SCENE II.

SIMO, DAVUS.

_Simo._ My son, I have no doubt, will refuse to marry; for I observed that Davus seemed terribly perplexed just now, when he heard that the match was to take place: but here he comes[85].

_Davus._ (_not seeing Simo._) I wondered that this affair seemed likely to pass off so easily! and always mistrusted the drift of my old master’s extraordinary patience and gentleness; who, though he was refused the wife he wished for, for his son, never mentioned a word of it to us, or seemed to take any thing amiss.

_Simo._ (_aside_.) But now he will, as you shall feel, rascal.

_Davus._ His design was to entrap us while we were indulging in an ill-founded joy, and fancied ourselves quite secure. He wished to take advantage of our heedlessness, and make up the match before we could prevent him: what a crafty old fellow!

_Simo._ How this rascal prates[86]!

_Davus._ Here is my master! he has overheard me! I never saw him!

_Simo._ Davus.

_Davus._ Who calls Davus?

_Simo._ Come hither, sirrah.

_Davus._ (_aside._) What can he want with me?

_Simo._ What were you saying?

_Davus._ About what, Sir?

_Simo._ About what, Sir? The world says that my son has an intrigue.

_Davus._ Oh! Sir, the world cares a great deal about that, no doubt.

_Simo._ Are you attending to this, Sir?

_Davus._ Yes, Sir, certainly.

_Simo._ It does not become me to inquire too strictly into the truth of these reports. I shall not concern myself in what he has done hitherto; for as long as circumstances allowed of it, I left him to himself: but it is now high time that he should alter and lead a new life. Therefore, Davus, I command, and even entreat, that you will prevail on him to amend his conduct.

_Davus._ What is the meaning of all this discourse?

_Simo._ Those who have love intrigues on their hands are generally very averse to marriage.

_Davus._ So I have heard.

_Simo._ And if any of them manage such an affair after the counsel of a knave, ’tis a hundred to one but the rogue will take advantage of their weakness, and lead them a step further, from being love-sick to some still greater scrape or imprudence.

_Davus._ Truly, Sir, I don’t understand what you said last.

_Simo._ No! not understand it!

_Davus._ No. I am not Œdipus[87] but Davus.

_Simo._ Then you wish that what I have to say should be explained openly and without reserve.

_Davus._ Certainly I do.

_Simo._ Then, sirrah, if I discover that you endeavour to prevent my son’s marriage by any of your crafty tricks; or interfere in this business to show your cunning; you may rely on receiving a few scores of lashes, and a situation in the grinding-house[88] for life: upon this token, moreover, that when I liberate you from thence, I will grind in your stead. Is this plain enough for you, or don’t you understand yet?

_Davus._ Oh, perfectly! you come to the point at once: you don’t use much circumlocution, i’faith.

_Simo._ Remember! In this affair above all others, if you begin plotting, I will never forgive it.

_Davus._ Softly, worthy Sir, softly, good words I beg of you.

_Simo._ So! you are merry upon it, are you, but I am not to be imposed upon. I advise you, finally, to take care what you do: you cannot say you have not had fair warning.

[_Exit._