The Comedies of Terence Part 11

DAVUS. Certainly, Sir.

PAM. What, as you did just now?

DAVUS. Better, I hope.

PAM. And can you then believe That I would trust you, rascal? You amend My broken fortunes, or redeem them lost?

You, who to-day, from the most happy state, Have thrown me upon marriage.--Did not I Foretell it would be thus?

DAVUS. You did indeed.

PAM. And what do you deserve for this?

DAVUS. The gallows.

--Yet suffer me to take a little breath, I'll devise something presently.

PAM. Alas, I have not leisure for your punishment.

The time demands attention to myself, Nor will be wasted in revenge on you.

[Changes:

_Harper_ But will at least take vengeance on him.

DAVUS. If I can but escape this mischief now _Colman 1768_ But will at least take vengeance upon him.

DAVUS. Let me but once escape the present danger]

ACT THE FOURTH.

SCENE I.

_CHARINUS alone._

Is this to be believ'd, or to be told?

Can then such inbred malice live in man, To joy in ill, and from another's woes To draw his own delight?--Ah, is't then so?

--Yes, such there are, the meanest of mankind, Who, from a sneaking bashfulness, at first Dare not refuse; but when the time comes on To make their promise good, then force perforce Open themselves and fear: yet must deny.

Then too, oh shameless impudence, they cry, "Who then are you? and what are you to me?

Why should I render up my love to you?

Faith, neighbor, charity begins at home."

--Speak of their broken faith, they blush not, they, Now throwing off that shame they ought to wear, Which they before a.s.sum'd without a cause.

--What shall I do? go to him? on my wrongs Expostulate, and throw reproaches on him?

What will that profit, say you?----very much.

I shall at least imbitter his delight, And gratify my anger.

[Changes:

To make their promise good, then force perforce _Harper edition has "per force"_]

SCENE II.

_To him PAMPHILUS and DAVUS._

PAM. Oh, Charinus, By my imprudence, unless Heav'n forefend, I've ruin'd both myself and you.

CHAR. Imprudence!

Paltry evasion! you have broke your faith.

PAM. What now?

CHAR. And do you think that words like these Can baffle me again?

PAM. What means all this?

CHAR. Soon as I told you of my pa.s.sion for her, Then she had charms for you.----Ah, senseless fool, To judge your disposition by my own!

PAM. You are mistaken.

CHAR. Was your joy no joy, Without abusing a fond lover's mind, Fool'd on with idle hopes?--Well, take her.

PAM. Take her?

Alas, you know not what a wretch I am: How many cares this slave has brought upon me, My rascal here.

CHAR. No wonder if he takes Example from his master.

PAM. Ah, you know not Me, or my love, or else you would not talk thus.

CHAR. Oh yes, I know it all. You had but now A dreadful altercation with your father: And therefore he's enrag'd, nor could prevail On you, forsooth, to wed. (_Ironically._)

PAM. To show you then, How little you conceive of my distress, These nuptials were mere semblance, mock'ry all, Nor was a wife intended me.

CHAR. I know it: You are constrain'd, poor man, by inclination.

PAM. Nay, but have patience! you don't know----

CHAR. I know That you're to marry her.

PAM. Why rack me thus?

Nay hear! he never ceas'd to importune That I would tell my father, I would wed; So press'd, and urg'd, that he at length prevail'd.

CHAR. Who did this?

PAM. Davus.

CHAR. Davus!

PAM. Davus all.