Perde 2
DAVUS
I stopped there. In the mean time I saw no one going in, no one going out; no matron at the house,No matron at thehouse: By the use of the word matrona. he probably alludes to the pronuba. among the Romans, whose duties were somewhat similar to those of our bride’s-maids. At the completion of the bridal repast, the bride was conducted to the bridal chamber by matrons who had not had more than one husband.
no preparation, no bustle. I drew near; looked in—
365
PAMPHILUS
I understand; a considerable indication.
365
DAVUS
Do these things seem to accord with a wedding?
PAMPHILUS
I think not, Davus.
DAVUS
Think, do you say? You don’t view it rightly; the thing is certain. Besides, coming away from there I saw the servant-boy of Chremes carrying some vegetables and little fishes, an obol’s worth,An obol’s worth: The obolus was the smallest Greek silver coin, and was equal in value to about three halfpence of our money. Pisciculi minuti. little fish, were much used for food among the poorer classes; mena, a fish resembling our pilchard, was a common article of food with the Romans. The larger kinds of fish went under the general name of cetum, for the old man’s dinner.
CHARINUS
This day, Davus, have I been delivered by your means.
370
DAVUS
And yet not at all.
370
CHARINUS
Why so? Surely he will not give her to him, after all this. (Pointing to PAMPHILUS.)
DAVUS
You silly fellow! as though it were a necessary consequence that if he doesn’t give her to him you should marry her: unless, indeed, you look about you; unless you entreat and make court to the old man’s friends.
CHARINUS
You advise well. I’ll go; although, upon my faith, this hope has often eluded me already. Farewell!
[Textpart 3]
What then does my father mean? Why does he thus make pretense?
375
DAVUS
I’ll tell you. If now he were angry with you, because Chremes will not give you a wife, he would seem to himself to be unjust, and that not without reason, before he has ascertained your feelings as to the marriage, how they are disposed. But if you refuse to marry her, in that case he will transfer the blame to you;
375
then such disturbances will arise.
380
PAMPHILUS
I will submit to any thing from him.
380
DAVUS
He is your father, Pamphilus. It is a difficult matter. Besides, this woman is defenseless. No sooner said than done; he will find some pretext for driving her away from the city.
380
PAMPHILUS
Driving her away?
DAVUS
Aye, and quickly too.
PAMPHILUS
Tell me then, Davus, what am I to do?
