low!

DAV. (_aloud._) It's the truth. I saw Canthara stuffed out beneath her
clothes.[82]

MYS. I'faith, I thank the Gods that several free women were
present[83] at the delivery.

DAV. (_aloud._) Assuredly she doesn't know him, on whose account she
resorts to these schemes. Chremes, {she fancies}, if he sees the child
laid before the door, will not give his daughter; i'faith, he'll give
her all the sooner.

CHREM. (_apart._) I'faith, he'll not do so.

DAV. (_aloud._) Now therefore, that you may be quite aware, if you
don't take up the child, I'll roll it forthwith into the middle of the
road; and yourself in the same place I'll roll over into the mud.

MYS. Upon my word, man, you are not sober.

DAV. (_aloud._) One scheme brings on another. I now hear it whispered
about that she is a citizen of Attica--

CHREM. (_apart._) Ha!

DAV. (_aloud._) And that, constrained by the laws,[84] he will have to
take her as his wife.

MYS. Well now, pray, is she not a citizen?

CHREM. (_apart._) I had almost fallen unawares into a comical
misfortune. (_Comes forward._)

DAV. Who's that, speaking? (_Pretending to look about._) O Chremes,
you have come in good time. Do listen to this.

CHREM. I have heard it all already.

DAV. Prithee, did you hear it? Here's villainy for you! she (_pointing
at MYSIS_) ought to be carried off[85] hence to the torture forthwith.
(_To MYSIS, pointing at CHREMES._) This is Chremes himself; don't
suppose that you are trifling with Davus {only}.

MYS. Wretched me! upon my faith I have told no untruth, my {worthy}
old gentleman.

CHREM. I know the whole affair. Is Simo within?

DAV. He is. (_CHREMES goes into SIMO'S house._)

SCENE VIII.

_DAVUS and MYSIS._

MYS. (_DAVUS attempting to caress her._) Don't touch me, villain.
(_Moving away._) On my word, if I don't {tell} Glycerium all this....

DAV. How now, simpleton, don't you know what has been done?

MYS. How should I know?

DAV. This is the bride's father. It couldn't any other way have been
managed that he should know the things that we wanted him to know.

MYS. You should have told me that before.

DAV. Do you suppose that it makes little difference whether you do
things according to impulse, as nature prompts, or from premeditation?

SCENE IX.

_Enter CRITO, looking about him._

CRITO (_to himself._) It was said that Chrysis used to live in this
street, who preferred to gain wealth here dishonorably to livin