Phæd. But he has done nothing, uncle, for which you should blame him.
Dem. Now, do look at that; all alike; all hanging together; when you know one, you know all.
Phæd. That is not the case.
Dem. When the one is in fault, the other is at hand to defend him; when it is the other, then he is ready; they just help one another by turns.
Geta (apart.) The old man, without knowing it, has exactly described their proceedings.
Dem. For if it had not been so, you would not, Phædria, have stood up for him.
Phæd. If, uncle, it is the fact, that Antipho has been guilty of any fault, in consequence of which he has been too regardless of his interest or his reputation, I would not allege any reason why he should not suffer what he deserves. But if some one by chance, relying upon his own artfulness, has laid a snare for our youthful age, and has succeeded, is it our fault or that of the judges, who often, through envy, take away from the rich, or, through compassion, award to the poor?
Geta (apart.) Unless I knew the case, I could fancy he was saying the truth.
Dem. Is there any judge who can possibly know your rights, when you yourself don’t answer a word—as he has done?
Phæd. He acted the part of an ingenuous young man; after they had come before the judges, he was not able to say what he had intended, so much did his modesty confuse him there through his bashfulness.