as a
supreme blessing for my mistress; a friend, a protector, a husband
secured under every circumstance; yet what anguish is she, poor thing,
now suffering through him? Clearly there's more trouble {for her} now
than {there was} happiness formerly. But Davus is coming out.

SCENE VI.

_Enter DAVUS from the house of GLYCERIUM with the child._

MYS. My {good} sir, prithee, what is that? Whither are you carrying
the child?

DAV. Mysis, I now stand in need of your cunning being brought into
play in this matter, and of your address.

MYS. Why, what are you going to do?

DAV. (_holding out the child._) Take it from me directly, and lay it
down before our door.

MYS. Prithee, on the ground?

DAV. (_pointing._) Take some sacred herbs[78] from the altar here,[79]
and strew them under it.

MYS. Why don't you do it yourself?

DAV. That if perchance I should have to swear to my master that I did
not place it there, I may be enabled to do so with a clear conscience.

MYS. I understand; have these new scruples only just now occurred to
you, pray?

DAV. Bestir yourself quickly, that you may learn what I'm going to do
next. (_MYSIS lays the child at SIMO'S door._) Oh Jupiter!

MYS. (_starting up._) What's the matter?

DAV. The father of the {intended} bride is coming in the middle of it
{all}. The plan which I had first purposed I {now} give up.[80]

MYS. I don't understand what you are talking about.

DAV. I'll pretend too that I've come in this direction from the right.
Do you take care to help out the conversation by your words, whenever
there's necessity.[81]

MYS. I don't at all comprehend what you are about; but if there's any
thing in which you have need of my assistance, as you understand the
best, I'll stay, that I mayn't in any way impede your success. (_DAVUS
retires out of sight._)

SCENE VII.

_Enter CHREMES on the other side of the stage, going toward the
house of SIMO._

CHREM. (_to himself._) After having provided the things necessary for
my daughter's nuptials, I'm returning, that I may request her to be
sent for. (_Seeing the child._) But what's this? I'faith, it's a
child. (_Addressing MYSIS._) Woman, have you laid that here (_pointing
to the child_)?

MYS. (_aside, looking out for DAVUS._) Where is he?

CHREM. Don't you answer me?

MYS. (_looking about, to herself._) He isn't any where to be seen. Woe
to wretched me! the fellow has left me and is off.

DAV. (_coming forwa