The Comedies of Terence | Page 9

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,[54] 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