MYSIS, DAVUS, (_with Glycera’s child._)
_Davus._ Now, Mysis, I want you to assist me in this affair with all
your ready wit, artifice, and dexterity.
_Mysis._ What are you going to do?
_Davus._ Take the child from me directly, and lay him down at our
door[171].
_Mysis._ Mercy on me! what, upon the bare ground?
_Davus._ You may take some of the herbs from that altar, and strew them
under him[172].
_Mysis._ But why don’t you lay him there yourself?
_Davus._ That if my master should require me to swear that I did not do
it; I may take the oath with a safe conscience[173].
_Mysis._ I understand you. But tell me, Davus, how long has your
conscience been so scrupulously nice?
_Davus._ Make haste, that I may tell you further what I mean to do. Oh,
Jupiter!
_Mysis._ What?
_Davus._ (_to himself._) The father of the bride is coming this way: I
abandon my first design.
_Mysis._ I don’t understand this[174].
_Davus._ I will pretend to come from the right: do you take care to
second what I say, as you see occasion.
[_he retires_
_Mysis._ I can’t make out a syllable of all this: but, if I can be of
any use, (which you know better than I,) I will stay; lest, otherwise,
I should be any hinderance to your plans.