_Char._ (_ironically._) Oh! I know every thing: you have been in high dispute with your father; and he is now most prodigiously angry with you: and has been striving, in vain, all this day, to prevail upon you to wed Philumena. _Pam._ To prove how little you know of my misfortunes, learn, that no marriage was expected to take place: neither did my father think of constraining my inclinations. _Char._ O no! ’tis your inclinations that constrain you. _Pam._ Hear me: you do not yet understand―――― _Char._ I understand but too well that you are about to wed Philumena. _Pam._ Why do you vex me thus[163]? hear me, I say: he never ceased urging me to tell my father that I was ready to marry: he prayed, he entreated, until, at length, I was induced to comply. _Char._ Who did this? _Pam._ Davus. _Char._ Davus? _Pam._ Davus has marred all. _Char._ Why? _Pam._ I know not, unless the gods, in their anger, decreed that I should follow his pernicious counsel. _Char._ Is this so, Davus? _Davus._ It is indeed but too true. _Char._ What can you say for yourself, you rascal? May the gods punish you as you deserve! Answer me, Slave, I say, if his greatest enemies had been desirous of entangling him in this marriage, what worse advice could they possibly have given him? _Davus._ I have been deceived, but am not disheartened. _Char._ Indeed! _Davus._ Our last plan was unsuccessful, but we’ll try another: unless you think that because the first prospered so indifferently, the evil cannot be remedied? _Pam._ Oh, far otherwise! for I have no doubt, that if that wise head of yours goes to work, instead of the one wife you have provided me with already, you’ll find me two. _Davus._ Pamphilus, I am your slave; and, as such, it is my duty to exert myself to the utmost to serve you, to labour for you night and day, and even to expose my life to peril, to do you service; but, ’tis your part, if any thing should happen cross, to pardon me: my endeavours have been unsuccessful ’tis true; but, indeed, I did my best; if you can do better, dismiss me. _Pam._ Certainly; but first place me in the situation in which you found me. _Davus._ I will. _Pam._ But it must be done directly. _Davus._ Hist! Glycera’s door opens[164]. _Pam._ What can that signify to you? _Davus._ I’m studying for an expedient. _Pam._ How, at last! _Davus._ And have no doubt but I shall soon find one. SCENE III. PAMPHILUS, CHARINUS, DAVUS, MYSIS. _Mysis._ (_speaking to Glycera within._) I will directly, Madam; wherever he may be, I’ll take care to find your dear [165]Pamphilus, and bring him to you: only, my love, let me beg of you not to make yourself so wretched. _Pam._ Mysis! _Mysis._ Who is that? Ah! Pamphilus! you come most opportunely. _Pam._ What’s the matter? _Mysis._ My mistress conjures you by the love you bear her, to come to her instantly: she says, she shall be miserable till she sees you.