THE TITLE OF THE PLAY. PERFORMED at the Megalensian Games; M. Fulvius and M. Glabrio being Curule Aediles. Ambivius Turpio and Lucius Atilius Praenestinus performed it. Flaccus, the freedman of Claudius, composed the music, to a pair of treble flutes and bass flutes alternately. And it is entirely Grecian. Published—M. Marcellus and Cneius Sulpicius being Consuls.PROLOGUE.:THE POET, when first he applied his mind to writing, thought that the only duty which devolved on him was, that the Plays he should compose might please the public. But he perceives that it has fallen out entirely otherwise;for he is wasting his labor in writing Prologues, not for the purpose of relating the plot, but to answer the slanders of a malevolent old Poet. Now I beseech you, give your attention to the thing which they impute as a fault. Menander composed the Andrian and the Perinthian.He who knows either of them well, will know them both; they are in plot not very different, and yet they have been composed in different language and style. What suited, he confesses he has transferred into the Andrian from the Perinthian, and has employed them as his own.These parties censure this proceeding; and on this point they differ from him, that Plays ought not to be mixed up together. By being thus knowing, do they not show that they know nothing at all? For while they are censuring him, they are censuring Naevius, Plautus, and Ennius, whom our Poet has for his precedents;whose carelessness he prefers to emulate, rather than the mystifying carefulness of those parties. Therefore, I advise them to be quiet in future, and to cease to slander; that they may not be made acquainted with their own misdeeds. Be well disposed, then; attend with unbiased mind, and consider the matter,that you may determine what hope is left; whether the Plays which he shall in future compose anew, are to be witnessed, or are rather to be driven off the stage.(Enter SIMO and SOSIA, followed by SERVANTS carrying provisions.)SIMO: (to the Servants.)Do you carry those things away in-doors; begone. (Beckoning to SOSIA.) Sosia, just step here; I want a few words with you.
INTRODUCTION. THE Andria derives its name from Glycerium, the heroine of the play; who was from Andros. Upon her previous history turns the dénouement of the plot. Chremes and Phania were brothers, two Athenian citizens. On occasion of a voyage to Asia Chremes had left his only daughter Pasibula with Phania, who shortly afterwards followed his brother to Asia to escape from a war that was raging in Greece. He was overtaken by a storm, and shipwrecked, together with Pasibula, upon the island Andros. He there attached himself as a client to a citizen, who entertained him liberally, and upon his death, which occurred shortly after, adopted Pasibula and brought her up with his own daughter Chrysis, having changed her name to Glycerium. Chrysis upon the death of her father went to Athens with her reputed sister, and, after making shift for an honest livelihood, at last took up the profession of a courtezan. At her house many young men congregated, and among others Pamphilus, the son of Simo, who there saw and fell in love with Glycerium, and became her accepted lover, making her a promise of marriage, which was rendered more binding by the parting injunctions of Chrysis, who upon her deathbed commended Glycerium as a sacred trust to Pamphilus. Meanwhile Pamphilus has another affair on his hands. For Chremes has had another daughter since the loss of Pasibula, and is very anxious that she should be well married to such an excellent young man as Pamphilus, who, happily, while enjoying himself in his own way, has gained a character which is the admiration of every one. So Philumena and Pamphilus are betrothed by their parents, entirely without the knowledge of the bridegroom elect. All this time Simo has fully believed in his son’s excellence; but is undeceived by an event which takes place at the funeral of Chrysis, where Pamphilus shows something more than an ordinary solicitude for a young woman whom Simo ascertains to be the sister of Chrysis. The matter takes wind, and reaches the ears of Chremes, with the additional circumstance of Pamphilus’ connexion with her, upon which he breaks off the match.This brings us to the point at which the action of the play commences. Simo determines to tell Pamphilus that he is to be married to Philumena, hoping to place him in a dilemma; for if he refused, then he could take him severely to task; if he consented, then Chremes might be gained over, and after all the match might take place. Accordingly