Perde 3
[Textpart 3]
After this fashion, i’faith, I tell you,
CHREMES
the quarrels of lovers are the renewal of love.
555
SIMO
Well—this I beg of you, that we may prevent it. While an opportunity offers, and while his passion is cooled by affronts, before the wiles of these women and their tears, craftily feigned,
bring back his love-sick mind to compassion, let us give him a wife. I trust, Chremes, that, when attached by intimacy and a respectable marriage, he will easily extricate himself from these evils.
560
CHREMES
So it appears to you; but I do not think But I do not think: At ego non posse arbitror neque illum hanc perpetuo habere. Chremes uses an ambiguous expression here, perhaps purposely. It may mean, I do not think that he can possibly be constant to her, or, that she will continue to live with him. that either he can possibly hold to her with constancy, or that I can put up with it if he does not.
SIMO
How then can you be sure of that, unless you make the experiment?
565
CHREMES
But for that experiment to be made upon a daughter is a serious thing—
SIMO
Why look, all the inconvenience in fine amounts to this—possibly, which may the Gods forfend, a separation may take place. But if he is reformed, see how many are the advantages:
in the first place, you will have restored a son to your friend; you will obtain a sure son-in-law A sure son-in-law: By the use of the word firmum. he means a son-in-law who will not be likely to resort to divorce or separation from his wife. for yourself, and a husband for your daughter.
570
CHREMES
What is one to say to all this? If you feel persuaded that this is beneficial, I don’t wish that any advantage should be denied you.
SIMO
With good reason, Chremes, have I always considered you a most valuable friend.
CHREMES
But how say you—?
575
CHREMES
How do you know that they are now at variance?
575
SIMO
Davus himself, who is privy to all their plans, has told me so; and he advises me to expedite the match as fast as I can. Do you think he would do so, unless he was aware that my son desired it? You yourself as well shall presently hear what he says. (Goes to the door of his house and calls.) Halloo there! Call Davus out here.
Look, here he is; I see him just coming out.
580
[Textpart 4]
I was coming to you.
580
SIMO
Why, what’s the matter?
580
DAVUS
Why isn’t the bride sent for? Why isn’t the bride sent for?: Among the Greeks the bride was conducted by the bridegroom at nightfall from her father’s house, in a chariot drawn by a pair of mules or oxen, and escorted by persons carrying the nuptial torches. Among the Romans, she proceeded in the evening to the bridegroom’s house; preceded by a boy carrying a torch of white thorn, or, according to some, of pine-wood. To this custom reference is indirectly made in the present passage. It’s now growing late in the day.
SIMO
Do you hear me? I’ve been for some time not a little apprehensive of you, Davus, lest you should do that which the common class of servants is in the habit of doing, namely, impose upon me by your artifices; because my son is engaged in an amour.
