The Comedies of Terence Part 15

I saw old Canthara stuff'd out?

MYSIS. Thank Heav'n, Some free-women were present at her labor?

DAVUS. Troth, she don't know the gentleman, for whom She plays this game. She thinks, should Chremes see The child laid here, he would not grant his daughter.

Faith, he would grant her the more willingly.

CHREMES. Not he indeed. (_To himself._)

DAVUS. But now, one word for all, Take up the child; or I shall trundle him Into the middle of the street, and roll You, madam, in the mire.

MYSIS. The fellow's drunk.

DAVUS. One piece of knavery begets another: Now, I am told, 'tis whisper'd all about, That she's a citizen of Athens-- (_Loud._)

CHREMES. How!

DAVUS. And that by law he will be forc'd to wed her.

MYSIS. Why prithee is she not a citizen?

CHREMES. What a fine sc.r.a.pe was I within a hair Of being drawn into! (_To himself._)

DAVUS. What voice is that? (_Turning about._) Oh Chremes! you are come in time. Attend!

CHREMES. I have heard all already.

DAVUS. You've heard all?

CHREMES. Yes all, I say, from first to last.

DAVUS. Indeed?

Good lack, what knaveries! this lying jade Should be dragg'd hence to torture.--This is he! (_To MYSIS._) Think not 'twas Davus you impos'd upon.

MYSIS. Ah me!--Good Sir, I spoke the truth indeed.

CHREMES. I know the whole.--Is Simo in the house?

DAVUS. Yes, Sir. (_Exit CHREMES._

[Changes:

Hold! do not stir from where you are, be sure.

_Harper edition has "besure"_

_Harper_ DAVUS. How say you? Pamphilus's?

MYSIS. Why is 't not?

_Colman 1768_ DAVUS. How say you? Pamphilus's?

MYSIS. To be sure.]

SCENE VIII.

_Manent DAVUS, MYSIS. DAVUS runs up to her._

MYSIS. Don't offer to touch me, you villain!

If I don't tell my mistress every word----

DAVUS. Why you don't know, you fool, what good we've done.

MYSIS. How should I?

DAVUS. This is father to the bride: Nor could it otherwise have been contriv'd That he should know what we would have him.

MYSIS. Well, You should have given me notice.

DAVUS. Is there then No diff'rence, think you, whether all you say Falls natural from the heart, or comes From dull premeditation?

SCENE IX.

_Enter CRITO._

CRITO. In this street They say that Chrysis liv'd: who rather chose To heap up riches here by wanton ways, Than to live poor and honestly at home: She dead, her fortune comes by law to me.

But I see persons to inquire of. (_Goes up._) Save you!

MYSIS. Good now, who's that I see? is it not Crito, Chrysis's kinsman? Aye, the very same.

CRITO. O Mysis, save you!

MYSIS. Save you, Crito!

CRITO. Chrysis Is then--ha?

MYSIS. Aye, she has left us, poor souls!

CRITO. And ye; how go ye on here?--pretty well?

MYSIS. We?--as we _can_, as the old saying goes, When as we _would_ we can not.

CRITO. And Glycerium, Has she found out her parents?

MYSIS. Would she had!

CRITO. Not yet! an ill wind blew me hither then.

For truly, had I been appris'd of that, I'd ne'er have set foot here: for this Glycerium Was always call'd and thought to be her sister.

What Chrysis left, she takes possession of: And now for me, a stranger, to commence A lawsuit here, how good and wise it were, Other examples teach me. She, I warrant, Has got her some gallant too, some defender: For she was growing up a jolly girl When first she journeyed hither. They will cry That I'm a pettifogger, fortune-hunter, A beggar.--And besides it were not well To leave her in distress.

MYSIS. Good soul! troth Crito, You have the good old-fashion'd honesty.