SCENE II.

LESBIA, SIMO, DAVUS.

_Lesbia._ Hitherto, Archillis, she has all the usual symptoms of doing well. Now, first, let her be bathed[146]: and, after that, give her the drink, in the quantities I directed. I shall return immediately. Upon my life, Pamphilus has got a very pretty boy. Heaven grant he may live to make a good man! for his father is a worthy youth, who would not wrong this innocent young creature.

[_Exit._

_Simo._ (_to Davus._) Could any one, who knew you, doubt for a moment that you were the contriver of this?

_Davus._ Contriver! of what, Sir?

_Simo._ The midwife never gave her orders about the treatment of her patient while she was in the house: but, after she was come out of doors, she bawls from the street to those within. O Davus, am I so despised by you? or do I appear to you a fit subject to practise such barefaced tricks upon? The least you could have done, was to have acted cautiously, that I might, at any rate, seem to be feared, if I had discovered it.

_Davus._ (_aside._) By Jupiter, he cheats himself: I am sure I’ve no hand in it.

_Simo._ Did I not warn you? Did I not threaten you with the consequences of this? But what care you? ’Twas all to no purpose! Do you think that I really believe that Glycera has borne a child to Pamphilus?

_Davus._ I see his error now, and know my cue.

_Simo._ Why don’t you speak?

_Davus._ What! not believe it! as if you had not been told of all this before!

_Simo._ I told of it!

_Davus._ Ha! ha! Could you, of yourself, have discovered that this was all pretended?

_Simo._ I am laughed at!

_Davus._ You must have been told of it: how else could you have suspected any thing?

_Simo._ How! because I know you thoroughly, sirrah.

_Davus._ Meaning, Sir, I suppose, that this was done by my advice?

_Simo._ Certainly: there can’t be the least doubt of that.

_Davus._ I’m sorry, Simo, that you don’t yet know me better.

_Simo._ What! not know you?

_Davus._ The moment I begin to speak, you imagine that I am trying to impose upon you.

_Simo._ Quite without cause, hey, Mr. Innocence?

_Davus._ Truly, at this rate, I shall hardly dare open my [147]mouth.

_Simo._ One thing I am sure of; that this child-birth is all counterfeited.

_Davus._ You have discovered the truth; but, nevertheless, they will not fail to lay a child at our door very shortly. I tell you, Sir, beforehand, that this will happen, that you may be prepared for it; and not afterwards say, that it was done by the advice and contrivance of Davus. Indeed, Sir, I wish to remove the unjust opinion you entertain of me.

_Simo._ How do you know this?

_Davus._ I heard it, and believe it to be true. Many circumstances induce me to form this conjecture. First of all, this girl affirms that she is with child by Pamphilus, which I have discovered to be false. Now, finding that the marriage preparations are going forward in our house[148], she sends her maid to fetch a midwife, and to provide a child[149]: at the same time, thinking that unless they managed that you should see a child, the marriage would not be impeded.

_Simo._ But, as you had discovered all this, why did you not directly acquaint my son with their designs?

_Davus._ Why, Sir, who was it that prevailed on him to break off the connexion? was it not Davus? We all know how madly he loved her: but now, on the contrary, he prudently resolves to marry. In short, Sir, leave this business to me: and do you persevere, (as you have begun,) in forwarding the marriage: and, I trust, that Heaven will be propitious to your endeavours!

_Simo._ Well, now, go in, and wait for me.