by Terence
Pam. How do you know?
Dav. You shall know. Your father just now laid hold of me; he said that a wife was to be given you to-day, and many other things as well, which just now I haven’t time to relate. Hastening to you immediately, I ran on to the Forum that I might tell you these things. When I didn’t find you, I ascended there to a high place. I looked around; you were nowhere. There by chance I saw Byrrhia, his servant (pointing to Charinus). I inquired of him; he said he hadn’t seen you. This puzzled me. I considered what I was to do. As I was returning in the mean time, a surmise from the circumstances themselves occurred to me: “How now, — a very small amount of good cheer; he out of spirits; a marriage all of a sudden; these things don’t agree.”
Pam. But to what purpose this?
Dav. I forthwith betook myself to the house of Chremes. When I arrived there — stillness before the door; then I was pleased at that.
Char. You say well.
Pam. Proceed.
Dav. I stopped there. In the mean time I saw no one going in, no one going out; no matron at the house, no preparation, no bustle. I drew near; looked in —
Pam. I understand; a considerable indication.
Dav. Do these things seem to accord with a wedding?
Pam. I think not, Davus.
Dav. Think, do you say? You don’t view it rightly; the thing is certain. Besides, coming away from there I saw the servant-boy of Chremes carrying some vegetables and little fishes, an obol’s worth, for the old man’s dinner.
Char. This day, Davus, have I been delivered by your means.
Dav. And yet not at all.
Char. Why so? Surely he will not give her to him, after all this. (Pointing to Pamphilus.)
Dav. You silly fellow! as though it were a necessary consequence that if he doesn’t give her to him you should marry her: unless, indeed, you look about you; unless you entreat and make court to the old man’s friends.
Char. You advise well. I’ll go; although, upon my faith, this hope has often eluded me already. Farewell!
Exit.
Scene IV.
Pamphilus and Davus.
Pam. What then does my father mean? Why does he thus make pretense?
Dav. I’ll tell you. If now he were angry with you, because Chremes will not give you a wife, he would seem to himself to be unjust, and that not without reason, before he has ascertained your feelings as to the marriage, how they are disposed. But if you refuse to marry her, in that case he will transfer the blame to you; then such disturbances will arise.
Pam. I will submit to any thing from him.
Dav. He is your father, Pamphilus. It is a difficult matter. Besides, this woman is defenseless. No sooner said than done; he will find some pretext for driving her away from the city.
Pam. Driving her away?
Dav. Aye, and quickly too.
Pam. Tell me then, Davus, what am I to do?
Dav. Say that you will marry her.
Pam. (starting.) Ha!
Dav. What’s the matter?
Pam. What, am I to say so?
Dav. Why not?
Pam. Never will I do it.
Dav. Don’t say so.
Pam. Don’t attempt to persuade me.
Dav. Consider what will be the result of it.
Pam. That I shall be deprived of the one, and fixed with the other.
Dav. Not so. In fact, I think it will be thus: Your father will say: “I wish you to marry a wife to-day.” You reply: “I’ll marry her.” Tell me, how can he raise a quarrel with you? Thus you will cause all the plans which are now arranged by him to be disarranged, without any danger; for this is not to be doubted, that Chremes will not give you his daughter. Therefore do not hesitate in those measures which you are taking, on this account, lest he should change his sentiments. Tell your father that you consent; so that although he may desire it, he may not be able to be angry at you with reason. For that which you rely on, I will easily refute; “No one,” you think, “will give a wife to a person of these habits.” But he will find a beggar for you, rather than allow you to be corrupted by a mistress. If, however, he shall believe that you bear it with a contented mind, you will render him indifferent; at his leisure he will look out for another wife for you; in the mean time something lucky may turn up.
Pam. Do you think so?
Dav. It really is not a matter of doubt.
Pam. Consider to what you are persuading me.
Dav. Nay, but do be quiet.
Pam. Well, I’ll say it; but, that he mayn’t come to know that she has had a child by me, is a thing to be guarded against; for I have promised to bring it up.
Dav. Oh, piece of effrontery.
Pam. She entreated me that I would give her this pledge, by which she might be sure she should not be deserted.
Dav. It shall be attended to; but your father’s coming. Take care that he doesn’t perceive that you are out of spirits.
Scene V.
Enter Simo, at a distance.
Sim. (apart to himself.) I’ve come back to see what they are about, or what scheme they are hatching.
