I stopped there. In the mean time I saw no one going in, no one going out; no matron at the house,No matron at thehouse: By the use of the word matrona. he probably alludes to the pronuba. among the Romans, whose duties were somewhat similar to those of our bride’s-maids. At the completion of the bridal repast, the bride was conducted to the bridal chamber by matrons who had not had more than one husband.no preparation, no bustle. I drew near; looked in—PAMPHILUSI understand; a considerable indication.DAVUSDo these things seem to accord with a wedding?PAMPHILUSI think not, Davus.DAVUSThink, do you say? You don’t view it rightly; the thing is certain. Besides, coming away from there I saw the servant-boy of Chremes carrying some vegetables and little fishes, an obol’s worth,An obol’s worth: The obolus was the smallest Greek silver coin, and was equal in value to about three halfpence of our money. Pisciculi minuti. little fish, were much used for food among the poorer classes; mena, a fish resembling our pilchard, was a common article of food with the Romans. The larger kinds of fish went under the general name of cetum, for the old man’s dinner.CHARINUSThis day, Davus, have I been delivered by your means.DAVUSAnd yet not at all.CHARINUSWhy so? Surely he will not give her to him, after all this. (Pointing to PAMPHILUS.) DAVUSYou silly fellow! as though it were a necessary consequence that if he doesn’t give her to him you should marry her: unless, indeed, you look about you; unless you entreat and make court to the old man’s friends.CHARINUSYou advise well. I’ll go; although, upon my faith, this hope has often eluded me already. Farewell!(Exit.)

(PAMPHILUS and DAVUS.)PAMPHILUSWhat then does my father mean? Why does he thus make pretense?DAVUSI’ll tell you. If now he were angry with you, because Chremes will not give you a wife, he would seem to himself to be unjust, and that not without reason, before he has ascertained your feelings as to the marriage, how they are disposed. But if you refuse to marry her, in that case he will transfer the blame to you; then such disturbances will arise.PAMPHILUSI will submit to any thing from him.DAVUSHe is your father, Pamphilus. It is a difficult matter. Besides, this woman is defenseless. No sooner said than done; he will find some pretext for driving her away from the city.PAMPHILUSDriving her away?DAVUSAye, and quickly too.PAMPHILUSTell me then, Davus, what am I to do?DAVUSSay that you will marry her.PAMPHILUS(starting.)Ha!DAVUSWhat’s the matter?PAMPHILUSWhat, am I to say so?DAVUSWhy not?PAMPHILUSNever will I do it.DAVUSDon’t say so.PAMPHILUSDon’t attempt to persuade me.DAVUSConsider what will be the result of it.PAMPHILUSThat I shall be deprived of the one, and fixed with the other.DAVUSNot so. In fact, I think it will be thus: Your father will say: I wish you to marry a wife to-day. You reply: I’ll marry her. Tell me, how can he raise a quarrel with you? Thus you will cause all the plans