SCENE IV.

SIMO, CHREMES[151].

_Simo._ Chremes, I am very glad to see you!

_Chremes._ O! Simo, I was looking for you.

_Simo._ And I for you.

_Chremes._ I meet you most opportunely. Several persons came to me, and asserted, that you had told them, that my daughter was to be given in marriage to your son to-day. For this reason, I came to see whether they have lost their senses, or you your’s.

_Simo._ Hear me, Chremes; and you shall know, both what you come to ask, and what I desire of you.

_Chremes._ I am all attention: pray proceed.

_Simo._ I conjure you, by the gods, and by our friendship, Chremes, which has grown up with us from our earliest years, and strengthened with our age: for the sake of your daughter, your only child: and, for the sake of my son, whose welfare depends entirely upon you; I entreat you to assist me in this affair: and renew your consent to the marriage of our children.

_Chremes._ Ah, Simo, what need of prayers? as if it were necessary to use so much entreaty with me, your friend. Do you think that I am less your friend than when I offered my daughter to your son? If the marriage will conduce to their mutual happiness, in Heaven’s name, send for my daughter, and let them marry at once: but, if it be found, that it would tend to the detriment, rather than to the advantage, of both; I beseech you to consult their mutual benefit, without partiality, as if you were the father of Philumena, and I of Pamphilus.

_Simo._ Truly, Chremes, it is with that view that I wish their union, and entreat you to consent to it. Neither should I press it so earnestly upon you, if the present aspect of the affair did not justify my urgency.

_Chremes._ How so, pray?

_Simo._ Glycera and my son have quarrelled!

_Chremes._ Indeed! I hear you.

_Simo._ And the breach between them is so great, that I trust that we shall be able entirely to detach Pamphilus from her society.

_Chremes._ Fables!

_Simo._ Upon my honour what I tell you is a fact.

_Chremes._ A fact, by Hercules, that I’ll explain to you. The quarrels of lovers, is the renewal[152] of their love.

_Simo._ You are right, and that is the reason of my request: I am anxious that we should seize this opportunity to prevent them, while his love is weakened by her insolence and upbraidings. Let us then hasten his marriage, before the artifices and hypocritical tears of these creatures recal his love-sick mind to pity. And, I trust, Chremes, that a well-assorted marriage, and the endearing society of his wife, will enable my son to extricate himself easily from their toils.

_Chremes._ You may view the affair in that light: but I cannot think, either that Pamphilus could be faithful to my daughter, or that I could bear to see him otherwise.

_Simo._ But how do you know that, without you put him to the trial.

_Chremes._ But to stake the happiness of my daughter on that trial, is hard indeed.

_Simo._ Yet the most serious mischief, after all, can amount but to a separation[153], which may the gods avert. But, on the other hand, if he fulfils our wishes, consider the advantages that will result from the marriage: in the first place, you will restore to your friend a son: you will ensure to yourself, a dutiful son: and, to your daughter, a faithful husband.

_Chremes._ What occasion for so many words: if you think this step so very essential to reclaim your son, I should be sorry to throw any impediment in your way.

_Simo._ O Chremes! you well deserve the love I’ve always borne you.

_Chremes._ But tell me――――

_Simo._ What?

_Chremes._ How did you learn their quarrel?

_Simo._ I was informed of it by Davus himself, who is the confidant of all their counsels; and he persuaded me to do all in my power to forward the marriage: would he have done so, do you think, had he not known it to be consonant to my son’s wishes? But you yourself shall hear what he says. Within, there: send Davus hither; but here he is, I see him coming forth.