_Harper_ DAVUS. Because, that if My master chance to put me to my oath That 'twas not I who laid it there, I may With a safe conscience swear.
MYSIS. I understand.
_Colman 1768_ DAVUS. Because, supposing There should be need to swear to my old master I did not lay the bantling there myself I may with a safe conscience.
MYSIS. I conceive.]
SCENE VII.
_Enter CHREMES going toward SIMO'S._
CHREMES. Having provided all things necessary.
I now return to bid them call the bride.
What's here? (_seeing the child_) by Hercules, a child! Ha, woman, Was't you that laid it here?
MYSIS. Where is he gone? (_Looking after DAVUS._)
CHREMES. What, won't you answer me?
MYSIS. (_Looking about._) Not here: Ah me!
The fellow's gone, and left me in the lurch.
(_DAVUS coming forward and pretending not to see them._)
DAVUS. Good Heavens, what confusion at the Forum!
The people all disputing with each other!
The market-price is so confounded high. (_Loud._) What to say else I know not. (_Aside._)
MYSIS (_to DAVUS_). What d'ye mean, (_CHREMES retires and listens to their conversation._) By leaving me alone?
DAVUS. What farce is this?
Ha, Mysis, whence this child? Who brought it here?
MYSIS. Have you your wits, to ask me such a question?
DAVUS. Whom should I ask, when no one else is here?
CHREMES (_behind_). I wonder whence it comes. (_To himself._)
DAVUS. Wilt answer me! (_Loud._)
MYSIS. Ah! (_Confused._)
DAVUS. This way to the right! (_Apart to MYSIS._)
MYSIS. You're raving mad.
Was 't not yourself!
DAVUS. I charge you not a word, But what I ask you. (_Apart to MYSIS._)
MYSIS. Do you threaten me?
DAVUS. Whence comes this child? (_Loud._)
MYSIS. From our house.
DAVUS. Ha! ha! ha!
No wonder that a harlot has assurance.
CHREMES. This is the Andrian's servant-maid, I take it.
DAVUS. Do we then seem to you such proper folks To play these tricks upon? (_Loud to MYSIS._)
CHREMES. I came in time. (_To himself._)
DAVUS. Make haste, and take your bantling from our door. (_Loud._) Hold! do not stir from where you are, be sure. (_Softly._)
MYSIS. A plague upon you: you so terrify me!
DAVUS. Wench, did I speak to you or no? (_Loud._)
MYSIS. What would you?
DAVUS. What would I? Say, whose child have you laid here?
Tell me. (_Loud._)
MYSIS. You don't know?
DAVUS. Plague of what I know: Tell what I ask. (_Softly._)
MYSIS. Yours.
DAVUS. Ours? Whose? (_Loud._)
MYSIS. Pamphilus's.
DAVUS. How say you? Pamphilus's? (_Loud._)
MYSIS. Why is 't not?
CHREMES. I had good cause to be against this match. (_To himself._)
DAVUS. O monstrous impudence! (_Bawling._)
MYSIS. Why all this noise?
DAVUS. Did not I see this child convey'd by stealth Into your house last night?
MYSIS. Oh rogue!
DAVUS. 'Tis true.