---
title: "The Brothers · Adelphoe"
author: "Terence"
translator: "Henry Thomas Riley"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
url: https://scriptura.si/works/terence-adelphoe/
cite: "Terence, tr. Henry Thomas Riley, The Brothers · Adelphoe. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/terence-adelphoe/"
---

# The Brothers · Adelphoe

*Terence, tr. Henry Thomas Riley*

Two brothers raise two sons, one strictly and one indulgently.

> Latin: ed. Edward St. John Parry, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, phi0134.phi006, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Henry Thomas Riley, from the Perseus Digital Library (phi0134.phi006.perseus-eng2). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (line numbers), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## Contents

1. [Lines 1–279](https://scriptura.si/works/terence-adelphoe/1.md)
2. [Lines 278–634](https://scriptura.si/works/terence-adelphoe/2.md)
3. [Lines 635–998](https://scriptura.si/works/terence-adelphoe/3.md)

## 1. Lines 1–279

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/terence-adelphoe/1/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/terence-adelphoe/1/#p-N

[¶0] HEGIO, an aged Athenian, kinsman of Sostrata. AESCHINUS, son of Demea, £adopted by Micio. CTESIPHO, another son of Demea. SANNIO, a Procurer. GETA, servant of Sostrata. PAMPHILA, a young woman beloved by Aeschinus. SOSTRATA, a widow, mother of Pamphila. CANTHARA, a Nurse. A Music-girl.
THE TITLE OF THE PLAY. PERFORMED at the, Funeral Games of Aemilius Paulus, which were celebrated by Q. Fabius Maximns and P. Cornelius Africanus. L. Atilius Praenestinus and Minutius Prothimus performed it. Flaccus, the freedman of Claudius, composed the music for Sarranian flutes. Taken from the Greek of Menander, L. Anicius and M. Cornelius being Consuls.
THE PROLOGUE.:
Since the Poet has found that his writings are carped at by unfair critics, and that his adversaries represent in a bad light the Play that we are about to perform, he shall give information about himself; you shall be the judges
whether this ought to be esteemed to his praise or to his discredit. The Synapothnescontes is a Comedy of Diphilus; Plautus made it into a Play called the “Commorientes.” In the Greek, there is a young man, who, at the early part of the Play, carries off a Courtesan from a Procurer; that part Plautus
has entirely left out. This portion he has adopted in the Adelphi, and has transferred it, translated word for word. This new Play we are about to perform; determine then whether you think a theft has been committed, or a passage has been restored to notice which has been passed over in neglect.
For as to what these malevolent persons say, that men of noble rank assist him, and are always writing in conjunction with him—that which they deem to be a heavy crimination, he takes to be the highest praise; since he pleases those who please you all and the public;
the aid of whom in war, in peace, in private business, each one has availed himself of, on his own occasion, without any haughtiness on their part. Now then, do not expect the plot of the Play; the old men who come first will disclose it in part;
a part in the representation they will make known. Do you cause your impartial attention to increase the industry of the Poet in writing?
(Enter MICIO, calling to a servant within.)
MICIO:
Storax! Aeschinus has not returned home from the entertainment last night, nor any of the servants who went to fetch him. (To himself.) Really, they say it with reason, if you are absent anywhere, or if you stay abroad at any time,’twere better for that to happen
which your wife says against you, and which in her passion she imagines in her mind, than the things which fond parents fancy. A wife, if you stay long abroad, either imagines that you are in love or are beloved, or that you are drinking and indulging your inclination, and that you only are taking your pleasure, while she herself is miserable.
As for myself, in consequence of my son not having returned home, what do I imagine? In what ways am I not disturbed? For fear lest he may either have taken cold, or have fallen down somewhere, or have broken some limb. Oh dear! that any man should take it into his head, or find out what is dearer to him than he is to himself!
And yet he is not my son, but my brother’s. He is quite different in disposition. I, from my very youth upward, have lived a comfortable town life, and taken my ease; and, what they esteem a piece of luck, I have never had a wife. He, on the contrary to all this,
has spent his life in the country, and has always lived laboriously and penuriously. He married a wife, and has two sons. This one, the elder of them, I have adopted. I have brought him up from an infant, and considered and loved him as my own. In him I centre my delight; this object alone is dear to me.
On the other hand, I take all due care that he may hold me equally dear. I give—I overlook; I do not judge it necessary to exert my authority in every thing; in fine, the things that youth prompts to, and that others do unknown to their fathers, I have used my son not to conceal from me.
For he, who, as the practice is, will dare to tell a lie to or to deceive his father, will still more dare to do so to others. I think it better to restrain children through a sense of shame and liberal treatment, than through fear. On these points my brother does not agree with me, nor do they please him.
He often comes to me exclaiming, “What are you about, Micio? Why do you ruin for us this youth? Why does he intrigue? Why does he drink? Why do you supply him with the means for these goings on? You indulge him with too much dress; you are very inconsiderate.” He himself is too strict, beyond what is just and reasonable;
and he is very much mistaken, in my opinion, at all events, who thinks that an authority is more firm or more lasting which is established by force, than that which is founded on affection. Such is my mode of reasoning; and thus do I persuade myself. He, who, compelled by harsh treatment, does his duty,
so long as he thinks it will be known, is on his guard: if he hopes that it will be concealed, he again returns to his natural bent. He whom you have secured by kindness, acts from inclination; he is anxious to return like for like; present and absent, he will be the same. This is the duty of a parent, to accustom a son
to do what is right rather of his own choice, than through fear of another. In this the father differs from the master: he who can not do this, let him confess that he does not know how to govern children. But is not this the very man of whom I was speaking? Surely it is he. I don’t know why it is I see him out of spirits; I suppose he’ll now be scolding as usual.
Demea, I am glad to see you well.
(Enter DEMEA.)
DEMEA:
Oh,—opportunely met; you are the very man I was looking for.

> Latin: INTRODUCTION. This play derives its name from the two pairs of brothers who are introduced. Demea and Micio, the elders, had always been very dissimilar in character and manner of life. Micio was a pleasant old bachelor, and had always lived in town, and was very lenient and indulgent towards his young relations. Demea on the contrary had kept up the thrifty habits of his early years, residing on his farm and taking a severe view of the conduct of his sons. Ctesipho, the younger of his sons, lived with his father at this farm; but Aeschinus, the elder, had been adopted by his uncle. They had accordingly been very differently brought up. Ctesipho had been kept very strictly at home, and was, to the best of his father’s belief, a model of propriety. Aeschinus had been indulged by his uncle in every way, till he was notorious for his dissipation. He went so far at last as to offer violence to a young lady named Pamphila, whom he met one night when he was intoxicated. This was the last of his excesses. He promised to make all amends in his power by marrying Pamphila, and on this condition the matter was kept quiet by Sostrata her mother. Ctesipho in one of his visits to the town had fallen in love with a music girl belonging to a slave-merchant, and was carrying on an intercourse with her under the cover of his brother’s name; for Aeschinus had taken the credit of the affair to himself that his father might not hear of Ctesipho’s doings. After a time the slave-merchant gave notice to Ctesipho that unless he bought the music girl at his price she should be immediately sold. Ctesipho was in the greatest despair at this announcement, and was half inclined to run away from his troubles and leave the country, when Aeschinus, hearing the state of the case, cut matters short by breaking into the house of Sannio the slave-merchant, maltreating him, and carrying off the girl to his own house, where she was received by Ctesipho.
Here the action of the play commences. Demea coming into town hears of this new outrage of Aeschinus’, and accuses his brother Micio of being the cause of all this excess. It was his indulgence that had made Aeschinus so dissolute. How different was the conduct of his brother Ctesipho who had been brought up strictly at home in the country! Micio in return justifies his mode of education. Meanwhile Aeschinus is busied, with the assistance of his slave Parmeno, in arranging matters with Sannio, who blusters loudly at first, but finds at last that the best plan is to pocket his affront and trust to the young men to pay him, for he will lose more by waiting to prosecute the affair, as he is on the eve of a voyage to Cyprus, than if he abandons the slave altogether. The news of Aeschinus’ prank had spread over the city, and it was now carried to Sostrata his destined mother-in-law by Geta her slave, who had witnessed the whole affair. Sostrata sends her trusty Geta to Hegio, an old friend of her late husband Simulus, who will stand by her, and see that her daughter has justice done her. Demea in the mean time is in consternation, for he has heard that Ctesipho was with Aeschinus when this music girl was carried off; but Syrus, one of Micio’s slaves, contrives, with great skill, to make the fact increase his good opinion of his son; for he represents Ctesipho to have taken part in the affair only to blame his brother’s dissolute conduct, and says that as soon as the matter was over he had returned to the country to his usual work. Demea is greatly affected to find that he has one son who is a credit to his family, and sets off for his farm. On his way he meets Hegio, from whom he learns the circumstances of Aeschinus’ connexion with Pamphila; and at the same time he finds from one of his farm servants that Ctesipho has never been to the farm at all, as Syrus had pretended. These news send him back to Micio in a rage; but he is again met with a new fiction by Syrus, who revenges himself on him by sending him on a fool’s errand over the whole town to look for his brother. Micio meanwhile has been with Hegio to Sostrata and Pamphila, and has comforted them by giving his consent to the marriage of the young lady and Aeschinus. Demea now returns from his fruitless search after his brother, and there is a general disturbance, particularly when one of the slaves accidentally betrays the fact of Ctesipho’s being in Micio’s house, where his father finds him with the music girl. After some more discussions between Demea and Micio, the former suddenly determines to change his demeanour; and to the surprise of every one whom he meets, and not a little to his own, he acts the courteous and complaisant man. He falls in with all their humours, and promotes the happiness of all parties. Pamphila is married to Aeschinus; Sannio is paid; Micio is made to marry Sostrata; Hegio is provided for; and Syrus and his wife are freed in consideration of the great services which the cunning slave had rendered to morality. The play concludes with a speech in which Demea explains the meaning of his late conduct, and gives his hearers a little wholesome advice for the future.
ADELPHI. ACTA LUDIS FUNEBRIBUS AEMILII PAULLI QUOS FECERE Q. FABIUS MAXIMUS, P. CORNELIUS AFRICANUS. EGERE L. ATTILIUS PRAENESTINUS, MINUTIUS PROTHIMUS. MODOS FECIT FLACCUS CLAUDII, TIBIIS SARRANIS. FACTA GRAECA MENANDRU L. ANICIO M. CORNELIO COSS.
PROLOGUS:
POSTQUAM Poëta sensit scripturam suam
Ab iniquis observari, et adversarios
Rapere in peiorem partem quam acturi sumus,
Indicio de se ipse erit; vos eritis iudices
Laudine an vitio duci id factum oporteat.
Synapothnescontes Diphili comoedia est.
Eam Commorientes Plautus fecit fabulam.
In Graeca adolescens est qui lenoni eripuit
Meretricem in prima fabula. Eum Plautus locum
Reliquit integrum: eum hic locum sumpsit sibi
In Adelphos; verbum de verbo expressum extulit.
Eam nos acturi sumus novam: pernoscite
Furtumne factum existimetis, an locum
Reprehensum qui praeteritus negligentia est.
Nam quod isti dicunt malevoli, homines nobiles
Eum adiutare, assidueque una scribere;
Quod illi maledictum vehemens esse existimant
Eam laudem hic ducit maximam, quum illis placet
Qui vobis universis et populo placent;
Quorum opera in bello, in otio, in negotio,
Suo quisque tempore usus est sine superbia.
Dehinc ne exspectetis argumentum fabulae:
Senes qui primi venient ii partem aperient;
In agendo partem ostendent. Facite, aequanimitas
Poëtae ad scribendum augeat industriam.
(MICIO.)
MICIO.:
Storax—Non rediit hac nocte a coena Aeschinus,
Neque servulorum quisquam qui adversum ierant.
Profecto hoc vere dicunt: si absis uspiam,
Aut ubi si cesses, evenire ea satius est
Quae in te uxor dicit et quae in animo cogitat
Irata quam illa quae parentes propitii.
Uxor si cesses aut te amare cogitat,
Aut tete amari, aut potare, aut animo obsequi;
Et tibi bene esse soli quum sibi sit male.
Ego quia non rediit filius quae cogito, et
Quibus nunc sollicitor rebus! ne aut ille alserit,
Aut uspiam ceciderit, aut perfregerit
Aliquid. Vah, quemquamne hominem in animum instituere aut
Parare quod sit carius quam ipse est sibi?
Atqui ex me hic non natus est, sed ex fratre. Is adeo
Dissimili studio est iam inde ab adolescentia.
Ego hanc clementem vitam urbanam atque otium
Secutus sum; et, quod fortunatum isti putant,
Uxorem numquam habui. Ille contra haec omnia:
Ruri agere vitam; semper parce ac duriter
Se habere: uxorem duxit; nati filii
Duo: inde ego hunc maiorem adoptavi mihi;
Eduxi a parvulo; habui, amavi pro meo;
In eo me oblecto; solum id est carum mihi.
Ille ut item contra me habeat facio sedulo:
Do, praetermitto: non necesse habeo omnia
Pro meo iure agere. Postremo alii clanculum
Patres quae faciunt, quae fert adolescentia,
Ea ne me celet consuefeci filium;
Nam qui mentiri aut fallere insuerit patrem, aut
Audebit, tanto magis audebit caeteros.
Pudore et liberalitate liberos
Retinere satius esse credo quam metu.
Haec fratri mecum non convenient neque placent.
Venit ad me saepe clamitans, “Quid agis, Micio?”
“Cur perdis adolescentem nobis? cur amat?”
“Cur potat? cur tu his rebus sumtum suggeris?”
“Vestitu nimio indulges; nimium ineptus es.”
Nimium ipse est durus praeter aequumque et bonum:
Et errat longe mea quidem sententia
Qui imperium credat gravius esse aut stabilius
Vi quod fit quam illud quod amicitia adiungitur.
Mea sic est ratio, et sic animum induco meum:
Malo coactus qui suum officium facit
Dum id rescitum iri credit tantisper cavet:
Si sperat fore clam rursum ad ingenium redit.
Ille quem beneficio adiungas ex animo facit;
Studet par referre: praesens absensque idem erit.
Hoc patrium est, potius consuefacere filium
Sua sponte recte facere quam alieno metu.
Hoc pater ac dominus interest: hoc qui nequit,
Fateatur nescire imperare liberis.
Sed estne hic ipsus de quo agebam? et certe is est.
Nescio quid tristem video: credo iam ut solet
Iurgabit. Salvum te advenire, Demea,
Gaudemus.
(DEMEA. MICIO.)
DEMEA:
Ehem, opportune: te ipsum quaerito.

[¶1] MICIO:
Why are you out of spirits?

> Latin: MICIO:
Quid tristis es?

[¶2] DEMEA:
Do you ask me, when we have such a son as Aeschinus, why I’m out of spirits?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Rogas me, ubi nobis Aeschinus
Siet, quid tristis ego sim?

[¶3] MICIO: (aside.)
Did I not say it would be so? (To DEMEA.) What has he been doing?

> Latin: MICIO:
Dixine hoc fore?
Quid fecit?

[¶4] DEMEA:
What has he been doing? He, who is ashamed
of nothing, and fears no one, nor thinks that any law can control him. But I pass by what has been previously done: what a thing he has just perpetrated!

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quid ille fecerit? quem neque pudet
Quicquam; nec metuit quemquam; neque legem putat
Tenere se ullam: nam illa quae antehac facta sunt
Omitto: modo quid designavit!

[¶5] MICIO:
Why, what is it?

> Latin: MICIO:
Quidnam id est?

[¶6] DEMEA:
He has broken open a door, and forced his way into another person’s house, beaten to death the master himself, and all the household, and carried off a wench
whom he had a fancy for. All people are exclaiming that it was a most disgraceful proceeding. How many, Micio, told me of this as I was coming here? It is in everybody’s mouth. In fine, if an example must be cited, does he not see his brother
giving his attention to business, and living frugally and soberly in the country? No action of his is like this. When I say this to him, Micio, I say it to you. You allow him to be corrupted.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Fores effregit atque in aedes irruit
Alienas: ipsum dominum atque omnem familiam
Mulcavit usque ad mortem: eripuit mulierem
Quam amabat. Clamant omnes indignissime
Factum esse. Hoc advenienti quot mihi, Micio,
Dixere! in ore est omni populo. Denique,
Si conferendum exemplum est, non fratrem videt
Rei dare operam, ruri esse parcum ac sobrium?
Nullum huius simile factum. Haec quum illi, Micio,
Dico tibi dico: tu illum corrumpi sinis.

[¶7] MICIO:
Never is there any thing more unreasonable than a man who wants experience, who thinks nothing right except what he himself has done.

> Latin: MICIO:
Homine imperito nunquam quicquam iniustius,
Qui nisi quod ipse fecit nihil rectum putat.

[¶8] DEMEA:
What is the meaning of that?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quorsum istuc?

[¶9] MICIO:
Because, Demea, you misjudge these matters. It is no heinous crime, believe me, for a young man to intrigue or to drink; it is not; nor yet for him to break open a door. If neither I nor you did so, it was poverty that did not allow us to do so. Do you now
claim that as a merit to yourself which you then did from necessity? That is unfair; for if we had had the means to do so, we should have done the same. And, if you were a man, you would now suffer that other son of yours to act thus now, while his age will excuse it, rather than, when he has got you, after long wishing it, out of the way,
he should still do so, at a future day, and at an age more unsuited.

> Latin: MICIO:
Quia tu Demea haec male iudicas.
Non est flagitium, mihi crede, adolescentulum
Scortari neque potare; non est; neque fores
Effringere. Haec si neque ego neque tu fecimus,
Non siit egestas facere nos. Tu nunc tibi
Id laudi ducis quod tum fecisti inopia?
Iniurium est; nam si esset unde id fieret,
Faceremus: et tu illum tuum, si esses homo,
Sineres nunc facere, dum per aetatem licet,
Potius quam, ubi te exspectatum eiecisset foras,
Alieniore aetate post faceret tamen.

[¶10] DEMEA:
O Jupiter! You, sir, are driving me to distraction. Is it not a heinous thing for a young man to do these things?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Pro Iupiter! tu homo adigis me ad insaniam.
Non est flagitium, facere haec adolescentulum?

[¶11] MICIO:
Oh! do listen to me, and do not everlastingly din me upon this subject. You gave me your son to adopt;

> Latin: MICIO:
Ah,
Ausculta: ne me obtundas de hac re saepius.
Tuum filium dedisti adoptandum mihi:

[¶12] he became mine; if he offends in any thing, Demea, he offends against me: in that case I shall bear the greater part of the inconvenience. Does he feast, does he drink, does he smell of perfumes, —it is at my cost. Does he intrigue, money shall be found by me, so long as it suits me; when it shall be no longer convenient, probably he’ll be shut out of doors.

> Latin: Is meus est factus: si quid peccat Demea,
Mihi peccat: ego illi maximam partem feram.
Obsonat, potat, olet unguenta; de meo.
Amat; a me argentum dabitur dum erit commodum:
Ubi non erit fortasse excludetur foras.

[¶13] Has he broken open a door—it shall be replaced; has he torn any one’s clothes—they shall be mended. Thanks to the Gods, I both have means for doing this, and these things are not as yet an annoyance. In fine, either desist, or else find some arbitrator between us: I will show that in this matter you are the most to blame.
DEMEA:
Ah me!

> Latin: Fores effregit; restituentur: discidit
Vestem; resarcietur. Est, Dis gratia,
Et unde haec flant, et adhuc non molesta sunt.
Postremo aut desine, aut cedo quemvis arbitrum:
Te plura in hac re peccare ostendam.
DEMEA:
Hei mihi!

[¶14] Learn to be a father from those who are really so.

> Latin: Pater esse disce ab illis qui vere sciunt.

[¶15] MICIO:
You are his father by nature, I by my anxiety.

> Latin: MICIO:
Natura tu illi pater es, consiliis ego.

[¶16] DEMEA:
You, feel any anxiety?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Tun consulis quicquam?

[¶17] MICIO:
Oh dear,—if you persist, I’ll leave you.

> Latin: MICIO:
Ah, si pergis abiero.

[¶18] DEMEA:
Is it thus you act?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Sicine agis?

