his son Aeschinus, adopted from his brother Demea, has been out all night Demea criticises his brother Micio because Aeschinus has forcibly abducted a music-girl 2.1 (155–196): mixed metres (mostly ia8 and tr7) (42 lines) The pimp Sannio attempts to prevent Aeschinus abducting the girl, and gets beaten up. 2.1 (197–208): tr7 (12 lines) Sannio rues his situation (soliloquy). 2.2 (209–227): tr8 (1 line), ia8 (18 lines) The wily slave Syrus negotiates with Sannio. 2.2 (228–253): ia6 (26 lines) Sannio argues with Syrus about the injustice. 2.3–2.4 (254–287): ia8 (34 lines) Ctesipho sings of his gratitude for his brother's help (soliloquy). Aeschinus continues the negotiation with Sannio. Sostrata is distressed 3.1 (288–304): mixed tr7/ia8 (17 lines) Sostrata, whose daughter Aeschinus has secretly married, shares her anxieties with the nurse Canthara. 3.2 (305–320): mainly ia8 (16 lines) Sostrata's slave Geta expresses his distress at Aeschinus's treachery (soliloquy). 3.2 (321–329): tr7 (9 lines) He informs Sostrata about the abduction. 3.2 (330–354): ia8 (25 lines) Sostrata sings of her distress. She sends Geta to the village to beg the assistance of Pamphila's relative, Hegio, and she tells Canthara to fetch a midwife. Syrus keeps Demea from finding Ctesipho 3.3–3.5 (355–516): ia6 (163 lines) Demea is anxious because his son Ctesipho was involved in the abduction. Syrus arrives with some fish he has bought for a party. Demea is shocked when he overhears Syrus saying that Micio had given money for the harp-player and some for a feast as well. Syrus lies to Demea that Ctesipho disapproved of Aechinus's behaviour. He makes fun of Demea's expressions of approval of Ctesipho. He sends Demea to the farm on a fruitless search for Ctesipho, then goes inside. Just as he is setting out for the farm, however, Demea sees his friend Hegio approaching with Sostrata's servant Geta. Hegio tells him the shocking news: Aeschinus has violated the daughter of a friend of Hegio's, promised to marry her, but now has abandoned her for a harp-player. (At this moment cries are heard as Pamphila gives birth.) Hegio begs Demea to preserve the family honour; then he goes into Sostrata's house with Geta. Demea goes off looking for Micio. 4.1 (517–526): mixed metres (tr8, tr7, ia8) (10 lines) Syrus reassures Ctesipho that his father has gone to the farm. 4.1–4.2 (527–540): ia8 (14 lines) Syrus advises Ctesipho on how to deceive his father. Ctesipho begs him not to