DAVUS. Why is not the bride sent for? it grows late. SIMO. D'ye hear him?--Davus, I for some time past Was fearful of you; lest, like other slaves, As slaves go now, you should put tricks upon me, And baffle me, to favor my son's love. DAVUS. I, Sir? SIMO. I thought so: and in fear of that Conceal'd a secret which I'll now disclose. DAVUS. What secret, Sir? SIMO. I'll tell you: for I now Almost begin to think you may be trusted. DAVUS. You've found what sort of man I am at last. SIMO. No marriage was intended. DAVUS. How! none! SIMO. None. All counterfeit, to sound my son and you. DAVUS. How say you? SIMO. Even so. DAVUS. Alack, alack! I never could have thought it. Ah, what art! (_Archly._) SIMO. Hear me. No sooner had I sent you in. But opportunely I encountered Chremes. DAVUS. How! are we ruin'd then? (_Aside._) SIMO. I told him all. That you had just told me,---- DAVUS. Confusion! how? (_Aside._) SIMO. Begged him to grant his daughter, and at length With much ado prevail'd. DAVUS. Undone! (_Aside._) SIMO. How's that? (_Overhearing._) DAVUS. Well done! I said. SIMO. My good friend Chremes then Is now no obstacle. CHREMES. I'll home a while, Order due preparations, and return. (_Exit._ SIMO. Prithee, now, Davus, seeing you alone Have brought about this match---- DAVUS. Yes, I alone. SIMO. Endeavor farther to amend my son. DAVUS. Most diligently. SIMO. It were easy now, While his mind's irritated. DAVUS. Be at peace. SIMO. Do then: where is he? DAVUS. Probably at home. SIMO. I'll in, and tell him, what I've now told you. (_Exit._ SCENE VII. _DAVUS alone._ Lost and undone! To prison with me straight! No prayer, no plea: for I have ruin'd all! Deceiv'd the old man, hamper'd Pamphilus With marriage; marriage, brought about to-day By my sole means; beyond the hopes of one; Against the other's will.----Oh, cunning fool! Had I been quiet, all had yet been well. But see, he's coming. Would my neck were broken! (_Retires._) SCENE VIII. _Enter PAMPHILUS; DAVUS behind._ PAM. Where is this villain that has ruined me? DAVUS. I'm a lost man. PAM. And yet I must confess, That I deserv'd this, being such a dolt, A very idiot, to commit my fortunes To a vile slave. I suffer for my folly, But will at least take vengeance on him. DAVUS. If I can but escape this mischief now, I'll answer for hereafter. PAM. To my father What shall I say?--And can I then refuse, Who have but now consented? with what face? I know not what to do. DAVUS. I'faith, nor I; And yet it takes up all my thoughts. I'll tell him I've hit on something to delay the match. PAM. Oh! (_Seeing DAVUS._) DAVUS. I am seen. PAM. So, good Sir! What say you? See, how I'm hamper'd with your fine advice. DAVUS (_coming forward_). But I'll deliver you. PAM. Deliver me? DAVUS. Certainly, Sir. PAM. What, as you did just now? DAVUS. Better, I hope.