Act I, Scene II

Enter DAVUS from the house of SIMO.

DAV. (aloud to himself.) I was wondering if this matter was to go off thus; and was continually dreading where my master’s good humor would end; for, after he had heard that a wife would not be given to his son, he never uttered a word to any one of us, or took it amiss.

SIM. (apart, overhearing him.) But now he’ll do so: and that, I fancy, not without heavy cost to you.

DAV. (to himself.) He meant this, that we, thus unsuspecting, should be led away by delusive joy; that now in hope, all fear being removed, we might during our supineness be surprised, so that there might be no time for planning a rupture of the marriage. How clever!

SIM. (apart.) The villain! what does he say?

DAV. (overhearing him, to himself.) It’s my master, and I didn’t see him.

SIM. Davus.

DAV. Well, what is it?

SIM. Just step this way to me.

DAV. (to himself.) What does he want?

SIM. What are you saying?

DAV. About what?

SIM. Do you ask the question? There’s a report that my son’s in love.

DAV. The public troubles itself about that, of course.

SIM. Will you attend to this, or not?

DAV. Certainly, I will, to that.

SIM. But for me to inquire now into these matters, were the part of a severe father. For what he has done hitherto, doesn’t concern me at all. So long as his time of life prompted to that course, I allowed him to indulge his inclination: now this day brings on another mode of life, demands other habits. From this time forward, I do request, or if it is reasonable, I do entreat you, Davus, that he may now return to the right path.

DAV. (aside.) What can this mean?

SIM. All who are intriguing take it ill to have a wife given them.

DAV. So they say.

SIM. And if any one has adopted a bad instructor in that course, he generally urges the enfeebled mind to pursuits still more unbecoming.

DAV. I’faith, I do not comprehend.

SIM. No? Ha----

DAV. No-- I am Davus, not Œdipus.

SIM. Of course then, you wish me to speak plainly in what further I have to say.

DAV. Certainly, by all means.

SIM. If I this day find out that you are attempting any trickery about this marriage, to the end that it may not take place; or are desirous that in this matter it should be proved how knowing you are; I’ll hand you over, Davus, beaten with stripes, to the mill, even to your dying day, upon this condition and pledge, that if ever I release you, I shall grind in your place. Now, do you understand this? Or not yet even this?

DAV. Yes, perfectly: you have now spoken so plainly upon the subject, you have not used the least circumlocution.

SIM. In any thing would I more willingly allow myself to be imposed upon than in this matter.

DAV. Fair words, I entreat.

SIM. You are ridiculing me: you don’t at all deceive me. I give you warning, don’t act rashly, and don’t say you were not warned. Take care. (Shaking his stick, goes into the house.)