at must
be done for the future in this matter. Shall we submit to it, or shall
we tell it to any person?

CAN. Pooh, pooh! are you in your senses, my {good} man? Does this seem
to you a business to be made known to any one?

GETA. I, indeed, have no wish for it. In the first place, then, that
his feelings are estranged from us, the thing itself declares. Now, if
we make this known, he'll deny it, I'm quite sure; your reputation and
your daughter's character will {then} be in danger. On the other hand,
if he were fully to confess it, as he is in love with another woman,
it would not be to her advantage to be given to him. Therefore, under
either circumstance, there is need of silence.

SOS. Oh! by no means in the world! I'll not do it.

GETA. What is it you say?

SOS. I'll make it known.

GETA. Ha, my {dear} Sostrata, take care what you do!

SOS. The matter can not possibly be in a worse position than it is at
present. In the first place, she has no portion; then, besides, that
which was as good as a portion, {her honor}, is lost: she can not be
given in marriage as a virgin. This {resource} is left; if he should
deny it, I have a ring which he lost as evidence {of the truth}. In
fine, Geta, as I am fully conscious that no blame attaches to me, and
that neither interest nor any consideration unworthy of her or of
myself has had a share in this matter, I will make trial----

GETA. What am I to say to this? I agree, as you speak for the best.

SOS. You be off as fast as possible, and relate all the matter just as
it has happened to her kinsman Hegio; for he was the best friend of
our {lamented} Simulus, and has shown especial regard for us.

GETA. (_aside._) Aye, faith, because nobody else takes any notice {of
us}.

SOS. Do you, my {dear} Canthara, run with all haste, {and} fetch the
midwife, so that, when she is wanted, we may not have to wait for her.
(_SOSTRATA goes into the house, and exit GETA and CANTHARA._)

SCENE III.

_Enter DEMEA._

DEM. (_to himself._) Utterly undone! I hear that Ctesipho was with
AEschinus at the carrying off {of this girl}. This sorrow {still}
remains for unhappy me, should {AEschinus} be able to seduce him, even
him, who promises so fair, to a course of debauchery. Where am I to
inquire for him? I doubt he has been carried off to some bad house;
that profligate has persuaded him, I'm quite sure. But look-- I see
Syrus coming {this way}, I shall now know from him where he