SIM. (_to himself._) There’s no doubt but that my son doesn’t wish for a wife; so alarmed did I perceive Davus to be just now, when he heard that there was going to be a marriage. But the very man is coming out of the house. (_Stands aside._) SCENE II. _Enter DAVUS from the house of SIMO._ DAV. (_aloud to himself._) I was wondering if this matter was to go off thus; and was continually dreading where my master’s good humor would end; for, after he had heard that a wife would not be given to his son, he never uttered a word to any one of us, or took it amiss. SIM. (_apart, overhearing him._) But now he’ll do {so}: and that, I fancy, not without heavy cost to you. DAV. (_to himself._) He meant this, that we, thus unsuspecting, should be led away by delusive joy; that now in hope, {all} fear being removed, we might during our supineness be surprised, so that there might be no time for planning a rupture of the marriage. How clever! SIM. (_apart._) The villain! what does he say? DAV. (_overhearing him, to himself._) It’s my master, and I didn’t see him. SIM. Davus. DAV. Well, what is it? SIM. Just step this way to me. DAV. (_to himself._) What does he want? SIM. What are you saying? DAV. About what? SIM. Do you ask the question? There’s a report that my son’s in love. DAV. The public troubles itself about that,[38] of course. SIM. Will you attend to this, or not? DAV. Certainly, I {will}, to that. SIM. But for me to inquire now into these matters, were the part of a severe father. For what he has done hitherto, doesn’t concern me at all. So long as his time {of life} prompted to that course, I allowed him to indulge his inclination: now this day brings on another mode of life, demands other habits. From this time forward, I do request, or if it is reasonable, I do entreat you, Davus, that he may now return to the {right} path. DAV. (_aside._) What can this mean? SIM. All who are intriguing take it ill to have a wife given them. DAV. So they say. SIM. And if any one has adopted a bad instructor in that course, he generally urges the enfeebled mind to pursuits still more unbecoming. DAV. I’faith, I do not comprehend. SIM. No? Ha---- DAV. No-- I am Davus, not Œdipus.[39] SIM. Of course then, you wish me to speak plainly in what further I have to say. DAV. Certainly, by all means. SIM. If I this day find out that you are attempting any trickery about this marriage, to the end that it may not take place; or are desirous that in this matter it should be proved how knowing you are; I’ll hand you over, Davus, beaten with stripes, to the mill,[40] even to your dying day, upon this condition and pledge, that if {ever} I release you, I shall grind in your place. Now, do you understand this? Or not yet even this? DAV. Yes, perfectly: you have now spoken so plainly upon the subject, you have not used the least circumlocution. SIM. In any thing would I more willingly allow myself to be imposed upon than in this matter.