Perde 5
[Textpart 1]
Enough already, enough, Simo, has my friendship toward you been proved. Sufficient hazard have I begun to encounter; make an end of your entreaties, then. While I’ve been endeavoring to oblige you, I’ve almost fooled away my daughter’s prospects in life.
820
SIMO
Nay but, now in especial, Chremes, I do beg and entreat of you, that the favor, commenced a short time since in words, you’ll now complete by deeds.
CHREMES
See how unreasonable you are from your very earnestness; so long as you effect what you desire, you neither think of limits to compliance, nor what it is you request of me; for if you did think, you would now forbear to trouble me with unreasonable requests.
825
SIMO
What unreasonable requests?
CHREMES
Do you ask? You importuned me to promise my daughter to a young man engaged in another attachment, averse to the marriage state,
to plunge her into discord and a marriage of uncertain duration; that through her sorrow and her anguish I might reclaim your son. You prevailed; while the case admitted of it I made preparations. Now it does not admit of it; you must put up with it; they say that she is a citizen of this place; a child has been born; do cease to trouble us.
830
SIMO
By the Gods, I do conjure you not to bring your mind to believe
those whose especial interest it is that he should be as degraded as possible. On account of the marriage, have all these things been feigned and contrived. When the reason for which they do these things is removed from them, they will desist.
835
CHREMES
You are mistaken; I myself saw the servant-maid wrangling with Davus.
CHREMES
With an appearance of earnestness, when neither at the moment perceived that I was present there.
SIMO
I believe it; and Davus a short time since forewarned me that this would be the case; and I don’t know how I forgot to tell it you to-day, as I had intended.
840
[Textpart 2]
Now then, I bid you set your minds at ease.
CHREMES
See you, there’s Davus.
SIMO
From what house is he coming out?
DAVUS
Through my means, and that of the stranger—
SIMO
What mischief is this?
DAVUS
I never did see a more opportune person, encounter, or occasion.
I wonder who it is he’s praising?
845