he tells Pamphilus by the way in the Forum that he is to be married that very day. Pamphilus returns home in amazement; but is met by Mysis, servant of Glycerium, who revives his old affection for her mistress. Davus meanwhile sifts the whole matter to the bottom; finds that the marriage is a pretence, and accordingly recommends Pamphilus to humour his father to the utmost, and express his entire readiness to marry as soon as he pleases. At the same time he is to keep up his intimacy with Glycerium, that Chremes may be as shy of his connexion as he is now. Meanwhile there is a by-plot at work. One Charinus, a friend of Pamphilus, who is in love with Philumena, hears with dismay that she is to be married to his friend, and urges him to do all in his power to defer the marriage if possible. So affairs stand when Glycerium is brought to bed of a son, Simo, who hears what is going on, imagining, and being confirmed by Davus in the belief, that this is merely an artifice of Glycerium and her friends to prevent Pamphilus’ marriage. He accordingly again treats with Chremes on the subject of the marriage of Pamphilus and Philumena, and extorts a reluctant consent. This places Davus in a great strait; for Pamphilus now reproaches him with his untoward advice, which has got him into this mischief; and Charinus too is indignant to the last degree at the treachery of Pamphilus. As a last resource Davus places the child before Simo’s door, and contrives that Chremes shall hear its history from Mysis. This causes a fresh rupture between Chremes and Simo. At this moment there arrives a native of Andros, Crito, next of kin to Chrysis, who has come to Athens to claim her property. He clears up the previous history of Glycerium, who is joyfully recognized as Chremes’ daughter, and all parties are made happy; Simo being with some difficulty gained over to forgive past offences, and to receive his son and Davus into favour again.ANDRIA. ACTA LUDIS MEGALENSIB M. FULVIO ET M. GLABRIONE AEDILIB. CURULIB. EGERUNT L. AMBIVIUS TURPIO, L. ATTILIUS PRAENESTINUS. MODOS FECIT FLACCUS CLAUDII FILIUS, TIBIIS PARIBUS DEXTRIS ET SINISTRIS. ET EST TOTA GRAECA. EDITA M. MARCELLO, CN. SULPITIO COSS.PROLOGUS:Poeta quum primum animum ad scribendum appulit,Id sibi negoti credidit solum dariPopulo ut placerent quas fecisset fabulas.Verum aliter evenire multo intelligit.Nam in prologis scribundis operam abutitur,Non qui argumentum narret, sed qui malevoliVeteris poetae maledictis respondeat.Nunc quam rem vitio dent quaeso animum advortite.Menander fecit Andriam et Perinthiam.Qui utramvis recte norit ambas noverit.Non ita dissimili sunt argumento, sed tamenDissimili oratione sunt factae ac stilo.Quae convenere in Andriam ex PerinthiaFatetur transtulisse atque usum pro suis.Id isti vituperant factum; atque in eo disputant,Contaminari non decere fabulas.Faciuntne intelligendo ut nihil intelligant.Qui quum hunc accusant Naevium, Plautum, EnniumAccusant, quos hic noster auctores habet:Quorum aemulari exoptat negligentiamPotius, quam istorum obscuram diligentiam.Dehinc ut quiescant porro moneo et desinantMaledicere, malefacta ne noscant sua.Favete, adeste aequo animo, et rem cognoscite,Ut pernoscatis, ecquid spei sit reliquum,Posthac quas faciet de integro comoedias,Spectandae an exigendae sint vobis prius.(SIMO. SOSIA.)SIMO:Vos istaec intro auferte: abite. Sosia,Adesdum: paucis te volo.
SOSIA:Consider it as said;that these things are to be taken care of, I suppose.
SOSIA:Dictum puta:Nempe ut curentur recte haec.
SIMO:No, it’s another matter.
SIMO:Immo aliud.
SOSIA:What is there that my ability can effect for you more than this?
SOSIA:Quid estQuod tibi mea ars efficere hoc possit amplius?
SIMO:There’s no need of that ability in the matter which I have in hand; but of those qualities which I have ever known as existing in you, fidelity and secrecy.
SIMO:Nihil istac opus est arte ad hanc rem quam paro:Sed iis quas semper in te intellexi sitas,Fide et taciturnitate.
SOSIA:I await your will.
SOSIA:Exspecto quid velis.
SIMO:Since I purchased you, you know that, from a little child, your servitude with me has always been easy and light. From a slave I made you my freedman; for this reason, because you served me with readiness. The greatest recompense that I possessed, I bestowed upon you.
SIMO:Ego postquam te emi, a parvulo ut semper tibiApud me iusta et clemens fuerit servitusScis: feci e servo ut esses libertus mihi.Propterea quod servibas liberaliter.Quod habui summum pretium, persolvi tibi.
SOSIA:I bear it in mind.
SOSIA:In memoria habeo.
SIMO:I am not changed.
SIMO:Haud muto factum.