[¶19] MICIO:
Am I so often to hear about the same thing?

> Latin: MICIO:
An ego toties de eadem re audiam?

[¶20] DEMEA:
I have some concern for my son.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Curae est mihi.

[¶21] MICIO:
I have some concern for him too; but, Demea,
let us each be concerned for his own share—you for the one, and I for the other. For, to concern yourself about both is almost the same thing as to demand him back again, whom you intrusted to me.

> Latin: MICIO:
Et mihi curae est: verum Demea
Curemus aequam uterque partem: tu alterum,
Ego item alterum; nam ambos curare propemodum
Reposcere illum est quem dedisti.

[¶22] DEMEA:
Alas, Micio!

> Latin: DEMEA:
Ah, Micio.

[¶23] MICIO:
So it seems to me.

> Latin: MICIO:
Mihi sic videtur.

[¶24] DEMEA:
What am I to say to this? If it pleases you, henceforth—let him spend, squander, and destroy; it’s nothing to me.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quid istic? tibi si istic placet,
Profundat, perdat, pereat: nihil ad me attinet.

[¶25] If I say one word after this—
MICIO:
Again angry, Demea?

> Latin: Iam si verbum unum posthac—
MICIO:
Rursum, Demea,
Irascere?

[¶26] DEMEA:
Won’t you believe me? Do I demand him back whom I have intrusted? I am concerned for him; I am not a stranger in blood; if I do interpose—well, well, I have done. You desire me to concern myself for one of them,—do concern myself; and I give thanks to the Gods, he is just as I would have him; that fellow of yours will find it out
at a future day: I don’t wish to say any thing more harsh against him.
(Exit.)

> Latin: DEMEA:
An non credis? repeto quem dedi?
Aegre est: alienus non sum: si obsto, hem, desino.
Unum vis curem; curo; et est Dis gratia
Quum ita ut volo est. Iste tuus ipse sentiet
Posterius—nolo in illum gravius dicere.

[¶27] MICIO:
These things are not nothing at all, nor yet all just as he says; still they do give me some uneasiness; but I was unwilling to show him that I took them amiss, for he is such a man; when I would pacify him, I steadily oppose and resist him;

> Latin: MICIO:
Nec nihil neque omnia haec sunt quae dicit; tamen
Nonnihil molesta sunt haec mihi: sed ostendere
Me aegre pati illi nolui: nam ita est homo;
Quum placo adversor sedulo et deterreo.

[¶28] and in spite of it he hardly puts up with it like other men; but if I were to inflame, or even to humor his anger, I should certainly be as mad as himself. And yet Aesclhinus has done me some injustice in this affair. What courtesan has he not intrigued with? Or to which of them has he not made some present?
At last, he recently told me that he wished to take a wife, I suppose he was just then tired of them all. I was in hopes that the warmth of youth had now subsided; I was delighted. But look now, he is at it again; however, I am determined to know it, whatever it is, and to go meet the fellow, if he is at the Forum.
(Exit.) (Enter AESCHINUS and PARMENO with the MUSIC-GIRL, followed by SANNIO and a crowd of people.)

> Latin: Tamen vix humane patitur: verum si augeam,
Aut etiam adiutor sim eius iracundiae,
Insaniam profecto cum illo; etsi Aeschinus
Nonnullam in hac re nobis facit iniuriam.
Quam hic non amavit meretricem? aut cui non dedit
Aliquid? postremo, nuper (credo iam omnium
Taedebat) dixit velle uxorem ducere.
Sperabam iam defervisse adolescentiam:
Gaudebam. Ecce autem de integro. Nisi quicquid est
Volo scire, atque hominem convenire si apud forum est.
(SANNIO. AESCHINUS. PARMENO.)

[¶29] SANNIO:
I beseech you, fellow-citizens, do give aid to a miserable and innocent man; do assist the distressed.

> Latin: SANNIO:
Obsecro, populares, ferte misero atque innocenti auxilium:
Subvenite inopi.

[¶30] AESCHINUS: (to the GIRL.)
Be quiet, and now then stand here just where you are. Why do you look back? There’s no danger; he shall never touch you while I am here.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Otiose nunc iam ilico hic consiste.
Quid respectas? nihil pericli est: nunquam dum ego adero hic te tanget.

[¶31] SANNIO:
I’ll have her, in spite of all.

> Latin: SANNIO:
Ego istam invitis omnibus—

[¶32] AESCHINUS:
Though he is a villain, he’ll not risk, to-day, getting a second beating.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Quamquam est scelestus non committet hodie unquam iterum ut vapulet.

[¶33] SANNIO:
Hear me, Aeschinus, that you may not say that you were in ignorance of my calling; I am a Procurer.

> Latin: SANNIO:
Aeschine audi: ne te ignarum fuisse dicas meorum morum;
Leno ego sum.

[¶34] AESCHINUS:
I know it.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Scio.

[¶35] SANNIO:
And of as high a character as any one ever was. When you shall be excusing yourself by-and-by, how that you wish this injury had not been done me, I shall not value it this (snapping his fingers). Depend upon it, I’ll prosecute my rights; and you shall never pay with words for the evil that you have done me in deed.

> Latin: SANNIO:
At ita ut usquam fuit fide quisquam optima.
Tu quod te posterius purges hanc iniuriam mihi nolle
Factam esse huius non faciam: crede hoc; ego meum ius persequar;
Neque tu verbis solves unquam quod mihi re male feceris.

[¶36] I know those ways of yours: “I wish it hadn’t happened; I’ll take my oath that you did not deserve this injustice;” while I myself have been treated in a disgraceful manner.
AESCHINUS: (to PARMENO.)

> Latin: Novi ego vestra haec: “Nollem factum;” iusiurandum dabitur te esse
Indignum iniuria hac; indignis quum egomet sim acceptus modis.

[¶37] Go first with all dispatch and open the door.
(PARMENO opens the door.)
SANNIO:
But you will avail nothing by this.
AESCHINUS: (To the GIRL.)

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Abi prae strenue ac fores aperi.
SANNIO:
Ceterum hoc nihil facis.

[¶38] Now then, step in.
SANNIO: (coming between.)
But I’ll not let her.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
I intro iam nunc.
SANNIO:
At enim non sinam.

[¶39] AESCHINUS:
Step this way, Parmeno; you are gone too far that way; here (pointing), stand close by him; there, that’s what I want.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Accede illuc Parmeno;
Nimium istoc abisti: hic propter hunc adsiste. Hem, sic volo.

[¶40] Now then, take care you don’t move your eyes in any direction from mine, that there may be no delay if I give you the sign, to your fist being instantly planted in his jaws.

> Latin: Cave nunc iam oculos a meis oculis quoquam demoveas tuos:
Ne mora sit si innuerim quin pugnus continuo in mala haereat.

[¶41] SANNIO:
I’d have him then try that.

> Latin: SANNIO:
Istuc volo ergo ipsum experiri.

[¶42] AESCHINUS: (to PARMENO.)
Now then, observe me.
PARMENO: (to SANNIO.)
Let go the woman.
(Strikes him.)

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Hem, serva: omitte mulierem.

[¶43] SANNIO:
Oh! scandalous deed!

> Latin: SANNIO:
O facinus indignum!

[¶44] AESCHINUS:
He shall repeat it, if you don’t take care.
(PARMENO strikes him again.)

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Geminabit nisi caves.

[¶45] SANNIO:
Oh shocking!
AESCHINUS: (to PARMENO.)

> Latin: SANNIO:
Hei misero mihi!

[¶46] I didn’t give the sign; but still make your mistakes on that side in preference.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Non innueram: verum in istam partem potius peccato tamen.

[¶47] Now then, go.
(PARMENO goes with the MUSIC-GIRL into MICIO’S house.)
SANNIO:
What is the meaning of this? Have you the sway here, Aeschinus?

> Latin: I nunc iam.
SANNIO:
Quid hoc rei est! regnumne Aeschine hic tu possides?

[¶48] AESCHINUS:
If I had it, you should be exalted for your deserts.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Si possiderem ornatus esses ex tuis virtutibus.

[¶49] SANNIO:
What business have you with me?

> Latin: SANNIO:
Quid tibi rei mecum est?

[¶50] AESCHINUS:
None.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Nihil.

[¶51] SANNIO:
How then, do you know who I am?

> Latin: SANNIO:
Quid? nostin qui sim?

[¶52] AESCHINUS:
I don’t want to.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Non desidero.

[¶53] SANNIO:
Have I touched any thing of yours?

> Latin: SANNIO:
Tetigin tui quicquam?

[¶54] AESCHINUS:
If you had touched it, you’d have got a drubbing.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Si attigisses ferres infortunium.

[¶55] SANNIO:
What greater right then have you to take my property, for which I paid my money?

> Latin: SANNIO:
Qui tibi magis licet meam habere pro qua ego argentum dedi?

[¶56] Answer me that.
AESCHINUS:
It were better for you not to be making a disturbance here before the house; for if you persist in being impertinent, you shall be dragged in at once, and there you shall be lashed to death with whips.

> Latin: Responde.
AESCHINUS:
Ante aedes non fecisse erit melius hic convicium;
Nam si molestus pergis esse iam intro abripiere atque ibi
Usque ad necem operiere loris.

[¶57] SANNIO:
A free man, with whips?

> Latin: SANNIO:
Loris liber?

[¶58] AESCHINUS:
So it shall be.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Sic erit.

[¶59] SANNIO:
Oh, you shameless fellow! Is this the place where they say there is equal liberty for all?

> Latin: SANNIO:
O hominem impurum! hicine libertatem aiunt aequam esse omnibus?

[¶60] AESCHINUS:
If you have now raved enough, Procurer, now then listen, if you please.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Si satis iam debacchatus es leno audi si vis nunc iam.

[¶61] SANNIO:
Why, is it I that have been raving, or you against me?

> Latin: SANNIO:
Egon debacchatus sum autem, an tu in me?

[¶62] AESCHINUS:
Leave alone all that, and come to the point.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Mitte ista, atque ad rem redi.

[¶63] SANNIO:
What point? Where am I to come to?

> Latin: SANNIO:
Quam rem? quo redeam?

[¶64] AESCHINUS:
Are you willing now that I should say something that concerns you?

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Iamne me vis dicere id quod ad te attinet?

[¶65] SANNIO:
With all my heart, only so it be something that’s fair.

> Latin: SANNIO:
Cupio; aequi modo aliquid.

[¶66] AESCHINUS:
Very fine! a Procurer wishing me not to say what’s unfair.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Vah! leno iniqua me non vult loqui.

[¶67] SANNIO:
I am a Procurer, I confess it—the common bane of youth—a perjurer, a public nuisance; still, no injury has befallen you from me.

> Latin: SANNIO:
Leno sum, fateor, pernicies communis adolescentium;
Periurus, pestis; tamen tibi a me nulla orta est iniuria.

[¶68] AESCHINUS:
Why, faith, that remains to come—

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Nam hercle etiam hoc restat.

[¶69] SANNIO:
Pray, Aeschinus, do come back to the point at which you set out.

> Latin: SANNIO:
Illuc quaeso redi quo coepisti, Aeschine.

[¶70] AESCHINUS:
You bought her for twenty nine; and may your bargain never thrive! That sum shall be given for her.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Minis viginti tu illam emisti; quae res tibi vertat male.
Argenti tantum dabitur.

[¶71] SANNIO:
What if I don’t choose to sell her to you? Will you compel me?

> Latin: SANNIO:
Quid si ego tibi illam nolo vendere,
Coges me?

[¶72] AESCHINUS:
By no means.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Minime.

[¶73] SANNIO:
I was afraid you would.

> Latin: SANNIO:
Namque id metui.

[¶74] AESCHINUS:
Neither do I think that a woman can be sold who is free; for I claim her by action of freedom.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Neque vendendam censeo,
Quae libera est; nam ego liberali illam assero causa manu.

[¶75] Now consider which you choose; take the money, or prepare yourself for the action. Think of it, Procurer, till I return.
(He goes into the house of MICIO.)
SANNIO: (to himself.)
O supreme Jupiter! I do by no means wonder that men run mad through ill usage. He has dragged me out of my house, beaten me, taken my property away against my will, and has given me, unfortunate wretch, more than five hundred blows.

> Latin: Nunc vide utrum vis; argentum accipere, an causam meditari tari tuam?
Delibera hoc dum ego redeo leno.
SANNIO:
Pro supreme Iupiter!
Minime miror qui insanire occipiunt ex iniuria.
Domo me eripuit; verberavit; me invito abduxit meam:
Homini misero plus quingentos colaphos infregit mihi.

[¶76] In return for all this ill usage he demands the girl to be made over to him for just the same price at which she was bought. But however, since he has so well deserved of me, be it so: he demands what is his due. Very well, I consent then, provided he only gives the money. But I suspect this; when I have said that I will sell her for so much, he’ll be getting witnesses forthwith that I have sold her. As to getting the money, it’s all a dream. Call again by and by; come back to-morrow.

> Latin: Ob malefacta haec tantidem emtam postulat sibi tradier.
Verum enim, quando bene promeruit, fiat: suum ius postulat.
Age iam cupio, si modo argentum reddat. Sed ego hoc hariolor;
Ubi me dixero dare tanti, testes faciet ilico
Vendidisse me: de argento somnium: mox; “Cras redi.”

[¶77] I could bear with that too, hard as it is, if he would only pay it. But I consider this to be the fact; when you take up this trade, you must brook and bear in silence the affronts of these young fellows. However, no one will pay me; it’s in vain for me to be reckoning upon that.
(Enter SYRUS, from the house of MICIO.)
SYRUS: (speaking to AECHINUS within.)

> Latin: Id quoque possum ferre si modo reddat; quanquam iniurium est.
Verum cogito id quod res est: quando eum quaestum occeperis,
Accipienda et mussitanda iniuria adolescentium est.
Sed nemo dabit: frustra has egomet mecum rationes puto.
(SYRUS. SANNIO.)

[¶78] Say no more; I myself will arrange with him; I’ll make him glad to take the money at once, and
say besides that he has been fairly dealt with. (Addressing SANNIO.) Sannio, how is this, that I hear you have been having some dispute or other with my master?
SANNIO:
I never saw a dispute on more unequal terms than the one that has happened to-day between us; I, with being thumped, he, with beating me, were both of us quite tired.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Tace, egomet conveniam iam ipsum: cupide accipiat faxo; atque etiam
Bene dicat secum esse actum. Quid istuc, Sannio, est quod te audio
Nescio quid concertasse cum hero?
SANNIO:
Nunquam vidi iniquius
Certationem comparatam quam haec hodie inter nos fuit:
Ego vapulando, ille verberando, usque ambo defessi sumus.

[¶79] SYRUS:
Your own fault.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Tua culpa.

[¶80] SANNIO:
What could I do?

> Latin: SANNIO:
Quid agerem?

[¶81] SYRUS:
You ought to have yielded to the young man.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Adolescenti morem gestum oportuit.

[¶82] SANNIO:
How could I more so, when to-day I have even afforded my face to his blows?

> Latin: SANNIO:
Qui potui melius qui hodie usque os praebui?

[¶83] SYRUS:
Well—are you aware of what I tell you? To slight money on some occasions is sometimes the surest gain.
What!—
were you afraid, you greatest simpleton alive, if you had parted with ever so little of your right, and had humored the young man, that he would not repay you with interest?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Age, scis quid loquar?
Pecuniam in loco negligere maximum interdum est lucrum.

[¶84] SANNIO:
I do not pay ready money for hope.

> Latin: SANNIO:
Hui!
SYRUS:
Metuisti; si nunc de tuo iure concessisses paululum, atque
Adolescenti esses morigeratus, hominum homo stultissime,
Ne non tibi istuc foeneraret?
SANNIO:
Ego spem pretio non emo.

[¶85] SYRUS:
Then you’ll never make a fortune. Get out with you, Sannio; you don’t know how to take in mankind.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Nunquam rem facies: abi: nescis inescare homines, Sannio.

[¶86] SANNIO:
I believe that to be the better plan—but I was never so cunning as not, whenever I was able to get it, to prefer getting ready money.

> Latin: SANNIO:
Credo istuc melius esse: verum ego nunquam adeo astutus fui
Quin quicquid possem mallem auferre potius in praesentia.

[¶87] SYRUS:
Come, come, I know your spirit; as if twenty minae were any thing at all to you in comparison to obliging him; besides, they say that you are setting out for Cyprus—

> Latin: SYRUS:
Age; novi tuum animum; quasi iam usquam tibi sint viginti minae,
Dum huic obsequare. Praeterea autem te aiunt proficisci Cyprum.

[¶88] SANNIO:
(aside.) Hah!

> Latin: SANNIO:
Hem!

[¶89] SYRUS:
That you have been buying up many things to take thither; and that the vessel is hired. This I know, your mind is in suspense; however, when you return thence, I hope you’ll settle the matter.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Coëmisse hinc quae illuc veheres multa; navem conductam; hoc, scio,
Animus tibi pendet. Ubi illinc, spero, redieris tamen hoc ages.

[¶90] SANNIO:
Not a foot do stir: Heavens! I’m undone! (Aside.) It was upon this hope they devised their project.

> Latin: SANNIO:
Nusquam pedem. Perii hercle; hac illi spe hoc inceperunt.

[¶91] SYRUS: (aside.)
He is alarmed. I’ve brought the fellow into a fix.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Timet:
Inieci scrupulum homini.

[¶92] SANNIO: (aside.)
Oh, what villainy!—Just look at that; how he has nicked me in the very joint. Several women have been purchased, and other things as well, for me to take to Cyprus.

> Latin: SANNIO:
O scelera! illud vide
Ut in ipso articulo oppressit. Emtae mulieres
Complures; et item hine alia quae porto Cyprum.

[¶93] If I don’t get there to the fair, my loss will, be very great. Then if I postpone this business, and settle it when I come back from there, it will be of no use; the matter will be quite forgotten. “Come at last?” they’ll say. “Why did you delay it? Where have you been?” So that I had better lose it altogether
than either stay here so long, or be suing for it then.

> Latin: Nisi eo ad mercatum venio, damnum maximum est.
Nunc si hoc omitto actum agam; ubi illinc rediero
Nihil est; refrixerit res. “Nunc demum venis?”
“Cur passus? ubi eras?” Ut sit satius perdere
Quam aut hic nunc manere tam diu, aut tum persequi.

[¶94] SYRUS:
Have you by this reckoned up what you calculate will be your profits?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Iamne enumerasti id quod ad te rediturum putes?

[¶95] SANNIO:
Is this honorable of him? Ought Aeschinus to attempt this? Ought he to endeavor to take her away from me by downright violence?
SYRUS: (aside.)

> Latin: SANNIO:
Hocine illo dignum est? hocine incipere Aeschinum?
Per oppressionem ut hanc mihi eripere postulet?

[¶96] He gives ground. (To SANNIO.) I have this one proposal to make; see if you fully approve of it.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Labascit. Unum hoc habeo: vide si satis placet:

[¶97] Rather than you should run the risk, Sannio, of getting or losing the whole, halve it. He will manage to scrape together ten minae from some quarter or other.
SANNIO:
Ah me! unfortunate wretch, I am now in danger of even losing part of the principal. Has he no shame? He has loosened all my teeth;

> Latin: Potius quam venias in periculum, Sannio,
Servesne an perdas totum, dividuum face:
Minas decem conradet alicunde.
SANNIO:
Hei mihi,
Etiam de sorte nunc venio in dubium miser?
Pudet nihil: omnes dentes labefecit mihi:

[¶98] my head, too, is full of bumps with his cuffs; and would he defraud me as well? I shall go nowhere.
SYRUS:
Just as you please. Have you any thing more to say before I go?

> Latin: Praeterea colaphis tuber est totum caput.
Etiam insuper defrudat? nusquam abeo.
SYRUS:
Ut lubet.
Numquid vis quin abeam?

[¶99] SANNIO:
Why yes, Syrus, i’ faith, I have this to request. Whatever the matters that are past, rather than go to law, let what is my own be returned me; at least, Syrus, the sum she cost me.

> Latin: SANNIO:
Immo hercle hoc quaeso, Syre;
Ut ut haec sunt acta, potius quam lites sequar,
Meum mihi reddatur; saltem quanti emta est, Syre.

