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.