s Geta.

SCENE VIII.

_Enter hastily, at another part of the stage, GETA._

GETA. O fortune, O best fortune, what high blessings,
What sudden, great, and unexpected joys
Hast thou shower'd down on Antipho to-day!----

ANT. What can this be he's so rejoic'd about?

GETA. --And from what fears deliver'd us, his friends?
--But wherefore do I loiter thus? and why
Do I not throw my cloak upon my shoulder,
And haste to find him out, that he may know
All that has happen'd?

ANT. (_to PHORMIO_). Do you comprehend
What he is talking of?

PHOR. Do you?

ANT. Not I.

PHOR. I'm just as wise as you.

GETA. I'll hurry hence
To the procurer's.--I shall find them there. (_Going._)

ANT. Ho, Geta!

GETA. Look ye there!--Is't new or strange,
To be recall'd when one's in haste? (_Going._)

ANT. Here, Geta!

GETA. Again? bawl on! I'll ne'er stop. (_Going on._)

ANT. Stay, I say!

GETA. Go, and be drubb'd!

ANT. You shall, I promise you,
Unless you stop, you rascal!

GETA (_stopping_). Hold, hold, Geta!
Some intimate acquaintance this, be sure,
Being so free with you.--But is it he
That I am looking for, or not?--'Tis he.

PHOR. Go up immediately. (_They go up to GETA._)

ANT. (_to GETA_). What means all this?

GETA. O happy man! the happiest man on earth!
So very happy, that, beyond all doubt,
You are the God's chief fav'rite, Antipho.

ANT. Would I were! but your reason.

GETA. Is't enough
To plunge you over head and ears in joy?

ANT. You torture me.

PHOR. No promises! but tell us
What is your news?

GETA. Oh, Phormio! are you here?

PHOR. I am: but why d'ye trifle?

GETA. Mind me then! (_To PHORMIO._)
No sooner had we paid you at the Forum,
But we return'd directly home again.
--Arriv'd, my master sends me to your wife. (_To ANTIPHO._)

ANT. For what?

GETA. No matter now, good Antipho.
I was just entering the women's lodging,
When up runs little Mida; catches me
Hold by the cloak behind, and pulls me back.
I turn about, and ask why he detains me.
He told me, "Nobody must see his mistress:
For Sophrona," says he, "has just now brought
Demipho's brother, Chremes, here; and he
Is talking with the women now within."
--When I heard this, I stole immediately
On tip-toe tow'rd the door; came close; stood hush;
Drew in my breath; applied my ear; and thus,
Deep in attention, catch'd their whole discourse.

ANT. Excellent, Geta!

GETA. Here I overheard
The pleasantest adventure! On