University of Virginia Library

Scen. 5.

Chr.
Hauing prepared all in readinesse
Was needfull to my Daughters marriage,
I now returne to will 'hem send for her.
But what is here? so helpe me God, a childe!
Woman, laid you this childe here?

Mys.
Where is hee?

Chr.
Doost not answer me?

Mys.
Woes me, out of sight.
Alas, Dauus has left me: and is gone.

Enter Dauus.
Dau.
Faith of the Gods!
What coile's yond' at the Market?
What throng of wranglers braule there? and beside
Corne beares excessiue price. I know not now
What other words to vse.

Mys.
For Gods sake man
Why left you me alone here?

Dau.
Hoida! what
Deuice is this? you Mysis, whence this childe?
Or who here laid it?

Mys.
Are you in your wits,
To aske me that?

Dau.
Of whom else should I aske,
That see none else here?

Chr.
I marle whence it is.

Dau.
Wolt tell me.

Mys.
Au!

Dau.
Come here, o' my right side.

Mys.
Th'art mad: did not your selfe?

Dau.
Looke thou beware
Thou vtter not a word, but what I aske thee.

Mys.
D'yee threaten me?

Dau.
From whence is it? speake out.

Mys.
From you.

Dau.
Ha, ha, he, ist newes, if women
Of your condition doe grow impudent?

Chr.
This maid belongs to th'Andrian, as I thinke.

Dau.
Seeme we such fitting persons to you, troe
That you should play on vs?

Chr.
I came in time.

Dau.
Therefore with speede take you the childe away
Hence from our doore: yet stay, see thou stirre not
One inch out of this place.

Mys.
The Gods confound thee
That me poore woman frightst thus.

Dau.
Do I speake to thee, or not?

Mys.
What would you?

Dau.
Askt thou still?
Say, tell me whose childe tis thou hast laid here?

Mys.
Doe not you know?

Dau.
Talke not of what I know,
But tell me that I aske.

Mys.
Tis of your house

Dau.
Whose, of vs?

Mys.
Pamphilus.

Dau.
Ha, what, Pamphilus?

Mys.
Ist not?

Chr.
I alwaies rightly shunn'd this match.

Dau.
Oh notable vile practise!

Mys.
Why exclaimst thou?

Dau.
Which childe did not my selfe see yesternight
Brought late to you?

Mys.
Oh most audacious fellow

Dau.
'Tis truth, I saw Canthara thicke stuft out.

Mys.
I thanke the Gods yet, that some Citie wiues
Were present at the labour.

Dau.
She not knowes
Him (I assure thee) for whose cause she plots this.
She thinkes if Chremes see a child laid here,
Heel'e not bestow his daughter: yes of truth,
For this the rather.

Chr.
Faith but he will not though.

Dau.
Now therefore, for thy knowledge, take it hence
Or I will tumble it in the high way,
And further lay thee by it in the kennell.

Mys.
Thou certainly art drunke.

Dau.
One cunning pranke
Treads on anothers heele. I heare it whisperd
She's a free-borne Athenian.

Chre.
Ha!

Dau.
And that
He shall be forc'd by law to marrie her.

Mys.
Why sir I pray you, is she not free-borne?

Chr.
I had almost vnawares iested my selfe
Into a dangerous mischiefe.

Dau.
Who talkes here?
Oh Chremes you are come in happy time.
Pray listen sir—

Chr.
I haue heard all already.

Dau.
How all say you?

Chr.
I, from the beginning all.

Dau.
Haue you pray heard it? see their villanies!
Tis fit she were hence hurried to the racke.
This is the man I talk'd of: doe not thinke
You play your trickes on Dauus.

Mys.
Oh wretched mee!
Indeede (good old Sir) I haue spoke no falshood.

Chr.
I know all to the full: but is your Master
Simo within?

Dau.
Yes Sir.

Exit Chremes.
Mys.
Roague hand me not.
Troth if Glycerium know not of all this—

Dau.
Attend you foole, thou knowst not what is done:
Tis the brides father: by no other meanes
Could he be made to know what we would haue him.

Mys.
Why then you should haue told me on't.

Dau.
Doest thinke
There no great difference, when a thing is carried
The naturall way, and when premeditate.