_Enter DEMIPHO and CHREMES--and soon after, on t'other side, PHORMIO._
DEM. Well may we thank the gracious Gods, good brother, That all things have succeeded to our wish. --But now let's find out Phormio with all speed, Before he throws away our thirty minæ.
PHOR. (_pretending not to see him_). I'll go and see if Demipho's at home, That I may----
DEM. (_meeting him_).--We were coming to you, Phormio.
PHOR. I thought so. --Why should you go to me?--ridiculous! Was you afraid I'd break my contract with you? No, no! how great soe'er my poverty, I've always shown myself a man of honor.
CHREM. Has not she, as I said, a liberal air?
PHOR. --And therefore I was coming, Demipho, To let you know I'm ready to receive My wife whene'er you please. For I postpon'd All other business, as indeed I ought, Soon as I found ye were so bent on this.
DEM. Aye, but my brother has dissuaded me From going any further in this business. "For how will people talk of it?" says he: "At first you might have done it handsomely; But then you'd not consent to it; and now, After cohabitation with your son, To think of a divorce is infamous." --In short, he urg'd almost the very things That you so lately charg'd me with yourself.
PHOR. How so? Because I can not marry t'other, With whom I told you I was first in treaty. For with what face can I return to her Whom I have held in such contempt?
CHREM. Tell him Antipho does not care to part with her. (_Prompting DEMIPHO._)
DEM. And my son too don't care to part with her: --Step to the Forum then, and give an order For the repayment of our money, Phormio.
PHOR. What! when I've paid it to my creditors?
PHOR. Give me but the wife To whom you have betroth'd me, and I'll wed her. But if you'd rather she should stay with you, The portion stays with me, good Demipho, For 'tis not just I should be bubbled by you; When, to retrieve your honor, I've refus'd Another woman with an equal fortune.
DEM. A plague upon your idle vaporing, You vagabond!--D'ye fancy we don't know you? You, and your fine proceedings?
DEM. Why, would you marry her, if proffer'd?
DEM. What! that my son may keep her privately At your house?--That was your intention.
PHOR. To justice? Now, by Heaven, gentlemen, If you continue to be troublesome----