Act II, Scene VII

SIMO and DAVUS.

DAV. (aside, coming away from the door of the house.) He now supposes that I’m bringing some trick to bear against him, and that on that account I’ve remained here.

SIM. What does he say, Davus?

DAV. Just as much as nothing.

SIM. What, nothing? Eh?

DAV. Nothing at all.

SIM. And yet I certainly was expecting something.

DAV. It has turned out contrary to your expectations. (Aside.) I perceive it; this vexes the man.

SIM. Are you able to tell me the truth?

DAV. I? Nothing more easy.

SIM. Is this marriage at all disagreeable to him, on account of his intimacy with this foreign woman?

DAV. No, faith; or if at all, it is a two or three days’ annoyance this-- you understand. It will then cease. Moreover, he himself has thought over this matter in a proper way.

SIM. I commend him.

DAV. While it was allowed him, and while his years prompted him, he intrigued; even then it was secretly. He took precaution that that circumstance should never be a cause of disgrace to him, as behooves a man of principle; now that he must have a wife, he has set his mind upon a wife.

SIM. He seemed to me to be somewhat melancholy in a slight degree.

DAV. Not at all on account of her, but there’s something he blames you for.

SIM. What is it, pray?

DAV. It’s a childish thing.

SIM. What is it?

DAV. Nothing at all.

SIM. Nay but, tell me what it is.

DAV. He says that you are making too sparing preparations.

SIM. What, I?

DAV. You. --He says that there has hardly been fare provided to the amount of ten drachmæ. --“Does he seem to be bestowing a wife on his son? Which one now, in preference, of my companions shall I invite to the dinner?” And, it must be owned, you really are providing too parsimoniously-- I do not commend you.

SIM. Hold your tongue.

DAV. (aside.) I’ve touched him up.

SIM. I’ll see that these things are properly done. (DAVUS goes into the house.) What’s the meaning of this? What does this old rogue mean? But if there’s any knavery here, why, he’s sure to be the source of the mischief. (Goes into his house.)