Page:Comedies of Publius Terentius Afer (1870).djvu/57

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Cha. Who is he?

Pam. Davus.

Cha. Davus.

Pam. Davus has done the wrong.

Cha. Wherefore?

Pam. Methinks the gods were wrath with me.

I know not else why I obeyed his counsels.

Cha. Davus, did you do this?

Dav. I did.

Cha. Then why?

May the gods' curse light on you for the deed.

Tell me—if every bitter enemy

Had counselled so, what worse they could have done.

Dav. I was deceived; but I do not give in.

Cha. That, I believe.

Dav. The project has gone wrong,

We must essay another. Do not think

Because we are rebuffed that we are beaten.

Pam. So much the contrary, I am convinced

That if you manage well as heretofore,

Out of one marriage you may make me twain.

Dav. Pamphilus, I am your slave—and I am bound

To labour day and night on your behalf,

To peril life itself to profit you.

And it behoves you, Pamphilus, to bear

The event, as it may turn out, good or bad.

I do not spare myself—I do my best,

Find but another better, and dismiss me.

Pam. Most readily—but it is requisite

You leave me where you found me: where I was.

Dav. I will.

Pam. But now, at need.