SOSIA:If I have done or am doing aught that is pleasing to you, Simo, I am glad that it has been done; and that the same has been gratifying to you, I consider sufficient thanks. But this is a cause of uneasiness to me; for the recital is, as it were, a censure to one forgetful of a kindness.But tell me, in one word, what it is that you want with me.
SOSIA:GaudeoSi tibi quid feci aut facio quod placet, Simo,Et gratum id fuisse advorsum te habeo gratiam.Sed mihi hoc molestum est: nam istaec commemoratioQuasi exprobratio est immemoris benefici.Quin tu uno verbo dic quid est quod me velis.
SIMO:I’ll do so. In the first place, in this affair I give you notice: this, which you suppose to be such, is not a real marriage.
SIMO:Ita faciam: hoc primum in hac re praedico tibi;Quas credis esse has non sunt verae nuptiae.
SOSIA:Why do you pretend it then?
SOSIA:Cur simulas igitur?
SIMO:You shall hear all the matter from the beginning; by that means you’ll be acquainted with both my son’s mode of life and my own design,and what I want you to do in this affair. For after he had passed youthfulness, Sosia, and had obtained free scope of living, (for before, how could you know or understand his disposition, while youthful age, fear, and a master were checking him?)—
SIMO:Rem omnem a principio audies;Eo pacto et gnati vitam, et consilium meumCognosces, et quid facere in hac re te velim.Nam is postquam excessit ex ephebis, Sosia,Liberius vivendi fuit potestas: nam anteaQui scire posses, aut ingenium noscere,Dum aetas, metus, magister, prohibebant?
SOSIA:That’s true.
SOSIA:Ita est.
SIMO:What all young men, for the most part, do,—devote their attention to some particular pursuit, either to training horses or dogs for hunting, or to the philosophers; in not one of these did he engage in particular beyond the rest, and yet in all of them in a moderate degree.I was pleased.
SIMO:Quod plerique omnes faciunt adolescentuli,Ut animum ad aliquod studium adiungant, aut equosAlere aut canes ad venandum, aut ad philosophos:Horum ille nihil egregie praeter caeteraStudebat: et tamen omnia haec mediocriter.Gaudebam.
SOSIA:Not without reason; for this I deem in life to be especially advantageous; that one do nothing to excess.
SOSIA:Non iniuria: nam id arbitrorApprime in vita esse utile ut ne quid nimis.
SIMO:Such was his mode of life; readily to bear and to comply with all; with whomsoever he was in company, to them to resign himself; to devote himself to their pursuits; at variance with no one;never preferring himself to them. Thus most readily you may acquire praise without envy, and gain friends.
SIMO:Sic vita erat: facile omnes perferre ac patiCum quibus erat cunque una: iis sese dedere:Eorum obsequi studiis: advorsus nemini:Nunquam praeponens se illis: ita facillimeSine invidia laudem invenias et amicos pares.
SOSIA:He has wisely laid down his rule of life; for in these days obsequiousness begets friends; sincerity, dislike.
SOSIA:Sapienter vitam instituit: namque hoc temporeObsequium amicos, veritas odium parit.
SIMO:Meanwhile, three years ago, a certain womanfrom Andros removed hither into this neighborhood, driven by poverty and the neglect of her relations, of surpassing beauty and in the bloom of youth.
SIMO:Interea mulier quaedam abhinc trienniumEx Andro commigravit huc viciniae,Inopia et cognatorum negligentiaCoacta, egregia forma atque aetate integra.
SOSIA:Ah! I’m afraid that this Andrian will bring some mischief.
SOSIA:Hei vereor ne quid Andria apportet mali.
SIMO:At first, in a modest way, she passed her life with thriftiness and in hardship,seeking a livelihood with her wool and loom. But after an admirer made advances, promising her a recompense, first one and then another; as the disposition of all mankind has a downward tendency from industry toward pleasure, she accepted their proposals, and then began to trade upon her beauty.Those who then were her admirers, by chance, as it often happens, took my son thither that he might be in their company. Forthwith I said to myself, “He is surely caught; he is smitten.” In the morning I used to observe their servant-boys coming or going away; I used to make inquiry, “Here, my lad,”“tell me, will you, who had Chrysis yesterday?” for that was the name of the Andrian.(touching SOSIA on the arm.)
