s; whose carelessness he prefers to emulate, rather than
the mystifying carefulness[24] of those parties. Therefore, I advise
them to be quiet in future, and to cease to slander; that they may not
be made acquainted with their own misdeeds. Be well disposed, then;
attend with unbiased mind, and consider the matter, that you may
determine what hope is left; whether the Plays which he shall in
future compose anew, are to be witnessed, or are rather to be driven
off {the stage}.

ACT THE FIRST.

SCENE I.

_Enter SIMO and SOSIA, followed by SERVANTS carrying provisions._

SIMO (_to the Servants._) Do you carry those things away in-doors;
begone. (_Beckoning to SOSIA._) Sosia, just step here; I want a few
words with you.

SOSIA. Consider it as said; that these things are to be taken care of,
I suppose.[25]

SIM. No, it's another matter.

SOS. What is there that my ability can effect for you more than this?

SIM. There's no need of that ability in the matter which I have in
hand; but of those {qualities} which I have ever known as existing in
you, fidelity and secrecy.

SOS. I await your will.

SIM. Since I purchased you, you know that, from a little child, your
servitude with me has always been easy and light. From a slave I made
you my freedman;[26] for this reason, because you served me with
readiness. The greatest recompense that I possessed, I bestowed upon
you.

SOS. I bear it in mind.

SIM. I am not changed.

SOS. If I have done or am doing aught that is pleasing to you, Simo,
I am glad that it has been done; and that the same has been gratifying
to you, I consider {sufficient} thanks. But this is a cause of
uneasiness to me; for the recital is, as it were, a censure[27] to one
forgetful of a kindness. But tell me, in one word, what it is that you
want with me.

SIM. I'll do so. In the first place, in this affair I give you notice:
this, which you suppose to be such, is not a real marriage.

SOS. Why do you pretend it then?

SIM. You shall hear all the matter from the beginning; by that means
you'll be acquainted with both my son's mode of life and my own
design, and what I want you to do in this affair. For after he had
passed youthfulness,[28] Sosia, and had obtained free scope of living,
(for before, how could you know or understand his disposition, while
_youthful_ age, fear, _and_ a master[29] were checking him?)--

SOS. That's true.

SIM. What all young men, for the most part,