[¶100] I know that you have not hitherto made trial of my friendship; you will have no occasion to say that I am unmindful or ungrateful.
SYRUS:
I’ll do the best I can. But I see Ctesipho; he’s in high spirits about his mistress.

> Latin: Scio te non usum antehac amicitia mea:
Memorem me dices esse et gratum.
SYRUS:
Sedulo
Faciam: sed Ctesiphonem video: laetus est
De amica.

[¶101] SANNIO:
What about what I was asking you?

> Latin: SANNIO:
Quid quod te oro?

[¶102] SYRUS:
Stay a little.
(Enter CTESIPHO, at the other side of the stage.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Paulisper mane.
(CTESIPHO. SYRUS.)

[¶103] CTESIPHO:
From any man, when you stand in need of it, you are glad to receive a service;

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Abs quivis homine, cum est opus, beneficium accipere gaudeas:

[¶104] but of a truth it is doubly acceptable, if he does you a kindness who ought to do so. O brother, brother, how can I sufficiently commend you? This I am quite sure of; I can never speak of you in such high terms but that your deserts will surpass it. For I am of opinion that I possess this one thing in especial beyond all others, a brother than whom no individual is more highly endowed with the highest qualities.

> Latin: Verum enimvero id demum iuvat, si, quem aequum est facere, is bene facit.
O frater frater, quid ego nunc te laudem? Satis certo scio;
Nunquam ita magnifice quicquam dicam id virtus quin superet tua.
Itaque unam hanc rem me habere praeter alios praecipuam arbitror,
Fratrem homini nemini esse primarum artium magis principem.

[¶105] SYRUS:
O Ctesipho!

> Latin: SYRUS:
O Ctesipho.

[¶106] CTESIPHO:
O Syrus, where is Aeschinus?

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
O Syre, Aeschinus ubi est?

[¶107] SYRUS:
Why, look—he’s at home, waiting for you.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ellum, te exspectat domi.

[¶108] CTESIPHO: (speaking joyously.)
Ha!

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Hem.

[¶109] SYRUS:
What’s the matter?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quid est?

[¶110] CTESIPHO:
What’s the matter?’Tis through him, Syrus, that I am now alive—generous creature! Has he not deemed every thing of secondary importance to himself in comparison with my happiness? The reproach, the discredit, my own amour and imprudence, he has taken upon himself. There can be nothing beyond this; but what means that noise at the door?

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Quid sit? illius opera, Syre, nunc vivo: festivum caput,
Qui omnia sibi post putavit esse prae meo commodo;
Maledicta, famam, meum amorem, et peccatum in se transtulit:
Nihil pote supra. Quidnam foris crepuit?

[¶111] SYRUS:
Stay, stay;’tis Aeschinus himself coming out.
(Enter AESCHINUS, from the house of MICIO.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Mane, mane: ipse exit foras.
(AESCHINUS.
SANNIO.
CTESIPHO. SYRUS.)

[¶112] AESCHINUS:
Where is that villain?

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Ubi ille est sacrilegus?

[¶113] SANNIO: (aside.)
He’s looking for me. Is he bringing any thing with him? Confusion! I don’t see any thing.

> Latin: SANNIO:
Men quaerit? numquidnam effert? Occidi:
Nihil video.

[¶114] AESCHINUS: (to CTESIPHO.)
Ha! well met; you are the very man I was looking for. How goes it, Ctesipho? All is safe: away then with your melancholy.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Ehem, opportune; te ipsum quaero. Quid fit, Ctesipho?
In tuto est omnis res: omitte vero tristitiam tuam.

[¶115] CTESIPHO:
By my troth, I certainly will away with it, when I have such a brother as you. O my dear Aeschinus! O my brother! Alas! I am unwilling to praise you any more to your face,
lest you should think I do so rather for flattery than through gratitude.

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Ego illam hercle vero omitto qui quidem te habeam fratrem. O mi Aeschine,
O mi germane; ah, vereor coram in os te laudare amplius,
Ne id assentandi magis quam quo habeam gratum facere existimes.

[¶116] AESCHINUS:
Go to, you simpleton! as though we didn’t by this time understand each other, Ctesipho. This grieves me, that we knew of it almost too late, and that the matter had come to such a pass, that if all mankind had wished they could not possibly have assisted you.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Age inepte; quasi nunc non norimus nos inter nos, Ctesipho.
Hoc mihi dolet, nos paene sero scisse, et paene in eum locum
Redisse ut si omnes cuperent nihil tibi possent auxiliarier.

[¶117] CTESIPHO:
I felt ashamed.

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Pudebat.

[¶118] AESCHINUS:
Pooh! that is folly, not shame; about such a trifling
matter to be almost flying the country!’Tis shocking to be mentioned; I pray the Gods may forbid it!

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Ah, stultitia est istaec, non pudor. Tam ob parvulam
Rem paene ex patria!—Turpe dictu. Deos quaeso ut istaec prohibeant.

[¶119] CTESIPHO:
I did wrong.

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Peccavi.

[¶120] AESCHINUS: (in a lower voice.)
What says Sannio to us at last?

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Quid ait tandem nobis Sannio?

[¶121] SYRUS:
He is pacified at last.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Iam mitis est.

[¶122] AESCHINUS:
I’ll go to the Forum to pay him off; you, Ctesipho, step in-doors to her.
SANNIO: (aside to SYRUS.)

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Ego ad forum ibo ut hunc absolvam: tu intro ad illam, Ctesipho.

[¶123] Syrus, do urge the matter.
SYRUS: (to AESCHINUS.)
Let us be off, for he is in haste foe’ Cyprus.

> Latin: SANNIO:
Syre, insta.
SYRUS:
Eamus; namque hic properat in Cyprum.

[¶124] SANNIO:
Not particularly so; although still, I’m stopping here doing nothing at all.

> Latin: SANNIO:
Ne tam quidem;
Quamvis etiam maneo otiosus hic.

## 2. Lines 278–634

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/terence-adelphoe/2/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/terence-adelphoe/2/#p-N

[¶0] SYRUS:
It shall be paid, don’t fear.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Reddetur; ne time.

[¶1] SANNIO:
But he is to pay it all.

> Latin: SANNIO:
At ut omne reddat.

[¶2] SYRUS:
He shall pay it all; only hold your tongue and follow us this way.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Omne reddet: tace modo, ac sequere hac.

[¶3] SANNIO:
I’ll follow.
CTESIPHO: (as SYRUS is going.)

> Latin: SANNIO:
Sequor.

[¶4] Harkye, harkye, Syrus.
SYRUS: (turning back.)
Well now, what is it?

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Heus, heus, Syre.
SYRUS:
Hem, quid est?

[¶5] CTESIPHO: (aside.)
Pray do discharge that most abominable fellow as soon as possible; for fear, in case he should become more angry, by some means or other this matter should reach my father, and then I should be ruined forever.

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Obsecro hercle, hominem istum impurissimum
Quamprimum absolvitote; ne, si magis irritatus siet,
Aliqua ad patrem hoc permanet, atque ego tum perpetuo perierim.

[¶6] SYRUS:
That shall not happen, be of good heart; meanwhile enjoy yourself in-doors with her,
and order the couches to be spread for us, and the other things to be got ready. As soon as this business is settled, I shall come home with the provisions.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Non fiet; bono animo es: tu cum illa te intus oblecta interim;
Et lectulos iube sterni nobis, et parari caetera.
Ego iam transacta re convertam me domum cum obsonio.

[¶7] CTESIPHO:
Pray do so. Since this has turned out so well, let us make a cheerful day of it.
(CTESIPHO goes into the house of MICIO; and exeunt AESCHINUS and SYRUS, followed by SANNIO.) (Enter SOSTRATA and CANTHARA, from the house of the former.)

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Ita quaeso: quando hoc bene successit, hilarem hunc sumamus diem.
(SOSTRATA. CANTHARA.)

[¶8] SOSTRATA:
Prithee, my dear nurse, how is it like to end?

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Obsecro, mea nutrix, quid nunc fiet?

[¶9] CANTHARA:
Like to end, do you ask? I’ troth, right well, I trust.

> Latin: CANTHARA:
Quid fiat rogas?
Recte edepol spero.

[¶10] SOSTRATA:
Her pains are just beginning, my dear.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Modo dolores, mea tu, occipiunt primulum.

[¶11] CANTHARA:
You are in a flight, now, just as though you had never been present on such an occasion—never been in labor yourself.

> Latin: CANTHARA:
Iam nunc times, quasi nunquam affueris, nunquam tute pepereris.

[¶12] SOSTRATA:
Unfortunate woman that I am! I have not a person at home; we are quite alone; Geta too is absent. I have no one to go for the midwife, or to fetch Aeschinus.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Miseram me, neminem habeo; solae sumus: Geta autem hic non adest;
Nec quem ad obstetricem mittam; nec qui arcessat Aeschinum.

[¶13] CANTHARA:
I’ faith, he’ll certainly be here just now, for he never lets a day pass without visiting us.

> Latin: CANTHARA:
Pol is quidem iam hic aderit; nam nunquam unum intermittit diem
Quin semper veniat.

[¶14] SOSTRATA:
He is my sole comfort in my afflictions.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Solus mearum miseriarum est remedium.

[¶15] CANTHARA:
Things could not have happened, mistress, more for the advantage of your daughter than they have, seeing that violence was offered her; so far as he is concerned, it is most lucky,—such a person, of such disposition and feelings, a member of so respectable a family.

> Latin: CANTHARA:
E re nata melius fieri haud potuit quam factum est hera;
Quando vitium oblatum est; quod ad illum attinet potissimum
Talem, tali genere atque animo, natum ex tanta familia.

[¶16] SOSTRATA:
It is indeed as you say; I entreat the Gods that he may be preserved to us.
(They stand apart, on seeing GETA.) (Enter GETA, on the other side of the stage.)
GETA: (to himself.)

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Ita pol est ut dicis: salvus nobis Deos quaeso ut siet.
(GETA. SOSTRATA. CANTHARA.)

[¶17] Now such is our condition, that if all were to combine all their counsels,
and to seek a remedy for this mischief that has befallen myself, my mistress, and her daughter, they could find no relief. Oh wretched me! so many calamities beset us on a sudden, we can not possibly extricate ourselves. Violence, poverty, oppression, desertion, infamy! What an age is this! O shocking villainy! O accursed race! O impious man!—
SOSTRATA:
Unhappy me! How is it that I see Geta hurrying along thus terrified?
GETA: (continuing.)

> Latin: GETA:
Nunc illud est quod si omnes omnia sua consilia conferant,
Atque huic malo salutem quaerant, auxili nihil afferant,
Quod mihique heraeque filiaeque herili est. Vae misero mihi!
Tot res repente circumvallant, unde emergi non potest,
Vis, egestas, iniustitia, solitudo, infamia.
Hocine saeclum? O scelera, O genera sacrilega, O hominem impium!
SOSTRATA:
Me miseram! quidnam est quod sic video timidum et properantem Getam?

[¶18] Whom neither promises, nor oaths, nor compassion could move or soften; nor yet the fact that the delivery was nigh at hand of the unfortunate woman on whom he had so shamefully committed violence.
SOSTRATA: (apart to CANTHARA.)
I don’t well understand what he is talking about.

> Latin: GETA:
Quem neque fides neque iusiurandum neque illum misericordia
Repressit neque reflexit, neque quod partus instabat prope,
Cui miserae indigne per vim vitium obtulerat.
SOSTRATA:
Non intelligo
Satis quae loquatur.

[¶19] CANTHARA:
Pray, let us go nearer to him, Sostrata.

> Latin: CANTHARA:
Propius obsecro accedamus, Sostrata.

[¶20] GETA: (continuing.)
Ah
wretched me! I am scarcely master of my senses, I am so inflamed with anger. There is nothing that I would like better than for all that family to be thrown in my way, that I might give vent to all my wrath upon them while this wound is still fresh. I could be content with any punishment, so I might only wreak my vengeance on them. First, I would stop the breath of the old fellow himself who gave being to this monster;

> Latin: GETA:
Ah,
Me miserum! vix sum compos animi; ita ardeo iracundia.
Nihil est quod malim quam illam totam familiam mihi dari obviam,
Ut ego iram hanc in eos evomam omnem dum aegritudo haec est recens:
Satis mihi id habeam supplici, dum illos ulciscar modo.
Seni animam primum extinguerem ipsi qui illud produxit scelus.

[¶21] then as for his prompter, Syrus, out upon him! How I would tear him piecemeal! I would snatch him by the middle up aloft, and dash him head downward upon the earth, so that with his brains he would bestrew the road: I would pull out the eyes of the young fellow himself, and afterward hurl him headlong over some precipice. The others I would rush upon, drive, drag, crush, and trample them under foot.

> Latin: Tum autem Syrum impulsorem, vah, quibus illum lacerarem modis!
Sublimem medium arriperem, et capite pronum in terram statuerem,
Ut cerebro dispergat viam.
Adolescenti ipsi eriperem oculos; posthaec praecipitem darem;
Caeteros ruerem, agerem, raperem, tunderem, et prosternerem.

[¶22] But why do I delay at once to acquaint my mistress with this calamity?
(Moves as if going.)
SOSTRATA: (to CANTHARA.)
Let us call him Lack. Geta—

> Latin: Sed cesso heram hoc malo impertiri propere?
SOSTRATA:
Revocemus. Geta.

[¶23] GETA:
Well—leave me alone, whoever you are.
SOSTRATA:’Tis I,—Sostrata.

> Latin: GETA:
Hem, quisquis es, sine me.
SOSTRATA:
Ego sum Sostrata.

[¶24] GETA: (turning round.)
Why, where are you? You are the very person I am looking for. I was in quest of you; it’s very fortunate you have met me.

> Latin: GETA:
Ubi ea est? te ipsam quaerito,
Te expecto: oppido opportune te obtulisti mihi obviam,
Hera.

[¶25] SOSTRATA:
What’s the matter? Why are you trembling?

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Quid est? quid trepidas?

[¶26] GETA:
Alas! alas!

> Latin: GETA:
Hei mihi!

[¶27] SOSTRATA:
My dear Geta, why in such haste? Do take breath.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Quid festinas, mi Geta?
Animam recipe.

[¶28] GETA:
Quite—
(pauses.)

> Latin: GETA:
Prorsus—

[¶29] SOSTRATA:
Why, what means this “quite”?

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Quid istuc prorsus ergo est.

[¶30] GETA:
Undone—
It’s all over with us.

> Latin: GETA:
Periimus:
Actum est.

[¶31] SOSTRATA:
Say, then, I entreat you, what is the matter.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Eloquere ergo, obsecro te, quid sit.

[¶32] GETA:
Now—

> Latin: GETA:
Iam—

[¶33] SOSTRATA:
What “now,” Geta?

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Quid iam, Geta?

[¶34] GETA:
Aeschinus—

> Latin: GETA:
Aeschinus—

[¶35] SOSTRATA:
What about him?

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Quid is ergo?

[¶36] GETA:
Has abandoned our family.

> Latin: GETA:
alienus est ab nostra familia.

[¶37] SOSTRATA:
Then I am undone! Why so?

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Hem,
Perii: quare?

[¶38] GETA:
He has attached himself to another woman.

> Latin: GETA:
Amare occepit aliam.

[¶39] SOSTRATA:
Woe unto wretched me!

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Vae miserae mihi!

[¶40] GETA:
And he makes no secret of it; he himself has carried her off openly from a procurer.

> Latin: GETA:
Neque id occulte fert: ab lenone ipsus eripuit palam.

[¶41] SOSTRATA:
Are you quite sure of this?

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Satin hoc certum est?

[¶42] GETA:
Quite sure; I saw it myself, Sostrata, with these same eyes.

> Latin: GETA:
Certum: hisce oculis egomet vidi, Sostrata.

[¶43] SOSTRATA:
Ah
wretched me! What is one now to believe, or whom believe? Our own Aeschinus, the very life of us all, in whom all our hopes and comforts were centred! Who used to swear he could never live a single day without her! Who used to say, that he would place the infant on his father’s knees, and thus entreat that he might be allowed to make her his wife!

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Ah,
Me miseram! quid credas iam? aut cui credas? Nostrumne Aeschinum;
Nostram vitam omnium, in quo nostrae spes omnesque opes sitae
Erant; qui sine hac iurabat se unum nunquam victurum diem;
Qui se in sui gremio positurum puerum dicebat patris;
Ita obsecraturum ut liceret sibi hanc uxorem ducere?

[¶44] GETA:
Dear mistress, forbear weeping, and rather consider what must be done for the future in this matter. Shall we submit to it, or shall we tell it to any person?

> Latin: GETA:
Hera, lacrimas mitte, ac potius quod ad hanc rem opus est porro consule;
Patiamurne, an narremus cuipiam?

[¶45] CANTHARA:
Pooh, pooh! Are you in your senses, my good man? Does this seem to you a business to be made known to any one?

> Latin: CANTHARA:
Au, mi homo, sanusne es?
An hoc proferendum tibi videtur usquam esse?

[¶46] GETA:
I, indeed, have no wish for it. In the first place, then, that his feelings are estranged from us, the thing itself declares. Now, if we make this known, he’ll deny it, I’m quite sure;

> Latin: GETA:
Mihi quidem non placet.
Iam primum illum alieno animo a nobis esse res ipsa indicat.
Nunc si hoc palam proferimus ille infitias ibit, sat scio.

[¶47] your reputation and your daughter’s character will then be in danger. On the other hand, if he were fully to confess it, as he is in love with another woman, it would not be to her advantage to be given to him. Therefore, under either circumstance, there is need of silence.
SOSTRATA:
Oh! by no means in the world! I’ll not do it.

> Latin: Tua fama et gnatae vita in dubium veniet. Tum si maxime
Fateatur, quum amet aliam, non est utile hanc illi dari:
Quapropter quoquo pacto tacito est opus.
SOSTRATA:
Ah, minime gentium:
Non faciam.

[¶48] GETA:
What is it you say?

> Latin: GETA:
Quid ages?

[¶49] SOSTRATA:
I’ll make it known.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Proferam.

[¶50] GETA:
Ha, my dear Sostrata, take care what you do!

> Latin: GETA:
Hem, mea Sostrata, vide quam rem agas.

[¶51] SOSTRATA:
The matter can not possibly be in a worse position than it is at present.

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Peiore res loco non potest esse quam in quo nunc sita est.

[¶52] In the first place, she has no portion; then, besides, that which was as good as a portion, her honor, is lost: she can not be given in marriage as a virgin. This resource is left; if he should deny it, I have a ring which he lost as evidence of the truth. In fine, Geta, as I am fully conscious that no blame attaches to me, and that neither interest nor any consideration unworthy of her or of myself has had a share in this matter,
I will make trial—
GETA:
What am I to say to this? I agree, as you speak for the best.

> Latin: Primum indotata est: tum praeterea quae secunda ei dos erat
Periit: pro virgine dari nuptum non potest. Hoc reliquum est:
Si infitias ibit, testis mecum est annulus quem amiserat.
Postremo, quando ego conscia mihi sum a me culpam esse hanc procul,
Neque pretium neque rem ullam intercessisse illa aut me indignam, Geta,
Experiar.
GETA:
Quid ista? accedo, ut melius dicas.

[¶53] SOSTRATA:
You be off as fast as possible, and relate all the matter just as it has happened to her kinsman Hegio; for he was the best friend of our lamented Simulus, and has shown especial regard for us.
GETA: (aside.)

> Latin: SOSTRATA:
Tu, quantum potes,
Abi, atque Hegioni cognato huius rem omnem narrato ordine;
Nam is nostro Simulo fuit summus, et nos coluit maxime.

[¶54] Aye, faith, because nobody else takes any notice of us.
SOSTRATA:
Do you, my dear Canthara, run with all haste, and fetch the midwife, so that, when she is wanted, we may not have to wait for her.
(SOSTRATA goes into the house, and exit GETA and CANTHARA.) (Enter DEMEA.)
DEMEA: (to himself.)

> Latin: GETA:
Nam hercle alius nemo respicit nos.
SOSTRATA:
Propera tu, mea Canthara,
Curre: obstetricem arcesse, ut cum opus sit ne in mora nobis siet.
(DEMEA. SYRUS.)

