 | The Andrian |  |
SCENE II.
Enter DAVUS.Davus
to himself.]
I thought 'twere wonderful
If this affair went off so easily;
And dreaded where my master's great good-humour
Wou'd end at last: Who, after he perceiv'd
The Lady was refus'd, ne'er said a word
To any of us, nor e'er took it ill.
Simo,
behind.]
But now he will; to your cost too, I warrant you!
Davus.
This was his scheme; to lead us by the nose
20
With hope, even then that we were most secure,
To have o'erwhelm'd us, nor have giv'n us time
To cast about which way to break the match.
Cunning old Gentleman!
Simo.
What says the Rogue?
Davus.
My master, and I did not see him!
Simo.
Davus!
Davus.
Well! what now? [pretending not to see him.
Simo.
Here! this way!
Davus.
What can he want? [to himself.
Simo,
overhearing.]
What say you?
Davus.
Upon what? Sir!
Simo.
Upon what!
The world reports that my son keeps a mistress.
Davus.
Oh, to be sure, the world cares much for that.
Simo.
D'ye mind what I say? Sirrah!
Davus.
Nothing more, Sir.
Simo.
But for me now to dive into these matters
May seem perhaps like too severe a father:
For all his youthful pranks concern not me.
While 'twas in season, he had my free leave
To take his swing of pleasure. But to-day
Brings on another stage of life, and asks
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Or, if you please, I do beseech you, Davus,
To set him right again.
Davus.
What means all this?
Simo.
All, who are fond of mistresses, dislike
The thoughts of matrimony.
Davus.
So they say.
Simo.
And then, if such a person entertains
An evil counsellor in those affairs,
He tampers with the mind, and makes bad worse.
Davus.
Troth, I don't comprehend one word of this.
Simo.
No?
Davus.
No. I'm Davus, and not Oedipus.
Simo.
Then for the rest I have to say to you,
You chuse I should speak plainly.
Davus.
By all means.
Simo.
If I discover then, that in this match
You get to your dog's tricks to break it off,
Or try to shew how shrewd a rogue you are,
I'll have you beat to mummy, and then thrown
In prison, Sirrah! upon this condition,
That when I take you out again, I swear
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Or don't you understand this neither?
Davus.
Clearly.
You have spoke out at last: the very thing!
Quite plain and home; and nothing round about.
Simo.
I could excuse your tricks in any thing,
Rather than this.
Davus.
Good words! I beg of you.
Simo.
You laugh at me: well, well!—I give you warning,
That you do nothing rashly, nor pretend
You was not advertis'd of this—Take heed!
[Exit.
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