SIMO:Primum haec pudice vitam parce ac duriterAgebat, lana ac tela victum quaeritans.Sed postquam amans accessit, pretium pollicens,Unus et item alter, ita ut ingenium est omniumHominum a labore proclive ad libidinem,Accepit conditionem, dein quaestum occipit.Qui tum illam amabant forte, ita ut fit, filiumPerduxere illuc secum ut una esset meum.Egomet continuo mecum, “Certe captus est,”“Habet.” Observabam mane illorum servulosVenientes aut abeuntes: rogitabam, “Heus puer,”“Dic sodes, quis heri Chrysidem habuit?” Nam AndriaeIlli id erat nomen.
SOSIA:I understand.
SOSIA:Teneo.
SIMO:Phaedrus, or Clinias, or Niceratus, they used to say; for these three then loved her at the same time. “Well now, what did Pamphilus do?” “What? He gave his contribution; he took part in the dinner.” Just so on another dayI made inquiry, but I discovered nothing whatever that affected Pamphilus. In fact, I thought him sufficiently proved, and a great pattern of continence; for he who is brought into contact with dispositions of that sort, and his feelings are not aroused even under such circumstances,you may be sure that he is already capable of undertaking the governance of his own life. This pleased me, and every body with one voice began to say all kinds of flattering things, and to extol my good fortune, in having a son endowed with such a disposition. What need is there of talking? Chremes, influenced by this report,came to me of his own accord, to offer his only daughter as a wife to my son, with a very large portion. It pleased me; I betrothed him; this was the day appointed for the nuptials.
SIMO:Phaedrum, aut CliniamDicebant, aut Niceratum; nam hi tres tum simulAmabant. “Eho, quid Pamphilus?” Quid? symbolamDedit, coenavit. Gaudebam. Item alio dieQuaerebam: comperiebam nihil ad PamphilumQuidquam attinere. Enimvero spectatum satisPutabam, et magnum exemplum continentiae.Nam qui cum ingeniis conflictatur eiusmodi,Neque commovetur animus in ea re tamen,Scias posse habere iam ipsum suae vitae modum.Cum id mihi placebat tum uno ore omnes omniaBona dicere, et laudare fortunas measQui gnatum haberem tali ingenio praeditum.Quid verbis opus est? hac fama impulsus Chremes,Ultro ad me venit unicam gnatam suamCum dote summa filio uxorem ut daret.Placuit; despondi. Hic nuptiis dictus est dies.
SOSIA:What then stands in the way? Why should they not take place?
SOSIA:Quid obstat cur non verae fiant?
SIMO:You shall hear. In about a few days after these things had been agreed on,Chrysis, this neighbor, dies.
SIMO:Audies.Fere in diebus paucis quibus haec acta suntChrysis vicina haec moritur.
SOSIA:Bravo! You’ve made me happy. I was afraid for him on account of Chrysis.
SOSIA:O factum bene!Beasti; metui a Chryside.
SIMO:Then my son was often there, with those who had admired Chrysis; with them he took charge of the funeral; sorrowful, in the mean time, he sometimes wept with them in condolence. Then that pleased me.Thus I reflected: “He by reason of this slight intimacy takes her death so much to heart; what if he himself had wooed her? What will he do for me his father?” All these things I took to be the duties of a humane disposition and of tender feelings. Why do I detain you with many words?Even I myself, for his sake, went forth to the funeral, as yet suspecting no harm.
SIMO:Ibi tum filiusCum illis qui amabant Chrysidem una aderat frequens;Curabat una funus, tristis interim,Nonnunquam collacrumabat: placuit tum id mihi.Sic cogitabam; Hic, parvae consuetudinisCausa, mortem huius tam fert familiariter:Quid si ipse amasset? quid mihi hic faciet patri?Haec ego putabam esse omnia humani ingeniMansuetique animi officia. Quid multis moror?Egomet quoque eius causa in funus prodeo,Nihil suspicans etiam mali.
SOSIA:Ha! what is this?
SOSIA:Hem, quid est?
SIMO:You shall know. She is brought out; we proceed. In the mean time, among the females who were there present, I saw by chance one young woman of beauteous form.
SIMO:Scies.Effertur: imus. Interea inter mulieresQuae ibi aderant forte unam adspicio adolescentulam,Forma.
SOSIA:Very likely.
SOSIA:Bona fortasse.
SIMO:And of countenance, Sosia,so modest, so charming, that nothing could surpass. As she appeared to me to lament beyond the rest, and as she was of a figure handsome and genteel beyond the other women, I approached the female attendants; I inquired who she was. They said that she was the sister of Chrysis.It instantly struck my mind: “Ay, ay, this is it; hence those tears, hence that sympathy.”
