Phormio; or, The Scheming Parasite (526b-553)

Not at all, so long as it is for my interest.

Dunghill!

Dorio, is it right, pray, for you to act thus?

It is my way; if I suit you, make use of me.

Do you try to trifle with him (pointing to PHAEDRIA) in this manner?

Why really, on the contrary, Antipho, it’s he trifling with me, for he knew me to be a person of this sort; I supposed him to be quite a different man;

he has deceived me; I’m not a bit different to him from what I was before. But however that may be, I’ll yet do this; the captain has said, that to-morrow morning he will pay me the money; if you bring it me before that, Phaedria, I’ll follow my rule, that he is the first served who is the first to pay. Farewell! (Goes into his house.)

What am I to do? Wretch that I am! where am I now in this emergency to raise the money for him,

I, who am worse than nothing? If it had been possible for these three days to be obtained of him, it was promised me by then.

Geta, shall we suffer him to continue thus wretched, when he so lately assisted me in the kind way you were mentioning? On the contrary, why not, as there’s need of it try to do him a kindness in return?

For my part, I’m sure it is but fair.

Come then, you are the only man able to serve him.

What can I do?

Procure the money.

I wish I could; but where it is to come from—tell me that.

My father has come home.

I know; but what of that?

Oh, a word to the wise[*] is quite enough.

Is that it, then?

Just so.

Upon my faith, you really do give me fine advice; out upon you! Ought I not to be heartily glad, if I meet with no mishap through your marriage, but what, in addition to that, you must now bid me, for his sake, to be seeking risk upon risk?

’Tis true what he says.

What! am I a stranger to you, Geta?

I don’t consider you so. But is it so trifling a matter that the old gentleman is now vexed with us all, that we must provoke him still more, and leave no room for entreaty?

Is another man to take her away from before my eyes to some unknown spot? Alas!

speak to me then, Antipho, and look upon me while you have the opportunity, and while I’m present.

Why so, or what are you going to do? Pray, tell me.

To whatever part of the world she is borne away, I’m determined to follow her or to perish.

May the Gods prosper your design! Cautiously’s the word, however.

Do see if you can give him any assistance at all.