Hold your peace.

DAVUS. I've ruffled him. (_Aside._)

SIMO. I'll look to that. Away! (_Exit DAVUS._
What now? What means the varlet? Precious rogue,
For if there's any knavery on foot,
He, I am sure, is the contriver on't. (_Exit._

[Changes:

_Harper_
'Tis true he lov'd; and even then by stealth
_Colman 1768_
'Tis true he lov'd; but even then by stealth]

ACT THE THIRD.

SCENE I.

_SIMO, DAVUS, coming out of SIMO'S house.--MYSIS, LESBIA, going
toward the house of GLYCERIUM._

MYSIS. Aye, marry, 'tis as you say, Lesbia:
Women scarce ever find a constant man.

SIMO. The Andrian's maid-servant! Is't not?

DAVUS. Aye.

MYSIS. But Pamphilus----

SIMO. What says she? (_Overhearing._)

MYSIS. Has been true.

SIMO. How's that? (_Overhearing._)

DAVUS. Would he were deaf, or she were dumb! (_Aside._)

MYSIS. For the child, boy, or girl, he has resolv'd
To educate.

SIMO. O Jupiter! what's this
I hear? If this be true, I'm lost indeed.

LESBIA. A good young Gentleman!

MYSIS. Oh, very good.
But in, in, lest you make her wait.

LESBIA. I follow. (_Exeunt MYSIS and LESBIA._

SCENE II.

_Manent SIMO, DAVUS._

DAVUS. Unfortunate! What remedy! (_Aside._)

SIMO. How's this? (_To himself._)
And can he be so mad? What! educate
A harlot's child!--Ah, now I know their drift:
Fool that I was, scarce smelt it out at last.

DAVUS (_listening_). What's this he says he has smelt out?

SIMO. Imprimis, (_To himself._)
'Tis this rogue's trick upon me. All a sham:
A counterfeit deliv'ry, and mock labor,
Devis'd to frighten Chremes from the match.

GLY. (_within_). Juno Lucina, save me! Help, I pray thee.

SIMO. Heyday! Already! Oh ridiculous!
Soon as she heard that I was at the door
She hastens to cry out: your incidents
Are ill-tim'd, Davus.

DAVUS. Mine, Sir?

SIMO. Are your players
Unmindful of their cues, and want a prompter?

DAVUS. I do not comprehend you.

SIMO (_apart._) If this knave
Had, in the real nuptial of my son,
Come thus upon me unprepar'd, what sport,
What scorn he'd have exposed me to? But now
At his own peril be it. I'm secure.

SCENE III.

_Re-enter LESBIA.--ARCHYLLIS appears at the door._

LESBIA _to ARCHYLLIS (within)_. As yet, Archyllis, all the symptoms seem
As good as might be wish'd in her condition:
First, let her make ablution: after that,
Drink what I've order'd her, and just so much:
And presently I will be here again. (