Dav. (to Pamphilus.) He has no doubt at present but that you’ll refuse to marry. Having considered his course, he’s come from a retired spot somewhere or other; he hopes that he has framed a speech by which to disconcert you; do you take care, then, to be yourself.
Pam. If I am only able, Davus.
Dav. Trust me for that, Pamphilus, I tell you; your father will never this day exchange a single word with you, if you say that you will marry.
Scene VI.
Enter Byrrhia, unperceived, at a distance behind Simo.
Byr. (apart to himself.) My master has ordered me, leaving my business, to keep an eye on Pamphilus to-day, what he is doing with regard to the marriage. I was to learn it; for that reason, I have now followed him (pointing to Simo) as he came hither. Himself, as well, I see standing with Davus close at hand; I’ll note this.
Sim. (apart to himself.) I see that both of them are here.
Dav. (in a low voice to Pamphilus.) Now then, be on your guard.
Sim. Pamphilus!
Dav. (in a low voice.) Look round at him as though taken unawares.
Pam. (turning round sharply.) What, my father!
Dav. (in a low voice.) Capital!
Sim. I wish you to marry a wife to-day, as I was saying.
Byr. (apart.) Now I’m in dread for our side, as to what he will answer.
Pam. Neither in that nor in any thing else shall you ever find any hesitation in me.
Byr. (apart.) Hah!
Dav. (in a low voice to Pamphilus.) He is struck dumb.
Byr. (apart.) What a speech!
Sim. You act as becomes you, when that which I ask I obtain with a good grace.
Dav. (aside to Pamphilus.) Am I right?
Byr. My master, so far as I learn, has missed his wife.
Sim. Now, then, go in-doors, that you mayn’t be causing delay when you are wanted.
Pam. I’ll go.
Goes into the house.
Byr. (apart.) Is there, in no case, putting trust in any man? That is a true proverb which is wont to be commonly quoted, that “all had rather it to be well for themselves than for another.” I remember noticing, when I saw her, that she was a young woman of handsome figure; wherefore I am the more disposed to excuse Pamphilus, if he has preferred that he himself, rather than the other, should embrace her in his slumbers. I’ll carry back these tidings, that, in return for this evil he may inflict evil upon me.
Exit.
Scene VII.
Simo and Davus.
Dav. (aside, coming away from the door of the house.) He now supposes that I’m bringing some trick to bear against him, and that on that account I’ve remained here.
Sim. What does he say, Davus?
Dav. Just as much as nothing.
Sim. What, nothing? Eh?
Dav. Nothing at all.
Sim. And yet I certainly was expecting something.
Sim. Are you able to tell me the truth?
Dav. I? Nothing more easy.
Sim. Is this marriage at all disagreeable to him, on account of his intimacy with this foreign woman?
Dav. No, faith; or if at all, it is a two or three days’ annoyance this — you understand. It will then cease. Moreover, he himself has thought over this matter in a proper way.
Sim. I commend him.
Dav. While it was allowed him, and while his years prompted him, he intrigued; even then it was secretly. He took precaution that that circumstance should never be a cause of disgrace to him, as behooves a man of principle; now that he must have a wife, he has set his mind upon a wife.
Sim. He seemed to me to be somewhat melancholy in a slight degree.
Dav. Not at all on account of her, but there’s something he blames you for.
Sim. What is it, pray?
Dav. It’s a childish thing.
Sim. What is it?
Dav. Nothing at all.
Sim. Nay but, tell me what it is.
Dav. He says that you are making too sparing preparations.
Sim. What, I?
Dav. You. — He says that there has hardly been fare provided to the amount of ten drachmæ.—”Does he seem to be bestowing a wife on his son? Which one now, in preference, of my companions shall I invite to the dinner?” And, it must be owned, you really are providing too parsimoniously — I do not commend you.
Sim. Hold your tongue.
Dav. (aside.) I’ve touched him up.
Sim. I’ll see that these things are properly done. (Davus goes into the house.) What’s the meaning of this? What does this old rogue mean? But if there’s any knavery here, why, he’s sure to be the source of the mischief.
Goes into his house.
ACT THE THIRD.
Scene I.
Enter Simo and Davus from the house of the former. Mysis and Lesbia are coming toward the house of Glycerium.
Mys. (not seeing Simo and Davus.) Upon my faith, the fact is really as you mentioned, Lesbia, you can hardly find a man constant to a woman.
Sim. (apart to Davus.) This maid-servant comes from the Andrian.
Dav. (apart to Simo.) What do you say?
Sim. (apart to Davus.) It is so.
