Act 4 — Scene VII.
W. R. Goodluck translation
Scene VII.
Mysis, Davus, (with Glycera’s child.)
Davus. Now, Mysis, I want you to assist me in this affair with all your ready wit, artifice, and dexterity.
Mysis. What are you going to do?
Davus. Take the child from me directly, and lay him down at our door[171].
Mysis. Mercy on me! what, upon the bare ground?
Davus. You may take some of the herbs from that altar, and strew them under him[172].
Mysis. But why don’t you lay him there yourself?
Davus. That if my master should require me to swear that I did not do it; I may take the oath with a safe conscience[173].
Mysis. I understand you. But tell me, Davus, how long has your conscience been so scrupulously nice?
Davus. Make haste, that I may tell you further what I mean to do. Oh, Jupiter!
Mysis. What?
Davus. (to himself.) The father of the bride is coming this way: I abandon my first design.
Mysis. I don’t understand this[174].
Davus. I will pretend to come from the right: do you take care to second what I say, as you see occasion.
[he retires
Mysis. I can’t make out a syllable of all this: but, if I can be of any use, (which you know better than I,) I will stay; lest, otherwise, I should be any hinderance to your plans.