 | Phormio |  |
SCENE I.
DEMIPHO, GETA.Dem.
'Tis our own fault, that we encourage rogues,
By over-straining the due character
Of honesty and generosity.
“Shoot not beyond the mark,” the proverb goes.
Was't not enough that he had done us wrong,
But we must also throw him money too,
To live, till he devises some new mischief?
Get.
Very right!
Dem.
Knavery's now its own reward.
Get.
Very true!
Dem.
How like fools have we behav'd!
Get.
So as he keeps his word, and takes the girl,
'Tis well enough.
590
Is that a doubt at present?
Get.
A man, you know, may change his mind.
Dem.
How! change?
Get.
That I can't tell: but, if perhaps, I say.
Dem.
I'll now perform my promise to my brother,
And bring his wife to talk to the young woman.
You, Geta, go before, and let her know
Nausistrata will come and speak with her.
[Exit Demipho.
Ita fugias ne præter casam. Literally, “Fly so, as not to pass the house.” Commentators have been pleased to consider this as the most difficult passage in any part of our Author's works. But the occasion on which the proverb is here used, and the whole tenor of Demipho's speech make the import of it impossible to be mistaken: Donatus long ago properly explained it, Queritur senex se, dum avari infamiam fugeret, in stulti reprehensionem incidisse.—“The old man complains, that while he was endeavouring to avoid the charge of being a miser, he had laid himself open to the imputation of being a fool.”
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