[¶55] Utterly undone! I hear that Ctesipho was with Aeschinus at the carrying off of this girl. This sorrow still remains for unhappy me, should Aeschinus be able to seduce him, even him, who promises so fair, to a course of debauchery. Where am I to inquire for him? I doubt he has been carried off to some bad house;
that profligate has persuaded him, I’m quite sure. But look—I see Syrus coming this way, I shall now know from him where he is. But, i ’faith, he is one of the gang; if he perceives that I am looking for him, the rascal will never tell me. I’ll not let him know what I want.
(Enter SYRUS, at the other side of the stage.)
SYRUS: (to himself.)
We just now told the old gentleman the whole affair just as it happened;

> Latin: DEMEA:
Disperii! Ctesiphonem audivi filium
Una affuisse in raptione cum Aeschino.
Id misero restat mihi mali, si illum potest
Qui alicui rei est etiam eum ad nequitiam abducere.
Ubi ego illum quaeram? credo abductum in ganeum
Aliquo: persuasit ille impurus, sat scio.
Sed eccum Syrum ire video: hinc scibo iam ubi siet;
Atque hercle hic de grege illo est: si me senserit
Eum quaeritare, nunquam dicet carnifex.
Non ostendam me id velle.
SYRUS:
Omnem rem modo seni
Quo pacto se haberet enarramus ordine:

[¶56] I never did see any one more delighted.
DEMEA: (apart.)
O Jupiter! the folly of the man!

> Latin: Nihil vidi quicquam laetius.
DEMEA:
Pro Iupiter,
Hominis stultitiam!

[¶57] SYRUS: (continuing.)
He commended his son. To me, who put them upon this project, he gave thanks—
DEMEA: (apart.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Collaudavit filium:
Mihi qui id dedissem consilium egit gratias.

[¶58] I shall burst asunder.
SYRUS: (continuing.)
He told down the money instantly,
and gave me half a mina besides to spend. That was laid out quite to my liking.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Disrumpor.
SYRUS:
Argentum annumeravit ilico:
Dedit praeterea in sumtum dimidium minae:
Id distributum sane est ex sententia.

[¶59] DEMEA: (apart.)
Very fine—if you would wish a thing to be nicely managed, intrust it to this fellow.
SYRUS: (overhearing him.)

> Latin: DEMEA:
Hem!
Huic mandes, si quid recte curatum velis.

[¶60] Ha, Demea! I didn’t see you; how goes it?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Hem, Demea, haud aspexeram te. Quid agitur?

[¶61] DEMEA:
How should it go? I can not enough wonder at your mode of living here.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quid agatur? Vestram nequeo mirari satis
Rationem.

[¶62] SYRUS:
Why, really silly enough, and, to speak without disguise, altogether absurd. (Calls at the door of MICIO’S house.) Dromo, clean the rest of the fish; let the largest conger-eel play a little in the water; when I come back it shall, be boned; not before.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Est hercle inepta, ne dicam dolo,
Atque absurda. Pisces ceteros purga, Dromo:
Congrum istum maximum in aqua sinito ludere
Paulisper: ubi ego venero, exossabitur;
Prius nolo.

[¶63] DEMEA:
Is profligacy like this—

> Latin: DEMEA:
Haecine flagitia!

[¶64] SYRUS:
As for myself, it isn’t to my taste,
and I often exclaim against it. (Calls; at the door.) Stephanio, take care that the salt fish is well soaked.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Mihi quidem non placent;
Et clamo saepe. Salsamenta haec, Stephanio,
Fac macerentur pulchre.

[¶65] DEMEA:
Ye Gods, by our trust in you! Is he doing this for any purpose of his own, or does he think it creditable to ruin his son? Wretch that I am! methinks I already see the day when Aeschinus will be running away for want,
to serve somewhere or other as a soldier.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Di vestram fidem,
Utrum studione id sibi habet, an laudi putat
Fore si perdiderit gnatum? Vae misero mihi!
Videre videor iam diem illum quum hinc egens
Profugiet aliquo militatum.

[¶66] SYRUS:
O Demea! That is wisdom indeed, not only to look at the present moment, but also to look forward to what’s to come.

> Latin: SYRUS:
O Demea,
Istuc est sapere, non quod ante pedes modo est
Videre, sed etiam illa quae futura sunt
Prospicere.

[¶67] DEMEA:
Well—is this Music-girl still with you?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quid? istaec iam penes vos psaltria est?

[¶68] SYRUS:
Why, yes, she’s in-doors.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ellam intus.

[¶69] DEMEA:
How now—is he going to keep her at home?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Eho an domi est habiturus?

[¶70] SYRUS:
I believe so; such is his
madness!

> Latin: SYRUS:
Credo, ut est
Dementia.

[¶71] DEMEA:
Is it possible?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Haecine fieri!

[¶72] SYRUS:
An imprudent lenity in his father, and a vicious inlulgence.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Inepta lenitas
Patris et facilitas prava.

[¶73] DEMEA:
Really, I am ashamed and grieved at my brother.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Fratris me quidem
Pudet pigetque.

[¶74] SYRUS:
Demea! Between you there is a great—I do not say it because you are here present—a too great difference. You are, every bit of you, nothing but wisdom;

> Latin: SYRUS:
Nimium inter vos, Demea, ac
Non quia ades praesens dico hoc, pernimium interest.
Tu quantus quantus es nihil nisi sapientia es:

[¶75] he a mere dreamer. Would you indeed have suffered that son of yours to act thus?
DEMEA:
I, suffer him? Would I not have smelt it out six months before he attempted it?

> Latin: Ille somnium. Sineres vero tu illum tuum
Facere haec?
DEMEA:
Sinerem illum? an non sex totis mensibus
Prius olfecissem quam ille quicquam coeperit?

[¶76] SYRUS:
Need I be told by you of your foresight?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Vigilantiam tuam tu mihi narras?

[¶77] DEMEA:
I pray he may only continue the same he is at present!

> Latin: DEMEA:
Sic siet
Modo ut nunc est quaeso.

[¶78] SYRUS:
Just as each person wishes his son to be, so he turns out.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ut quisque suum vult esse, ita est.

[¶79] DEMEA:
What news of him? Have you seen him to-day?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quid eum? vidistine hodie?

[¶80] SYRUS:
What, your son? (Aside.) I’ll pack him off into the country. (To DEMEA.) I fancy he’s busy at the farm long before this.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Tuumne filium?
Abigam hunc rus. Iamdudum aliquid ruri agere arbitror.

[¶81] DEMEA:
Are you quite sure he is there?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Satin scis ibi esse?

[¶82] SYRUS:
What!—when I saw him part of the way myself—

> Latin: SYRUS:
Oh, qui egomet produxi.

[¶83] DEMEA:
Very good. I was afraid he might be loitering here.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Optime est.
Metui ne haereret hic.

[¶84] SYRUS:
And extremely angry too.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Atque iratum admodum.

[¶85] DEMEA:
Why so?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quid autem?

[¶86] SYRUS:
He attacked his brother in the Forum with strong language
about this Music-girl.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Adortus iurgio fratrem apud forum
De psaltria istac.

[¶87] DEMEA:
Do you really say so?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Ain vero?

[¶88] SYRUS:
Oh dear, he didn’t at all mince the matter; for just as the money was being counted out, the gentleman came upon us by chance, and began exclaiming, “Oh Aeschinus, that you should perpetrate these enormities! that you should be guilty of actions so disgraceful to our family!”

> Latin: SYRUS:
Vah, nihil reticuit.
Nam ut numerabatur forte argentum intervenit
Homo de improviso: coepit clamare, “O Aeschine!”
“Haecine flagitia facere te! haec te admittere”
“Indigna genere nostro!”

[¶89] DEMEA:
Oh, I shall weep for joy.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Oh! lacrimo gaudio.

[¶90] SYRUS:
“By this you are not squandering your money only, but your reputation.”

> Latin: SYRUS:
“Non tu hoc argentum perdis sed vitam tuam.”

[¶91] DEMEA:
May he be preserved to me! I trust he will be like his forefathers.
(Weeping.)

> Latin: DEMEA:
Salvus sit, spero: est similis maiorum suum.

[¶92] SYRUS: (aside.)
Heyday!

> Latin: SYRUS:
Hui.

[¶93] DEMEA:
Syrus, he is full of these maxims.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Syre, praeceptorum plenus istorum ille.

[¶94] SYRUS: (aside.)
Strange, indeed! He had the means at home of learning them.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Phy.
Domi habuit unde disceret.

[¶95] DEMEA:
I do every thing I can; I spare no pains; I train him up to it: in fine,
I bid him look into the lives of men, as though into a mirror, and from others to take an example for himself. Do this, I say—

> Latin: DEMEA:
Fit sedulo.
Nihil praetermitto: consuefacio: denique
Inspicere tanquam in speculum in vitas omnium
Iubeo, atque ex aliis sumere exemplum sibi.
“Hoc facito.”

[¶96] SYRUS:
Quite right.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Recte sane.

[¶97] DEMEA:
Avoid that—

> Latin: DEMEA:
“Hoc fugito.”

[¶98] SYRUS:
Very shrewd.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Callide.

[¶99] DEMEA:
This is praiseworthy—

> Latin: DEMEA:
“Hoc laudi est.”

[¶100] SYRUS:
That’s the thing.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Istaec res est.

[¶101] DEMEA:
That is considered blamable—

> Latin: DEMEA:
“Hoc vitio datur.”

[¶102] SYRUS:
Extremely good.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Probissime.

[¶103] DEMEA:
And then, moreover—

> Latin: DEMEA:
Porro autem—

[¶104] SYRUS:
Upon my honor, I have not the leisure
to listen to you just at present: I have got some fish just to my taste, and must take care they are not spoiled; for that would be as much a crime in me, as for you, Demea, not to observe those maxims which you have just been mentioning; and so far as I can, I lay down precepts for my fellow-servants on the very same plan;

> Latin: SYRUS:
Non hercle otium est
Nunc mihi auscultandi. Pisces ex sententia
Nactus sum: hi mihi ne corrumpantur cautio est:
Nam id nobis tam flagitium est quam illa, Demea,
Non facere vobis quae modo dixti: et, quod queo,
Conservis ad eundem istunc praecipio modum:

[¶105] “this is too salt, that is quite burned up, this is not washed enough, that is very well done; remember and do so another time.” I carefully instruct them so far as I can to the best of my capacity. In short, Demea, I bid them look into their sauce-pans as though into a mirror, and suggest to them what they ought to do.

> Latin: “Hoc salsum est; hoc adustum est; hoc lautum est parum,”
“Illud recte: iterum sic memento:” sedulo
Moneo quae possum pro mea sapientia.
Postremo tanquam in speculum in patinas, Demea,
Inspicere iubeo, et moneo quid facto usus siet.

[¶106] I am sensible these things are trifling which we do; but what is one to do? According as the man is, so must you humor him. Do you wish any thing else?
DEMEA:
That more wisdom may be granted you.

> Latin: Inepta haec esse nos quae facimus sentio:
Verum quid facias? ut homo est, ita morem geras.
Numquid vis?
DEMEA:
Mentem vobis meliorem dari.

[¶107] SYRUS:
You will be going off into the country, I suppose?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Tu rus hinc abis?

[¶108] DEMEA:
Directly.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Recta.

[¶109] SYRUS:
For what should you do here, where, if you do give any good precepts, no one will regard them?
(Goes into MICIO’S house.)
DEMEA: (to himself.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Nam quid tu hic agas,
Ubi si quid bene praecipias nemo obtemperet?

[¶110] I certainly will be off, as he on whose account I came hither has gone into the country. I have a care for him: that alone is my own concern, since my brother will have it so; let him look to the other himself. But who is it I see yonder at a distance? Isn’t it Hegio of our tribes? If I see right, i’ faith, it is he. Ah,
a man I have been friendly with from a child! Good Gods! we certainly have a great dearth of citizens of that stamp nowadays, with the old-fashioned virtue and honesty. Not in a hurry will any misfortune accrue to the public from him.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Ego vero hinc abeo, quando is quamobrem huc veneram
Rus abiit: illum curo unum: ille ad me attinet.
Quando ita vult frater, de istoc ipse viderit.
Sed quis illic est procul quem video? estne hic Hegio,
Tribulis noster? si satis cerno, is hercle est: vah,
Homo amicus nobis iam inde a puero. Di boni!
Nae illiusmodi iam nobis magna civium
Penuria est: homo antiqua virtute ac fide.
Haud cito mali quid ortum ex hoc sit publice.

[¶111] How glad I am to find some remnants of this race even still remaining; now I feel some pleasure in living. I’ll wait here for him, to ask him how he is, and have some conversation with him.
(Enter HEGIO and GETA, conversing, at a distance.)

> Latin: Quam gaudeo ubi etiam huius generis reliquias
Restare video! Ah, vivere etiam nunc libet.
Opperiar hominem hic, ut salutem et conloquar.
(HEGIO. GETA. DEMEA. PAMPHILA.)

[¶112] HEGIO:
Oh immortal Gods! a disgraceful action, Geta! What is it you tell me?

> Latin: HEGIO:
Pro Di immortales, facinus indignum, Geta.
Quid narras?

[¶113] GETA:
Such is the fact.

> Latin: GETA:
Sic est factum.

[¶114] HEGIO:
That so ignoble a deed should come from that family! Oh Aeschinus,
assuredly you haven’t taken after your father in that!

> Latin: HEGIO:
Ex illan familia
Tam illiberale facinus esse ortum? O Aeschine,
Pol haud paternum istuc dedisti.

[¶115] DEMEA: (apart.)
Why surely, he has heard this about the Music-girl; that gives him concern, though a stranger; this father of his thinks nothing of it. Ah me! I wish he were somewhere close at hand to overhear this.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Videlicet
De psaltria hac audivit: id illi nunc dolet
Alieno: pater is nihili pendit. Hei mihi!
Utinam hic prope adesset alicubi, atque audiret haec.

[¶116] HEGIO:
Unless they do as they ought to do, they shall not come off so easily.

> Latin: HEGIO:
Nisi facient quae illos aequum est, haud sic auferent.

[¶117] GETA:
All our hopes, Hegio, are centred in you; you we have for our only friend; you are our protector, our father. The old man, Simulus, when dying, recommended us to you; if you forsake us, we are undone.

> Latin: GETA:
In te spes omnis, Hegio, nobis sita est.
Te solum habemus: tu es patronus, tu parens:
Ille tibi moriens nos commendavit senex.
Si deseris tu, periimus.

[¶118] HEGIO:
Beware how you mention that; I neither will do it, nor do I think that, with due regard to the ties of relationship, I could.
DEMEA: (apart.)

> Latin: HEGIO:
Cave dixeris.
Neque faciam, neque me satis pie posse arbitror.

[¶119] I’ll accost him. (Approaches HEGIO.) Hegio, I bid you welcome right heartily;
HEGIO: (starting.)
Oh! you are the very man I was looking for. Greetings to you, Demea.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Adibo. Salvere Hegionem plurimum
Iubeo.
HEGIO:
Te quaerebam ipsum. Salve Demea.

[¶120] DEMEA:
Why, what’s the matter?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quid autem?

[¶121] HEGIO:
Your eldest son Aeschinus, whom you gave to your brother to adopt, has been acting the part of neither an honest man nor a gentleman.

> Latin: HEGIO:
Maior filius tuus Aeschinus,
Quem fratri adoptandum dedisti, neque boni
Neque liberalis functus officium est viri.

[¶122] DEMEA:
What has he been doing?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quid istuc est?

[¶123] HEGIO:
You knew my friend and year’s-mate, Simulus?

> Latin: HEGIO:
Nostrum amicum noras Simulum
Atque aequalem?

[¶124] DEMEA:
Why not?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quidni?

[¶125] HEGIO:
He has debauched his daughter, a virgin.

> Latin: HEGIO:
Filiam eius virginem
Vitiavit.

[¶126] DEMEA:
Hah!

> Latin: DEMEA:
Hem!

[¶127] HEGIO:
Stay, Demea. You have not yet heard the worst.

> Latin: HEGIO:
Mane; nondum audisti, Demea,
Quod est gravissimum.

[¶128] DEMEA:
Is there any thing still worse?

> Latin: DEMEA:
An quid est etiam amplius?

[¶129] HEGIO:
Worse, by far: for this indeed might in some measure have been borne with.

> Latin: HEGIO:
Vero amplius; nam hoc quidem ferendum aliquo modo est:

[¶130] The hour of night prompted him; passion, wine, young blood;’tis human nature. When he was sensible of what he had done, he came voluntarily to the girl’s mother, weeping, praying, entreating, pledging his honor, vowing that he would take her home. The affair was pardoned, hushed up, his word taken. The girl from that
intercourse became pregnant: this is the tenth month. He, worthy fellow, has provided himself, if it please the Gods, with a Music-girl to live with; the other he has cast off.

> Latin: Persuasit nox, amor, vinum, adolescentia:
Humanum est. Ubi scit factum, ad matrem virginis
Venit ipsus ultro lacrimans, orans, obsecrans,
Fidem dans, iurans se illam ducturum domum.
Ignotum est; tacitum est; creditum est. Virgo ex eo
Compressu gravida facta est: mensis hic decimus est.
Ille bonus vir nobis psaltriam, si Dis placet,
Paravit quicum vivat, illam deserit.

[¶131] DEMEA:
Do you say this for certain?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Pro certon tu istaec dicis?

[¶132] HEGIO:
The mother of the young woman is among us, the young woman too; the fact speaks for itself; this Geta,
besides, according to the common run of servants, not a bad one or of idle habits; he supports them; alone, maintains the whole family; take him, bind him, examine him upon the matter.

> Latin: HEGIO:
Mater virginis
In medio est; ipsa virgo; res ipsa: hic Geta
Praeterea, ut captus est servorum non malus
Neque iners, alit illas: solus omnem familiam
Sustentat: hunc abduce, vinci; quaere rem.

[¶133] GETA:
Aye, faith, put me to the torture, Demea, if such is not the fact: besides, he will not deny it. Confront me with him.
DEMEA: (aside.)

> Latin: GETA:
Immo hercle extorque, nisi ita factum est, Demea.
Postremo non negabit: coram ipsum cedo.

[¶134] I am ashamed; and what to do, or how to answer him, I don’t know.
PAMPHILA: (crying out within the house of SOSTRATA.)
Ah me! I am racked with pains! Juno Lucina, bring aid, save me, I beseech thee.
HEGIO:
Hold; is she in labor, pray?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Pudet: nec quid agam neque quid huic respondeam
Scio.
PAMPHILA:
Miseram me, differor doloribus.
Iuno Lucina, fer opem: serva me, obsecro.
HEGIO:
Hem.
Numnam illa quaeso parturit?

[¶135] GETA:
No doubt of it, Hegio.

> Latin: GETA:
Certe Hegio.

[¶136] HEGIO:
Ah! she is now imploring your protection, Demea;

> Latin: HEGIO:
Hem.
Illaec fidem nunc vestram implorat, Demea:

[¶137] let her obtain from you spontaneously what the power of the law compels you to give. I do entreat the Gods that what befits you may at once be clone. But if your sentiments are otherwise, Demea, I will defend both them and him who is dead to the utmost of my power.

> Latin: Quod vos vis cogit, id voluntate impetret.
Haec primum ut fiant Deos quaeso ut vobis decet:
Sin aliter animus vester est, ego, Demea,
Summa vi defendam hanc atque illum mortuum.

[¶138] He was my kinsman: we were brought up together from children, we were companions in the wars and at home, together we experienced the hardships of poverty. I will therefore exert myself, strive, use all methods, in fine lay down my life, rather than forsake these women. What answer do you give me?
DEMEA:
I’ll go find my brother, Hegio:
the advice he gives me upon this matter I’ll follow.

> Latin: Mihi cognatus erat: una a pueris parvulis
Sumus educti; una semper militiae et domi
Fuimus; paupertatem una pertulimus gravem.
Quapropter nitar, faciam, experiar, denique
Animam relinquam potius quam illas deseram.
Quid mihi respondes?
DEMEA:
Fratrem conveniam, Hegio:
Is quod mihi de hac re dederit consilium id sequar.

[¶139] HEGIO:
But, Demea, take you care and reflect upon this: the more easy you are in your circumstances, the more powerful, wealthy, affluent, and noble you are, so much the more ought you with equanimity to observe the dictates of justice, if you would have yourselves esteemed as men of probity.

> Latin: HEGIO:
Sed Demea hoc tu facito, cum animo cogites
Quam vos facillime agitis, quam estis maxime
Potentes, dites, fortunati, nobiles,
Tam maxime vos aequo animo aequa noscere
Oportet, si vos vultis perhiberi probos.

[¶140] DEMEA:
Go back now; every thing shall be done that is proper to be done.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Redito: fient quae fieri aequum est omnia.

[¶141] HEGIO:
It becomes you to act thus. Geta, show me in to Sostrata.
(Follows GETA into SOSTRATA’S house.)
DEMEA: (to himself.)

> Latin: HEGIO:
Decet te facere. Geta duc me intro ad Sostratam.

[¶142] Not without warning on my part have these things happened: I only wish it may end here; but this immoderate indulgence will undoubtedly lead to some great misfortune.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Non me indicente haec fiunt. Utinam hic sit modo
Defunctum: verum nimia illaec licentia
Profecto evadet in aliquod magnum malum.

[¶143] I’ll go find my brother, and vent these feelings upon him.
(Exit.) (Enter HEGIO, from SOSTRATA’S house, and speaking to her within.)

> Latin: Ibo ac requiram fratrem, ut in eum haec evomam.
(HEGIO.)

[¶144] HEGIO:
Be of good heart, Sostrata, and take care and console her as far as you can. I’ll go find Micio, if he is at the Forum, and acquaint him with the whole circumstances in their order; if so it is that he will do his duty by you,
let him do so; but if his sentiments are otherwise about this matter, let him give me his answer, that I may know at once what I am to do.
(Exit.) (Enter CTESIPHO and SYRUS from the house of MICIO.)

> Latin: HEGIO.:
Bono animo fac sis, Sostrata; et istam, quod potes,
Fac consolere. Ego Micionem, si apud forum est,
Conveniam; atque ut res gesta est narrabo ordine.
Si est facturus ut sit officium suum,
Faciat: sin aliter de hac re est eius sententia,
Respondeat mihi; ut quid agam quamprimum sciam.
(CTESIPHO. SYRUS.)

[¶145] CTESIPHO:
My father gone into the country, say you?

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Ain patrem hinc abisse rus?

[¶146] SYRUS: (with a careless air.)
Some time since.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Iamdudum.

[¶147] CTESIPHO:
Do tell me, I beseech you.

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Dic sodes.

[¶148] SYRUS:
He is at the farm at this very moment, I warrant—hard at some work or other.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Apud villam est.
Nunc cum maxime operis aliquid facere credo.

[¶149] CTESIPHO:
I really wish, provided it be done with no prejudice to his health, I wish that he may so effectually tire himself,
that, for the next three days together, he may be unable to arise from his bed.

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Utinam quidem,
Quod cum salute eius fiat, ita se defatigarit velim,
Ut triduo hoc perpetuo prorsum e lecto nequeat surgere.

[¶150] SYRUS:
So be it, and any thing still better than that, if possible.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ita fiat, et istoc si quid potis est rectius.

[¶151] CTESIPHO:
Just so; for I do most confoundedly wish to pass this whole day in merry-making as I have begun it; and for no reason do I detest that farm so heartily as for its being so near town. If it were at a greater distance,
night would overtake him there before he could return hither again. Now, when he doesn’t find me there, he’ll come running back here, I’m quite sure; he’ll be asking me where I have been, that I have not seen him all this day: what am I to say?

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Ita: nam hunc diem
Misere nimis cupio, ut coepi, perpetuum in laetitia degere:
Et illud rus nulla alia causa tam male odi, nisi quia prope est:
Quod si abesset longius,
Prius nox oppressisset illic quam huc reverti posset iterum.
Nunc ubi me illic non videbit iam huc recurret, sat scio.
Rogitabit me ubi fuerim; quem ego hodie toto non vidi die.
Quid dicam?

[¶152] SYRUS:
Does nothing suggest itself to your mind?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Nihilne in mentem?

[¶153] CTESIPHO:
Nothing whatever.

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Nunquam quicquam.

[¶154] SYRUS:
So much the worse —have you no client, friend, or guest?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Tanto nequior.
Cliens, amicus, hospes, nemo est vobis?

[¶155] CTESIPHO:
I have; what then?

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Sunt: quid postea?

[¶156] SYRUS:
You have been engaged with them.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Hisce opera ut data sit.

[¶157] CTESIPHO:
When I have not been engaged? That can never do.

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Quae non data sit? non potest fieri.

[¶158] SYRUS:
It may.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Potest.

[¶159] CTESIPHO:
During the daytime; but if I pass the night here, what excuse can I make, Syrus?

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Interdiu: sed si hic pernocto, causae quid dicam, Syre?

[¶160] SYRUS:
Dear me, how much I do wish it was the custom for one to be engaged with friends at night as well! But you be easy; I know his humor perfectly well. When he raves the most violently, I can make him as gentle as a lamb.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Vah, quam vellem etiam noctu amicis operam mos esset dari.
Quin tu otiosus es: ego illius sensum pulchre calleo.
Quum fervit maxime tam placidum quam ovem reddo.

[¶161] CTESIPHO:
In what way?

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Quo modo?

[¶162] SYRUS:
He loves to hear you praised: I make a god of you to him, and recount your virtues.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Laudarier te audit libenter: facio te apud illum Deum:
Virtutes narro.

[¶163] CTESIPHO:
What, mine?

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Meas?

[¶164] SYRUS:
Yours; immediately the tears fall from him as from a child, for very joy. (Starting.) Hah take care—

> Latin: SYRUS:
Tuas: homini ilico lacrimae cadunt
Quasi puero gaudio. Hem tibi autem.

[¶165] CTESIPHO:
Why, what’s the matter?

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Quidnam est?

[¶166] SYRUS:
The wolf in the fable —

> Latin: SYRUS:
Lupus in fabula.

[¶167] CTESIPHO:
What! my father?

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Pater est?

[¶168] SYRUS:
His own self.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ipsus est.

[¶169] CTESIPHO:
What shall we do, Syrus?

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Syre, quid agimus?

[¶170] SYRUS:
You only be off in-doors, I’ll see to that.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Fuge modo intro: ego videro.

[¶171] CTESIPHO:
If he makes any inquiries, you have seen me no-where; do you hear?

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Si quid rogabit, nusquam tu me: audistin?

[¶172] SYRUS:
Can you not be quiet?
(They retreat to the door of MICIO’S house, and CTESIPHO stands in the doorway.) (Enter DEMEA, on the other side of the stage.)
DEMEA: (to himself.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Potin ut desinas?
(DEMEA.
CTESIPHO. SYRUS.)

[¶173] I certainly am an unfortunate man. In the first place, I can find my brother nowhere; and then, in the next place, while looking for him, I met a day-laborer from the farm; he says that my son is not in the country, and what to do I know not—
CTESIPHO: (apart.)

> Latin: DEMEA:
Nae ego homo sum infelix: primum fratrem nusquam invenio gentium:
Praeterea autem dum illum quaero a villa mercenarium
Vidi: is filium negat esse ruri: nec quid agam scio.

[¶174] Syrus!
SYRUS: (apart.)
What’s the matter?

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Syre.
SYRUS:
Quid est?

[¶175] CTESIPHO: (apart.)
Is he looking for me?

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Men quaerit?

[¶176] SYRUS: (apart.)
Yes.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Verum.

[¶177] CTESIPHO: (apart.)
Undone!

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Perii!

[¶178] SYRUS: (apart.)
Nay, do be of good heart.
DEMEA: (to himself.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quin tu animo bono es.

[¶179] Plague on it! what ill luck is this? I can not really account for it,
unless I suppose myself only born for the purpose of enduring misery. I am the first to feel our misfortunes; the first to know of them all; then the first to carry the news; I am the only one, if any thing does go wrong, to take it to heart.
SYRUS: (apart.)

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quid hoc, malum, infelicitatis? nequeo satis decernere;
Nisi me credo huic esse natum rei, ferendis miseriis.
Primus sentio mala nostra; primus rescisco omnia;
Primus porro obnuntio: aegre solus si quid fit fero.

[¶180] I’m amused at him; he says that he is the first to know of every thing, while he is the only one ignorant of every thing.
DEMEA: (to himself.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Rideo hunc: primum ait se scire; is solus nescit omnia.

[¶181] I’ve now come back; and I’ll go see whether perchance my brother has yet returned.
CTESIPHO: (apart.)
Syrus,
pray do take care that he doesn’t suddenly rush in upon us here.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Nunc redeo: si forte frater redierit viso.
CTESIPHO:
Syre,
Obsecro vide ne ille huc prorsus se irruat.

[¶182] SYRUS: (apart.)
Now will you hold your tongue? I’ll take care.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Etiam taces?
Ego cavebo.

[¶183] CTESIPHO: (apart.)
Never this day will I depend on your management for that, upon my faith;

> Latin: CTESIPHO:
Nunquam hercle hodie ego istuc committam tibi;

[¶184] for I’ll shut myself up with her in some cupboard —that’s the safest.
(Goes into the house.)
SYRUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Nam me iam in cellam aliquam cum illa concludam: id tutissimum est.

[¶185] Do so, still I’ll get rid of him.
DEMEA: (seeing SYRUS.)
But see! there’s that rascal, Syrus.
SYRUS: (aloud, pretending not to see DEMEA.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Age, tamen ego hunc amovebo.
DEMEA:
Sed eccum sceleratum Syrum.

[¶186] Really, upon my faith, no person can stay here, if this is to be the case!

> Latin: SYRUS:
Non hercle hic quidem durare quisquam, si sic fit, potest.

[¶187] For my part, I should like to know how many masters I have—what a cursed condition this is
DEMEA:
What’s he whining about? What does he mean? How say you, good sir, is my brother at home?

> Latin: Scire equidem volo quot mihi sint domini: quae haec est miseria?
DEMEA:
Quid ille gannit? quid vult? quid ais bone vir? est frater domi?

[¶188] SYRUS:
What the plague do you talk to me about, “good sir”? I’m quite distracted!

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quid, malum, “Bone vir,” mihi narras? Equidem perii.

[¶189] DEMEA:
What’s the matter with you?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quid tibi est?

[¶190] SYRUS:
Do you ask the question? Ctesipho has been beating me, poor wretch, and that Music-girl, almost to death.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Rogitas? Ctesipho me pugnis miserum et istam psaltriam
Usque occidit.

[¶191] DEMEA:
Ha! what is it you tell me?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Hem, quid narras?

[¶192] SYRUS:
Aye, seehow he has cut my lip.
(Pretends to point to it.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Hem! vide, ut discidit labrum.

[¶193] DEMEA:
For what reason?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quamobrem?

[¶194] SYRUS:
He says that she was bought by my advice.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Me impulsore hanc emtam esse ait.

[¶195] DEMEA:
Did not you tell me, a short time since, that you had seen him on his way into the country?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Non tu eum rus hinc modo
Produxe aibas?

[¶196] SYRUS:
I did; but he afterward came back, raving like a madman; he spared nobody—ought he not to have been ashamed to beat an old man? Him whom, only the other day, I used to carry about in my arms when thus high?
(Showing.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Factum: verum venit post insaniens:
Nihil pepercit. Non puduisse verberare hominem senem,
Quem ego modo puerum tantillum in manibus gestavi meis?

[¶197] DEMEA:
I commend him; O Ctesipho, you take after your father. Well, I do pronounce you a man.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Laudo, Ctesipho; patrissas: abi, virum te iudico.

[¶198] SYRUS:
Commend him? Assuredly he will keep his hands to himself in future, if he’s wise.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Laudas? Nae ille continebit posthac si sapiet manus.

[¶199] DEMEA:’Twas done with spirit.
SYRUS:
Very much so, to be beating a poor woman, and me, a slave, who didn’t dare strike him in return; heyday! very spirited indeed!

> Latin: DEMEA:
Fortiter.
SYRUS:
Perquam! quia miseram mulierem, et me servulum
Qui referire non audebam, vicit: hui, perfortiter!

[¶200] DEMEA:
He could not have done better; he thought the same as I did, that you were the principal in this affair. But is my brother within?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Non potuit melius: idem quod ego sensit te esse huic rei caput.
Sed estne frater intus?

[¶201] SYRUS:
He is not.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Non est.

[¶202] DEMEA:
I’m thinking where to look for him.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Ubi illum quaeram cogito.

[¶203] SYRUS:
I know where he is—but I shall not tell you at present.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Scio ubi sit; verum hodie nunquam monstrabo.

[¶204] DEMEA:
Ha! what’s that you say?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Hem, quid ais?

[¶205] SYRUS:
I do say so.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ita.

[¶206] DEMEA:
Then I’ll break your head for you this instant.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Diminuetur tibi quidem iam cerebrum.

[¶207] SYRUS:
I can’t tell the person’s name he’s gone to, but I know the place where he lives.

> Latin: SYRUS:
At nomen nescio
Illius hominis; sed locum novi ubi sit.

[¶208] DEMEA:
Tell me the place then.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Dic ergo locum.

[¶209] SYRUS:
Do you know the portico down this way, just by the shambles?
(Pointing in the direction.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Nostin porticum apud macellum hanc deorsum?

[¶210] DEMEA:
How should I but know it?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quidni noverim?

[¶211] SYRUS:
Go straight along, right up that street; when you come there,
there is a descent right opposite that goes down-ward, go straight down that; afterward, on this side (extending one hand), there is a chapel: close by it is a narrow lane,
where there’s also a great wild fig-tree.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Praeterito hac recta platea sursum: ubi eo veneris,
Clivus deorsum versus est: hac te praecipitato: postea
Est ad hanc manum sacellum; ibi angiportum propter est.

[¶212] DEMEA:
I know it.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quonam?

[¶213] SYRUS:
Go through that—

> Latin: SYRUS:
Illic ubi etiam caprificus magna est: nostin?

[¶214] DEMEA:
But that lane is not a thoroughfare.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Novi.

[¶215] SYRUS:
I’ faith, that’s true; dear, dear, would you take me to be in my senses? I made a mistake. Return to the portico;

> Latin: SYRUS:
Hac pergito.
DEMEA:
Id quidem angiportum non est pervium.
SYRUS:
Verum hercle. Vah,
Censen hominem me esse? erravi. In porticum rursum redi:

[¶216] indeed that will be a much nearer way, and there is less going round about you know the house of Cratinus, the rich man?
DEMEA:
I know it.

> Latin: Sane hac multo propius ibis, et minor est erratio.
Scin Cratini huius ditis aedes?
DEMEA:
Scio.

[¶217] SYRUS:
When you have passed that, keep straight along that street on the left hand; when you come to the Temple of Diana, turn to the right; before you come to the city gate, just by that pond, there is a baker’s shop, and opposite to it a joiner’s; there he is.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ubi eas praeterieris
Ad sinistram hac recta platea: ubi ad Dianae veneris
Ito ad dextram: priusquam ad portam venias apud ipsum lacum
Est pistrilla et exadversum fabrica: ibi est.

[¶218] DEMEA:
What is he doing there?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quid ibi facit?

[¶219] SYRUS:
He has given some couches to be made, with oaken legs, for use in the open air.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Lectulos in sole ilignis pedibus faciendos dedit.

[¶220] DEMEA:
For you to carouse upon! Very fine! But why do I delay going to him?
(Exit.)

> Latin: DEMEA:
Ubi potetis vos? Bene sane. Sed cesso ad eum pergere?

[¶221] SYRUS:
Go, by all means. I’ll work you to day, you skeleton, as you deserve. Aeschinus loiters intolerably; the breakfast’s spoiling; and as for Ctesipho, he’s head and ears in love. I shall now think of myself,
for I’ll be off at once, and pick out the very nicest bit, and, leisurely sipping my cups, I’ll lengthen out the day.
(Goes into the house.) (Enter MICIO and HEGIO.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
I sane. Ego te exercebo hodie ut dignus es, silicernium.
Aeschinus odiose cessat: prandium corrumpitur.
Ctesipho autem in amore est totus. Ego iam prospiciam mihi:
Nam iam adibo, atque unumquicquid quod quidem erit bellissimum
Carpam; et cyathos sorbilans paulatim hunc producam diem.
(MICIO. HEGIO.)

[¶222] MICIO:
I can see no reason here, Hegio, that I should be so greatly commended. I do my duty; the wrong that has originated with us I redress.

> Latin: MICIO:
Ego in hac re nihil reperio quamobrem lauder tantopere, Hegio:
Meum officium facio; quod peccatum a nobis ortum est corrigo:

[¶223] Unless, perhaps, you thought me one of that class of men who think that an injury is purposely done them if you expostulate about any thing they have done; and yet are themselves the first to accuse. Because I have not acted thus, do you return me thanks?

> Latin: Nisi si me in illo credidisti esse hominum numero qui ita putant,
Sibi fieri iniuriam ultro si quam fecere ipsi expostules,
Et ultro accusant: id quia non est a me factum agis gratias?

[¶224] HEGIO:
Oh, far from it; I never led myself to believe you to be otherwise than you are; but I beg, Micio, that you will go with me to the mother of the young woman, and repeat to her the same; what you have told me, do you yourself tell the woman,
that this suspicion of Aeschinus’s fidelity was incurred on his brother’s account, and that this Music-girl was for him.

> Latin: HEGIO:
Ah, minime: nunquam te aliter atque es in animum induxi meum.
Sed quaeso ut una mecum ad matrem virginis eas, Micio,
Atque istaec eadem quae mihi dixti tute dicas mulieri;
Suspicionem hanc propter fratrem eius esse et illam psaltriam.

[¶225] MICIO:
If you think I ought, or if there is a necessity for doing so, let us go.

> Latin: MICIO:
Si ita aequum censes, aut si ita opus est facto, camus.

[¶226] HEGIO:
You act with kindness; for you’ll then both have relieved her mind who is now languishing in sorrow and affliction, and have discharged your duty. But if you think otherwise, I will tell her myself what you have been saying to me.

> Latin: HEGIO:
Bene facis;
Nam et illi animum iam relevabis, quae dolore ac miseria
Tabescit; et tuo officio fueris functus: sed si aliter putas,
Egomet narrabo quae mihi dixti.

[¶227] MICIO:
Nay, I’ll go as well.

> Latin: MICIO:
Immo ego ibo.

[¶228] HEGIO:
You act with kindness;

> Latin: HEGIO:
Bene facis.

[¶229] all who are in distressed circumstances are suspicious, to I know not what degree; they take every thing too readily as an affront; they fancy themselves trifled with on account of their helpless condition; therefore it will be more satisfactory for you to justify him to them yourself.
(They go into the house of SOSTRATA.) (Enter AESCHINUS.)

> Latin: Omnes quibus res sunt minus secundae magis sunt nescio quomodo
Suspiciosi; ad contumeliam omnia accipiunt magis;
Propter suam impotentiam se semper credunt negligi;
Quapropter te ipsum purgare ipsis coram placabilius est.
MICIO:
Et recte et verum dicis.
HEGIO:
Sequere me ergo hac intro.
MICIO:
Maxime.
(AESCHINUS.)

[¶230] AESCHINUS.:
I am quite distracted in mind! for this misfortune so unexpectedly to befall me, that I neither know what to do with myself, or how to act! My limbs are enfeebled through fear, my faculties bewildered with apprehension; no counsel is able to find a place within my breast.
Alas! how to extricate myself from this perplexity I know not; so strong a suspicion has taken possession of them about me; not without some reason too: Sostrata believes that I have purchased this Music-girl for myself: the old woman informed me of that. For by accident, when she was sent for the midwife, I saw her,
and at once went up to her. “How is Pamphila?” I inquired; “is her delivery at hand? Is it for that she is sending for the midwife?” “Away, away, Aeschinus,” cries she; “you have deceived us long enough; already have your promises disappointed us sufficiently.” “Ha!” said I; “pray what is the meaning of this?” “Farewell,” she cries; “keep to her who is your choice.” I instantly guessed what it was they suspected, but still I checked myself,
that I might not be telling that gossip any thing about my brother, whereby it might be divulged. Now what am I to do? Shall I say she is for my brother, a thing that ought by no means to be repeated any where? However, let that pass. It is possible it might go no further. I am afraid they would not believe it, so many probabilities concur against it;’twas I myself carried her off;’twas I, my own self, that paid the money for her;’twas my own house she was carried to.

