The Comedies of Terence Part 8

DAVUS. Unfortunate! What remedy! (_Aside._)

SIMO. How's this? (_To himself._) And can he be so mad? What! educate A harlot's child!--Ah, now I know their drift: Fool that I was, scarce smelt it out at last.

DAVUS (_listening_). What's this he says he has smelt out?

SIMO. Imprimis, (_To himself._) 'Tis this rogue's trick upon me. All a sham: A counterfeit deliv'ry, and mock labor, Devis'd to frighten Chremes from the match.

GLY. (_within_). Juno Lucina, save me! Help, I pray thee.

SIMO. Heyday! Already! Oh ridiculous!

Soon as she heard that I was at the door She hastens to cry out: your incidents Are ill-tim'd, Davus.

DAVUS. Mine, Sir?

SIMO. Are your players Unmindful of their cues, and want a prompter?

DAVUS. I do not comprehend you.

SIMO (_apart._) If this knave Had, in the real nuptial of my son, Come thus upon me unprepar'd, what sport, What scorn he'd have exposed me to? But now At his own peril be it. I'm secure.

SCENE III.

_Re-enter LESBIA.--ARCHYLLIS appears at the door._

LESBIA _to ARCHYLLIS (within)_. As yet, Archyllis, all the symptoms seem As good as might be wish'd in her condition: First, let her make ablution: after that, Drink what I've order'd her, and just so much: And presently I will be here again. (_Coming forward._) Now, by this good day, Master Pamphilus Has got a chopping boy: Heav'n grant it live!

For he's a worthy Gentleman, and scorn'd To do a wrong to this young innocent. (_Exit._

SCENE IV.

SIMO. This too where's he that knows you would not swear Was your contrivance?

DAVUS. My contrivance! what, Sir?

SIMO. While in the house, forsooth, the midwife gave No orders for the Lady in the straw: But having issued forth into the street, Bawls out most l.u.s.tily to those within.

--Oh Davus, am I then so much your scorn?

Seem I so proper to be play'd upon, With such a shallow, barefac'd, imposition?

You might at least, in reverence, have us'd Some spice of art, wer't only to pretend You fear'd my anger, should I find you out.

DAVUS. I' faith now he deceives himself, not I. (_Aside._)

SIMO. Did not I give you warning? threaten too, In case you play'd me false? But all in vain: For what car'd you?--What! think you I believe This story of a child by Pamphilus?

DAVUS. I see his error: Now I know my game. (_Aside._)

SIMO. Why don't you answer?

DAVUS. What! you don't believe it!

As if you had not been informed of this? (_Archly._)

SIMO. I been inform'd?

DAVUS. What then you found it out? (_Archly._)

SIMO. D'ye laugh at me?

DAVUS. You must have been inform'd: Or whence this shrewd suspicion?

SIMO. Whence! from you: Because I know you.

DAVUS. Meaning, this was done By my advice?

SIMO. Beyond all doubt; I know it:

DAVUS. You do not know me, Simo.----

SIMO. I not know you?

DAVUS. For if I do but speak, immediately You think yourself impos'd on.----

SIMO. Falsely, hey?

DAVUS. So that I dare not ope my lips before you.

SIMO. All that I know is this; that n.o.body Has been deliver'd here.

DAVUS. You've found it out?

Yet by-and-by they'll bring the bantling here, And lay it at our door. Remember, Sir, I give you warning that will be the case; That you may stand prepar'd, nor after say, 'Twas done by Davus's advice, his tricks!

I would fain cure your ill opinion of me.

SIMO. But how d'ye know?

DAVUS. I've heard so, and believe so.

Besides a thousand things concur to lead To this conjecture. In the first place, she Profess'd herself with child by Pamphilus: That proves a falsehood. Now that she perceives A nuptial preparation at our house, A maid's dispatch'd immediately to bring A midwife to her, and withal a child; You too they will contrive shall see the child, Or else the wedding must proceed.

SIMO. How's this?

Having discover'd such a plot on foot, Why did you not directly tell my son?

DAVUS. Who then has drawn him from her but myself?

For we all know how much he doted on her: But now he wishes for a wife. In fine, Leave that affair to me; and you meanwhile Pursue, as you've begun, the nuptials; which The G.o.ds, I hope, will prosper!

SIMO. Get you in.

Wait for me there, and see that you prepare What's requisite. (_Exit DAVUS._ He has not wrought upon me To yield implicit credit to his tale, Nor do I know if all he said be true.

But, true or false, it matters not: to me My Son's own promise is the main concern.

Now to meet Chremes, and to beg his daughter In marriage with my son. If I succeed, What can I rather wish, than to behold Their marriage-rites to-day? For since my son Has given me his word, I've not a doubt, Should he refuse, but I may force him to it: And to my wishes see where Chremes comes.

[Changes: