The Comedies of Terence Part 14

_Harper_ DAVUS. Because, that if My master chance to put me to my oath That 'twas not I who laid it there, I may With a safe conscience swear.

MYSIS. I understand.

_Colman 1768_ DAVUS. Because, supposing There should be need to swear to my old master I did not lay the bantling there myself I may with a safe conscience.

MYSIS. I conceive.]

SCENE VII.

_Enter CHREMES going toward SIMO'S._

CHREMES. Having provided all things necessary.

I now return to bid them call the bride.

What's here? (_seeing the child_) by Hercules, a child! Ha, woman, Was't you that laid it here?

MYSIS. Where is he gone? (_Looking after DAVUS._)

CHREMES. What, won't you answer me?

MYSIS. (_Looking about._) Not here: Ah me!

The fellow's gone, and left me in the lurch.

(_DAVUS coming forward and pretending not to see them._)

DAVUS. Good Heavens, what confusion at the Forum!

The people all disputing with each other!

The market-price is so confounded high. (_Loud._) What to say else I know not. (_Aside._)

MYSIS (_to DAVUS_). What d'ye mean, (_CHREMES retires and listens to their conversation._) By leaving me alone?

DAVUS. What farce is this?

Ha, Mysis, whence this child? Who brought it here?

MYSIS. Have you your wits, to ask me such a question?

DAVUS. Whom should I ask, when no one else is here?

CHREMES (_behind_). I wonder whence it comes. (_To himself._)

DAVUS. Wilt answer me! (_Loud._)

MYSIS. Ah! (_Confused._)

DAVUS. This way to the right! (_Apart to MYSIS._)

MYSIS. You're raving mad.

Was 't not yourself!

DAVUS. I charge you not a word, But what I ask you. (_Apart to MYSIS._)

MYSIS. Do you threaten me?

DAVUS. Whence comes this child? (_Loud._)

MYSIS. From our house.

DAVUS. Ha! ha! ha!

No wonder that a harlot has a.s.surance.

CHREMES. This is the Andrian's servant-maid, I take it.

DAVUS. Do we then seem to you such proper folks To play these tricks upon? (_Loud to MYSIS._)

CHREMES. I came in time. (_To himself._)

DAVUS. Make haste, and take your bantling from our door. (_Loud._) Hold! do not stir from where you are, be sure. (_Softly._)

MYSIS. A plague upon you: you so terrify me!

DAVUS. Wench, did I speak to you or no? (_Loud._)

MYSIS. What would you?

DAVUS. What would I? Say, whose child have you laid here?

Tell me. (_Loud._)

MYSIS. You don't know?

DAVUS. Plague of what I know: Tell what I ask. (_Softly._)

MYSIS. Yours.

DAVUS. Ours? Whose? (_Loud._)

MYSIS. Pamphilus's.

DAVUS. How say you? Pamphilus's? (_Loud._)

MYSIS. Why is 't not?

CHREMES. I had good cause to be against this match. (_To himself._)

DAVUS. O monstrous impudence! (_Bawling._)

MYSIS. Why all this noise?

DAVUS. Did not I see this child convey'd by stealth Into your house last night?

MYSIS. Oh rogue!

DAVUS. 'Tis true.