> Latin: AESCHINUS.:
Discrucior animi:
Hocine de improviso mali mihi obiici
Tantum, ut neque quid de me faciam neque quid agam certum siet!
Membra metu debilia sunt; animus timore
Obstipuit: pectore consistere nil consili
Quit. Vah! quomodo me ex hac expediam turba? Tanta nunc
Suspicio de me incidit;
Neque ea immerito: Sostrata credit mihi me psaltriam hanc emisse.
Id anus mihi indicium fecit.
Nam ut hinc forte ea ad obstetricem erat missa, ubi eam vidi ilico
Accedo, rogito Pamphila quid agat, iam partus adsiet;
Eone obstetricem arcessat. Illa exclamat, “Abi, abi iam, Aeschine.”
“Satis diu dedisti verba; sat adhuc tua nos frustrata est fides.”
“Hem, quid istuc obsecro,” inquam, “est?” “Valeas; habeas illam quae placet.”
Sensi ilico id illas suspicari: sed me reprehendi tamen
Ne quid de fratre garrulae illi dicerem, ac fieret palam.
Nunc quid faciam? Dicam fratris esse? Id quidem minime est opus
Usquam efferri. Ac mitto: fieri potis est ut ne qua exeat.
Ipsum id metuo ut credant; tot concurrunt verisimilia.
Egomet rapui; ipse egomet solvi argentum; ad me abducta est domum.

[¶231] This I confess has been entirely my own fault. Ought I not to have disclosed this affair, just as it happened, to my father? I might have obtained his consent to marry her. I have been too negligent hitherto; henceforth, then, arouse yourself, Aeschinus. This then is the first thing; to go to them and clear myself. I’ll approach the door. (Advances to the door of SOSTRATA’S house.) Confusion! I always tremble most dreadfully when I go to knock at that door.

> Latin: Haec adeo mea culpa fateor fieri. Non me hanc rem patri
Ut ut erat gesta indicasse? Exorassem ut eam ducerem.
Cessatum usque adhuc est: nunc porro, Aeschine, expergiscere!
Nunc hoc primum est: ad illas ibo ut purgem me; accedam ad fores.
Perii! horresco semper ubi pultare hasce occipio miser.

## 3. Lines 635–998

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/terence-adelphoe/3/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/terence-adelphoe/3/#p-N

[¶0] (Knocking and calling to them within.) Ho there, ho there! it is Aeschinus; open the door immediately, some one. (The door opens.) Some person, I know not who, is coming out; I’ll step aside here.
(He stands apart.) (Enter MICIO from the house of SOSTRATA.)
MICIO: (speaking at the door to SOSTRATA.)
Do as I told you, Sostrata; I’ll go find Aeschinus, that lie may know how these matters have been settled. (Looking round.) But who was it knocking at the door?

> Latin: Heus, heus: Aeschinus ego sum: aperite aliquis actutum ostium.
Prodit nescio quis: concedam huc.
(MICIO. AESCHINUS.)
MICIO:
Ita uti dixi, Sostrata,
Facite: ego Aeschinum conveniam, ut quomodo acta haec sint sciat.
Sed quis ostium hoc pultavit?

[¶1] AESCHINUS: (apart.)
Heavens, it is my father!—I am undone!

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Pater hercle est: perii.

[¶2] MICIO:
Aeschinus!
AESCHINUS: (aside.)

> Latin: MICIO:
Aeschine.

[¶3] What can be his business here?
MICIO:
Was it you knocking at this door?

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Quid huic hic negoti est?
MICIO:
Tune has pepulisti fores?

[¶4] (Aside.) He is silent. Why shouldn’t I rally him a little? It would be as well, as he was never willing to trust me with this secret. (To AESCHINUS.) Don’t you answer me?
AESCHINUS: (confusedly.)
It wasn’t I knocked at that door, that I know of.

> Latin: Tacet. Cur non ludo hunc aliquantisper? Melius est,
Quandoquidem hoc nunquam mihi ipse voluit credere.
Nihil mihi respondes?
AESCHINUS:
Non equidem istas quod sciam.

[¶5] MICIO:
Just so; for I wondered what business you could have here. (Apart.) He blushes; all’s well.

> Latin: MICIO:
Ita? nam mirabar quid hic negoti esset tibi.
Erubuit: salva res est.

[¶6] AESCHINUS:
Pray tell me, father,
what business have you there?

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Dic sodes, pater,
Tibi vero quid istic est rei?

[¶7] MICIO:
Why, none of my own; but a certain friend of mine just now brought me hither from the Forum to give him some assistance.

> Latin: MICIO:
Nihil mihi quidem:
Amicus quidam me a foro abduxit modo
Huc advocatum sibi.

[¶8] AESCHINUS:
Why?

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Quid?

[¶9] MICIO:
I’ll tell you. There are some women living here; in impoverished circumstances, as I suppose you don’t know them; and, in fact, I’m quite sure,
for it is not long since they removed to this place.

> Latin: MICIO:
Ego dicam tibi:
Habitant hic quaedam mulieres pauperculae,
Ut opinor; has non nosse te et certo scio;
Neque enim diu huc commigrarunt.

[¶10] AESCHINUS:
Well, what next?

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Quid tum postea?

[¶11] MICIO:
There is a girl living with her mother.

> Latin: MICIO:
Virgo est cum matre.

[¶12] AESCHINUS:
Go on.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Perge.

[¶13] MICIO:
This girl has lost her father; this friend of mine is her next of kin; the law obliges him to marry her.

> Latin: MICIO:
Haec virgo orba est patre:
Hic meus amicus illi genere est proximus:
Huic leges cogunt nubere hanc.

[¶14] AESCHINUS: (aside.)
Undone!

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Perii.

[¶15] MICIO:
What’s the matter?

> Latin: MICIO:
Quid est?

[¶16] AESCHINUS:
Nothing. Very well: proceed.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Nihil: recte: perge.

[¶17] MICIO:
He has come to take her with him; for he lives at Miletus.

> Latin: MICIO:
Is venit ut secum avehat;
Nam habitat Mileti.

[¶18] AESCHINUS:
What! To take the girl away with him?

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Hem, virginem ut secum avehat?

[¶19] MICIO:
Such is the act.

> Latin: MICIO:
Sic est.

[¶20] AESCHINUS:
All the way to Miletus, pray?

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Miletum usque obsecro?

[¶21] MICIO:
Yes.

> Latin: MICIO:
Ita.

[¶22] AESCHINUS: (aside.)
I’m overwhelmed with grief (To MICIO.) But what of them? What do they say?

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Animo male est.
Quid ipsae? quid aiunt?

[¶23] MICIO:
What do you suppose they should? Why, nothing at all. The mother has trumped up a tale, that there is a child by some other man, I know not who, and she does not state the name;

> Latin: MICIO:
Quid illas censes? nihil enim.
Commenta mater est esse ex alio viro
Nescio quo puerum natum; neque eum nominat;

[¶24] she says that he was the first, and that she ought not to be given to the other.

> Latin: Priorem esse illum; non oportere huic dari.

[¶25] AESCHINUS:
Well now, does not this seem just to you after all?

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Eho, nonne haec iusta tibi videntur postea?

[¶26] MICIO:
No.

> Latin: MICIO:
Non.

[¶27] AESCHINUS:
Why not, pray? Is the other to be carrying her away from here?

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Obsecro, non? an illam hinc abducet, pater?

[¶28] MICIO:
Why should he not take her?

> Latin: MICIO:
Quid illam ni abducat?

[¶29] AESCHINUS:
You have acted harshly and unfeelingly, and even, if, father,
I may speak my sentiments more plainly, unhandsomely.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Factum a vobis duriter
Immisericorditerque; atque etiam, si est, pater,
Dicendum magis aperte, illiberaliter.

[¶30] MICIO:
Why so?

> Latin: MICIO:
Quamobrem?

[¶31] AESCHINUS:
Do you ask me? Pray, what do you think must be the state of mind of the man who was first connected with her, who, to his misfortune, may perhaps still love her to distraction, when he sees her torn away from before his face,
and borne off from his sight forever? An unworthy action, father!

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Rogas me? quid illi tandem creditis
Fore animi misero quicum illa consuevit prius,
Qui infelix haud scio an illam misere nunc amat,
Quum hanc sibi videbit praesens praesenti eripi,
Abduci ab oculis? Facinus indignum, pater.

[¶32] MICIO:
On what grounds is it so? Who betrothed her? Who gave her away? When and to whom was she married? Who was the author of all this? Why did he connect himself with a woman who belonged to another?

> Latin: MICIO:
Qua ratione istuc? quis despondit? quis dedit?
Cui, quando nupsit? auctor his rebus quis est?
Cur duxit alienam?

[¶33] AESCHINUS:
Was it to be expected that a young woman of her age should sit at home, waiting till a kinsman of hers should come from a distance? This, my father,
you ought to have represented, and have insisted on it.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
An sedere oportuit
Domi virginem tam grandem, dum cognatus hinc
Illinc veniret exspectantem? Haec, mi pater,
Te dicere aequum fuit, et id defendere.

[¶34] MICIO:
Ridiculous! Was I to have pleaded against him whom I was to, support But what’s all this, Aeschinus, to us? What have we to do with them? Let us begone:— What’s the matter?

> Latin: MICIO:
Ridiculum: adversumne illum causam dicerem
Cui veneram advocatus? sed, quid ista, Aeschine,
Nostra? aut quid nobis cum illis? abeamus. Quid est?

[¶35] Why these tears?
AESCHINUS: (weeping.)
Father, I beseech you, listen to me.

> Latin: Quid lacrimas?
AESCHINUS:
Pater obsecro ausculta.

[¶36] MICIO:
Aeschinus, I have heard and know it all; for I love you, and therefore every thing you do is the more a care to me.

> Latin: MICIO:
Aeschine, audivi omnia
Et scio; nam te amo; quo magis quae agis curae sunt mihi.

[¶37] AESCHINUS:
So do I wish you to find me deserving of your love, as long as you live, my dear father, as I am sincerely sorry for the offense I have committed, and am ashamed to see you.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Ita velim me promerentem ames dum vivas mi pater,
Ut me hoc delictum admisisse in me id mihi vehementer dolet,
Et me tui pudet.

[¶38] MICIO:
Upon my word I believe it, for I know your ingenuous disposition:
but I am afraid that you are too inconsiderate. In what city, pray, do you suppose you live? You have debauched a virgin, whom it was not lawful for you to touch. In the first place then that was a great offense; great, but still natural. Others, and even men of worth, have frequently done the same. But after it happened, pray,
did you show any circumspection? Or did you use any foresight as to what was to be done, or how it was to be done? If you were ashamed to tell me of it, by what means was I to come to know it? While you were at a loss upon these points, ten months have been lost. So far indeed as lay in your power, you have periled both yourself and this poor girl, and the child. What did you imagine—that the Gods would set these matters to rights for you while you were asleep,
and that she would be brought home to your chamber without any exertions of your own? I would not have you to be equally negligent in other affairs. Be of good heart, you shall have her for your wife.

> Latin: MICIO:
Credo hercle; nam ingenium novi tuum
Liberale: sed vereor ne indiligens nimium sies.
In qua civitate tandem te arbitrare vivere?
Virginem vitiasti quam te ius non fuerat tangere.
Iam id peccatum primum magnum; magnum, at humanum tamen.
Fecere alii saepe item boni: at postquam id evenit, cedo
Numquid circumspexti? aut numquid tute prospexti tibi,
Quid fieret, qua fieret? si te ipsum mihi puduit dicere,
Qua resciscerem? Haec dum dubitas menses abierunt decem.
Prodidisti et te, et illam miseram, et gnatum, quod quidem in te fuit.
Quid? credebas dormienti haec tibi confecturos Deos,
Et illam sine tua opera in cubiculum iri deductum domum?
Nolim ceterarum rerum te socordem eodem modo.
Bono animo es: duces uxorem hanc.

[¶39] AESCHINUS:
Hah!

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Hem.

[¶40] MICIO:
Be of good heart, I tell you.

> Latin: MICIO:
Bono animo es, inquam.

[¶41] AESCHINUS:
Father, are you now jesting with me, pray?

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Pater,
Obsecro, non ludis tu nunc me?

[¶42] MICIO:
I, jesting with you! For what reason?

> Latin: MICIO:
Ego te? quamobrem?

[¶43] AESCHINUS:
I don’t know; but so anxiously do I wish this to be true, that I am the more afraid it may not be.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Nescio;
Nisi quia tam misere hoc esse cupio verum eo vereor magis.

[¶44] MICIO:
Go home, and pray to the Gods that you may have your wife; be off.

> Latin: MICIO:
Abi domum, ac Deos comprecare ut uxorem arcessas: abi.

[¶45] AESCHINUS:
What! have my wife now?

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Quid? iam uxorem?

[¶46] MICIO:
Now.

> Latin: MICIO:
Iam.

[¶47] AESCHINUS:
Now?

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Iam?

[¶48] MICIO:
Now, as soon as possible.

> Latin: MICIO:
Iam, quantum potest.

[¶49] AESCHINUS:
May all the Gods detest me, father, if I do not love you better than even my very eyes!

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Di me, pater,
Omnes oderint ni magis te quam oculos nunc amo meos.

[¶50] MICIO:
What! better than her?

> Latin: MICIO:
Quid? quam illam?

[¶51] AESCHINUS:
Quite as well.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Aeque.

[¶52] MICIO:
Very kind of you!

> Latin: MICIO:
Perbenigne.

[¶53] AESCHINUS:
Well, where is this Milesian?

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Quid? ille ubi est Milesius?

[¶54] MICIO:
Departed, vanished, gone on board ship; but why do you delay?

> Latin: MICIO:
Abiit; periit; navem adscendit. Sed cur cessas?

[¶55] AESCHINUS:
Father,
do you rather go and pray to the Gods; for I know, for certain, that they will rather be propitious to you, as being a much better man than I am.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Abi pater:
Tu potius Deos comprecare; nam tibi eos certo scio,
Quo vir melior multo es quam ego, obtemperaturos magis.

[¶56] MICIO:
I’ll go in-doors, that what is requisite may be prepared. You do as I said, if you are wise.
(Goes into his house.)
AESCHINUS: (AESCHINUS alone.)

> Latin: MICIO:
Ego eo intro ut quae opus sunt parentur: tu fac ut dixi, si sapis.

[¶57] What can be the meaning of this? Is this being a father, or this being a son? If he had been a brother or familiar companion, how could he have been more complaisant!

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Quid hoc est negoti! Hoc est patrem esse? aut hoc est filium esse?
Si frater aut sodalis esset, qui magis morem gereret?

[¶58] Is he not worthy to be beloved? Is he not to be imprinted in my very bosom? Well then, the more does he impose an obligation on me by his kindness, to take due precaution not inconsiderately to do any thing that he may not wish. But why do I delay going in-doors this instant, that I may not myself delay my own nuptials?
(Goes into the house of MICIO.) (Enter DEMEA.)

> Latin: Hic non amandus? hicine non gestandus in sinu est? hem!
Itaque adeo magnam mili iniecit sua commoditate curam
Ne forte imprudens faciam quod nolit: sciens cavebo.
Sed cesso ire intro ne morae meis nuptiis egomet siem?
(DEMEA.)

[¶59] DEMEA:
I am quite tired with walking: May the great Jupiter confound you, Syrus, together with your directions!

> Latin: DEMEA.:
Defessus sum ambulando. Ut, Syre, te cum tua
Monstratione magnus perdat Iupiter!

[¶60] I have crawled the whole city over; to the gate, to the pond—where not? There was no joiner’s shop there; not a soul could say he had seen my brother; but now I’m determined to sit and wait at his house till he returns.
(Enter MICIO from his house.)
MICIO: (speaking to the people within.)

> Latin: Perreptavi usque omne oppidum: ad portam, ad lacum:
Quo non? neque illic fabrica ulla erat, neque fratrem homo
Vidisse se aibat quisquam: nunc vero domi
Certum obsidere est usque donec redierit.
(MICIO. DEMEA.)

[¶61] I’ll go and tell them there’s no delay on our part.

> Latin: MICIO:
Ibo, illis dicam nullam esse in nobis moram.

[¶62] DEMEA:
But see here’s the very man: O Micio, I have been seeking you this long time.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Sed eccum ipsum: te iamdudum quaero, Micio.

[¶63] MICIO:
Why, what’s the matter?

> Latin: MICIO:
Quidnam?

[¶64] DEMEA:
I’m bringing you some new and great enormities of that hopeful youth.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Fero alia flagitia ad te ingentia
Boni illius adolescentis.

[¶65] MICIO:
Just look at that!

> Latin: MICIO:
Ecce autem!

[¶66] DEMEA:
Fresh ones, of blackest dye.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Nova;
Capitalia.

[¶67] MICIO:
There now—at it again.

> Latin: MICIO:
Ohe, iam.

[¶68] DEMEA:
Ah, Micio! you little know what sort of person he is.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Nescis qui vir sit.

[¶69] MICIO:
I do.

> Latin: MICIO:
Scio.

[¶70] DEMEA:
O simpleton! you are dreaming that I’m talking about the Music-girl; this crime is against a virgin and a citizen.

> Latin: DEMEA:
O stulte, tu de psaltria me somnias
Agere: hoc peccatum in virginem est civem.

[¶71] MICIO:
I know it.

> Latin: MICIO:
Scio.

[¶72] DEMEA:
So then, you know it, and put up with it!

> Latin: DEMEA:
Oho, scis et patere?

[¶73] MICIO:
Why not put up with it?

> Latin: MICIO:
Quidni patiar?

[¶74] DEMEA:
Tell me, pray, don’t you exclaim about it? Don’t you go distracted?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Dic mihi,
Non clamas? non insanis?

[¶75] MICIO:
Not I: certainly I had rather —

> Latin: MICIO:
Non. Malim quidem—

[¶76] DEMEA:
There has been a child born.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Puer natus est.

[¶77] MICIO:
May the Gods be propitious to it.

> Latin: MICIO:
Di bene vertant!

[¶78] DEMEA:
The girl has no fortune.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Virgo nihil habet.

[¶79] MICIO:
So I have heard.

> Latin: MICIO:
Audivi.

[¶80] DEMEA:
And he—must he marry her without one?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Et ducenda indotata est?

[¶81] MICIO:
Of course.

> Latin: MICIO:
Scilicet.

[¶82] DEMEA:
What is to be done then?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quid nunc futurum est?

[¶83] MICIO:
Why, what the case itself points out: the young woman must be brought hither.

> Latin: MICIO:
Id enim quod res ipsa fert:
Illinc huc transferetur virgo.

[¶84] DEMEA:
O Jupiter! must that be the way then?

> Latin: DEMEA:
O Iupiter!
Istocine pacto oportet?

[¶85] MICIO:
What can I do else?

> Latin: MICIO:
Quid faciam amplius?

[¶86] DEMEA:
What can you do? If in reality this causes you no concern,
to pretend it were surely the duty of a man.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quid facias? Si non ipsa re istuc tibi dolet,
Simulare certe est hominis.

[¶87] MICIO:
But I have already betrothed the young woman to him; the matter is settled: the marriage takes place to-day. I have removed all apprehensions. This is rather the duty of a man.

> Latin: MICIO:
Quin iam virginem
Despondi; res composita est; fiunt nuptiae:
Demsi metum omnem: haec magis sunt hominis.

[¶88] DEMEA:
But does the affair please you, Micio?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Caeterum,
Placet tibi factum, Micio?

[¶89] MICIO:
If I were able to alter it, no; now, as I can not, I bear it with patience.

> Latin: MICIO:
Non, si queam
Mutare: nunc, quum non queo, aequo animo fero.

[¶90] The life of man is just like playing with dice: if that which you most want to throw does not turn up, what turns up by chance you must correct by art.

> Latin: Ita vita est hominum quasi quum ludas tesseris:
Si illud quod maxime opus est iactu non cadit,
Illud quod cecidit forte id arte ut corrigas.

