Well, what is it?SIMOJust step this way to me.DAVUS(to himself.)What does he want?SIMOWhat are you saying?DAVUSAbout what?SIMODo you ask the question? There’s a report that my son’s in love.DAVUSThe public troubles itself about that,Troubles itself about that: He says this contemptuously, as if it was likely that the public should take any such great interest in his son as the father would imply by his remark. By thus saying, he also avoids giving a direct reply. of course.SIMOWill you attend to this, or not?DAVUSCertainly, I will, to that.SIMOBut 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.DAVUS(aside.)What can this mean?SIMOAll who are intriguing take it ill to have a wife given them.DAVUSSo they say.SIMOAnd if anyone has adopted a bad instructor in that course, he generally urges the enfeebled mind to pursuits still more unbecoming.DAVUSI’faith, I do not comprehend.SIMONo? Ha—DAVUSNo—I am Davus, not Oedipus.Davus, not OEdipus: Alluding to the circumstance of Oedipus alone being able to solve the riddle of the Sphynx. SIMOOf course then, you wish me to speak plainly in what further I have to say.DAVUSCertainly, by all means.SIMOIf I this day find out that you are attempting any trickery about this marriage, to the end that it may not take place; or are desirous that in this matter it should be proved how knowing you are; I’ll hand you over, Davus, beaten with stripes, to the mill,To the mill: The pistrinum. or hand-mill, for grinding corn, was used as a mode of punishment for refractory slaves. See the Notes to the Translation of Plautus. even to your dying day, upon this condition and pledge, that if ever I release you, I shall grind in your place. Now, do you understand this? Or not yet even this?DAVUSYes, perfectly: you have now spoken so plainly upon the subject, you have not used the least circumlocution.SIMOIn any thing would I more willingly allow myself to be imposed upon than in this matter.DAVUSFair words, I entreat.SIMOYou are ridiculing me: you don’t at all deceive me. I give you warning, don’t act rashly, and don’t say you were not warned. Take care.(Shaking his stick, goes into the house.)

(DAVUS alone.)DAVUS(to himself.)Assuredly, Davus, there’s no room for slothfulness or inactivity, so far as I’ve just now ascertained the old man’s mind about the marriage; which if it is not provided against by cunning, will be bringing either myself or my master to ruin. What to do, I am not determined; whether I should assist Pamphilus or obey the old man. If I desert the former, I fear for his life; if I assist him, I dread the other’s threats, on whom it will be a difficult matter to impose. In the first place, he has now found out about this amour; with hostile feelings he watches me, lest I should be devising some trickery against the marriage. If he discovers it, I’m undone; or even if he chooses to allege any pretext, whether rightfully or wrongfully, he will consign me headlong to the mill. To these evils this one is besides added for me. This Andrian, whether she is his wife, or whether his mistress, is pregnant by Pamphilus. It is worth while to hear their effrontery; for it is an undertaking worthy of those in their dotage, not of those who dote in love ;Those in their dotage, not those who dote in love: There is a jingle intended in this line, in the resemblance between amentium,mad persons, and amantium, lovers. whatever she shall bring forth, they have resolved to rear ;They have resolved to rear: This passage alludes to the custom among the Greeks of laying new-born children on the ground, upon which the father, or other person who undertook the care of the child, lifted it from the ground, tollebat. In case no one took charge of the child, it was exposed, which was very frequently done in the case of female children. Plato was the first to inveigh against this barbarous practice. It is frequently alluded to in the Plays of Plautus.