. (_SOSIA goes into the house of SIMO._)

SIM. (_to himself._) There's no doubt but that my son doesn't wish for
a wife; so alarmed did I perceive Davus to be just now, when he heard
that there was going to be a marriage. But the very man is coming out
of the house. (_Stands aside._)

SCENE II.

_Enter DAVUS from the house of SIMO._

DAV. (_aloud to himself._) I was wondering if this matter was to go
off thus; and was continually dreading where my master's good humor
would end; for, after he had heard that a wife would not be given to
his son, he never uttered a word to any one of us, or took it amiss.

SIM. (_apart, overhearing him._) But now he'll do {so}: and that,
I fancy, not without heavy cost to you.

DAV. (_to himself._) He meant this, that we, thus unsuspecting, should
be led away by delusive joy; that now in hope, {all} fear being
removed, we might during our supineness be surprised, so that there
might be no time for planning a rupture of the marriage. How clever!

SIM. (_apart._) The villain! what does he say?

DAV. (_overhearing him, to himself._) It's my master, and I didn't see
him.

SIM. Davus.

DAV. Well, what is it?

SIM. Just step this way to me.

DAV. (_to himself._) What does he want?

SIM. What are you saying?

DAV. About what?

SIM. Do you ask the question? There's a report that my son's in love.

DAV. The public troubles itself about that,[38] of course.

SIM. Will you attend to this, or not?

DAV. Certainly, I {will}, to that.

SIM. But for me to inquire now into these matters, were the part of a
severe father. For what he has done hitherto, doesn't concern me at
all. So long as his time {of life} prompted to that course, I allowed
him to indulge his inclination: now this day brings on another mode of
life, demands other habits. From this time forward, I do request, or
if it is reasonable, I do entreat you, Davus, that he may now return
to the {right} path.

DAV. (_aside._) What can this mean?

SIM. All who are intriguing take it ill to have a wife given them.

DAV. So they say.

SIM. And if any one has adopted a bad instructor in that course, he
generally urges the enfeebled mind to pursuits still more unbecoming.

DAV. I'faith, I do not comprehend.

SIM. No? Ha----

DAV. No-- I am Davus, not Oedipus.[39]

SIM. Of course then, you wish me to speak plainly in what further I
have to say.

DAV. Certainly, by all means.

SIM. If I this day find out that y