PHOR. I have an action of assault against you. (_To DEMIPHO._)

CHREM. Bring it!

PHOR. Another against you too, Chremes!

DEM. Drag him away! (_Both lay hold of him._)

PHOR. (_struggling_). Is that your way with me!
Then I must raise my voice.--Nausistrata!
Come hither.

CHREM. Stop his mouth!

DEM. (_struggling_). A sturdy rogue!
How strong he is!

PHOR. (_struggling_). Nausistrata, I say.
Nausistrata!

CHREM. (_struggling_). Peace, Sirrah!

PHOR. Peace, indeed!

DEM. Unless he follows, strike him in the stomach!

PHOR. Aye, or put out an eye!--But here comes one
Will give me full revenge upon you both.

SCENE II.

_To them NAUSISTRATA._

NAUS. Who calls for me?

CHREM. Confusion!

NAUS. (_to CHREMES_). Pray, my dear,
What's this disturbance?

PHOR. Dumb, old Truepenny!

NAUS. Who is this man?--Why don't you answer me? (_To CHREMES._)

PHOR. He answer you! he's hardly in his senses.

CHREM. Never believe him!

PHOR. Do but go and touch him;
He's in a shivering fit, I'll lay my life.

CHREM. Nay----

NAUS. But what means he then?

PHOR. I'll tell you, madam;
Do but attend!

CHREM. Will you believe him then?

NAUS. What is there to believe, when he says nothing?

PHOR. Poor man! his fear deprives him of his wits.

NAUS. (_to CHREMES_). I'm sure you're not so much afraid
for nothing.

CHREM. What! I afraid? (_Endeavoring to take heart._)

PHOR. Oh, not at all!--And since
You're in no fright, and what I say means nothing,
Tell it yourself.

DEM. At your desire, you rascal?

PHOR. Oh, you've done rarely for your brother, Sir!

NAUS. What! Won't you tell me, husband?

CHREM. But----

NAUS. But what?

CHREM. There's no occasion for it.

PHOR. Not for you:
But for the Lady there is much occasion.
In Lemnos----

CHREM. Ha! what say you?

DEM. (_to PHORMIO_). Hold your peace!

PHOR. Without your knowledge----

CHREM. Oh dear!

PHOR. He has had
Another wife.

NAUS. My husband? Heav'n forbid!

PHOR. 'Tis even so.

NAUS. Ah me! I am undone.

PHOR. --And had a daughter by her there; while you
Was left to sleep in ignorance alone.

NAUS. Oh Heavens!--Baseness!--Treachery!

PHOR. 'Tis fact.

NAUS. Was ever any thing more infamous?
When they're with us, their wives forsooth, they're old.
--Demipho, I appeal to you: for him
I can not bear to speak to.--And were these
His frequent journeys and long stay at Lemnos?
Was this the cheapness that reduc'd o