DAVUS. This was his scheme; to lead us by the nose
In a false dream of joy; then all agape
With hope, even then that we were most secure,
To have o'erwhelm'd us, nor have giv'n us time
To cast about which way to break the match.
Cunning old Gentleman!

SIMO. What says the rogue?

DAVUS. My master and I did not see him!

SIMO. Davus!

DAVUS. Well! what now? (_Pretending not to see him._)

SIMO. Here! this way!

DAVUS. What can he want? (_To himself._)

SIMO. (_overhearing_). What say you?

DAVUS. Upon what? Sir.

SIMO. Upon what!
The world reports that my son keeps a mistress.

DAVUS. Oh, to be sure, the world cares much for that.

SIMO. D'ye mind what I say? Sirrah!

DAVUS. Nothing more, Sir.

SIMO. But for me now to dive into these matters
May seem perhaps like too severe a father:
For all his youthful pranks concern not me.
While 'twas in season, he had my free leave
To take his swing of pleasure. But to-day
Brings on another stage of life, and asks
For other manners: wherefore I desire,
Or, if you please, I do beseech you, Davus,
To set him right again.

DAVUS. What means all this?

SIMO. All, who are fond of mistresses, dislike
The thoughts of matrimony.

DAVUS. So they say.

SIMO. And then, if such a person entertains
An evil counselor in those affairs,
He tampers with the mind, and makes bad worse.

DAVUS. Troth, I don't comprehend one word of this.

SIMO. No?

DAVUS. No. I'm Davus, and not Oedipus.

SIMO. Then for the rest I have to say to you,
You choose I should speak plainly.

DAVUS. By all means.

SIMO. If I discover then, that in this match
You get to your dog's tricks to break it off,
Or try to show how shrewd a rogue you are,
I'll have you beat to mummy, and then thrown
In prison, Sirrah! upon this condition,
That when I take you out again, I swear
To grind there in your stead. D'ye take me now?
Or don't you understand this neither?

DAVUS. Clearly.
You have spoke out at last: the very thing!
Quite plain and home; and nothing round about.

SIMO. I could excuse your tricks in any thing,
Rather than this.

DAVUS. Good words! I beg of you.

SIMO. You laugh at me: well, well!--I give you warning
That you do nothing rashly, nor pretend
You was not advertis'd of this--take heed! (_Exit._

[Changes:

_Harper_
To have o'erwhelm'd us, nor have giv'n us time
_Colman 1768_
To have o'erwhelm'd us, nor allow'd us time

Or, if you please, I do