[¶91] DEMEA:
O rare corrector! of course it is by your art that twenty minae have been thrown away for a Music-girl; who, as soon as possible,
must be got rid of at any price; and if not for money, why then for nothing.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Corrector! Nempe tua arte viginti minae
Pro psaltria periere; quae, quantum potest,
Aliquo abiicienda est, si non pretio at gratiis.

[¶92] MICIO:
Not at all, and indeed I have no wish to sell her.

> Latin: MICIO:
Neque est, neque illam sane studeo vendere.

[¶93] DEMEA:
What will you do with her then?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quid igitur facies?

[¶94] MICIO:
She shall be at my house.

> Latin: MICIO:
Domi erit.

[¶95] DEMEA:
For heaven’s sake, a courtesan and a matron in the same house!

> Latin: DEMEA:
Pro Divum fidem!
Meretrix et materfamilias una in domo?

[¶96] MICIO:
Why not?

> Latin: MICIO:
Cur non?

[¶97] DEMEA:
Do you imagine you are in your senses

> Latin: DEMEA:
Sanum te credis esse?

[¶98] MICIO:
Really I do think so.

> Latin: MICIO:
Equidem arbitror.

[¶99] DEMEA:
So may the Gods prosper me, I now see your folly; I believe you are going to do so that you may have somebody to practice music with.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Ita me Di ament, ut video ego tuam ineptiam,
Facturum credo ut habeas quicum cantites.

[¶100] MICIO:
Why not?

> Latin: MICIO:
Cur non?

[¶101] DEMEA:
And the new-made bride to be learning too?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Et nova nupta eadem haece discet?

[¶102] MICIO:
Of course.

> Latin: MICIO:
Scilicet.

[¶103] DEMEA:
Having hold of the rope, you will be dancing with them.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Tu inter eas restim ductans saltabis.

[¶104] MICIO:
Like enough;
and you too along with us, if there’s need.

> Latin: MICIO:
Probe.

[¶105] DEMEA:
Ah me!

> Latin: DEMEA:
Probe?
MICIO:
Et tu nobiscum una, si opus sit.
DEMEA:
Hei mihi!

[¶106] are you not ashamed of this?
MICIO:
Demea, do, for once, lay aside this anger of yours, and show yourself as you ought at your son’s wedding, cheerful and good-humored. I’ll just step over to them, and return immediately.
(Goes into SOSTRATA’S house.)

> Latin: Non te haec pudent?
MICIO:
Iam vero omitte, Demea,
Tuam istanc iracundiam; atque ita uti decet
Hilarum ac libentem fac te gnati in nuptiis.
Ego hos conveniam: post huc redeo.

[¶107] DEMEA:
O Jupiter! here’s a life! here are manners! here’s madness!

> Latin: DEMEA:
O Iupiter!
Hancine vitam? hoscine mores? hanc dementiam?

[¶108] A wife to be coming without a fortune! A music-wench in the house! A house full of wastefulness! A young man ruined by extravagance! An: old man in his dotage!—Should Salvation herself desire it, she certainly could not save this family.
(Exit.) (Enter SYRUS, drunk, and DEMEA, on the opposite side of the stage.)

> Latin: Uxor sine dote veniet; intus psaltria est:
Domus sumtuosa; adolescens luxu perditus;
Senex delirans. Ipsa si cupiat Salus
Servare prorsus non potest hanc familiam.
(SYRUS. DEMEA.)

[¶109] SYRUS:
Upon my faith, my dear little Syrus, you have taken delicate care of yourself,
and have done your duty with exquisite taste; be off with you. But since I’ve had my fill of every thing in-doors, I have felt disposed to take a walk.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Edepol, Syrisce, te curasti molliter,
Lauteque munus administrasti tuum.
Abi. Sed postquam intus sum omnium rerum satur,
Prodeambulare huc libitum est.

[¶110] DEMEA: (apart.)
Just look at that—there’s an instance of their good training!

> Latin: DEMEA:
Illud sis vide
Exemplum disciplinae.

[¶111] SYRUS: (to himself.)
But see, here comes our old man. (Addressing him.) What’s the matter? Why out of spirits?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ecce autem hic adest
Senex noster. Quid fit? quid tu es tristis?

[¶112] DEMEA:
Oh you rascal!

> Latin: DEMEA:
Oh scelus.

[¶113] SYRUS:
Hold now; are you spouting your sage maxims here?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Ohe, iam tu verba fundis hic, sapientia?

[¶114] DEMEA:
If you were my servant—

> Latin: DEMEA:
Tu si meus esses—

[¶115] SYRUS:
Why, you would be a rich man, Demea, and improve your estate.

> Latin: SYRUS:
dis quidem esses, Demea,
Ac tuam rem constabilisses.

[¶116] DEMEA:
I would take care that you should be an example to all the rest.

> Latin: DEMEA:
exemplum omnibus
Curarem ut esses.

[¶117] SYRUS:
For what reason? What have I done?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quamobrem? quid feci?

[¶118] DEMEA:
Do you ask me? in the midst of this confusion, and during the greatest mischief,
which is hardly yet set right, you have been getting drunk, you villain, as though things had been going on well.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Rogas?
In ipsa turba, atque in peccato maximo,
Quod vix sedatum satis est, potasti scelus,
Quasi re bene gesta.

[¶119] SYRUS: (aside.)
Really, I wish I hadn’t come out.
(Enter DROMO in haste, from the house of MICIO.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Sane nollem huc exitum.
(DROMO.
SYRUS. DEMEA.)

[¶120] DROMO:
Halloo, Syrus! Ctesipho desires you’ll come back.
SYRUS:
Get you gone.
(Pushes him back into the house.)

> Latin: DROMO:
Heus, Syre; rogat te Ctesipho ut redeas.
SYRUS:
Abi.

[¶121] DEMEA:
What is it he says about Ctesipho?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quid Ctesiphonem hic narrat?

[¶122] SYRUS:
Nothing.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Nihil.

[¶123] DEMEA:
How now, you hang-dog, is Ctesipho in the house?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Eho carnifex,
Est Ctesipho intus?

[¶124] SYRUS:
He is not.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Non est.

[¶125] DEMEA:
Then why does he mention him?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Cur hic nominat?

[¶126] SYRUS:
It’s another person; a little diminutive Parasite. Don’t you know him?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Est alius quidam, parasitaster parvulus:
Nostin?

[¶127] DEMEA:
I will know him before long.
(Going to the door.)

> Latin: DEMEA:
Iam scibo.

[¶128] SYRUS: (stopping him.)
What are you about? Whither are you going?

> Latin: SYRUS:
Quid agis? quo abis?

[¶129] DEMEA: (struggling.)
Let me alone.
SYRUS: (holding him.)

> Latin: DEMEA:
Mitte me.

[¶130] Don’t, I tell you.
DEMEA:
Won’t you keep your hands off, whip-scoundrel? Or would you like me to knock your brains out this instant?
(Rushes into the house.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Noli inquam.
DEMEA:
Non manum abstines, mastigia?
An tibi iam mavis cerebrum dispergi hic?

[¶131] SYRUS:
He’s gone! no very pleasant boon-companion, upon my faith,
particularly to Ctesipho. What am I to do now? Why, even get into some corner till this tempest is lulled, and sleep off this drop of wine. That’s my plan.
(Goes into the house, staggering.) (Enter MICIO, from the house of SOSTRATA.)
MICIO: (to SOSTRATA, within.)

> Latin: SYRUS:
Abit.
Edepol comissatorem haud sane commodum,
Praesertim Ctesiphoni. Quid ego nunc agam
Nisi, dum hae silescunt turbae, interea in angulum
Aliquo abeam, atque edormiscam hoc villi? Sic agam.
(MICIO. DEMEA.)

[¶132] Every thing’s ready with us, as I told you, Sostrata, when you like.—Who, I wonder, is making my door fly open with such fury?
(Enter DEMEA in haste, from the house of MICIO.)

> Latin: MICIO:
Parata a nobis sunt, ut dixi, Sostrata,
Ubi vis. Quisnam a me pepulit tam graviter fores?

[¶133] DEMEA:
Alas! what shall I do? How behave? In what terms exclaim, or how make my complaint? O heavens! O earth! O seas of Neptune!

> Latin: DEMEA:
Hei mihi, quid faciam? quid agam? quid clamem aut querar?
O coelum, O terra, O maria Neptuni!

[¶134] MICIO: (apart.)
Here’s for you! he has discovered all about the affair; and of course is now raving about it; a quarrel is the consequence; I must assist him, however.

> Latin: MICIO:
Em tibi:
Rescivit omnem rem; id nunc clamat scilicet:
Paratae lites; succurrendum est.

[¶135] DEMEA:
See, here comes the common corrupter of my children.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Eccum adest
Communis corruptela nostrum liberum.

[¶136] MICIO:
Pray moderate your passion, and recover yourself.

> Latin: MICIO:
Tandem reprime iracundiam, atque ad te redi.

[¶137] DEMEA:
I have moderated it; I am myself; I forbear all reproaches; let us come to the point: was this agreed upon between us,—proposed by yourself, in fact,—that you were not to concern yourself about my son, nor I about yours? Answer me.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Repressi, redii: mitto maledicta omnia:
Rem ipsam putemus: dictum hoc inter nos fuit,
Ex te adeo est ortum, ne tu curares meum,
Neve ego tuum? responde.

[¶138] MICIO:
It is the fact,—I don’t deny it.

> Latin: MICIO:
Factum est; non nego.

[¶139] DEMEA:
Why is he now carousing at your house? Why are you harboring my son? Why do you purchase a mistress for him, Micio? Is it at all fair, that I should have any less justice from you, than you from me? Since I do not concern myself about your son, don’t you concern yourself about mine.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Cur nunc apud te potat? cur recipis meum?
Cur emis amicam Micio? Numqui minus
Mihi idem ius aequum est esse quod mecum est tibi?
Quando ego tuum non euro, ne cura meum.

[¶140] MICIO:
You don’t reason fairly.
DEMEA:
No?
MICIO:
For surely it is a maxim of old,
that among themselves all things are common to friends.

> Latin: MICIO:
Non aequum dicis; non; nam vetus verbum hoc quidem est;
Communia esse amicorum inter se omnia.

[¶141] DEMEA:
Smartly said; you’ve got that speech up for the occasion.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Facete! nunc demum istaec nata oratio est.

[¶142] MICIO:
Listen to a few words, unless it is disagreeable, Demea. In the first place, if the extravagance your sons are guilty of distresses you, pray do reason with yourself.

> Latin: MICIO:
Ausculta paucis, nisi molestum est, Demea.
Principio, si id te mordet, sumtum filii
Quem faciunt, quaeso facito haec tecum cogites:

[¶143] You formerly brought up the two suitably to your circumstances, thinking that your own property would have to suffice for them both; and, of course, you then thought that I should marry. Adhere to that same old rule of yours,—save, scrape together, and be thrifty for them; take care to leave them as much as possible,
and take that credit to yourself: my fortune, which has come to them beyond their expectation, allow them to enjoy; of your capital there will be no diminution; what comes from this quarter, set it all down as so much gain. If you think proper impartially to consider these matters in your mind, Demea,
you will save me and yourself, and them, considerable uneasiness.

> Latin: Tu illos duos olim pro re tollebas tua,
Quod satis putabas tua bona ambobus fore,
Et me tum uxorem credidisti, scilicet,
Ducturum: eandem illam rationem antiquam obtine:
Conserva, quaere, parce: fac quam plurimum
Illis relinquas: gloriam tu istam obtine.
Mea, quae praeter spem evenere, utantur sine.
De summa nihil decedet: quod hinc accesserit,
Id de lucro putato esse omne. Haec si voles
In animo vere cogitare, Demea,
Et mihi, et tibi, et illis demseris molestiam.

[¶144] DEMEA:
I don’t speak about the expense; their morals—

> Latin: DEMEA:
Mitto rem: consuetudinem ipsorum.

[¶145] MICIO:
Hold; I understand you; that point I was coming to. There are in men, Demea, many signs from which a conjecture is easily formed; so that when two persons do the same thing, you may often say,
this one may be allowed to do it with impunity, the other may not; not that the thing itself is different, but that he is who does it. I see signs in them, so as to feel confident that they will turn out as we wish. I see that they have good sense and understanding, that they have modesty upon occasion, and are affectionate to each other; you may infer
that their bent and disposition is of a pliant nature; at any time you like you may reclaim them. But still, you may be apprehensive that they will be somewhat too apt to neglect their interests. O my dear Demea, in all other things we grow wiser with age; this sole vice does old age bring upon men:

> Latin: MICIO:
Mane:
Scio: istuc ibam. Multa in homine, Demea,
Signa insunt ex quibus coniectura facile fit,
Duo quum idem faciunt, saepe ut possis dicere,
Hoc licet impune facere huic, illi non licet;
Non quod dissimilis res sit, sed quod is qui facit:
Quae ego illis inesse video, ut confidam fore
Ita ut volumus: video sapere, intelligere, in loco
Vereri, inter se amare: scires liberum
Ingenium atque animum; quovis illos tu die
Reducas. At enim metuas ne ab re sint tamen
Omissiores paullo. O noster Demea,
Ad omnia alia aetate sapimus rectius:
Solum unum hoc vitium senectus affert hominibus;

[¶146] we are all more solicitous about our own interests than we need be; and in this respect age will make them sharp enough.
DEMEA:
Only take care, Micio, that these fine reasonings of yours, and this easy disposition of yours, do not ruin us in the end.

> Latin: Attentiores sumus ad rem omnes quam sat est:
Quod illos sat aetas acuet.
DEMEA:
Ne nimium modo
Bonae tuae istae nos rationes, Micio,
Et tuus iste animus aequus, subvertant.

[¶147] MICIO:
Say no more; there’s no danger of that. Now think no further of these matters. Put yourself to-day into my hands;

> Latin: MICIO:
Tace:
Non fiet: mitte iam istaec: da te hodie mihi:

[¶148] smooth your brow.
DEMEA:
Why, as the occasion requires it, I must do so; but to-morrow I shall be off with my son into the country at day-break.

> Latin: Exporge frontem.
DEMEA:
Scilicet, ita tempus fert;
Faciendum est: caeterum rus eras cum filio
Cum primo lucu [ibo hinc].

[¶149] MICIO:
Aye, to-night, for my share; only keep yourself in good-humor for the day.

> Latin: MICIO:
Immo de note censeo;
Hodie modo hilarum fac te.

[¶150] DEMEA:
I’ll carry off that Music-girl along with me as well.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Et istam psaltriam
Una illuc mecum hinc abstraham.

[¶151] MICIO:
You will gain your point;

> Latin: MICIO:
Pugnaveris.

[¶152] by that means you will keep your son fast there; only take care to secure her.
DEMEA:
I’ll see to that; and what with cooking and grinding, I’ll take care she shall be well covered with ashes, smoke, and meal; besides all this, at the very mid-day I’ll set her gathering stubble;

> Latin: Eo pacto prorsum illic alligaris filium:
Modo facito ut illam serves.
DEMEA:
Ego istuc videro:
Atque illi favillae plena, funi, ac pollinis,
Coquendo sit faxo, et molendo: praeter haec
Meridie ipso faciam ut stipulam colligat:

[¶153] I’ll make her as burned and as black as a coal.
MICIO:
You quite delight me; now you seem to me to be wise; and for my part I would then compel my son to go to bed with her, even though he should be unwilling.

> Latin: Tam excoctam reddam atque atram quam carbo est.
MICIO:
Placet:
Nunc mihi videre sapere; atque equidem filium
Tum etiam si nolit cogam ut cum illa una cubet.

[¶154] DEMEA:
Do you banter me? Happy man, to have such a temper! I feel—

> Latin: DEMEA:
Derides? fortunatus qui istoc animo sies.
Ego sentio—

[¶155] MICIO:
Ah! at it again!

> Latin: MICIO:
Ah, pergisne?

[¶156] DEMEA:
I’ll have done then at once.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Iam iam desino.

[¶157] MICIO:
Go in-doors then, and let’s devote this day to the object to which it belongs.
(Goes into the house.) (DEMEA alone.)

> Latin: MICIO:
I ergo intro, et cui rei est ei rei hunc sumamus diem.
(DEMEA.)

[¶158] DEMEA:
Never was there any person of ever such well-trained habits of life, but that experience, age, and custom are always bringing him something new, or suggesting something; so much so, that what you believe you know you don’t know, and what you have fancied of first importance to you, on making trial you reject;

> Latin: DEMEA.:
Nunquam ita quisquam bene subducta ratione ad vitam fuit
Quin res, aetas, usus semper aliquid apportet novi,
Aliquid moneat; ut illa quae te scire credas nescias,
Et quae tibi putaris prima in experiendo repudies:

[¶159] and this is my case at present: for the rigid life I have hitherto led, my race nearly run, I now renounce. Why so?—I have found, by experience, that there is nothing better for a man than an easy temper and complacency. That this is the truth, it is easy for any one to understand on comparing me with my brother. He has always spent his life in ease and gayety;
mild, gentle, offensive to no one, having a smile for all, he has lived for himself, and has spent his money for himself; all men speak well of him, all love him. I, again, a rustic, a rigid, cross, self-denying, morose and thrifty person, married a wife; what misery I entailed in consequence! Sons were born—a fresh care. And just look, while I have been studying to do as much as possible for them,
I have worn out my life and years in saving; now, in the decline of my days, the return I get from them for my pains is their dislike. He, on the other hand, with out any trouble on his part, enjoys a father’s comforts; they love him; me they shun; him they trust with all their secrets, are fond of him, are always with him. I am forsaken;

> Latin: Quod nunc mihi evenit; nam ego vitam duram quam vixi usque adhuc
Prope iam excurso spatio mitto. Id quamobrem? Re ipsa repperi
Facilitate nihil esse homini melius neque clementia.
Id esse verum ex me atque ex fratre cuivis facile est noscere.
Ille suam semper egit vitam in otio, in conviviis,
Clemens, placidus, nulli laedere os, arridere omnibus:
Sibi vixit; sibi sumtum fecit: omnes bene dicunt, amant.
Ego ille agrestis, saevus, tristis, parcus, truculentus, tenax,
Duxi uxorem: quam ibi miseriam vidi! Nati filii,
Alia cura. Porro autem illis dum studeo ut quam plurimum
Facerem, contrivi in quaerendo vitam atque aetatem meam.
Nunc exacta aetate hoc fructi pro labore ab his fero,
Odium. Ille alter sine labore patria potitur commoda:
Illum amant, me fugitant: illi credunt consilia omnia;
Illum diligunt; apud illum sunt ambo: ego desertus sum.

[¶160] they wish him to live; but my death, forsooth, they are longing for. Thus, after bringing them up with all possible pains, at a trifling cost he has made them his own; thus I bear all the misery, he enjoys the pleasure. Well, then, henceforward let us try, on the other hand, whether I can’t speak kindly and act complaisantly, as he challenges me to it:

> Latin: Illum ut vivat optant; meam autem mortem exspectant. Scilicet
Ita eos meo labore eductos maximo hic fecit suos
Paulo sumptu: miseriam omnem ego capio; hic potitur gaudia.
Age, age, nunc iam experiamur porro contra quid ego possiem
Blande dicere, aut benigne facere, quando eo provocat.

[¶161] I also want myself to be loved and highly valued by my friends. If that is to be effected by giving and indulging, I will not be behind him. If our means fail, that least concerns me, as I am the eldest.
(Enter SYRUS.)

> Latin: Ego quoque a meis me amari et magni pendi postulo:
Si id fit dando atque obsequendo, non posteriores feram.
Deerit. Id mea minime refert qui sum natu maximus.
(SYRUS. DEMEA.)

[¶162] SYRUS:
Hark you, Demea, your brother begs you will not go out of the way.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Heus, Demea, rogat frater ne abeas longius.

[¶163] DEMEA:
Who is it?—O Syrus, my friend, save you! how are you? How goes it with you?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quis homo? O Syre noster salve: quid fit? quid agitur?

[¶164] SYRUS:
Very well.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Recte.

