The Comedies of Terence Part 10

DAVUS. What secret, Sir?

SIMO. I'll tell you: for I now Almost begin to think you may be trusted.

DAVUS. You've found what sort of man I am at last.

SIMO. No marriage was intended.

DAVUS. How! none!

SIMO. None.

All counterfeit, to sound my son and you.

DAVUS. How say you?

SIMO. Even so.

DAVUS. Alack, alack!

I never could have thought it. Ah, what art! (_Archly._)

SIMO. Hear me. No sooner had I sent you in.

But opportunely I encountered Chremes.

DAVUS. How! are we ruin'd then? (_Aside._)

SIMO. I told him all.

That you had just told me,----

DAVUS. Confusion! how? (_Aside._)

SIMO. Begged him to grant his daughter, and at length With much ado prevail'd.

DAVUS. Undone! (_Aside._)

SIMO. How's that? (_Overhearing._)

DAVUS. Well done! I said.

SIMO. My good friend Chremes then Is now no obstacle.

CHREMES. I'll home a while, Order due preparations, and return. (_Exit._

SIMO. Prithee, now, Davus, seeing you alone Have brought about this match----

DAVUS. Yes, I alone.

SIMO. Endeavor farther to amend my son.

DAVUS. Most diligently.

SIMO. It were easy now, While his mind's irritated.

DAVUS. Be at peace.

SIMO. Do then: where is he?

DAVUS. Probably at home.

SIMO. I'll in, and tell him, what I've now told you. (_Exit._

SCENE VII.

_DAVUS alone._

Lost and undone! To prison with me straight!

No prayer, no plea: for I have ruin'd all!

Deceiv'd the old man, hamper'd Pamphilus With marriage; marriage, brought about to-day By my sole means; beyond the hopes of one; Against the other's will.----Oh, cunning fool!

Had I been quiet, all had yet been well.

But see, he's coming. Would my neck were broken! (_Retires._)

SCENE VIII.

_Enter PAMPHILUS; DAVUS behind._

PAM. Where is this villain that has ruined me?

DAVUS. I'm a lost man.

PAM. And yet I must confess, That I deserv'd this, being such a dolt, A very idiot, to commit my fortunes To a vile slave. I suffer for my folly, But will at least take vengeance on him.

DAVUS. If I can but escape this mischief now, I'll answer for hereafter.

PAM. To my father What shall I say?--And can I then refuse, Who have but now consented? with what face?

I know not what to do.

DAVUS. I'faith, nor I; And yet it takes up all my thoughts. I'll tell him I've hit on something to delay the match.

PAM. Oh! (_Seeing DAVUS._)

DAVUS. I am seen.

PAM. So, good Sir! What say you?

See, how I'm hamper'd with your fine advice.

DAVUS (_coming forward_). But I'll deliver you.

PAM. Deliver me?