f me then?

GETA. He'll not marry her.

ANT. Oh, no: but when they redemand the money,
On my account he'll rather go to jail! (_Ironically._)

GETA. Many a tale is spoiled in telling, Antipho.
You take out all the good, and leave the bad.
--Now hear the other side--If he receives
The money, he must wed the girl: I grant it.
But then some little time must be allow'd
For wedding-preparation, invitation,
And sacrifices.--Meanwhile, Phaedria's friends
Advance the money they have promis'd him:
Which Phormio shall make use of for repayment.

ANT. How so? what reason can he give?

GETA. What reason?
A thousand.--"Since I made this fatal bargain,
Omens and prodigies have happen'd to me.
There came a strange black dog into my house!
A snake fell through the tiling! a hen crow'd!
The Soothsayer forbade it! The Diviner
Charg'd me to enter on no new affair
Before the winter."--All sufficient reasons.
Thus it shall be.

ANT. Pray Heav'n it may be!

GETA. It shall.
Depend on me:--But here's your father.--Go;
Tell Phaedria that the money's safe. (_Exit ANTIPHO._

SCENE V.

_Re-enter DEMIPHO and CHREMES._

DEM. Nay, peace!
I'll warrant he shall play no tricks upon us:
I'll not part rashly with it, I assure you;
But pay it before witnesses, reciting
To whom 'tis paid, and why 'tis paid.

GETA. How cautious,
Where there is no occasion! (_Aside._)

CHREM. You had need.
But haste, dispatch it while the fit's upon him:
For if the other party should be pressing,
Perhaps he'll break with us.

GETA. You've hit it, Sir.

DEM. Carry me to him then.

GETA. I wait your pleasure.

CHREM. (_to DEMIPHO_). When this is done, step over to my wife,
That she may see the girl before she goes;
And tell her, to prevent her being angry,
"That we've agreed to marry her to Phormio,
Her old acquaintance, and a fitter match;
That we have not been wanting in our duty,
But giv'n as large a portion as he ask'd."

DEM. Pshaw! what's all this to you?

CHREM. A great deal, brother.

DEM. Is't not sufficient to have done your duty,
Unless the world approves it?

CHREM. I would choose
To have the whole thing done by her consent,
Lest she pretend she was turn'd out o' doors.

DEM. Well, I can say all this to her myself.

CHREM. A woman deals much better with a woman.

DEM. I'll ask your wife to do it then. (_Exeunt DEMIPHO and GETA._

CHREM. I'm thinking
Where I shall find these women now.

[Changes:

_Harper_