b. (_Aside._)

BYR. What said he? (_Listening._)

SIMO. You perform
Your duty, when you cheerfully comply
With my desires.

DAVUS. There! said I not the truth? (_Apart to PAM._)

BYR. My master then, so far as I can find,
May whistle for a wife.

SIMO. Now then go in
That when you're wanted you be found.

PAM. I go. (_Exit._

BYR. Is there no faith in the affairs of men?
'Tis an old saying and a true one too;
"Of all mankind each loves himself the best."
I've seen the lady; know her beautiful;
And therefore sooner pardon Pamphilus,
If he had rather win her to his arms,
Than yield her to th' embraces of my master.
I will go bear these tidings, and receive
Much evil treatment for my evil news. (_Exit._

[Changes:

_lines taken from 1768 edition_
PAM. Who calls? my father!
DAVUS. Well said!
SIMO. It is my pleasure ...
_as printed in Harper edition_
PAM. Who calls? my father!
SIMO. It is my pleasure ...]

SCENE VII.

_Manent SIMO and DAVUS._

DAVUS. Now he supposes I've some trick in hand,
And loiter here to practice it on him!

SIMO. Well, what now, Davus?

DAVUS. Nothing.

SIMO. Nothing, say you?

DAVUS. Nothing at all.

SIMO. And yet I look'd for something.

DAVUS. So, I perceive, you did:--This nettles him. (_Aside._)

SIMO. Can you speak truth?

DAVUS. Most easily.

SIMO. Say then,
Is not this wedding irksome to my son,
From his adventure with the Andrian?

DAVUS. No faith; or if at all, 'twill only be
Two or three days' anxiety, you know;
Then 'twill be over: for he sees the thing
In its true light.

SIMO. I praise him for't.

DAVUS. While you
Restrain'd him not; and while his youth allow'd
'Tis true he lov'd; and even then by stealth,
As wise men ought, and careful of his fame.
Now his age calls for matrimony, now
To matrimony he inclines his mind.

SIMO. Yet, in my eyes, he seem'd a little sad.

DAVUS. Not upon that account. He has he thinks
Another reason to complain of you.

SIMO. For what?

DAVUS. A trifle.

SIMO. Well, what is't?

DAVUS. Nay, nothing.

SIMO. Tell me, what is't?

DAVUS. You are then, he complains,
Somewhat too sparing of expense.

SIMO. I?

DAVUS. You.
A feast of scarce ten Drachms? Does this, says he,
Look like a wedding-supper for his son?
What friends can I invite? especially
At such a time as this?--and, truly, Sir,
You have been very frugal; much too sparing.
I can't commend you for it.

SIMO.