University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Simo.
This too, where's he that knows you wou'd not swear
Was your contrivance?

Davus.
My Contrivance! what, Sir?

Simo.
While in the House, forsooth, the midwife gave
No orders for the Lady in the Straw:
But having issued forth into the Street,
Bawls out most lustily to those within.
—Oh Davus, am I then so much your Scorn?
Seem I so proper to be play'd upon,
With such a shallow, barefac'd, imposition?
You might at least, in reverence, have us'd
Some Spice of Art, wer't only to pretend
You fear'd my anger, shou'd I find you out.

Davus.
I'faith now he deceives himself, not I.

[aside.
Simo.
Did not I give you warning? threaten too,
In case you play'd me false? But all in vain:
For what car'd you?—What! think you I believe
This story of a child by Pamphilus?

Davus.
I see his error: Now I know my game.

[aside.
Simo.
Why don't you answer?

Davus.
What! you don't believe it?
As if you had not been inform'd of this?

[archly.
Simo.
I been inform'd?

Davus.
What then you found it out?

[archly.
Simo.
D'ye laugh at me?

Davus.
You must have been inform'd:
Or whence this shrewd suspicion?

Simo.
Whence! from you:
Because I know you.

Davus.
Meaning, this was done
By my Advice.

Simo.
Beyond all doubt: I know it:

Davus.
You do not know me, Simo.—

Simo.
I not know you?

Davus.
For if I do but speak, immediately
You think yourself impos'd on.—

Simo.
Falsely, hey?

Davus.
So that I dare not ope my lips before you.

Simo.
All that I know is this; that nobody
Has been deliver'd here.

Davus.
You've found it out?
Yet by and bye they'll bring the bantling here,
And lay it at our door. Remember, Sir,
I give you warning that will be the case;
That you may stand prepar'd, nor after say,
'Twas done by Davus's advice, his tricks!
I wou'd fain cure your ill opinion of me.

Simo.
But how d'ye know?

Davus.
I've heard so, and believe so.
Besides a thousand things concur to lead
To this conjecture. In the first place, she
Profess'd herself with child by Pamphilus:
That proves a falsehood. Now that she perceives
A nuptial preparation at our house,
A maid's dispatch'd immediately to bring
A midwife to her, and withal a child :
You too they will contrive shall see the child,
Or else the Wedding must proceed.

Simo.
How's this?
Having discover'd such a plot on foot,
Why did you not directly tell my Son?

Davus.
Who then has drawn him from her but myself?
For we all know how much he doated on her:
But now he wishes for a Wife. In fine,
Leave that affair to me; and you mean while
Persue, as you've begun, the Nuptials; which
The Gods, I hope, will prosper!

Simo.
Get you in.
Wait for me there, and see that you prepare
What's requisite.
[Exit Davus.
He has not wrought upon me
To yield implicit credit to his tale,
Nor do I know if all he said be true.
But, true or false, it matters not: to me
My Son's own promise is the main concern.
Now to meet Chremes, and to beg his daughter
In marriage with my Son: If I succeed,
What can I rather wish, than to behold
Their marriage-rites to-day? For since my Son
Has given me his word, I've not a doubt,
Should he refuse, but I may force him to it:
And to my wishes see where Chremes comes.