whom he now brings up
In private.

CHREM. (_aside_). Dead and buried.

PHOR. This I'll tell her. (_Going toward the house._)

CHREM. Don't, I beseech you!

PHOR. Oh! are you the man?

DEM. Death! how insulting!

CHREM. (_to PHORMIO_). We discharge you.

PHOR. Nonsense!

CHREM. What would you more? The money you have got
We will forgive you.

PHOR. Well; I hear you now.
--But what a plague d'ye mean by fooling thus,
Acting and talking like mere children with me?
--I won't; I will: I will; I won't again:----
Give, take; say, unsay; do, and then undo.

CHREM. (_to DEMIPHO_). Which way could he have learn'd this?

DEM. I don't know;
But I am sure I never mention'd it.

CHREM. Good now! amazing!

PHOR. I have ruffled them. (_Aside._)

DEM. What! shall he carry off so large a sum,
And laugh at us so openly?--By Heaven,
I'd rather die.--Be of good courage, brother!
Pluck up the spirit of a man! You see
This slip of yours is got abroad; nor can you
Keep it a secret from your wife. Now, therefore,
'Tis more conducive to your peace, good Chremes,
That we should fairly tell it her ourselves,
Than she should hear the story from another.
And then we shall be quite at liberty
To take our own revenge upon this rascal.

PHOR. Ha!--If I don't take care I'm ruin'd still.
They're growing desperate, and making tow'rd me
With a determin'd gladiatorial air.

CHREM. (_to DEMIPHO_). I fear she'll ne'er forgive me.

DEM. Courage, Chremes!
I'll reconcile her to't; especially
The mother being dead and gone.

PHOR. Is this
Your dealing, gentlemen? You come upon me
Extremely cunningly.--But, Demipho,
You have but ill consulted for your brother,
To urge me to extremities.--And you, Sir (_to CHREMES_),
When you have play'd the whoremaster abroad;
Having no reverence for your lady here,
A woman of condition; wronging her
After the grossest manner; come you now
To wash away your crimes with mean submission?
No.--I will kindle such a flame in her,
As, though you melt in tears, you sha'n't extinguish.

DEM. A plague upon him! was there ever man
So very impudent?--A knave! he ought
To be transported at the public charge
Into some desert.

CHREM. I am so confounded,
I know not what to do with him.

DEM. I know.
Bring him before a judge!

PHOR. Before a judge?
A lady-judge; in here, Sirs, if you please.

DEM. Run you and hold him, while I call her servants.

CHREM. I can not by myself; come up and help me.