Phormio; or, The Scheming Parasite (458b-484b)

Do you want any thing further with us?

You have done very well. (Exeunt ASSISTANTS.) I am much more at a loss[*] than before.

They say that he has not come back.

I must wait for my brother. The advice that he gives me about this matter, I shall follow. I’ll go make inquiry at the harbor, when he is to come back.

And I’ll go look for Antipho, that he may learn what has passed here. But look, I see him coming this way, just in the very nick of time.

Indeed, Antipho, in many ways you are to be blamed for these feelings; to have thus run away, and intrusted your existence to the protection of other people. Did you suppose that others would give more attention to your interests than your own self? For, however other matters stood, certainly you should have thought of her whom you have now at home, that she might not suffer any harm in consequence of her confiding in you,

whose hopes and resources, poor thing, are all now centred in yourself alone.

Why really, master, we have for some time been censuring you here in your absence, for having thus gone away.

You are the very person I was looking for.

But still, we were not a bit the more remiss on that account.

Tell me, I beg of you, in what posture are my interests and fortunes. Has my father any suspicion?

Not any at present.

Is there still any hope?

I don’t know.

Alas!

But Phaedria has not neglected to use his endeavors in your behalf.

He did nothing new.

Then Phormio, too; in this matter, just as in every thing else, showed himself a man of energy.

What did he do?

With his words he silenced the old man, who was very angry.

Well done, Phormio!

I, too, did all I could.

My dear Geta, I love you all.

The commencement is just in this position, as I tell you: matters, at present are going on smoothly,

and your father intends to wait for your uncle till he arrives.

Why him?

He said he was wishful to act by his advice, in all that relates to this business.

How greatly now, Geta, I do dread my uncle’s safe arrival! For, according to his single sentence, from what I hear, I am to live or die.

Here comes Phaedria.

Where is he, pray?