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563
SCENE V.
Enter, from Dorio's, DORIO, PHÆDRIA following.Phæ.
Nay, hear me, Dorio!
Dorio.
Not I.
Phæ.
But a word!
Dorio.
Let me alone.
Phæ.
Pray, hear me!
Dorio.
I am tir'd
With hearing the same thing a thousand times.
Phæ.
But what I'd say, you would be glad to hear.
Dorio.
Speak then! I hear.
Phæ.
Can't I prevail on you
To stay but these three days?—Nay, where d'ye go?
Dorio.
I should have wonder'd had you said aught new.
Ant.
behind.]
This Pimp, I fear, will work himself no good.
Get.
I fear so too.
Phæ.
Won't you believe me?
564
Guess.
Phæ.
Upon my honour.
Dorio.
Nonsense.
Phæ.
'Tis a kindness
Shall be repaid with interest.
Dorio.
Words, words!
Phæ.
You'll be glad on't; you will, believe me.
Dorio.
Pshaw!
Phæ.
Try; 'tis not long.
Dorio.
You're in the same tune still.
Phæ.
My kinsman, parent, friend,—
Dorio.
Ay, talk away.
Phæ.
Can you be so inflexible, so cruel,
That neither pity, nor entreaties touch you?
Dorio.
And can You be so inconsiderate,
And so unconscionable, Phædria,
To think that you can talk me to your purpose,
And wheedle me to give the girl for nothing?
Ant.
behind.]
Poor Phædria!
Phæ.
to himself.]
Alas, he speaks the truth.
Get.
to Ant.]
How well they each support their characters!
Phæ.
to himself.]
Then that this evil should have come upon me,
When Antipho was in the like distress!
565
going up.]
Ha! what now, Phædria?
Phæ.
Happy, happy Antipho!—
Ant.
I?
Phæ.
Who have her you love in your possession,
Nor e'er had plagues like these, to struggle with!
Ant.
In my possession? yes, I have, indeed,
As the old saying goes, a Wolf by th'Ears:
For I can neither part with her, nor keep her.
Dorio.
'Tis just my case with him.
Ant.
to Dorio.]
Thou thorough Bawd!
—to Phædria.]
What has he done?
Phæ.
Done?—The inhuman wretch
Has sold my Pamphila.
Get.
What! Sold her?
Ant.
Sold her?
Phæ.
Yes; sold her.
Dorio,
laughing.]
Sold her.—What a monstrous crime!
A wench he paid his ready money for.
Phæ.
I can't prevail upon him, to wait for me,
And to stave off his bargain but three days;
Till I obtain the money from my friends,
566
Pay it you then, don't wait a moment longer.
Dorio.
You stun me.
Ant.
'Tis a very little time,
For which he asks your patience, Dorio.
Let him prevail on you; your complaisance
Shall be requited doubly.
Dorio.
Words; mere words!
Ant.
Can you then bear to see your Pamphila
Torn from this city, Phædria?—Can you, Dorio,
Divide their loves?
Dorio.
Nor I, not you.
Get.
Plague on you!
Dorio,
to Phæ.]
I have, against my natural disposition,
Born with you several months, still promising,
Whimpering, and ne'er performing any thing:
Now, on the contrary, I've found a spark,
Who'll prove a ready-paymaster, no sniveler:
Give place then to your betters!
Anti.
Surely, Phædria,
There was, if I remember, a day settled
That you should pay the money down.
Phæ.
There was.
Dorio.
Do I deny it?
567
Is the day past?
Dorio.
No.
But this has come before it.
Ant.
Infamous!
Ar'n't you asham'd of such base treachery?
Dorio.
Not I, while I can get by't.
Get.
Scavenger!
Phæ.
Is this just dealing, Dorio?
Dorio.
'Tis my way:
So, if you like me, use me.
Ant.
Can you deceive him thus?
Dorio.
Nay, Antipho,
'Tis he deceives me: he was well aware
What kind of man I was, but I believ'd
Him diff'rent. He has disappointed me,
But I am still the same to him as ever.
However, thus much I can do for him;
The Captain promis'd to pay down the money
To-morrow morning. But now, Phædria,
If you come first, I'll follow my old rule,
“The first to pay, shall be first serv'd.” Farewell.
[Exit.
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