Do you want any thing further with us?DEMIPHOYou have done very well. (Exeunt ASSISTANTS.) I am much more at a lossMuch more at a loss. See the Poenulus of Plautus, where advocates or assistants are introduced among the Dramatic Personae. Colman has the following remarks on this quaint passage: I believe there is no Scene in Comedy more highly seasoned with the ridiculous than this before us. The idea is truly comic, and it is worked up with all that simplicity and chastity so peculiar to the manner of Terence. An ordinary writer would have indulged himself in twenty little conceits on this occasion; but the dry gravity of Terence infinitely surpasses, as true humor, all the drolleries which, perhaps, even those great masters of Comedy, Plautus or Molière, might have been tempted to throw out. It is the highest art of a Dramatic Author, on some occasions, to leave a good deal to the Actor; and it has been remarked by Heinsius and others, that Terence was particularly attentive to this circumstance. than before.(Re-enter GETA, from the house.)GETAThey say that he has not come back.DEMIPHOI 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.(Exit.)GETAAnd 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.

(Enter ANTIPHO, at a distance.)ANTIPHO(to himself.)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.GETA(coming forward.)Why really, master, we have for some time been censuring you here in your absence, for having thus gone away.ANTIPHOYou are the very person I was looking for.GETABut still, we were not a bit the more remiss on that account.ANTIPHOTell me, I beg of you, in what posture are my interests and fortunes. Has my father any suspicion?GETANot any at present.ANTIPHOIs there still any hope?GETAI don’t know.ANTIPHOAlas! GETABut Phaedria has not neglected to use his endeavors in your behalf.ANTIPHOHe did nothing new.GETAThen Phormio, too; in this matter, just as in every thing else, showed himself a man of energy.ANTIPHOWhat did he do?GETAWith his words he silenced the old man, who was very angry.ANTIPHOWell done, Phormio!GETAI, too, did all I could.ANTIPHOMy dear Geta, I love you all.GETAThe 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.ANTIPHOWhy him?GETAHe said he was wishful to act by his advice, in all that relates to this business.ANTIPHOHow 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.GETAHere comes Phaedria.ANTIPHOWhere is he, pray?