 | Phormio |  |
583
SCENE V.
Re-enter DEMIPHO and CHREMES.Dem.
Nay, peace!
I'll warrant he shall play no tricks upon us:
I'll not part rashly with it, I assure you;
But pay it before witnesses, reciting
To whom 'tis paid, and why 'tis paid.
Get.
How cautious,
Where there is no occasion!
[aside.
Chre.
You had need.
But haste, dispatch it while the fit's upon him:
For if the other party should be pressing,
Perhaps he'll break with us.
Get.
You've hit it, Sir.
Dem.
Carry me to him then.
Get.
I wait your pleasure.
Chre.
to Dem.]
When this is done, step over to my wife,
That she may see the girl before she goes;
And tell her, to prevent her being angry,
“That we've agreed to marry her to Phormio,
“Her old acquaintance, and a fitter match;
584
“But giv'n as large a portion as he ask'd.”
Dem.
Pshaw! what's all this to you?
Chre.
A great deal, Brother.
Dem.
Is't not sufficient to have done your duty,
Unless the world approves it?
Chre.
I would chuse
To have the whole thing done by her consent:
Lest she pretend she was turn'd out o'doors.
Dem.
Well, I can say all this to her myself.
Chre.
A woman deals much better with a woman.
Dem.
I'll ask your wife to do it then.
[Exeunt Demipho and Geta.
Chre.
I'm thinking,
Where I shall find these women now.
This is intended as a transition to the next scene; but I think it would have been better if it had followed without this kind of introduction. The scene itself is admirable, and is in many places both affecting and comick, and the discovery of the real character of Phanium is made at a very proper time.
| Phormio | |