Act III, Scene IV

SIMO and DAVUS.

SIM. Even this, who is there that knows you that would not believe that it originated in you?

DAV. Why, what is this?

SIM. She didn’t order in their presence what was requisite to be done for the woman lying in; but after she has come out, she bawls from the street to those who are in the house. O Davus, am I thus trifled with by you? Or pray, do I seem to you so very well suited to be thus openly imposed upon by your tricks? At all events it should have been with precaution; that at least I might have seemed to be feared if I should detect it.

DAV. (aside.) Assuredly, upon my faith, it’s he that’s now deceiving himself, not I.

SIM. I gave you warning, I forbade you with threats to do it. Have you been awed? What has it availed? Am I to believe you now in this, that this woman has had a child by Pamphilus?

DAV. (aside.) I understand where he’s mistaken; and I see what I must do.

SIM. Why are you silent?

DAV. What would you believe? As though word had not been brought you that thus it would happen.

SIM. Any word brought to me?

DAV. Come now, did you of your own accord perceive that this was counterfeited?

SIM. I am being trifled with.

DAV. Word has been brought you; for otherwise how could this suspicion have occurred to you?

SIM. How? Because I knew you.

DAV. As though you meant to say that this has been done by my contrivance.

SIM. Why, I’m sure of it, to a certainty.

DAV. Not yet even do you know me sufficiently, Simo, what sort of person I am.

SIM. I, not know you!

DAV. But if I begin to tell you any thing, at once you think that deceit is being practiced upon you in guile; therefore, upon my faith, I don’t dare now even to whisper.

SIM. This one thing I am sure of, that no person has been delivered here. (Pointing to GLYCERIUM’S house.)

DAV. You have discovered that? Still, not a bit the less will they presently be laying the child here before the door. Of this, then, I now warn you, master, that it will happen, that you may be aware of it. Don’t you hereafter be saying that this was done through the advice or artifices of Davus. I wish this suspicion of yours to be entirely removed from myself.

SIM. How do you know that?

DAV. I’ve heard so, and I believe it: many things combine for me to form this conjecture. In the first place then, she declared that she was pregnant by Pamphilus; that has been proved to be false. Now, when she sees that preparations are being made for the wedding at our house, the maid-servant is directly sent to fetch the midwife to her, and to bring a child at the same time. Unless it is managed for you to see the child, the marriage will not be at all impeded.

SIM. What do you say to this? When you perceived that they were adopting this plan, why didn’t you tell Pamphilus immediately?

DAV. Why, who has induced him to leave her, but myself? For, indeed, we all know how desperately he loved her. Now he wishes for a wife. In fine, do you intrust me with that affair; proceed however, as before, to celebrate these nuptials, just as you are doing, and I trust that the Gods will prosper this matter.

SIM. Very well; be off in-doors; wait for me there, and get ready what’s necessary to be prepared. (DAVUS goes into the house.) He hasn’t prevailed upon me even now altogether to believe these things, and I don’t know whether what he has said is all true; but I deem it of little moment; this is of far greater importance to me-- that my son himself has promised me. Now I’ll go and find Chremes; I’ll ask him for a wife for my son; if I obtain my request, at what other time rather than to-day should I prefer these nuptials taking place? For as my son has promised, I have no doubt but that if he should prove unwilling, I can fairly compel him. And look! here’s Chremes himself, just at the very time.