[¶165] DEMEA:
Very good. (Aside.) I have now for the first time used these three expressions contrary to my nature,—“O Syrus, my friend, how are you?—how goes it with you?” (To SYRUS.) You show yourself far from an unworthy servant, and I shall gladly do you a service.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Optime est. Iam nunc haec tria primum addidi
Praeter naturam: “O noster! quid fit? quid agitur?”
Servum haud illiberalem praebes te; et tibi
Libens bene faxim.

[¶166] SYRUS:
I thank you.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Gratiam habeo.

[¶167] DEMEA:
Yes, Syrus, it is the truth; and you shall be convinced of it by experience before long.
(Enter GETA, from the house of SOSTRATA.)
GETA: (to SOSTRATA, within.)

> Latin: DEMEA:
Atqui, Syre,
Hoc verum est; et ipsa re experiere propediem.
(GETA. DEMEA.)

[¶168] Mistress, I am going to see after them, that they may send for the damsel as soon as possible; but see, here’s Demea. (Accosting him.) Save you!

> Latin: GETA:
Hera, ego huc ad hos provisam quam mox virginem
Arcessant: sed eccum Demeam. Salvus sies.

[¶169] DEMEA:
O, what’s your name?

> Latin: DEMEA:
O, qui vocare?

[¶170] GETA:
Geta.

> Latin: GETA:
Geta.

[¶171] DEMEA:
Geta, I have this day come to the conclusion that you are a man of very great worth, for I look upon him as an undoubtedly good servant
who has a care for his master; as I have found to be your case, Geta; and for that reason, if any opportunity should offer, I would gladly do you a service. (Aside.) I am practicing the affable, and it succeeds very well.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Geta, hominem maximi
Preti te esse hodie animo iudicavi meo:
Nam is mihi profecto est servus spectatus satis
Cui dominus curae est, ita uti tibi sensi, Geta:
Et tibi ob eam rem, si quid usus venerit,
Libens bene faxim. Meditor esse affabilis;
Et bene procedit.

[¶172] GETA:
You are kind, sir, to think so.
DEMEA: (aside.)

> Latin: GETA:
Bonus es quum hace existimas.

[¶173] Getting on by degrees—I’ll first make the lower classes my own.
(Enter AESCHINUS, from the house of MICIO.)
AESCHINUS: (to himself.)

> Latin: DEMEA:
Paulatim plebem primulum facio meam.
(AESCHINUS. DEMEA. SYRUS. GETA.)

[¶174] They really are killing me while too intent on performing the nuptials with all ceremony; the whole day is being wasted in their preparations.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Occidunt me quidem dum nimis sanctas nuptias
Student facere: in apparando consumunt diem.

[¶175] DEMEA:
Aeschinus! how goes it?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Quid agitur, Aeschine?

[¶176] AESCHINUS:
Ha, my father! are you here?

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Ehem, pater mi, tu hic eras?

[¶177] DEMEA:
Your father, indeed, both by affection and by nature; as I love you more than my very eyes; but why don’t you
send for your wife?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Tuus hercle vero et animo et natura pater,
Qui te amat plus quam hosce oculos: sed cur non domum
Uxorem arcessis?

[¶178] AESCHINUS:
So I wish to do; but I am waiting for the music-girl and people to sing the nuptial song.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Cupio: verum hoc mihi morae est;
Tibicina, et Hymenaeum qui cantent.

[¶179] DEMEA:
Come now, are you willing to listen to an old fellow like me?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Eho,
Vin tu huic seni auscultare?

[¶180] AESCHINUS:
What is it?

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Quid?

[¶181] DEMEA:
Let those things alone, the nuptial song, the crowds, the torches, and the music-girls, and order the stone wall in the garden here to be pulled down
with all dispatch, and bring her over that way; make but one house of the two; bring the mother and all the domestics over to our house.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Missa haec face,
Hymenaeum, turbas, lampadas, tibicinas;
Atque hanc in horto maceriam iube dirui,
Quantum potest; hac transfer; unam fac domum;
Traduce et matrem et familiam omnem ad nos.

[¶182] AESCHINUS:
With all my heart, kindest father.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Placet,
Pater lepidissime.

[¶183] DEMEA: (aside.)
Well done! now I am called “kind.” My brother’s house will become a thoroughfare; he will be bringing home a multitude, incurring expense in many ways: what matters it to me?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Euge! iam lepidus vocor.
Fratri aedes fient perviae: turbam domum
Adducet; sumtum admittet; multa. Quid mea?

[¶184] I, as the kind Demea, shall get into favor. Now then, bid that Babylonian pay down his twenty minae. (To SYRUS.) Syrus, do you delay to go and do it?
SYRUS:
What am I to do?

> Latin: Ego lepidus ineo gratiam. Iube nunc iam
Dinumeret illi Babylo viginti minas.
Syre, cessas ire ac facere?
SYRUS:
Quid ago?

[¶185] DEMEA:
Pull down the wall: and you, Geta, go and bring them across.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Dirue.
Tu illas abi et traduce.

[¶186] GETA:
May the Gods bless you, Demea, as I see you so sincere a well-wisher to our family.
(GETA and SYRUS go into MICIO’S house.)

> Latin: GETA:
Di tibi, Demea,
Bene faciant quum te video nostrae familiae
Tam ex animo factum velle.

[¶187] DEMEA:
I think they deserve it. What say you, Aeschinus, as to this plan?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Dignos arbitror.
Quid ais tu?

[¶188] AESCHINUS:
I quite agree to it.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Sic opinor.

[¶189] DEMEA:
It is much more proper than that she, being sick and lying-in, should be brought hither through the street.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Multo rectius est
Quam illam puerperam nunc duci huc per viam
Aegrotam.

[¶190] AESCHINUS:
Why, my dear father, I never did see any thing better contrived.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Nihil enim vidi melius, mi pater.

[¶191] DEMEA:
It’s my way; but see, here’s Micio coming out.
(Enter MICIO, from his house.)
MICIO: (speaking to GETA, within.)

> Latin: DEMEA:
Sic soleo: sed eccum Micio egreditur foras.
(MICIO. DEMEA. AESCHINUS.)

[¶192] Does my brother order it? Where is he? (To DEMEA.) Is this your order, Demea?

> Latin: MICIO:
Iubet frater? ubi is est? Tun iubes hoc, Demea?

[¶193] DEMEA:
Certainly, I do order it, and in this matter, and in every thing else, wish especially to make this family one with ourselves, to oblige, serve, and unite them.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Ego vero iubeo et in hac re et aliis omnibus
Quam maxime unam facere nos hanc familiam,
Colere, adiuvare, adiungere.

[¶194] AESCHINUS:
Father, pray let it be so.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Ita quaeso, pater.

[¶195] MICIO:
I do not oppose it.

> Latin: MICIO:
Haud aliter censeo.

[¶196] DEMEA:
On the contrary, i’ faith, it is what we ought to do:

> Latin: DEMEA:
Immo hercle ita nobis decet.

[¶197] in the first place, she is the mother of his wife (pointing to AESCHINUS).
MICIO:
She is. What then?

> Latin: Primum huius uxoris est mater.
MICIO:
Quid postea?

[¶198] DEMEA:
An honest and respectable woman.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Proba et modesta.

[¶199] MICIO:
So they say.

> Latin: MICIO:
Ita aiunt.

[¶200] DEMEA:
Advanced in years.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Natu grandior.

[¶201] MICIO:
I am aware of it.

> Latin: MICIO:
Scio.

[¶202] DEMEA:
Through her years, she is long past child-bearing; there is no one to take care of her; she is a lone woman.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Parere iam diu haec per annos non potest;
Nec qui eam respiciat quisquam est: sola est.

[¶203] MICIO: (aside.)
What can be his meaning?

> Latin: MICIO:
Quam hic rem agit?

[¶204] DEMEA:
It is right you should marry her; and that you, Aeschinus, should use your endeavors to effect it.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Hanc te aequum est ducere; et te operam ut fiat dare.

[¶205] MICIO:
I, marry her, indeed?

> Latin: MICIO:
Me ducere autem?

[¶206] DEMEA:
You.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Te.

[¶207] MICIO:
I?

> Latin: MICIO:
Me?

[¶208] DEMEA:
You, I say.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Te inquam.

[¶209] MICIO:
You are trifling!

> Latin: MICIO:
Ineptis.

[¶210] DEMEA:
Aeschinus, if you are a man, he’ll do it.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Si tu sis homo,
Hic faciat.

[¶211] AESCHINUS:
My dear father—

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Mi pater.

[¶212] MICIO:
What, ass! do you attend to him?
DEMEA:’T is all in vain; it can not be otherwise.

> Latin: MICIO:
Quid? tu autem huic, asine, auscultas?
DEMEA:
Nihil agis:
Fieri aliter non potest.

[¶213] MICIO:
You are mad!

> Latin: MICIO:
Deliras.

[¶214] AESCHINUS:
Do let me prevail on you, my father.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Sine te exorem, mi pater.

[¶215] MICIO:
Are you out of your senses? Take yourself off.

> Latin: MICIO:
Insanis: aufer.

[¶216] DEMEA:
Come, do oblige your son.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Age da veniam filio.

[¶217] MICIO:
Are you quite in your right mind? Am I, in my five-and-sixtieth year, to be marrying at last?
A decrepit old woman too? Do you advise me to do this?

> Latin: MICIO:
Satin sanus es? ego
Novus maritus anno demum quinto et sexagesimo
Fiam, atque anum decrepitam ducam? Idne estis auctores mihi?

[¶218] AESCHINUS:
Do; I have promised it.
MICIO:
Promised, indeed; be generous at your own cost, young man.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Fac: promisi ego illis.
Mi:
Promisti autem? de te largitor, puer.

[¶219] DEMEA:
Come, what if he should ask a still greater favor?

> Latin: DEMEA:
Age; quid si quid te maius oret?

[¶220] MICIO:
As if this was not the greatest!

> Latin: MICIO:
Quasi non hoc sit maximum.

[¶221] DEMEA:
Do comply.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Da veniam.

[¶222] AESCHINUS:
Don’t make any difficulty.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Ne gravere.

[¶223] DEMEA:
Do promise.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Fac promitte.

[¶224] MICIO:
Will you not have done?

> Latin: MICIO:
Non omittis?

[¶225] AESCHINUS:
Not until I have prevailed upon you.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Non, nisi te exorem.

[¶226] MICIO:
Really, this is downright force.

> Latin: MICIO:
Vis est haec quidem.

[¶227] DEMEA:
Act with heartiness, Micio.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Age prolixe, Micio.

[¶228] MICIO:
Although this seems to me to be wrong, foolish, absurd, and repugnant to my mode of life, yet, if you so strongly wish it, be it so.

> Latin: MICIO:
Etsi hoc mihi pravum, ineptum, absurdum, atque alienum a vita mea
Videtur, si vos tantopere istuc vultis, fiat.

[¶229] AESCHINUS:
You act obligingly.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Bene facis:

[¶230] DEMEA:
With reason I love you; but—

> Latin: DEMEA:
Merito te amo. Verum—

[¶231] MICIO:
What?

> Latin: MICIO:
Quid?

[¶232] DEMEA:
I will tell you, when my wish has been complied with.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Ego dicam, hoc quum fit quod volo.

[¶233] MICIO:
What now? What remains to be done?
DEMEA:
Hegio here is their nearest relation;
he is a connection of ours and poor; we ought to do some good for him.

> Latin: MICIO:
Quid nunc quod restat? Hegio his est cognatus proximus,
Affinis nobis, pauper: bene nos aliquid facere illi decet.

[¶234] MICIO:
Do what?

> Latin: MICIO:
Quid facere?

[¶235] DEMEA:
There is a little farm here in the suburbs, which you let out; let us give it him to live upon.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Agelli est hic sub urbe paulum, quod locitas foras:
Huic demus qui fruatur.

[¶236] MICIO:
But is it a little one?

> Latin: MICIO:
Paulum id autem?

[¶237] DEMEA:
If it were a large one, still it ought to be done; he has been as it were a father to her; he is a worthy man, and connected with us; it would be properly bestowed. In fine, I now adopt that proverb which you, Micio, a short time ago repeated with sense and wisdom—it is the common vice of all,
in old age, to be too intent upon our own interests. This stain we ought to avoid: it is a true maxim, and ought to be observed in deed.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Si multum est, tamen
Faciendum est: pro patre huic est; bonus est; noster est; recte datur.
Postremo nunc meum illud verbum facio quod tu, Micio,
Bene et sapienter dixti dudum: “Vitium commune omnium est,”
“Quod nimium ad rem in senecta attenti sumus.” Hanc maculam nos decet
Effugere: dictum est vere, et re ipsa fieri oportet [Micio].

[¶238] MICIO:
What am I to say to this? Well then, as he desires it (pointing to AESCHINUS), it shall be given him.

> Latin: MICIO:
Quid istic? dabitur quandoquidem hic vult.

[¶239] AESCHINUS:
My father!

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Mi pater.

[¶240] DEMEA:
Now, Micio, you are indeed my brother, both in spirit and in body.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Nunc tu mihi es germanus pariter corpore et animo.

[¶241] MICIO:
I am glad of it.
DEMEA: (aside.)

> Latin: MICIO:
Gaudeo.

[¶242] I foil him at his own weapon.
(Enter SYRUS, from the house.)
SYRUS:
It has been done as you ordered, Demea.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Suo sibi gladio hunc iugulo.
(SYRUS. DEMEA. MICIO. AESCHINUS.)
SYRUS:
Factum est quod iussisti, Demea.

[¶243] DEMEA:
You are a worthy fellow. Upon my faith,—in my opinion, at least,—I think Syrus ought at once to be made free.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Frugi homo es. Ego edepol hodie mea quidem sententia
Iudico Syrum fieri esse aequum liberum.

[¶244] MICIO:
He free! For what reason?

> Latin: MICIO:
Istunc liberum?
Quodnam ob factum?

[¶245] DEMEA:
For many.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Multa.

[¶246] SYRUS:
O my dear Demea! upon my word, you are a worthy man! I have strictly taken care of both these sons of yours, from childhood; I have taught, advised, and carefully instructed them in every thing I could.

> Latin: SYRUS:
O noster Demea, edepol vir bonus es.
Ego istos vobis usque a pueris curavi ambos sedulo;
Docui, monui, bene praecepi semper quae potui omnia.

[¶247] DEMEA:
The thing is evident; and then, besides all this, to cater for them, secretly bring, home a wench, prepare a morning entertainment; these are the accomplishments of no ordinary person.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Res apparet. Et quidem porro haec; obsonare cuni fide,
Scortum adducere, apparare de die convivium;
Non mediocris hominis haec sunt officia.

[¶248] SYRUS:
O, what a delightful man!

> Latin: SYRUS:
O lepidum caput!

[¶249] DEMEA:
Last of all, he assisted to-day in purchasing this Music-wench—he had the management of it; it is right he should be rewarded; other servants will be encouraged thereby: besides, he (pointing to AESCHINUS) desires it to be so.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Postremo, hodie in psaltria hac emenda hic adiutor fuit,
Hic curavit: prodesse aequum est: alii meliores erunt:
Denique hic vult fieri.

[¶250] MICIO: (to AESCHINUS.)
Do you desire this to be done?

> Latin: MICIO:
Vin tu hoc fieri?

[¶251] AESCHINUS:
I do wish it.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Cupio.

[¶252] MICIO:
Why then, if you desire it, just come hither, Syrus, to me (performing the ceremony of manumission); be a free man.

> Latin: MICIO:
Si quidem
Tu vis, Syre, eho accede huc ad me: liber esto.

[¶253] SYRUS:
You act generously; I return my thanks to you all;—and to you, Demea, in particular.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Bene facis.
Omnibus gratiam habeo, et seorsum tibi praeterea, Demea.

[¶254] DEMEA:
I congratulate you.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Gaudeo.

[¶255] AESCHINUS:
And I.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Et ego.

[¶256] SYRUS:
I believe you. I wish that this joy were made complete—that I could see my wife, Phrygia, free as well.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Credo: utinam hoc perpetuum fiat gaudium,
Phrygiam ut uxorem meam una mecum videam liberam.

[¶257] DEMEA:
Really, a most excellent woman.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Optimam quidem mulierem.

[¶258] SYRUS:
And the first to suckle your grandchild, his son, today (pointing to AESCHINUS).

> Latin: SYRUS:
Et quidem tuo nepoti, huius filio,
Hodie primam mammam dedit haec.

[¶259] DEMEA:
Why really, in seriousness, if she was the first to do so, there is no doubt she ought to be made free.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Hercle vero serio,
Si quidem primam dedit, haud dubium quin emitti aequum siet.

[¶260] MICIO:
What, for doing that?

> Latin: MICIO:
Ob eam rem?

[¶261] DEMEA:
For doing that; in fine, receive the amount from me at which she is valued.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Ob eam. Postremo a me argentum quanti est sumito.

[¶262] SYRUS:
May all the Gods always grant you, Demea, all you desire.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Di tibi, Demea, omnes semper omnia optata offerant.

[¶263] MICIO:
Syrus, you have thrived pretty well to-day.

> Latin: MICIO:
Syre, processisti hodie pulchre.

[¶264] DEMEA:
If, in addition, Micio, you will do your duty, and lend him a little ready money in hand for present use, he will soon repay you.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Si quidem porro, Micio,
Tu tuum officium facies, atque huic aliquid paulum prae manu
Dederis unde utatur; reddet tibi cito.

[¶265] MICIO:
Less than this (snapping his fingers).

> Latin: MICIO:
Istoc vilius.

[¶266] AESCHINUS:
He is a deserving fellow.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Frugi homo est.

[¶267] SYRUS:
Upon my word, I will repay it; only lend it me.

> Latin: SYRUS:
Reddam hercle; da modo.

[¶268] AESCHINUS:
Do, father.

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
Age pater.

[¶269] MICIO:
I’ll consider of it afterward.

> Latin: MICIO:
Post consulam.

[¶270] DEMEA:
He’ll do it, Syrus.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Faciet.

[¶271] SYRUS:
O most worthy man!

> Latin: SYRUS:
O vir optime.

[¶272] AESCHINUS:
O most kind-hearted father!

> Latin: AESCHINUS:
O mi pater festivissime.

[¶273] MICIO:
How is this? What has so suddenly changed your disposition, Demea? What caprice is this? What means this sudden liberality?

> Latin: MICIO:
Quid istuc? quae res tam repente mores mutavit tuos?
Quod prolubium? quae istaec subita est largitas?

[¶274] DEMEA:
I will tell you:—That I may convince you of this, Micio, that the fact that they consider you an easy and kind-hearted man, does not proceed from your real life, nor, indeed, from a regard for virtue and justice; but from your humoring, indulging, and pampering them.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Dicam tibi;
Ut id ostenderem quod te isti facilem et festivum putant,
Id non fieri ex vera vita, neque adeo ex aequo et bono:
Sed ex assentando, indulgendo, et largiendo, Micio.

[¶275] Now therefore, Aeschinus, if my mode of life has been displeasing to you, because I do not quite humor you in every thing, just or unjust, I have done: squander, buy, do what you please.

> Latin: Nunc adeo si ob eam rem vobis vita mea invisa est, Aeschine,
Quia non iusta iniusta prorsus omnia omnino obsequor,
Missa facio: effundite, emite, facite, quod vobis libet:

[¶276] But if you would rather have one to reprove and correct those faults, the results of which, by reason of your youth, you can not see, which you pursue too ardently, and are thoughtless upon, and in due season to direct you;

> Latin: Sed si id vultis potius, quae vos propter adolescentiam
Minus videtis, magis impense cupitis, consulitis parum,
Haec reprehendere et corrigere me, et obsecundare in loco;

[¶277] behold me ready to do it for you.
AESCHINUS:
Father, we leave it to you; you best know what ought to be done. But what is to be done about my brother?

> Latin: Ecce me qui id faciam vobis.
AESCHINUS:
Tibi, pater, permittimus:
Plus scis quid facto opus est. Sed de fratre quid fiet?

[¶278] DEMEA:
I consent. Let him have his mistress: with her let him make an end of his follies.

> Latin: DEMEA:
Sino;
Habeat; in istac finem faciat.

[¶279] MICIO:
That’s right. (To the AUDIENCE.) Grant us your applause.

> Latin: MICIO:
Istuc recte.
Ω:
Plaudite.