Читать книгу The Comedies of Terence - Terence - Страница 25

Enter Davus.

Davus. I was about to seek you.

Simo. What’s the matter?

Davus. Why is not the bride sent for? it grows late.

Simo. D’ye hear him?—Davus, I for some time past

Was fearful of you; lest, like other slaves,

As slaves go now, you should put tricks upon me,

And baffle me, to favor my son’s love.

Davus. I, Sir?

Simo. I thought so: and in fear of that

Conceal’d a secret which I’ll now disclose.

Davus. What secret, Sir?

Simo. I’ll tell you: for I now

Almost begin to think you may be trusted.

Davus. You’ve found what sort of man I am at last.

Simo. No marriage was intended.

Davus. How! none!

Simo. None.

All counterfeit, to sound my son and you.

Davus. How say you?

Simo. Even so.

Davus. Alack, alack!

I never could have thought it. Ah, what art! (Archly.)

Simo. Hear me. No sooner had I sent you in.

But opportunely I encountered Chremes.

Davus. How! are we ruin’d then? (Aside.)

Simo. I told him all.

That you had just told me——

Davus. Confusion! how? (Aside.)

Simo. Begged him to grant his daughter, and at length

With much ado prevail’d.

Davus. Undone! (Aside.)

Simo. How’s that? (Overhearing.)

Davus. Well done! I said.

Simo. My good friend Chremes then

Is now no obstacle.

Chremes. I’ll home a while,

Order due preparations, and return.

Exit.

Simo. Prithee, now, Davus, seeing you alone

Have brought about this match——

Davus. Yes, I alone.

Simo. Endeavor farther to amend my son.

Davus. Most diligently.

Simo. It were easy now,

While his mind’s irritated.

Davus. Be at peace.

Simo. Do then: where is he?

Davus. Probably at home.

Simo. I’ll in, and tell him, what I’ve now told you.

Exit.