CHAR. Why so? Surely he will not give her to him, after all this. (_Pointing to PAMPHILUS._) DAV. You silly fellow! as though it were a necessary consequence that if he doesn’t give her to him you should marry her: unless, {indeed}, you look about you; unless you entreat {and} make court to the old man’s friends. CHAR. You advise well. I’ll go; although, upon my faith, this hope has often eluded me already. Farewell! (_Exit._ SCENE IV. _PAMPHILUS and DAVUS._ PAM. What then does my father mean? Why does he {thus} make pretense? DAV. I’ll tell you. If now he were angry {with you}, because Chremes will not give you a wife, he would seem to himself to be unjust, and that not without reason, before he has ascertained your feelings as to the marriage, how they are disposed. But if you refuse to marry her, in that case he will transfer the blame to you; then such disturbances will arise. PAM. I will submit to any thing {from him}. DAV. He is your father, Pamphilus. It is a difficult matter. Besides, this woman is defenseless. No sooner said than done; he will find some pretext for driving her away from the city. PAM. Driving her away? DAV. {Aye}, and quickly too. PAM. Tell me then, Davus, what am I to do? DAV. Say that you will marry her. PAM. (_starting._) Ha! DAV. What’s the matter? PAM. What, am I to say so? DAV. Why not? PAM. Never will I do it. DAV. Don’t say so. PAM. Don’t attempt to persuade me. DAV. Consider what will be the result of it. PAM. That I shall be deprived of the one, {and} fixed with the other. DAV. Not so. In fact, I think it will be thus: Your father will say: “I wish you to marry a wife to-day.” You reply: “I’ll marry her.” Tell me, how can he raise a quarrel with you? Thus you will cause all the plans which are now arranged by him to be disarranged, without any danger; for this is not to be doubted, that Chremes will not give you his daughter. Therefore do not hesitate in those measures which you are taking, on this account, lest he should change his sentiments. Tell your father that you consent; so that although he may desire it, he may not be able to be angry at you with reason. For that which you rely on, I will easily refute; “No one,” {you think}, “will give a wife to {a person of} these habits.” But he will find a beggar for you, rather than allow you to be corrupted {by a mistress}. If, however, he shall believe that you bear it with a contented mind, you will render him indifferent; at his leisure he will look out for another {wife for you}; in the mean time something lucky may turn up. PAM. Do you think so? DAV. It really is not a matter of doubt. PAM. Consider to what you are persuading me. DAV. Nay, but do be quiet. PAM. Well, I’ll say it; but, that he mayn’t come to know that she has had a child by me, is a thing to be guarded against; for I have promised to bring it up. DAV. Oh, piece of effrontery.