The Comedies of Terence | Page 5

nuptials cleverly, to terrify Davus; and watch
my son, what he's about, what schemes he is planning with him.
SOS. 'Tis enough; I'll take care; now let's go in-doors.
SIM. You go first; I'll follow. (SOSIA goes into the house of SIMO.)
SIM. (to himself.) There's no doubt but that my son doesn't wish for a
wife; so alarmed did I perceive Davus to be just now, when he heard
that there was going to be a marriage. But the very man is coming out
of the house. (Stands aside.)
SCENE II.
Enter DAVUS from the house of SIMO.
DAV. (aloud to himself.) I was wondering if this matter was to go off
thus; and was continually dreading where my master's good humor
would end; for, after he had heard that a wife would not be given to his
son, he never uttered a word to any one of us, or took it amiss.
SIM. (apart, overhearing him.) But now he'll do {so}: and that, I fancy,
not without heavy cost to you.
DAV. (to himself.) He meant this, that we, thus unsuspecting, should be
led away by delusive joy; that now in hope, {all} fear being removed,
we might during our supineness be surprised, so that there might be no

time for planning a rupture of the marriage. How clever!
SIM. (apart.) The villain! what does he say?
DAV. (overhearing him, to himself.) It's my master, and I didn't see
him.
SIM. Davus.
DAV. Well, what is it?
SIM. Just step this way to me.
DAV. (to himself.) What does he want?
SIM. What are you saying?
DAV. About what?
SIM. Do you ask the question? There's a report that my son's in love.
DAV. The public troubles itself about that,[38] of course.
SIM. Will you attend to this, or not?
DAV. Certainly, I {will}, to that.
SIM. But for me to inquire now into these matters, were the part of a
severe father. For what he has done hitherto, doesn't concern me at all.
So long as his time {of life} prompted to that course, I allowed him to
indulge his inclination: now this day brings on another mode of life,
demands other habits. From this time forward, I do request, or if it is
reasonable, I do entreat you, Davus, that he may now return to the
{right} path.
DAV. (aside.) What can this mean?
SIM. All who are intriguing take it ill to have a wife given them.

DAV. So they say.
SIM. And if any one has adopted a bad instructor in that course, he
generally urges the enfeebled mind to pursuits still more unbecoming.
DAV. I'faith, I do not comprehend.
SIM. No? Ha----
DAV. No-- I am Davus, not Oedipus.[39]
SIM. Of course then, you wish me to speak plainly in what further I
have to say.
DAV. Certainly, by all means.
SIM. If I this day find out that you are attempting any trickery about
this marriage, to the end that it may not take place; or are desirous that
in this matter it should be proved how knowing you are; I'll hand you
over, Davus, beaten with stripes, to the mill,[40] even to your dying
day, upon this condition and pledge, that if {ever} I release you, I shall
grind in your place. Now, do you understand this? Or not yet even this?
DAV. Yes, perfectly: you have now spoken so plainly upon the subject,
you have not used the least circumlocution.
SIM. In any thing would I more willingly allow myself to be imposed
upon than in this matter.
DAV. Fair words, I entreat.
SIM. You are ridiculing {me}: you don't at all deceive me. I give you
warning, don't act rashly, and don't say you were not warned. Take care.
(Shaking his stick, goes into the house.)
SCENE III.
DAVUS alone.

DAV. (to himself.) Assuredly, Davus, there's no room for slothfulness
or inactivity, so far as I've just now ascertained the old man's mind
about the marriage; which if it is not provided against by cunning, will
be bringing either myself or my master to ruin. What to do, I am not
determined; whether I should assist Pamphilus or obey the old man. If I
desert the former, I fear for his life; if I assist him, I {dread} the other's
threats, on whom it will be a difficult matter to impose. In the first
place, he has now found out about this amour; with hostile feelings he
watches me, lest I should be devising some trickery against the
marriage. If he discovers it, I'm undone; or even {if} he chooses to
allege any pretext, whether rightfully or wrongfully, he will consign me
headlong to the mill. To these evils this one is besides added for me.
This Andrian, whether she is {his}