Andria; or, The Fair Andrian (592b-617c)

I begged him to give his daughter, and with difficulty I prevailed upon him.

Utterly ruined!

Eh—What was it you said?

Extremely well done, I say.

There’s no delay on his part now.

I’ll go home at once; I’ll tell her to make due preparation, and bring back word here.

Now I do entreat you, Davus, since you by yourself have brought about this marriage for me—

I myself, indeed! [*]

Do your best still to reform my son.

Troth, I’ll do it with all due care.

Do it now, while his mind is agitated.

You may be at ease.

Come then; where is he just now?

A wonder if he isn’t at home.

I’ll go to him; and what I’ve been telling you, I’ll tell him as well.

I’m a lost man!

What reason is there why I shouldn’t take my departure straightway hence for the mill? There’s no room left for supplicating; I’ve upset every thing now; I’ve deceived my master; I’ve plunged my master’s son into a marriage; I’ve been the cause of its taking place this very day, without his hoping for it, and against the wish of Pamphilus. Here’s cleverness for you! But, if I had kept myself quiet, no mischief would have happened. (Starting.)

But see, I espy him; I’m utterly undone! Would that there were some spot here for me, from which I might this instant pitch myself headlong!

Where is he? The villain, who this day—I’m ruined;

and I confess that this has justly befallen me, for being such a dolt, so devoid of sense; that I should have in-trusted my fortunes to a frivolous slave! [*]

I am suffering the reward of my folly; still he shall never get off from me un-punished for this.

I’m quite sure that I shall be safe in future, if for the present I get clear of this mishap.

But what now am I to say to my father? Am I to deny that I am ready, who have just promised to marry? With what effrontery could I presume to do that? I know not what to do with myself.

Nor I with myself, and yet I’m giving all due attention to it.

I’ll tell him that I will devise something, in order that I may procure some respite in this dilemma.

Oho!

I’m seen.

How now, good sir, what are you about? Do you see how dreadfully I am hampered by your devices?

Still, I’ll soon extricate you.

You, extricate me?