Читать книгу The Comedies of Terence - Terence - Страница 15

Pamphilus. Davus.

Pam. What means my father then? Why counterfeit?

Davus. That I’ll explain. If he were angry now,

Merely that Chremes has refus’d his daughter,

He’d think himself in fault; and justly too,

Before the bias of your mind is known.

But granting you refuse her for a wife,

Then all the blame devolves on you, and then

Comes all the storm.

Pam. What course then shall I take?

Shall I submit——

Davus. He is your Father, Sir,

Whom to oppose were difficult; and then

Glycerium’s a lone woman; and he’ll find

Some course, no matter what, to drive her hence.

Pam. To drive her hence?

Davus. Directly.

Pam. Tell me then,

Oh tell me, Davus, what were best to do?

Davus. Say that you’ll marry!

Pam. How!

Davus. And where’s the harm?

Pam. Say that I’ll marry!

Davus. Why not?

Pam. Never, never.

Davus. Do not refuse!

Pam. Persuade not!

Davus. Do but mark

The consequence.

Pam. Divorcement from Glycerium.

And marriage with the other.

Davus. No such thing.

Your father, I suppose, accosts you thus.

I’d have you wed to-day;—I will, quoth you:

What reason has he to reproach you then?

Thus shall you baffle all his settled schemes,

And put him to confusion; all the while

Secure yourself: for ’tis beyond a doubt

That Chremes will refuse his daughter to you;

So obstinately too, you need not pause,

Or change these measures, lest he change his mind;

Say to your father then, that you will wed,

That, with the will, he may want cause to chide.

But if, deluded by fond hopes, you cry,

“No one will wed their daughter to a rake,

A libertine.”—Alas, you’re much deceiv’d.

For know, your father will redeem some wretch

From rags and beggary to be your wife,

Rather than see your ruin with Glycerium.

But if he thinks you bear an easy mind,

He too will grow indiff’rent, and seek out

Another match at leisure; the mean while

Affairs may take a lucky turn.

Pam. D’ye think so?

Davus. Beyond all doubt.

Pam. See, what you lead me to.

Davus. Nay, peace!

Pam. I’ll say so then. But have a care

He knows not of the child, which I’ve agreed

To educate.

Davus. O confidence!

Pam. She drew

This promise from me, as a firm assurance

That I would not forsake her.

Davus. We’ll take care.

But here’s your father: let him not perceive

You’re melancholy.