Andria; or, The Fair Andrian (342-363b)

Don’t you hear him?

He is seeking me distractedly all the city over. But where shall I look for him? Or in which direction now first to betake me—

Do you hesitate to accost him?

I have it.

Davus, come here! Stop!

Who’s the person that’s—(Turning round.) O Pamphilus,

you are the very man I’m looking for. Well done, Charinus! both in the nick of time: I want you both.

Davus, I’m undone!

Nay but, do hear this.

I’m utterly ruined!

I know what you are afraid of.

I’faith, my life indeed is really in danger.

And what you are afraid of, I know.

My marriage—

As if I did not know it?

This day—

Why keep dinning me with it, when I know it all? (To PAMPHILUS.) This are you afraid of, lest you should marry her; and you (to CHARINUS,) lest you should not marry her.

You understand the matter.

That’s the very thing.

And that very thing is in no danger; trust me for that.

I do entreat you, release wretched me as soon as possible from this apprehension.

Well, then, I will release you; Chremes is not going to give you his daughter at present.

How do you know?

You shall know. Your father just now laid hold of me; he said that a wife was to be given you to-day, and many other things as well, which just now I haven’t time to relate.

Hastening to you immediately, I ran on to the Forum that I might tell you these things. When I didn’t find you, I ascended there to ahigh place.[*] I looked around; you were nowhere. There by chance I saw Byrrhia, his servant (pointing to CHARINUS.). I inquired of him; he said he hadn’t seen you. This puzzled me. I considered what I was to do. As I was returning in the mean time, a surmise from the circumstances themselves occurred to me: How now,—

a very small amount of good cheer; he out of spirits; a marriage all of a sudden; these things don’t agree.

But to what purpose this?

I forthwith betook myself to the house of Chremes. When I arrived there—stillness before the door;[*] then I was pleased at that.

You say well.

Proceed.