not you
_Then_ take your son to task?

SIMO. Not even this
Appear'd sufficient for reproof.

SOSIA. How so?

SIMO. "Father, (he might have said) You have, you know,
Prescrib'd a term to all these things yourself.
The time is near at hand, when I must live
According to the humor of another.
Meanwhile, permit me now to please my own!"

SOSIA. What cause remains to chide him then?

SIMO. If he
Refuses, on account of this amour,
To take a wife, such obstinate denial
Must be considered as his first offense.
Wherefore I now, from this mock-nuptial,
Endeavor to draw real cause to chide:
And that same rascal Davus, if he's plotting,
That he may let his counsel run to waste,
Now, when his knaveries can do no harm:
Who, I believe, with all his might and main
Will strive to cross my purposes; and that
More to plague me, than to oblige my son.

SOSIA. Why so?

SIMO. Why so! Bad mind, bad heart: But if
I catch him at his tricks!--But what need words?
--If, as I wish it may, it should appear
That Pamphilus objects not to the match,
Chremes remains to be prevail'd upon,
And will, I hope, consent. 'Tis now your place
To counterfeit these nuptials cunningly;
To frighten Davus; and observe my son,
What he's about, what plots they hatch together.

SOSIA. Enough; I'll take due care. Let's now go in!

SIMO. Go first: I'll follow you. (_Exit SOSIA._
Beyond all doubt
My son's averse to take a wife: I saw
How frighten'd Davus was, but even now,
When he was told a nuptial was preparing.
But here he comes.

[Changes:

_In this Scene, all quotation marks were supplied from the
1768 edition._

SIMO. Carry those things in: go! (_Ex. SERVANTS._
_Harper text reads "Exit SERVANTS"; "Ex." (1768) can be taken as the
correct plural form "Exeunt"._

_Harper_
He wholly did resign himself; and join'd
In their pursuits, opposing nobody,
_Colman 1768_
He wholly did resign himself; complied
With all their humours, checking nobody,

... Was married to this stranger woman. I
Deny the fact
_Line-final "I" missing in Harper text._]

SCENE II.

_Enter DAVUS._

DAVUS. (_to himself_). I thought 'twere wonderful
If this affair went off so easily;
And dreaded where my master's great good-humor
Would end at last: who, after he perceiv'd
The Lady was refus'd, ne'er said a word
To any of us, nor e'er took it ill.

SIMO. (_behind_). But now he will; to your cost too, I warrant you!