me then?

DEM. Must I believe it? take it upon trust?
--Well, be it so!--But what is to be done
With our friend's daughter?

CHREM. Nothing.

DEM. Drop her?

CHREM. Aye.

DEM. And keep this?

CHREM. Aye.

DEM. Why then, Nausistrata,
You may return. We need not trouble you.

NAUS. Indeed, I think, 'tis better on all sides,
That you should keep her here, than send her hence.
For she appear'd to me, when first I saw her,
Much of a gentlewoman. (_Exit NAUSISTRATA._

[Changes:

_Harper_
CHREM. Ha!
_Colman 1768_
CHREM. Ha! Demipho!]

SCENE V.

_Manent DEMIPHO and CHREMES._

DEM. What means this?

CHREM. (_looking after NAUSISTRATA_). Is the door shut?

DEM. It is.

CHREM. O Jupiter!
The Gods take care of us. I've found my daughter
Married to your son.

DEM. Ha! how could it be?

CHREM. It is not safe to tell you here.

DEM. Step in then.

CHREM. But hark ye, Demipho!--I would not have
Even our very sons inform'd of this. (_Exeunt._

SCENE VI.

_ANTIPHO alone._

I'm glad, however my affairs proceed,
That Phaedria's have succeeded to his mind.
How wise to foster such desires alone,
As, although cross'd, are easily supplied!
Money, once found, sets Phaedria at his ease;
But my distress admits no remedy.
For, if the secret's kept, I live in fear;
And if reveal'd, I am expos'd to shame.
Nor would I now return, but in the hope
Of still possessing her.--But where is Geta?
That I may learn of him the fittest time
To meet my father.

SCENE VII.

_Enter, at a distance, PHORMIO._

PHOR. (_to himself_). I've receiv'd the money;
Paid the procurer; carried off the wench;
Who's free, and now in Phaedria's possession.
One thing alone remains to be dispatch'd;
To get a respite from th' old gentlemen
To tipple some few days, which I must spend
In mirth and jollity.

ANT. But yonder's Phormio.-- (_Goes up._)
What now?

PHOR. Of what?

ANT. What's Phaedria about?
How does he mean to take his fill of love?

PHOR. By acting your part in his turn.

ANT. What part?

PHOR. Flying his father's presence.--And he begs
That you'd act his, and make excuses for him;
For he intends a drinking-bout with me.
I shall pretend to the old gentlemen
That I am going to the fair at Sunium,
To buy the servant-maid that Geta mention'd:
Lest, finding I am absent, they suspect
That I am squandering the sum they paid me.
--But your door opens.

ANT. Who comes here?

PHOR. 'Ti