Dem. Hah!
Heg. Stay, Demea. You have not yet heard the worst.
Dem. Is there any thing still worse?
Heg. Worse, by far: for this indeed might in some measure have been borne with. The hour of night prompted him; passion, wine, young blood; ’tis human nature. When he was sensible of what he had done, he came voluntarily to the girl’s mother, weeping, praying, entreating, pledging his honor, vowing that he would take her home.[53] The affair was pardoned, hushed, up, his word taken. The girl from that intercourse became pregnant: this is the tenth month. He, worthy fellow, has provided himself, if it please the Gods, with a Music-girl to live with; the other he has cast off.
Dem. Do you say this for certain?
Heg. The mother of the young woman is among us,[54] the young woman too; the fact speaks for itself; this Geta, besides, according to the common run of servants, not a bad one or of idle habits; he supports them; alone, maintains the whole family; take him, bind him,[55] examine him upon the matter.
Geta. Aye, faith, put me to the torture, Demea, if such is not the fact: besides, he will not deny it. Confront me with him.
Dem. (aside.) I am ashamed; and what to do, or how to answer him, I don’t know.
Pam. (crying out within the house of Sostrata.) Ah me! I am racked with pains! Juno Lucina,[56] bring aid, save me, I beseech thee!
Heg. Hold; is she in labor, pray?