Publius Terentius Afer (Terence) Andria 3.2

LESBIA

(speaking to ARCHYLIS at the door, and not seeing SIMO and DAVUS.)

As yet, Archylis, all the customary symptoms which ought to exist toward recovery, I perceive in her. Now, in the first place, take care and let her bathe; ¹ then, after that, what I ordered to be given her to drink, and as much as I prescribed,

do you administer: presently I will return hither. (To herself aloud.) By all that’s holy, a fine boy has been born to Pamphilus. I pray the Gods that he may survive, since the father himself is of a good disposition, and since he has hesitated to do an injustice to this most excellent young woman.

485

SIMO

Even this, who is there that knows you that would not believe that it originated in you?

DAVUS

Why, what is this?

SIMO

She didn’t order in their presence what was requisite to be done for the woman lying in; but after she has come out, she bawls from the street to those who are in the house. O Davus, am I thus trifled with by you? Or pray, do I seem to you so very well suited to be thus openly imposed upon by your tricks? At all events it should have been with pre-caution; that at least I might have seemed to be feared, if I should detect it.

490

DAVUS

(aside.)

Assuredly, upon my faith, it’s he that’s, now deceiving himself, not I.

495

SIMO

I gave you warning, I forbade you with threats to do it. Have you been awed? What has it availed? Am I to believe you now in this, that this woman has had a child by Pamphilus?

DAVUS

(aside.)

I understand where he’s mistaken; and I see what I must do.

SIMO

Why are you silent?

DAVUS

What would you believe? As though word had not been brought you that thus it would happen.

SIMO

Any word brought to me?

500

DAVUS

Come now, did you of your own accord perceive that this was counterfeited?

SIMO

I am being trifled with.

DAVUS

Word has been brought you; for otherwise how could this suspicion have occurred to you?

SIMO

How? Because I knew you.

DAVUS

As though you meant to say that this has been done by my contrivance.

SIMO

Why, I’m sure of it, to a certainty.

DAVUS

Not yet even do you know me sufficiently, Simo, what sort of person I am.

SIMO

I, not know you!

DAVUS

But if I begin to tell you any thing, at once

you think that deceit is being practiced upon you in guile; therefore, upon my faith, I don’t dare now even to whisper.

505

SIMO

This one thing I am sure of, that no person has been delivered here.

DAVUS

You have discovered that? Still, not a bit the less will they presently be laying the child ² here before the door. Of this, then, I now warn you, master, that it will happen, that you may be aware of it. Don’t you hereafter be saying that this was done through the advice or artifices of Davus.

I wish this suspicion of yours to be entirely removed from myself.

510

SIMO

How do you know that?

DAVUS

I’ve heard so, and I believe it: many things combine for me to form this conjecture. In the first place then, she declared that she was pregnant by Pamphilus; that has been proved to be false. ³ Now, when she sees that preparations are being made for the wedding at our house, the maid-servant is directly sent

to fetch the midwife to her, and to bring a child at the same time. ⁴ Unless it is managed for you to see the child, the marriage will not be at all impeded.

515

SIMO

What do you say to this? When you perceived that they were adopting this plan, why didn’t you tell Pamphilus immediately?

DAVUS

Why, who has induced him to leave her, but myself? For, indeed, we all

know how desperately he loved her. Now he wishes for a wife. In fine, do you intrust me with that affair; proceed however, as before, to celebrate these nuptials, just as you are doing, and I trust that the Gods will prosper this matter.

520

SIMO

Very well; be off in-doors; wait for me there, and get ready what’s necessary to be prepared. (DAVUS goes into the house.) He hasn’t prevailed upon me even now altogether to believe these things,

and I don’t know whether what he has said is all true; but I deem it of little moment; this is of far greater importance to me—that my son himself has promised me. Now I’ll go and find Chremes; I’ll ask him for a wife for my son; if I obtain my request, at what other time rather than to-day should I prefer these nuptials taking place?

525

For as my son has promised, I have no doubt but that if he should prove unwilling, I can fairly compel him. And look! here’s Chremes himself, just at the very time.

530