_Simo._ Very well, but Pamphilus is absent now: however, do you answer me: what business had you in that house? _Davus._ (_confused._) Who? I? _Simo._ You. _Davus._ I, do you say? _Simo._ Yes, you, I say. _Davus._ I went in just now. _Simo._ As if I asked him how long it was ago. _Davus._ With Pamphilus. _Simo._ How! is Pamphilus there? wretch that I am! I’m half distracted! ha! rascal, did you not tell me that they were at variance. _Davus._ So they are. _Simo._ Why then is he there? _Chremes._ (_sneering._) Oh! he’s gone to quarrel with her, no doubt. _Davus._ Oh yes, and Chremes, I will tell you of a most curious affair. An old man, whose name I know not, arrived here just now; he seems both shrewd and confident; his manners and appearance command respect; there [194]is a grave severity in his countenance; and he speaks with boldness. _Simo._ What’s all this about, sirrah? _Davus._ Nothing, truly, but what I heard him say. _Simo._ And what does he say? _Davus._ That he can prove Glycera to be a citizen of Athens. _Simo._ (_in a passion._) Ho! Dromo! Dromo! _Davus._ What’s the matter? _Simo._ Dromo! _Davus._ Only hear me. _Simo._ If you dare to say another word.――Dromo, I say! _Davus._ Hear me, Sir, I beseech you. SCENE III. SIMO, CHREMES, DAVUS, DROMO. _Dromo._ What’s your pleasure, Sir. _Simo._ Seize this rascal directly, and take him away[195]. _Dromo._ Whom? _Simo._ Davus. _Davus._ Why? _Simo._ Because it is my pleasure. Away with him, I say. _Davus._ What have I done? _Simo._ Away with him. _Davus._ If you find that I have spoken falsely, kill me. _Simo._ I’ll not hear a single word. I’ll ruffle you now, rascal, I will. _Davus._ For all that, what I say is true. _Simo._ For all that, Dromo, take care to keep him bound, [196]and, do you hear? chain him up hands and feet together. Go, sirrah, if I live, I’ll shew you what it is to impose upon your master, and Pamphilus also shall learn that an indulgent father is not to be deceived with impunity. [_Exeunt Dromo and Davus._ _Chremes._ Ah! Simo, check your excessive rage. _Simo._ Chremes, is this the duty that a father ought to expect from his son? Do you not pity me, that I am made so anxious by a son? Oh Pamphilus! Pamphilus! come forth: have you no shame? SCENE IV. SIMO, CHREMES, PAMPHILUS. _Pam._ Who calls me? ’Tis my father! I am undone. _Simo._ What can you say for yourself? of all the―――― _Chremes._ (_interrupting._) Ah! come to the point at once, and spare your reproaches. _Simo._ Reproaches! Can any be too severe for him? Tell me, (_to Pamphilus._) do you assert that Glycera is a citizen of Athens? _Pam._ I have heard that she is.