Perde 3
[Textpart 4]
There’s no delay on his part now.
CHREMES
I’ll go home at once; I’ll tell her to make due preparation, and bring back word here.
SIMO
Now I do entreat you, Davus, since you by yourself have brought about this marriage for me—
595
DAVUS
I myself, indeed! I myself, indeed!: No doubt Davus says these words in sorrow and regret; Simo, however, supposes them to be uttered in exultation at the apparent success of his plans. Consequently vero is intended by Davus to have the sense here of too truly.
SIMO
Do your best still to reform my son.
DAVUS
Troth, I’ll do it with all due care.
SIMO
Do it now, while his mind is agitated.
DAVUS
You may be at ease.
SIMO
Come then; where is he just now?
DAVUS
A wonder if he isn’t at home.
SIMO
I’ll go to him; and what I’ve been telling you, I’ll tell him as well.
What reason is there why I shouldn’t take my departure straightway hence for the mill? There’s no room left for supplicating; I’ve upset every thing now; I’ve deceived my master; I’ve plunged my master’s son into a marriage; I’ve been the cause of its taking place this very day, without his hoping for it, and against the wish of Pamphilus. Here’s cleverness for you! But, if I had kept myself quiet, no mischief would have happened. (Starting.)
600
But see, I espy him; I’m utterly undone! Would that there were some spot here for me, from which I might this instant pitch myself headlong!
605
[Textpart 5]
Where is he? The villain, who this day—I’m ruined;
PAMPHILUS
and I confess that this has justly befallen me, for being such a dolt, so devoid of sense; that I should have in-trusted my fortunes to a frivolous slave! To a frivolous slave: Servo futili. According to the Scholiast on the Thebais of Statius, B. viii. 1. 297, vas futile was a kind of vessel with a broad mouth and narrow bottom, used in the rites of Vesta. It was made of that peculiar shape in order that the priest should be obliged to hold it during the sacrifices, and might not set it on the ground, which was considered profane; as, if set there, the contents must necessarily fall out. From this circumstance, men who could not contain a secret were sometimes called futiles.
I am suffering the reward of my folly; still he shall never get off from me un-punished for this.
610
DAVUS
I’m quite sure that I shall be safe in future, if for the present I get clear of this mishap.
PAMPHILUS
But what now am I to say to my father? Am I to deny that I am ready, who have just promised to marry? With what effrontery could I presume to do that? I know not what to do with myself.
DAVUS
Nor I with myself, and yet I’m giving all due attention to it.
