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580
(Enter DAVUS from the house.)
(Exit.)
(Goes into his house.)
(Stands apart.)
DAVUS
I was coming to you.
I was coming to you.
SIMO
Why, what’s the matter?
Why, what’s the matter?
DAVUS
Why isn’t the bride sent for?
1
It’s now growing late in the day.
Why isn’t the bride sent for?
1
It’s now growing late in the day.
SIMO
Do you hear me? I’ve been for some time not a little apprehensive of you, Davus, lest you should do that which the common class of servants is in the habit of doing, namely, impose upon me by your artifices; because my son is engaged in an amour.
Do you hear me? I’ve been for some time not a little apprehensive of you, Davus, lest you should do that which the common class of servants is in the habit of doing, namely, impose upon me by your artifices; because my son is engaged in an amour.
DAVUS
What, I do that?
What, I do that?
SIMO
I fancied so;
and therefore, fearing that, I concealed from you what I shall now mention.
585
I fancied so;
and therefore, fearing that, I concealed from you what I shall now mention.
585
DAVUS
What?
What?
SIMO
You shall know; for now I almost feel confidence in you.
You shall know; for now I almost feel confidence in you.
DAVUS
Have you found out at last what sort of a person I am?
Have you found out at last what sort of a person I am?
SIMO
The marriage was not to have taken place.
The marriage was not to have taken place.
DAVUS
How? Not to have taken place?
How? Not to have taken place?
SIMO
But I was making pretense, that I might test you all.
But I was making pretense, that I might test you all.
DAVUS
(affecting surprise.)
What is it you tell me?
What is it you tell me?
SIMO
Such is the fact.
Such is the fact.
DAVUS
Only see! I was not able to discover that. Dear me! what a cunning contrivance!
Only see! I was not able to discover that. Dear me! what a cunning contrivance!
SIMO
Listen to this. Just as I ordered you to go from here into the house, he
(pointing to CHREMES.) most opportunely met me.
590
Listen to this. Just as I ordered you to go from here into the house, he
(pointing to CHREMES.) most opportunely met me.
590
DAVUS
(aside.)
Ha! Are we undone, then?
Ha! Are we undone, then?
SIMO
I told him what you just now told me.
I told him what you just now told me.
DAVUS
(aside.)
Why, what am I to hear?
Why, what am I to hear?
SIMO
I begged him to give his daughter, and with difficulty I prevailed upon him.
I begged him to give his daughter, and with difficulty I prevailed upon him.
DAVUS
(aside.)
Utterly ruined!
Utterly ruined!
SIMO
(overhearing him speaking.)
Eh—What was it you said?
Eh—What was it you said?
DAVUS
Extremely well done, I say.
Extremely well done, I say.
SIMO
There’s no delay on his part now.
There’s no delay on his part now.
CHREMES
I’ll go home at once; I’ll tell her to make due preparation, and bring back word here.
(Exit.)
I’ll go home at once; I’ll tell her to make due preparation, and bring back word here.
SIMO
Now I do entreat you, Davus, since you by yourself have brought about this marriage for me—
595
Now I do entreat you, Davus, since you by yourself have brought about this marriage for me—
595
DAVUS
I myself, indeed!
2
I myself, indeed!
2
SIMO
Do your best still to reform my son.
Do your best still to reform my son.
DAVUS
Troth, I’ll do it with all due care.
Troth, I’ll do it with all due care.
SIMO
Do it now, while his mind is agitated.
Do it now, while his mind is agitated.
DAVUS
You may be at ease.
You may be at ease.
SIMO
Come then; where is he just now?
Come then; where is he just now?
DAVUS
A wonder if he isn’t at home.
A wonder if he isn’t at home.
SIMO
I’ll go to him; and what I’ve been telling you, I’ll tell him as well.
(Goes into his house.)
I’ll go to him; and what I’ve been telling you, I’ll tell him as well.
DAVUS
(to himself.)
I’m a lost man!
What reason is there why I shouldn’t take my departure straightway hence for the mill? There’s no room left for supplicating; I’ve upset every thing now; I’ve deceived my master; I’ve plunged my master’s son into a marriage; I’ve been the cause of its taking place this very day, without his hoping for it, and against the wish of Pamphilus. Here’s cleverness for you! But, if I had kept myself quiet, no mischief would have happened.
(Starting.)
600
But see, I espy him; I’m utterly undone! Would that there were some spot here for me, from which I might this instant pitch myself headlong!
605
(Stands apart.)I’m a lost man!
What reason is there why I shouldn’t take my departure straightway hence for the mill? There’s no room left for supplicating; I’ve upset every thing now; I’ve deceived my master; I’ve plunged my master’s son into a marriage; I’ve been the cause of its taking place this very day, without his hoping for it, and against the wish of Pamphilus. Here’s cleverness for you! But, if I had kept myself quiet, no mischief would have happened.
(Starting.)
600
But see, I espy him; I’m utterly undone! Would that there were some spot here for me, from which I might this instant pitch myself headlong!
605
Andria. Publius Terentius Afer (Terence). Henry Thomas Riley (Translator), George Colman (Translator). Ney York. 1874.
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