_Harper_ DAVUS. Because, that if My master chance to put me to my oath That 'twas not I who laid it there, I may With a safe conscience swear. MYSIS. I understand. _Colman 1768_ DAVUS. Because, supposing There should be need to swear to my old master I did not lay the bantling there myself I may with a safe conscience. MYSIS. I conceive.] SCENE VII. _Enter CHREMES going toward SIMO'S._ CHREMES. Having provided all things necessary. I now return to bid them call the bride. What's here? (_seeing the child_) by Hercules, a child! Ha, woman, Was't you that laid it here? MYSIS. Where is he gone? (_Looking after DAVUS._) CHREMES. What, won't you answer me? MYSIS. (_Looking about._) Not here: Ah me! The fellow's gone, and left me in the lurch. (_DAVUS coming forward and pretending not to see them._) DAVUS. Good Heavens, what confusion at the Forum! The people all disputing with each other! The market-price is so confounded high. (_Loud._) What to say else I know not. (_Aside._) MYSIS (_to DAVUS_). What d'ye mean, (_CHREMES retires and listens to their conversation._) By leaving me alone? DAVUS. What farce is this? Ha, Mysis, whence this child? Who brought it here? MYSIS. Have you your wits, to ask me such a question? DAVUS. Whom should I ask, when no one else is here? CHREMES (_behind_). I wonder whence it comes. (_To himself._) DAVUS. Wilt answer me! (_Loud._) MYSIS. Ah! (_Confused._) DAVUS. This way to the right! (_Apart to MYSIS._) MYSIS. You're raving mad. Was 't not yourself! DAVUS. I charge you not a word, But what I ask you. (_Apart to MYSIS._) MYSIS. Do you threaten me? DAVUS. Whence comes this child? (_Loud._) MYSIS. From our house. DAVUS. Ha! ha! ha! No wonder that a harlot has assurance. CHREMES. This is the Andrian's servant-maid, I take it. DAVUS. Do we then seem to you such proper folks To play these tricks upon? (_Loud to MYSIS._) CHREMES. I came in time. (_To himself._) DAVUS. Make haste, and take your bantling from our door. (_Loud._) Hold! do not stir from where you are, be sure. (_Softly._) MYSIS. A plague upon you: you so terrify me! DAVUS. Wench, did I speak to you or no? (_Loud._) MYSIS. What would you? DAVUS. What would I? Say, whose child have you laid here? Tell me. (_Loud._) MYSIS. You don't know? DAVUS. Plague of what I know: Tell what I ask. (_Softly._) MYSIS. Yours. DAVUS. Ours? Whose? (_Loud._) MYSIS. Pamphilus's. DAVUS. How say you? Pamphilus's? (_Loud._) MYSIS. Why is 't not? CHREMES. I had good cause to be against this match. (_To himself._) DAVUS. O monstrous impudence! (_Bawling._) MYSIS. Why all this noise? DAVUS. Did not I see this child convey'd by stealth Into your house last night? MYSIS. Oh rogue! DAVUS. 'Tis true. I saw old Canthara stuff'd out? MYSIS. Thank Heav'n, Some free-women were present at her labor?