Scene IV
Enter at a distance Antipho.
Ant. (to himself). Indeed, indeed, my Antipho,
You’re much to blame, to be so poor in spirit.
What! steal away so guilty-like! and trust
Your life and safety to the care of others!
Would they be touch’d more nearly than yourself?
Come what come might of ev’ry thing beside,
Could you abandon the dear maid at home?
Could you so far deceive her easy faith,
And leave her to misfortune and distress?
Her, who plac’d all her hopes in you alone?
Geta (coming forward). I’ faith, Sir, we have thought you much to blame
For your long absence.——
Ant. You’re the very man
That I was looking for.
Geta. —But ne’ertheless
We’ve miss’d no opportunity.
Ant. Oh, speak!
How go my fortunes, Geta? has my father
Any suspicion that I was in league
With Phormio?
Geta. Not a jot.
Ant. And may I hope?
Geta. I don’t know.
Ant. Ah!
Geta. Unless that Phædria
Did all he could do for you.——
Ant. Nothing new.
Geta. —And Phormio has on all occasions else.
Prov’d himself a brave fellow.
Ant. What did he?
Geta. Out-swagger’d your hot father.
Ant. Well said, Phormio!
Geta. —I did the best I could too.
Ant. Honest Geta,
I am much bounden to you all.
Geta. Thus, Sir,
Stand things at present. As yet all is calm.
Your father means to wait your uncle’s coming.
Ant. For what?
Geta. For his advice, as he propos’d;
By which he will be rul’d in this affair.
Ant. How do I dread my uncle’s coming, Geta.
Since by his sentence I must live or die!
Geta. But here comes Phædria.
Ant. Where?
Geta. From his old school. (They retire.)