Scene I.
EnterSimoandSosia, followed byServantscarrying provisions.
Simo (to the Servants.) Do you carry those things away indoors; begone. (Beckoning toSosia.) Sosia, just step here; I want a few words with you.
Sosia. Consider it as said; that these things are to be taken care of, I suppose.25
Sim. No, it’s another matter.
Sos. What is there that my ability can effect for you more than this?
Sim. There’s no need of that ability in the matter which I have in hand; but of thosequalitieswhich I have ever known as existing in you, fidelity and secrecy.
Sos. I await your will.
Sim. Since I purchased you, you know that, from a little child, your servitude with me has always been easy and light. From a slave I made you my freedman;26for this reason, because you served me with readiness. The greatest recompense that I possessed, I bestowed upon you.
Sos. I bear it in mind.
Sim. I am not changed.
Sos. If I have done or am doing aught that is pleasing to you, Simo, I am glad that it has been done; and that the same has been gratifying to you, I considersufficientthanks. But this is a cause of uneasiness to me; for the recital is, as it were, a censure27to one forgetful of a kindness. But tell me, in one word, what it is that you want with me.
Sim. I’ll do so. In the first place, in this affair I give you notice: this, which you suppose to be such, is not a real marriage.
Sos. Why do you pretend it then?
Sim. You shall hear all the matter from the beginning; by that means you’ll be acquainted with both my son’s mode of life and my own design, and what I want you to do in this affair. For after he had passed youthfulness,28Sosia, and had obtained free scope of living, (for before, how could you know or understand his disposition, whileyouthfulage, fear,anda master29were checking him?)—
Sos. That’s true.
Sim. What all young men, for the most part, do,—devote their attention to some particular pursuit, either to training horses or dogs for hunting, or to the philosophers;30
