Page:Plautus and Terence.djvu/120

Davus. (with an air of injured innocence). I, master!
could you think it? cheat?—Oh dear!
Si. (soothingly). Well, well—I fancied so: and with that thought
I kept the secret which I tell you now.
Da. What's that?
Si. Well, you shall hear: for now at last
I almost think that I may trust you—may I?
Da. At last, sir, it seems, sir, you appreciate me.
Si. This wedding was a mere pretence.
Da. (with feigned surprise). No! really?
Si. A scheme of mine, to test my son and you.
Da. Indeed!
Si. Yes, really.
Da. Look ye! what a wit
Our master has! I never could have guessed it.
Si. Listen; when I dismissed you, I met Chremes—
Da. (aside.) We're lost—I know it.
Si. Listen; straight I told him
What you told me, that Pamphilus was ready.
I begged and prayed that he would give his daughter;
At last I moved him.
Da. (aside). Then I'm done for.
Si. Hey! did you speak?
Da. I only said "well done," sir.
Si. And I beseech you, Davus, as you love me,
Since you alone have brought about this wedding—
Da. I! oh. dear, no! pray—
Si. For my son I ask you,
Still do your best to regulate his morals.
Da. I will, I will, sir—trust me. [Exit Chremes.
(Throws himself on the ground and tears his hair.)
O—h! O—h!
I'm gone—a thing of nought. Why don't I go
Straight to the mill-prison of myself?—Forgiveness?
No hope of that, from any one. I've played