in the right. Proceed.

DAVUS. I watch'd a while:
Meantime no soul went in, no soul came out;
No matron; in the house no ornament;
No note of preparation. I approach'd,
Look'd in----

PAM. I understand: a potent sign!

DAVUS. Does this seem like a nuptial?

PAM. I think not,
Davus.

DAVUS. _Think not_, d'ye say? you don't conceive:
The thing is evident. I met beside,
As I departed thence, with Chremes' boy,
Bearing some pot-herbs, and a pennyworth
Of little fishes for the old man's dinner.

CHAR. I am deliver'd, Davus, by your means,
From all my apprehensions of to-day.

DAVUS. And yet you are undone.

CHAR. How so? Since Chremes
Will not consent to give Philumena
To Pamphilus.

DAVUS. Ridiculous! As if,
Because the daughter is denied to him,
She must of course wed you. Look to it well;
Court the old Gentleman through friends, apply,
Or else----

CHAR. You're right: I will about it straight,
Although that hope has often fail'd. Farewell. (_Exit._

[Changes:

_Harper_
DAVUS. I will then. Chremes
Won't give his daughter to you.
PAM. How d'ye know?
_Colman 1768_
DAVUS. I will then. Chremes don't intend his daughter
Shall marry you to-day.
PAM. No! How d'ye know?]

SCENE IV.

_PAMPHILUS. DAVUS._

PAM. What means my father then? Why counterfeit?

DAVUS. That I'll explain. If he were angry now,
Merely that Chremes has refus'd his daughter,
He'd think himself in fault; and justly too,
Before the bias of your mind is known.
But granting you refuse her for a wife,
Then all the blame devolves on you, and then
Comes all the storm.

PAM. What course then shall I take?
Shall I submit----

DAVUS. He is your Father, Sir,
Whom to oppose were difficult; and then
Glycerium's a lone woman; and he'll find
Some course, no matter what, to drive her hence.

PAM. To drive her hence?

DAVUS. Directly.

PAM. Tell me then,
Oh tell me, Davus, what were best to do?

DAVUS. Say that you'll marry!

PAM. How!

DAVUS. And where's the harm?

PAM. Say that I'll marry!

DAVUS. Why not?

PAM. Never, never.

DAVUS. Do not refuse!

PAM. Persuade not!

DAVUS. Do but mark
The consequence.

PAM. Divorcement from Glycerium.
And marriage with the other.

DAVUS. No such thing.
Your father, I suppose, accosts you thus.
_I'd have you wed to-day_;--_I will_, quoth you:
What reason has he to reproach you then?
Thus shall you baffle all his settled schemes,
And put hi