SIMO:Et vultu, Sosia,Adeo modesto, adeo venusto, ut nihil supra.Quia tum mihi lamentari praeter caeterasVisa est, et quia erat forma praeter caeterasHonesta et liberali, accedo ad pedisequas;Quae sit rogo. Sororem esse aiunt Chrysidis.Percussit illico animum: at at! hoc illud est,Hinc illae lacrumae; haec illa est misericordia.
SOSIA:How I dread what you are coming to!
SOSIA:Quam timeo, quorsum evadas.
SIMO:The funeral procession meanwhile advances; we follow; we come to the burying-place. She is placed upon the pile; they weep. In the mean time, this sister,whom I mentioned, approached the flames too incautiously, with considerable danger. There, at that moment, Pamphilus, in his extreme alarm, discovers his well-dissembled and long-hidden passion; he runs up, clasps the damsel by the waist. “My Glycerium,” says he, “what are you doing? Why are you going to destroy yourself.”Then she, so that you might easily recognize their habitual attachment, weeping, threw herself back upon him—how affectionately!
SIMO:Funus interimProcedit: sequimur: ad sepulcrum venimus:In ignem posita est: fletur. Interea haec sororQuam dixi ad flammam accessit imprudentius,Satis cum periclo. Ibi tum exanimatus PamphilusBene dissimulatum amorem et celatum indicat.Accurrit: mediam mulierem complectitur:Mea Glycerium, inquit, quid agis? cur te is perditum?Tum illa, ut consuetum facile amorem cerneres,Reiecit se in eum flens quam familiariter.
SOSIA:What do you say?
SOSIA:Quid ais?
SIMO:I returned thence in anger, and hurt at heart: and yet there was not sufficient ground for reproving him. He might say; “What have I done? How have I deserved this, or offended, father?”“She who wished to throw herself into the flames, I prevented; I saved her.” The defense is a reasonable one.
SIMO:Redeo inde iratus atque aegre ferens.Nec satis ad obiurgandum causae. Diceret,“Quid feci? quid commerui aut peccavi pater?”“Quae sese in ignem iniicere voluit, prohibui,”“Servavi.” Honesta oratio est.
SOSIA:You judge aright; for if you censure him who has assisted to preserve life, what are you to do to him who causes loss or misfortune to it?
SOSIA:Recte putas.Nam si illum obiurges vitae qui auxilium tulit,Quid facias illi qui dederit damnum aut malum?
SIMO:Chremes comes to me next day, exclaiming:"Disgraceful conduct!"—that he had ascertained that Pamphilus was keeping this foreign woman as a wife. I steadfastly denied that to be the fact. He insisted that it was the fact. In short, I then left him refusing to bestow his daughter.
SIMO:Venit Chremes postridie ad me clamitans,Indignum facinus; comperisse PamphilumPro uxore habere hanc peregrinam. Ego illud seduloNegare factum; ille instat factum: deniqueIta tum discedo ab illo, ut qui se filiamNeget daturum.
SOSIA:Did not you then reprove your son?
SOSIA:Non tu ibi gnatum?
SIMO:Not even thiswas a cause sufficiently strong for censuring him.
SIMO:Ne haec quidemSatis vehemens causa ad obiurgandum.
SOSIA:How so? Tell me.
SOSIA:Qui cedo?
SIMO:“You yourself, father,” he might say, “have prescribed a limit to these proceedings. The time is near, when I must live according to the humor of another; meanwhile, for the present allow me to live according to my own.”
SIMO:“Tute ipse his rebus finem praescripsti pater.”“Prope adest cum alieno more vivendum est mihi:”“Sine nunc meo me vivere interea modo.”
SOSIA:What room for reproving him, then, is there left?
SOSIA:Qui igitur relictus est obiurgandi locus?
SIMO:If on account of his amour he shall decline to take a wife, that, in the first place, is an offense on his part to be censured. And now for this am I using my endeavors, that, by means of the pretended marriage, there may be real ground for rebuking him, if he should refuse; at the same time, that if that rascal Davus has any scheme,he may exhaust it now, while his knaveries can do no harm: who, I do believe, with hands, feet, and all his might, will do every thing; and more for this, no doubt, that he may do me an ill turn, than to oblige my son.
