Perde 2
[Textpart 3]
It shall be attended to; but your father’s coming. Take care that he doesn’t perceive that you are out of spirits.
[Textpart 4]
I’ve come back to see what they are about, or what scheme they are hatching.
DAVUS
He has no doubt at present but that you’ll refuse to marry. Having considered his course, he’s come from a retired spot somewhere or other; he hopes that he has framed a speech by which to disconcert you; do you take care, then, to be yourself.
405
PAMPHILUS
If I am only able, Davus.
DAVUS
Trust me for that, Pamphilus, I tell you; your father will never this day exchange a single word with you, if you say that you will marry.
[Textpart 5]
My master has ordered me, leaving my business, to keep an eye on Pamphilus today, what he is doing with regard to the marriage. I was to learn it; for that reason, I have now followed himI have now followed him: Hunc venientem sequor. Cooke has the following remark on this line: This verse, though in every edition, as Bentley judiciously observes, is certainly spurious; for as Pamphilus has not disappeared since Byrrhia left the stage, he could not say nunc hunc venientem sequor. If we suppose the line genuine, we must at the same time suppose Terence guilty of a monstrous absurdity. On these words Colman rakes the following just observations: Other Commentators have also stumbled at this passage; but if in the words followed him hither, we suppose him (hunc) to refer to Simo, the difficulty is removed; and that the pronoun really does signify Simo, is evident from the circumstance of Pamphilus never having left the stage since the disappearance of Byrrhia. Simo is also represented as coming on the stage homeward, so that Byrrhia might easily have followed him along the street; and it is evident that Byrrhia does not allude to Pamphilus from the agreeable surprise which he expresses on seeing him there so opportunely for the purpose. (pointing to SIMO.) as he came hither.
BYRRHIA
Himself, as well, I see standing with Davus close at hand; I’ll note this.
415
SIMO
I see that both of them are here.
DAVUS
Now then, be on your guard.
DAVUS
Look round at him as though taken unawares.
PAMPHILUS
What, my father!
SIMO
I wish you to marry a wife to-day, as I was saying.
BYRRHIA
Now I’m in dread for our side, as to what he will answer.
PAMPHILUS
Neither in that nor in any thing else shall you ever find any hesitation in me.
420
SIMO
You act as becomes you, when that which I ask I obtain with a good grace.
