some time
Accuse us all quite undeservedly,
And me, of all, most undeservedly.
For what could I have done in this affair?
A slave the laws will not allow to plead;
Nor can he be an evidence.

DEM. I grant it.
Nay more--the boy was bashful--I allow it.
--You but a slave.--But if she had been prov'd
Ever so plainly a relation, why
Needed he marry her? and why not rather
Give her, according to the law, a portion,
And let her seek some other for a husband?
Why did he rather bring a beggar home?

GETA. 'Twas not the thought, but money that was wanting.

DEM. He might have borrow'd it!

GETA. Have borrow'd it!
Easily said.

DEM. If not to be had else,
On interest.

GETA. Nay, now indeed you've hit it!
Who would advance him money in your life?

DEM. Well, well, it shall not, and it can not be,
That I should suffer her to live with him
As wife a single day. There is no cause.
--Would I might see that fellow, or could tell
Where he resides!

GETA. What, Phormio!

DEM. The girl's Patron.

GETA. He shall be with you straight.

DEM. Where's Antipho?

PHAED. Abroad.

DEM. Go, Phaedria; find him, bring him here.

PHAED. I'll go directly. (_Exit_

GETA (_aside_). Aye, to Pamphila. (_Exit_

[Changes:

_Harper_
DEM. If 'twere not so, you'd not defend him, Phaedria.
_Colman 1768_
DEM. For, were't not so, you'd not defend him, Phaedria.]

SCENE VII.

_DEMIPHO alone._

I'll home, and thank the Gods for my return:
Thence to the Forum, and convene some friends,
Who may be present at this interview,
That Phormio may not tak