The Comedies of Terence Part 5

PAM. But to-day.

DAVUS. You stun me; plague!

I tell you I know ev'ry thing: you fear (_To CHARINUS._) You should _not_ marry her.--You fear you _should._ (_To PAM._)

CHAR. The very thing.

PAM. The same.

DAVUS. And yet that _same_ Is nothing. Mark!

PAM. Nay, rid me of my fear.

DAVUS. I will then. Chremes Won't give his daughter to you.

PAM. How d'ye know?

DAVUS. I'm sure of it. Your Father but just now Takes me aside, and tells me 'twas his will That you should wed to-day; with much beside, Which now I have not leisure to repeat.

I, on the instant, hastening to find you, Run to the Forum to inform you of it: There, failing, climb an eminence, look round: No Pamphilus: I light by chance on Byrrhia; Inquire; he hadn't seen you. Vex'd at heart, _What's to be done?_ thought I. Returning thence A doubt arose within me. Ha! bad cheer, The old man melancholy, and a wedding Clapp'd up so suddenly! This don't agree.

PAM. Well, what then?

DAVUS. I betook me instantly To Chremes' house; but thither when I came, Before the door all hush. This tickled me.

PAM. You're in the right. Proceed.

DAVUS. I watch'd a while: Meantime no soul went in, no soul came out; No matron; in the house no ornament; No note of preparation. I approach'd, Look'd in----

PAM. I understand: a potent sign!

DAVUS. Does this seem like a nuptial?

PAM. I think not, Davus.

DAVUS. _Think not_, d'ye say? you don't conceive: The thing is evident. I met beside, As I departed thence, with Chremes' boy, Bearing some pot-herbs, and a pennyworth Of little fishes for the old man's dinner.

CHAR. I am deliver'd, Davus, by your means, From all my apprehensions of to-day.

DAVUS. And yet you are undone.

CHAR. How so? Since Chremes Will not consent to give Philumena To Pamphilus.

DAVUS. Ridiculous! As if, Because the daughter is denied to him, She must of course wed you. Look to it well; Court the old Gentleman through friends, apply, Or else----

CHAR. You're right: I will about it straight, Although that hope has often fail'd. Farewell. (_Exit._

[Changes:

_Harper_ DAVUS. I will then. Chremes Won't give his daughter to you.

PAM. How d'ye know?

_Colman 1768_ DAVUS. I will then. Chremes don't intend his daughter Shall marry you to-day.

PAM. No! How d'ye know?]

SCENE IV.

_PAMPHILUS. DAVUS._

PAM. What means my father then? Why counterfeit?

DAVUS. That I'll explain. If he were angry now, Merely that Chremes has refus'd his daughter, He'd think himself in fault; and justly too, Before the bias of your mind is known.

But granting you refuse her for a wife, Then all the blame devolves on you, and then Comes all the storm.

PAM. What course then shall I take?

Shall I submit----

DAVUS. He is your Father, Sir, Whom to oppose were difficult; and then Glycerium's a lone woman; and he'll find Some course, no matter what, to drive her hence.

PAM. To drive her hence?

DAVUS. Directly.

PAM. Tell me then, Oh tell me, Davus, what were best to do?

DAVUS. Say that you'll marry!

PAM. How!

DAVUS. And where's the harm?

PAM. Say that I'll marry!

DAVUS. Why not?

PAM. Never, never.

DAVUS. Do not refuse!

PAM. Persuade not!

DAVUS. Do but mark The consequence.

PAM. Divorcement from Glycerium.

And marriage with the other.

DAVUS. No such thing.

Your father, I suppose, accosts you thus.

_I'd have you wed to-day_;--_I will_, quoth you: What reason has he to reproach you then?

Thus shall you baffle all his settled schemes, And put him to confusion; all the while Secure yourself: for 'tis beyond a doubt That Chremes will refuse his daughter to you; So obstinately too, you need not pause, Or change these measures, lest he change his mind; Say to your father then, that you will wed, That, with the will, he may want cause to chide.

But if, deluded by fond hopes, you cry, "No one will wed their daughter to a rake, A libertine."--Alas, you're much deceiv'd.