Not at all, so long as it is for my interest.GETADunghill!PHAEDRIADorio, is it right, pray, for you to act thus?DORIOIt is my way; if I suit you, make use of me.ANTIPHODo you try to trifle with him (pointing to PHAEDRIA) in this manner?DORIOWhy 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.)

(PHAEDRIA, ANTIPHO, and GETA.)PHAEDRIAWhat 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.ANTIPHOGeta, 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? GETAFor my part, I’m sure it is but fair.ANTIPHOCome then, you are the only man able to serve him.GETAWhat can I do?ANTIPHOProcure the money.GETAI wish I could; but where it is to come from—tell me that.ANTIPHOMy father has come home.GETAI know; but what of that?ANTIPHOOh, a word to the wiseA word to the wise: Dictum sapienti sat est. The same proverb is found in the Persa of Plautus, 1. 736. is quite enough.GETAIs that it, then?ANTIPHOJust so.GETAUpon 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?ANTIPHO’Tis true what he says.PHAEDRIAWhat! am I a stranger to you, Geta?GETAI 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?PHAEDRIAIs 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.ANTIPHOWhy so, or what are you going to do? Pray, tell me.PHAEDRIATo whatever part of the world she is borne away, I’m determined to follow her or to perish.GETAMay the Gods prosper your design! Cautiously’s the word, however.ANTIPHO(to GETA.)Do see if you can give him any assistance at all.