onable, as he is a reasonable
man, you'll not have to bandy three words with him."

DEM. Who ordered you to say so?

CHREM. Nay, he could not have more happily contrived to bring about
what we want.

ANT. (_apart._) Undone!

CHREM. Go on with your story.

GETA. At first the fellow raved.

DEM. Say, what did he ask?

GETA. What? A great deal too much.

CHREM. How much? Tell me.

GETA. Suppose he were to give a great talent.

DEM. Aye, faith, perdition {to him rather}; has he no shame?

GETA. Just what I said to him: "Pray," {said I}, "suppose he was
portioning an only daughter of his own. It has been of little benefit
that he hasn't one of his own, when another has been found to be
demanding a fortune." To be brief, and to pass over his impertinences,
this at last was his final answer: "I," said he, "from the very first,
have been desirous to marry the daughter of my friend, as was fit I
should; for I was aware of the ill results of this, a poor wife being
married into a rich family, and becoming a slave. But, as I am now
conversing with you unreservedly, I was in want of {a wife} to bring
me a little money with which to pay off my debts; and even yet, if
Demipho is willing to give as much as I am to receive with her to whom
I am engaged, there is no one whom I should better like for a wife."

ANT. (_apart._) Whether to say he's doing this through folly or
mischief, through stupidity or design, I'm in doubt.

DEM. What if he's in debt to the amount of his life?[66]

GETA. His land is mortgaged,-- for ten minae he said.

DEM. Well, well, let him take her then; I'll give it.

GETA. He has a house besides, {mortgaged} for another ten.

DEM. Huy, huy! that's too much.

CHREM. Don't be crying out; you may have those ten of me.

GETA. A lady's maid must be brought for his wife; and then too,
a little more is wanted for some furniture, {and} some is wanted for
the wedding expenses. "Well then," said he, "for these items, put down
ten more."

DEM. Then let him at once bring six hundred actions[67] against me;
I shall give nothing at all; is this dirty fellow to be laughing at me
as well?

CHREM. Pray do be quiet; I'll give it: do you only bring your son to
marry the woman we want him {to have}.

ANT. (_apart._) Ah me! Geta, you have ruined me by your treachery.

CHREM. 'Tis on my account she's turned off; it's right that I should
bear the loss.

GETA. "Take care and let me know," said he, "as soon