Act III, Scene VI

Enter DAVUS from the house.

DAV. I was coming to you.

SIM. Why, what’s the matter?

DAV. Why isn’t the bride sent for? It’s now growing late in the day.

SIM. Do you hear me? I’ve been for some time not a little apprehensive of you, Davus, lest you should do that which the common class of servants is in the habit of doing, namely, impose upon me by your artifices; because my son is engaged in an amour.

DAV. What, I do that?

SIM. I fancied so; and therefore, fearing that, I concealed from you what I shall now mention.

DAV. What?

SIM. You shall know; for now I almost feel confidence in you.

DAV. Have you found out at last what sort of a person I am?

SIM. The marriage was not to have taken place.

DAV. How? Not to have taken place?

SIM. But I was making pretense, that I might test you all.

DAV. (affecting surprise.) What is it you tell me?

SIM. Such is the fact.

DAV. Only see! I was not able to discover that. Dear me! what a cunning contrivance!

SIM. Listen to this. Just as I ordered you to go from here into the house, he (pointing to CHREMES) most opportunely met me.

DAV. (aside.) Ha! Are we undone, then?

SIM. I told him what you just now told me.

DAV. (aside.) Why, what am I to hear?

SIM. I begged him to give his daughter, and with difficulty I prevailed upon him.

DAV. (aside.) Utterly ruined!

SIM. (overhearing him speaking.) Eh-- What was it you said?

DAV. Extremely well done, I say.

SIM. There’s no delay on his part now.

CHREM. I’ll go home at once; I’ll tell her to make due preparation, and bring back word here. (Exit.

SIM. Now I do entreat you, Davus, since you by yourself have brought about this marriage for me----

DAV. I myself, indeed!

SIM. Do your best still to reform my son.

DAV. Troth, I’ll do it with all due care.

SIM. Do it now, while his mind is agitated.

DAV. You may be at ease.

SIM. Come then; where is he just now?

DAV. A wonder if he isn’t at home.

SIM. I’ll go to him; and what I’ve been telling you, I’ll tell him as well. (Goes into his house.)