stand.
_Colman 1768_
DAVUS. Because, supposing
There should be need to swear to my old master
I did not lay the bantling there myself
I may with a safe conscience.
MYSIS. I conceive.]

SCENE VII.

_Enter CHREMES going toward SIMO'S._

CHREMES. Having provided all things necessary.
I now return to bid them call the bride.
What's here? (_seeing the child_) by Hercules, a child! Ha, woman,
Was't you that laid it here?

MYSIS. Where is he gone? (_Looking after DAVUS._)

CHREMES. What, won't you answer me?

MYSIS. (_Looking about._) Not here: Ah me!
The fellow's gone, and left me in the lurch.

(_DAVUS coming forward and pretending not to see them._)

DAVUS. Good Heavens, what confusion at the Forum!
The people all disputing with each other!
The market-price is so confounded high. (_Loud._)
What to say else I know not. (_Aside._)

MYSIS (_to DAVUS_). What d'ye mean, (_CHREMES retires and listens to
their conversation._)
By leaving me alone?

DAVUS. What farce is this?
Ha, Mysis, whence this child? Who brought it here?

MYSIS. Have you your wits, to ask me such a question?

DAVUS. Whom should I ask, when no one else is here?

CHREMES (_behind_). I wonder whence it comes. (_To himself._)

DAVUS. Wilt answer me! (_Loud._)

MYSIS. Ah! (_Confused._)

DAVUS. This way to the right! (_Apart to MYSIS._)

MYSIS. You're raving mad.
Was 't not yourself!

DAVUS. I charge you not a word,
But what I ask you. (_Apart to MYSIS._)

MYSIS. Do you threaten me?

DAVUS. Whence comes this child? (_Loud._)

MYSIS. From our house.

DAVUS. Ha! ha! ha!
No wonder that a harlot has assurance.

CHREMES. This is the Andrian's servant-maid, I take it.

DAVUS. Do we then seem to you such proper folks
To play these tricks upon? (_Loud to MYSIS._)

CHREMES. I came in time. (_To himself._)

DAVUS. Make haste, and take your bantling from our door. (_Loud._)
Hold! do not stir from where you are, be sure. (_Softly._)

MYSIS. A plague upon you: you so terrify me!

DAVUS. Wench, did I speak to you or no? (_Loud._)

MYSIS. What would you?

DAVUS. What would I? Say, whose child have you laid here?
Tell me. (_Loud._)

MYSIS. You don't know?

DAVUS. Plague of what I know:
Tell what I ask. (_Softly._)

MYSIS. Yours.

DAVUS. Ours? Whose? (_Loud._)

MYSIS. Pamphilus's.

DAVUS. How say you? Pamphilus's? (_Loud._)

MYSIS. Why is 't not?

CHREMES. I had good cause to be against this m