w! not content!
Is it not then sufficient, if I give you
The respite of a day, a little day,
By putting off his wedding?

CHAR. Aye, but Davus,----

DAVUS. But what?

CHAR. That I may wed----

DAVUS. Ridiculous!

CHAR. If you succeed, come to me.

DAVUS. Wherefore come?
I can't assist you.

CHAR. Should it so fall out----

DAVUS. Well, well, I'll come.

CHAR. If aught, I am at home. (_Exit._

[Erratum:

_1768 edition prints "SEENE III."]

SCENE IV.

_Manent DAVUS, MYSIS._

DAVUS. Mysis, wait here till I come forth.

MYSIS. For what?

DAVUS. It must be so.

MYSIS. Make haste then.

DAVUS. In a moment. (_Exit to GLYCERIUM'S._

SCENE V.

_MYSIS alone._

Can we securely then count nothing ours?
Oh all ye Gods! I thought this Pamphilus
The greatest good my mistress could obtain,
Friend, lover, husband, ev'ry way a blessing:
And yet what woe, poor wretch, endures she not
On his account? Alas, more ill than good.
But here comes Davus.

SCENE VI.

_Re-enter DAVUS with the child._

MYSIS. Prithee, man, what now?
Where are you carrying the child?

DAVUS. Oh, Mysis,
Now have I need of all your ready wit,
And all your cunning.

MYSIS. What are you about?

DAVUS. Quick, take the boy, and lay him at our door.

MYSIS. What, on the bare ground?

DAVUS. From the altar then
Take herbs and strew them underneath.

MYSIS. And why
Can't you do that yourself?

DAVUS. Because, that if
My master chance to put me to my oath
That 'twas not I who laid it there, I may
With a safe conscience swear. (_Gives her the child._)

MYSIS. I understand.
But pray how came this sudden qualm upon you?

DAVUS. Nay, but be quick, that you may comprehend
What I propose.-- (_MYSIS lays the child at SIMO'S door._)
Oh Jupiter! (_Looking out._)

MYSIS. What now?

DAVUS. Here comes the father of the bride!--I change
My first-intended purpose.

MYSIS. What you mean
I can't imagine.

DAVUS. This way from the right,
I'll counterfeit to come:--And be't your care
To throw in aptly now and then a word,
To help out the discourse as need requires.

MYSIS. Still what you're at, I can not comprehend.
But if I can assist, as you know best,
Not to obstruct your purposes, I'll stay. (_DAVUS retires._)

[Changes:

_Harper_
DAVUS. Because, that if
My master chance to put me to my oath
That 'twas not I who laid it there, I may
With a safe conscience swear.
MYSIS. I under