Page:Comedies of Publius Terentius Afer (1870).djvu/53

Rh

Dav. I'm in a mess. Now, with the right foot forward,

Sent to the mill. Prayer will be useless now.

I have upset all—I have deceived my master,

Hurled him into a marriage that he hates—

And hurried on, despite of the old man,

Against the will of Pamphilus. Zounds, I'm astute!

If I had never meddled—never made,

This had not come to pass. Ah! Pamphilus

Himself; I sink—I faint. Oh, that there were

A precipice whence I might cast myself!

Pam. Where is that villain who has ruined me?

Dav. I am undone!

Pam. And I need blame myself.

Incredible stupidity! to trust

One's dearest fortunes to a stolid slave!

I reap the fruits of my absurdity,

But he shall not unpunished so depart.

Dav. If I get out of this, I need not fear

The future pranks of fortune.

Pam. What can I

Say to my father; that I will not marry—

When but an hour since I gave consent.

With what face can I say so? I know not

What I can do.

Dav. Nor I—howe'er I search;

And yet not so, for I have a device,

Which now I must impart to him, and will.

Pam. Oh!

Dav. He spies me.