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._
SCENE VII.
_DAVUS alone._
Lost and undone! To prison with me straight!
No prayer, no plea: for I have ruin'd all!
Deceiv'd the old man, hamper'd Pamphilus With marriage; marriage, brought about to-day By my sole means; beyond the hopes of one; Against the other's will.----Oh, cunning fool!
Had I been quiet, all had yet been well.
But see, he's coming. Would my neck were broken! (_Retires._)
SCENE VIII.
_Enter PAMPHILUS; DAVUS behind._
PAM. Where is this villain that has ruined me?
DAVUS. I'm a lost man.
PAM. And yet I must confess, That I deserv'd this, being such a dolt, A very idiot, to commit my fortunes To a vile slave. I suffer for my folly, But will at least take vengeance on him.
DAVUS. If I can but escape this mischief now, I'll answer for hereafter.
PAM. To my father What shall I say?--And can I then refuse, Who have but now consented? with what face?
I know not what to do.
DAVUS. I'faith, nor I; And yet it takes up all my thoughts. I'll tell him I've hit on something to delay the match.
PAM. Oh! (_Seeing DAVUS._)
DAVUS. I am seen.
PAM. So, good Sir! What say you?
See, how I'm hamper'd with your fine advice.
DAVUS (_coming forward_). But I'll deliver you.
PAM. Deliver me?