Dr. Bentley thinks that this line ought to be omitted as spurious, because the word hunc refers to Pamphilus, who had not quitted the stage at all, from the time of Charinus’ departure until that moment: and, therefore, what Byrrhia says about following him thither must be nonsense. This passage is made very clear by Madame Dacier, who shews that Id propterea is the commencement of another sentence, and makes hunc refer to Simo, instead of Pamphilus. The lines ought to be read thus,
Byrrhia. Herus me, relictis rebus, jussit Pamphilum
Hodiè observare, ut quid ageret de nuptiis
Scirem. Id propterea nunc hunc venientem sequor.
[NOTE 128.]
Byrrhia. (aside.) Now, for my master’s sake, I dread to hear his answer.
Some commentators make this speech come from Davus; but it certainly is more natural from Byrrhia: because, by the word dread, he expresses a suspense about what the answer might be, which Davus could not feel, because he and his master had previously agreed upon it.
[NOTE 129.]
Byrrhia. (aside.) Ha! I am struck dumb; what did he say?
Hem! obmutui! quid dixit!
I think this reading seems more consistent than that which is usually printed, where obmutuit comes from Davus: as Byrrhia might well be supposed to express surprise at Pamphilus’s answer, which was directly different from what Pamphilus and Charinus had previously agreed on.
The dialogue of this scene is carried on too unconnectedly, as Mr. Colman observes.