Mys. But this Pamphilas ——
Sim. (apart to Davus.) What is she saying?
Mys. Has proved his constancy.
Sim. (apart.) Hah!
Dav. (apart to himself.) I wish that either he were deaf, or she struck dumb.
Mys. For the child she brings forth, he has ordered to be brought up.
Sim. (apart.) O Jupiter! What do I hear! It’s all over, if indeed this woman speaks the truth.
Les. You mention a good disposition on the part of the young man.
Mys. A most excellent one. But follow me in-doors, that you mayn’t keep her waiting.
Les. I’ll follow.
Mysis and Lesbia go into Glycerium’s house.
Scene II.
Simo and Davus.
Dav. (aside.) What remedy now shall I find for this mishap?
Sim. (to himself aloud.) What does this mean? Is he so infatuated? The child of a foreign woman? Now I understand; ah! scarcely even at last, in my stupidity, have I found it out.
Dav. (aside to himself.) What does he say he has found out?
Sim. (aside.) This piece of knavery is being now for the first time palmed upon me by this fellow; they are pretending that she’s in labor, in order that they may alarm Chremes.
Gly. (exclaiming from within her house.) Juno Lucina, grant me thine aid, save me, I do entreat thee!
Sim. Whew! so sudden? What nonsense! As soon as she has heard that I’m standing before the door, she makes all haste. These incidents, Davus, have not been quite happily adapted by you as to the points of time.
Dav. By me?
Sim. Are your scholars forgetful?
Dav. I don’t know what you are talking about.
Sim. (aside.) If he at the real marriage of my son had taken me off my guard, what sport he would have made of me. Now it is at his own risk; I’m sailing in harbor.
Scene III.
Re-enter Lesbia from the house of Glycerium.
Les. (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; 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.
Exit.
Scene IV.
Simo and Davus.
Sim. Even this, who is there that knows you that would not believe that it originated in you?
Dav. Why, what is this?
Sim. 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 precaution; that at least I might have seemed to be feared if I should detect it.
Dav. (aside.) Assuredly, upon my faith, it’s he that’s now deceiving himself, not I.
Sim. 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?
Dav. (aside.) I understand where he’s mistaken; and I see what I must do.
Sim. Why are you silent?
Dav. What would you believe? As though word had not been brought you that thus it would happen.
Sim. Any word brought to me?
Dav. Come now, did you of your own accord perceive that this was counterfeited?
Sim. I am being trifled with.
Dav. Word has been brought you; for otherwise how could this suspicion have occurred to you?
Sim. How? Because I knew you.
Dav. As though you meant to say that this has been done by my contrivance.
Sim. Why, I’m sure of it, to a certainty.
Dav. Not yet even do you know me sufficiently, Simo, what sort of person I am.
Sim. I, not know you!
Dav. 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.
Sim. This one thing I am sure of, that no person has been delivered here. (Pointing to Glycerium’s house.)
Dav. You have discovered that? Still, not a bit the less will they presently be laying the child 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.
Sim. How do you know that?
Dav. 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. 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. Unless it is managed for you to see the child, the marriage will not be at all impeded.
Sim. What do you say to this? When you perceived that they were adopting this plan, why didn’t you tell Pamphilus immediately?
Dav. 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 th
at affair; proceed however, as before, to celebrate these nuptials, just as you are doing, and I trust that the Gods will prosper this matter.
Sim. 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? 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.
Scene V.
Enter Chremes.
Sim. I greet you, Chremes.
Chrem. O, you are the very person I was looking for.
Sim. And I for you.
Chrem. You meet me at a welcome moment. Some persons have been to me, to say that they had heard from you, that my daughter was to be married to your son to-day; I’ve come to see whether they are out of their senses or you.
Sim. Listen; in a few words you shall learn both what I want of you, and what you seek to know.
Chrem. I am listening; say what you wish.
Sim. By the Gods, I do entreat you, Chremes, and by our friendship, which, commencing with our infancy, has grown up with our years, and by your only daughter and by my own son (of preserving whom the entire power lies with you), that you will assist me in this matter; and that, just as this marriage was about to be celebrated, it may be celebrated.
Chrem. O, don’t importune me; as though you needed to obtain this of me by entreaty. Do you suppose I am different now from what I was formerly, when I promised her? If it is for the advantage of them both that it should take place, order her to be sent for. But if from this course there would result more harm than advantage for each, this I do beg of you, that you will consult for their common good, as though she were your own daughter, and I the father of Pamphilus.