s;
Or wherefore?

PHOR. Oh! that matter is all settled:
Think on't no more.

DEM. Not think on't! I shall think
Of nothing else till there's an end of this.

PHOR. Words, words!

DEM. I'll make them good.

PHOR. But, after all,
With you I have no business, Demipho!
Your son is cast, not you: for at your age
The coupling-time is over.

DEM. Be assur'd
That all I've said he says: or I'll forbid
Him and this wife of his my house.

GETA. He's angry. (_Apart._)

PHOR. No; you'll think better on't.

DEM. Are you resolv'd,
Wretch that you are, to thwart me ev'ry way?

{_PHORMIO and GETA apart._}

PHOR. He fears, though he dissembles.

GETA. Well begun!

PHOR. Well; but what can't be cur'd must be endur'd:
'Twere well, and like yourself, that we were friends.

DEM. I! friend to you? or choose to see or hear you!

PHOR. Do but agree with her, you'll have a girl
To comfort your old age. Your years, consider!

DEM. Plague on your comfort! take her to yourself!

PHOR. Ah! don't be angry!

DEM. One word more, I've done.
See that you fetch away this wench, and soon,
Or I shall turn her headlong out o'doors.
So much for Phormio!

PHOR. Offer but to touch her
In any other manner than beseems
A gentlewoman and a citizen,
And I shall bring a swinging writ against you.
So much for Demipho!--If I am wanted,
I am at home, d'ye hear? (_Apart to GETA._)

GETA. I understand. (_Apart._) (_Exit PHORMIO._

SCENE III.

DEM. With how much care, and what solicitude,
My son affects me, with this wretched match
Having embroil'd himself and me! nor comes
Into my sight, that I might know at least
Or what he says, or thinks of this affair.
Go you, and see if he's come home or no.

GETA. I'm gone. (_Exit._

DEM. You see, Sirs, how this matter stands.
What shall I do? Say, Hegio!

HEGIO. Meaning me?
Cratinus, please you, should speak first.

DEM. Say then,
Cratinus!

CRA. Me d'ye question?

DEM. You.

CRA. Then I,
Whatever steps are best I'd have you take.
Thus it appears to me. Whate'er your son
Has in your absence done is null and void,
In law and equity.--And so you'll find.
That's my opinion.

DEM. Say now, Hegio!

HEGIO. He has, I think, pronounc'd most learnedly.
But so 'tis: many men, and many minds!
Each has his fancy: Now, in my opinion,
Whate'er is done by law can't be undone.
'Tis shameful to attempt it.

DEM. Say you, Crito!

CRITO. The case, I think, asks more deliberation.