Perde 4
[Textpart 3]
have these new scruples only just now occurred to you, pray?
730
DAVUS
Bestir yourself quickly, that you may learn what I’m going to do next. (MYSIS lays the child at SIMO’s door.) Oh Jupiter!
DAVUS
The father of the intended bride is coming in the middle of it all. The plan which I had first purposed I now give up. Which I had first purposed, I now give up: His first intention no doubt was to go and inform Simo of the child being laid at the door.
MYSIS
I don’t understand what you are talking about.
DAVUS
I’ll pretend too that I’ve come in this direction from the right. Do you take care to help out
the conversation by your words, whenever there’s necessity. Whenever there’s necessity: He retires without fully explaining his intention to Mysis; consequently, in the next Scene she gives an answer to Chremes which Davus does not intend.
MYSIS
I don’t at all comprehend what you are about; but if there’s any thing in which you have need of my assistance, as you understand the best, I’ll stay, that I mayn’t in any way impede your success. (DAVUS retires out of sight.)
[Textpart 4]
After having provided the things necessary for my daughter’s nuptials, I’m returning, that I may request her to be sent for. (Seeing the child.) But what’s this? I’faith, it’s a child. (Addressing MYSIS.) Woman, have you laid that here (pointing to the child.)?
740
CHREMES
Don’t you answer me?
MYSIS
He isn’t any where to be seen. Woe to wretched me! the fellow has left me and is off.
DAVUS
Ye Gods, by our trust in you!
what a crowd there is in the Forum! What a lot of people are squabbling there! (Aloud.) Then provisions are so dear. (Aside.) What to say besides, I don’t know.
745
MYSIS
Pray, why did you leave me here alone?
DAVUS
Ha! what story is this? How now, Mysis, whence comes this child? Who has brought it here?
MYSIS
Are you quite right in your senses, to be asking me that?
DAVUS
Whom, then, ought I to ask,
as I don’t see any one else here?
750
CHREMES
I wonder whence it has come.
750
