at at least he may look upon
you as a gallant {ready} provided for him, if he marries her.

CHAR. Away with you to perdition with that vile suggestion, you
rascal!

SCENE II.

_Enter PAMPHILUS._

PAM. I espy Charinus. (_Accosting him._) Good-morrow!

CHAR. O, good-morrow. Pamphilus, I'm come to you, seeking hope,
safety, counsel, {and} assistance.

PAM. I'faith, I have neither time for counsel, nor resources for
assistance. But what's the matter now?

CHAR. To-day you are going to take a wife?

PAM. {So} they say.

CHAR. Pamphilus, if you do that, you behold me this day for the last
time.

PAM. Why so?

CHAR. Ah me! I dread to tell it; prithee, do you tell it, Bvrrhia.

BYR. I'll tell it.

PAM. What is it?

BYR. He's in love with your betrothed.

PAM. Assuredly he's not of my way of thinking. Come now, tell me, have
you had any more {to do} with her, Charinus?

CHAR. Oh Pamphilus, nothing.

PAM. How much I wish {you had}.

CHAR. Now, by our friendship and by my affection, I do beseech you, in
the first place, not to marry her.

PAM. For my own part I'll use my endeavors.

CHAR. But if that can not be, or if this marriage is agreeable to
you--

PAM. Agreeable to me?

CHAR. Put it off for some days at least, while I go elsewhere, that I
may not be witness.

PAM. Now listen, once for all: I think it, Charinus, to be by no means
the part of an ingenuous man, when he confers nothing, to expect that
it should be considered as an obligation on his part. I am more
desirous to avoid this match, than you to gain it.

CHAR. You have restored me to life.

PAM. Now, if you can do any thing, either you yourself, or Byrrhia
here, manage, fabricate, invent, contrive {some means}, whereby she
may be given to you; this I shall aim at, how she may not be given to
me.

CHAR. I am satisfied.

PAM. Most opportunely I perceive Davus, on whose advice I have
depended.

CHAR. (_turning to BYRRHIA._) But you, i'faith, {tell} me nothing,[50]
except those things which there is no need for knowing. (_Pushing him
away._) Get you gone from here.

BYR. Certainly I {will}, and with all my heart. (_Exit._

SCENE III.

_Enter DAVUS in haste._

DAV. (_not seeing PAMPHILUS and CHARINUS._) Ye gracious Gods, what
good news I bring! But where shall I find Pamphilus, that I may remove
the apprehension in which he now is, and fill his mind with joy--?

CHAR. (_apart to PAMPHILUS._) He's rejoiced about some