Act 3 — Scene V.
W. R. Goodluck translation
Scene V.
Simo, Chremes, Davus.
Davus. I was coming to you, Sir.
Simo. What is it?
Davus. Why is not the bride brought? it grows late[154ᴬ].
Simo. (to Chremes.) Do you hear him? I confess to you, Davus, that, till lately, I have been fearful, that you would prove perfidious[154ᴮ], like the common herd of slaves, and deceive me in this intrigue of Pamphilus.
Davus. I do such a thing, Sir!
Simo. I did suspect it, and, on that very account, I concealed from you what I will now disclose.
Davus. What is that, Sir?
Simo. You shall hear: for, at last, I begin to think that I may trust you.
Davus. Ah, Sir, you now appreciate my character as you ought; you now see what kind of man I am.
Simo. This marriage was all counterfeited.
Davus. Counterfeited!
Simo. Yes, for the purpose of proving you and my son, and to try how you would receive the proposal.
Davus. How! is it possible?
Simo. Fact, I assure you.
Davus. I never could have fathomed this design; what a profound contrivance! deep, Sir, very deep. (bantering.)
Simo. But hear me out. After I sent you in, I most opportunely met my friend Chremes.
Davus. (aside.) How! what does he say? All is lost, I fear.
Simo. I related to him what you had just before related to me.
Davus. (aside.) What do I hear!
Simo. I entreated him to give his daughter to Pamphilus, and, with great difficulty, prevailed upon him to consent.
Davus. (aside.) How unfortunate!
Simo. Ha! what’s that you say[155]?
Davus. How very fortunate, I say.
Simo. Chremes now consents to an immediate union.
Chremes. Well, I will now return home, and order every thing to be prepared: when all is ready, I shall let you know.
[Exit.