Andria; or, The Fair Andrian (423b-450c)

My master, so far as I learn, has missed his wife.

Now, then, go in-doors, that you mayn’t be causing delay when you are wanted.

I’ll go.

Is there, in no case, putting trust in any man? That is a true proverb which is wont to be commonly quoted, that all had rather it to be well for themselves than for another. I remember noticing, when I saw her, that she was a young woman of handsome figure; wherefore I am the more disposed to excuse Pamphilus,

if he has preferred that he himself, rather than the other, should embrace her in his slumbers. I’ll carry back these tidings, that, in return for this evil he may inflict evil upon me.[*]

He now supposes that I’m bringing some trick to bear against him, and that on that account I’ve remained here.

What does he say, Davus?[*]

Just as much as nothing.[*]

What, nothing? Eh?

Nothing at all.

And yet I certainly was expecting something.

It has turned out contrary to your expectations. (Aside.) I perceive it; this vexes the man.

Are you able to tell me the truth?

I? Nothing more easy.

Is this marriage at all disagreeable to him, on account of his intimacy with this foreign woman?

No, faith; or if at all, it is a two or three days’ annoyance this—you understand. It will then cease. Moreover, he himself has thought over this matter in a proper way.

I commend him.

While it was allowed him, and while his years prompted him,

he intrigued; even then it was secretly. He took precaution that that circumstance should never be a cause of disgrace to him, as behooves a man of principle;

now that he must have a wife, he has set his mind upon a wife.

He seemed to me to be somewhat melancholy in a slight degree.

Not at all on account of her, but there’s something he blames you for.

What is it, pray?

It’s a childish thing.

What is it?

Nothing at all.

Nay but, tell me what it is.

He says that you are making too sparing preparations.

What, I?

You.—He says that there has hardly been fare provided to the amount of ten drachmae.[*]—Does he seem to be bestowing a wife on his son? Which one now, in preference, of my companions shall I invite to the dinner? And, it must be owned,