Davus, and in good time: for he'll advise
What's best to do.

CHAR. But you, you sorry rogue, (_To BYRRHIA_)
Can give me no advice, nor tell me aught,
But what it is impertinent to know.
Hence, Sirrah, get you gone!

BYR. With all my heart. (_Exit._

[Changes:

_Harper_
PAM. I do lack
Myself both help and counsel--But what mean you?
_Colman 1768_
PAM. Help, and counsel!
I can afford you neither.--But what mean you?]

SCENE III.

_Enter DAVUS hastily._

DAVUS. Good Heav'ns, what news I bring! what joyful news!
But where shall I find Pamphilus, to drive
His fears away, and make him full of joy?

CHAR. There's something pleases him.

PAM. No matter what.
He has not heard of our ill fortune yet.

DAVUS. And he, I warrant, if he has been told
Of his intended wedding----

CHAR. Do you hear?

DAVUS. Poor soul, is running all about the town
In quest of me. But whither shall I go?
Or which way run?

CHAR. Why don't you speak to him?

DAVUS. I'll go.

PAM. Ho! Davus! Stop, come here!

DAVUS. Who calls?
O, Pamphilus! the very man.--Heyday!
Charinus too!--Both gentlemen, well met!
I've news for both.

PAM. I'm ruin'd, Davus.

DAVUS. Hear me!

PAM. Undone!

DAVUS. I know your fears.

CHAR. My life's at stake.

DAVUS. Yours I know also.

PAM. Matrimony mine.

DAVUS. I know it.

PAM. But to-day.

DAVUS. You stun me; plague!
I tell you I know ev'ry thing: you fear (_To CHARINUS._)
You should _not_ marry her.--You fear you _should._ (_To PAM._)

CHAR. The very thing.

PAM. The same.

DAVUS. And yet that _same_
Is nothing. Mark!

PAM. Nay, rid me of my fear.

DAVUS. I will then. Chremes
Won't give his daughter to you.

PAM. How d'ye know?

DAVUS. I'm sure of it. Your Father but just now
Takes me aside, and tells me 'twas his will
That you should wed to-day; with much beside,
Which now I have not leisure to repeat.
I, on the instant, hastening to find you,
Run to the Forum to inform you of it:
There, failing, climb an eminence, look round:
No Pamphilus: I light by chance on Byrrhia;
Inquire; he hadn't seen you. Vex'd at heart,
_What's to be done?_ thought I. Returning thence
A doubt arose within me. Ha! bad cheer,
The old man melancholy, and a wedding
Clapp'd up so suddenly! This don't agree.

PAM. Well, what then?

DAVUS. I betook me instantly
To Chremes' house; but thither when I came,
Before the door all hush. This tickled me.

PAM. You're