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]