ACT V. SCENE I. CHREMES, SIMO. _Chremes._ Cease your entreaties, Simo; enough, [192] and more than enough have I already shewn my friendship towards you: enough have I risked for you. In my endeavours to oblige you, I have nearly trifled away my daughter’s happiness. _Simo._ Nay, Chremes, it is now more than ever that I beg, and even implore that the kindness you granted me by promise, may now be fulfilled in deed. _Chremes._ Your eagerness to obtain what you desire makes you unjust, and forgetful of your usual friendship and consideration; for, if you reflected for a moment on what you ask of me, you would cease to urge me to do myself such an injustice. _Simo._ What injustice. _Chremes._ Can you ask? you prevailed on me to choose as my daughter’s husband, a young man distracted with love for another, and detesting every thought of marriage: if this union had been consummated, it would have inthralled her with a husband who would not have loved her, and exposed her to all the miseries of an unhappy union: that, at the expense of her happiness, I might attempt the cure of your son. You obtained your request: the treaty went forward, while circumstances allowed of it; but now the affair wears a different aspect, be satisfied, and bear your disappointment with temper. It is said that Glycera is a citizen of Athens; [193]and that she has a son by Pamphilus: this sets us free. _Simo._ I conjure you, Chremes, by the gods, not to suffer yourself to be led away by those who wish to make their advantage of my son’s follies: all those reports are invented and spread abroad, with a view to prevent the marriage: when their cause ceases, they will cease also. _Chremes._ You are mistaken: I myself saw the Andrian’s maid quarrelling with Davus. _Simo._ Oh, no doubt! that I can easily believe. _Chremes._ But, in earnest; when neither knew that I was present. _Simo._ I believe it: for Davus told me not long ago that it would be so: and I can’t think how I could forget to tell you of it, as I intended. SCENE II. CHREMES, SIMO, DAVUS. _Davus._ (_to himself._) I banish care. _Chremes._ Here comes Davus. _Simo._ Where does he come from? _Davus._ (_to himself._) By virtue of the stranger’s assistance, and my sovereign skill and ingenuity. _Simo._ What’s the matter now? _Davus._ (_to himself._) I never saw any man arrive more opportunely. _Simo._ Whom is this rascal praising? _Davus._ (_to himself._) All now is safe. _Simo._ What hinders me from speaking to him? _Davus._ (_aside._) ’Tis my master, what shall I do? _Simo._ (_sneering._) God save you, worthy Sir. _Davus._ Oh! Simo, and our Chremes, all things are now prepared within. _Simo._ You’ve taken good care, no doubt! _Davus._ Send for the bride as soon as you please.