SIMO:Si propter amorem uxorem nolit ducere,Ea primum ab illo animadvertenda iniuria est.Et nunc id operam do ut per falsas nuptiasVera obiurgandi causa sit si deneget:Simul sceleratus Davus siquid consiliHabet ut consumat nunc cum nihil obsint doli;Quem ego credo manibus pedibus obnixe omniaFacturum; magis id adeo mihi ut incommodetQuam ut obsequatur gnato.
SOSIA:For what reason?
SOSIA:Quapropter?
SIMO:Do you ask? Bad heart, bad disposition. Whom, however, if I do detect —But what need is there of talking? If it should turn out, as I wish, that there is no delay on the part of Pamphilus, Chremes remains to be prevailed upon by me; and I do hope that all will go well. Now it’s your duty to pretend these nuptials cleverly, to terrify Davus; and watch my son,what he’s about, what schemes he is planning with him.SOSIA:’Tis enough; I’ll take care; now let’s go in-doors.
SIMO:Rogas?Mala mens, malus animus. Quem quidem ego si sensero—Sed quid opus est verbis? Sin eveniat quod volo,In Pamphilo ut nil sit morae, restat Chremes,Qui mi exorandus est: et spero confore.Nunc tuum est officium has bene ut adsimules nuptias:Perterrefacias Davum: observes filium,Quid agat, quid cum illo consili captet.SOSIA:Sat est:Curabo: eamus nunc iam intro.
SIMO:You go first; I’ll follow.(SOSIA goes into the house of SIMO.)SIMO: (to himself.)There’s no doubt but that my son doesn’t wish for a wife; so alarmed did I perceive Davus to be just now, when he heard that there was going to be a marriage. But the very man is coming out of the house. (Stands aside.)
SIMO:I prae, sequar.
(Enter DAVUS from the house of SIMO.)DAVUS: (aloud to himself.)I was wondering if this matter was to go off thus; and was continually dreading where my master’s good humor would end; for, after he had heard that a wife would not be given to his son, he never uttered a word to any one of us, or took it amiss.
(SIMO. DAVUS.)SIMO:Non dubium est quin uxorem nolit filius:Ita Davum modo timere sensi, ubi nuptiasFuturas esse audivit. Sed ipse exit foras.DAVUS:Mirabar hoc si sic abiret, et heri semper lenitasVerebar quorsum evaderet:Qui postquam audierat non datum iri filio uxorem suoNumquam cuiquam nostrum verbum fecit, neque id aegre tulit.
SIMO: (apart, overhearing him.)But now he’ll do so: and that, I fancy, not without heavy cost to you.
SIMO:At nunc faciet; neque, ut opinor, sine tuo magno malo.
DAVUS: (to himself:)He meant this, that we, thus unsuspecting, should be led away by delusive joy; that now in hope, all fear being removed, we might during our supineness be surprised, so that there might be no time for planning a rupture of the marriage. How clever!
DAVUS:Id voluit, nos sic nec opinantes duci falso gaudio,Sperantes, iam amoto metu, interea oscitantes opprimi,Ut ne esset spatium cogitandi ad disturbandas nuptias:Astute.
SIMO: (apart.)The villain! what does he say?
SIMO:Carnufex, quae loquitur?
DAVUS: (overhearing him, to himself.)It’s my master, and I didn’t see him.
DAVUS:Herus est, neque provideram.
DAVUS:Well, what is it?
DAVUS:Hem, quid est?
SIMO:Just step this way to me.
SIMO:Ehodum ad me!
DAVUS: (to himself.)What does he want?
DAVUS:Quid hic volt?
SIMO:What are you saying?
SIMO:Quid ais?
DAVUS:About what?
DAVUS:Qua de re?
SIMO:Do you ask the question? There’s a report that my son’s in love.
SIMO:Rogas?Meum gnatum rumor est amare.
DAVUS:The public troubles itself about that, of course.
DAVUS:Id populus curat scilicet.
SIMO:Will you attend to this, or not?
SIMO:Hocine agis, an non?
DAVUS:Certainly, I will, to that.
DAVUS:Ego vero istuc.
SIMO:But for me to inquire now into these matters, were the part of a severe father. For what he has done hitherto, doesn’t concern me at all. So long as his time of life prompted to that course, I allowed him to indulge his inclination: now this day brings on another mode of life, demands other habits.From this time forward, I do request, or if it is reasonable, I do entreat you, Davus, that he may now return to the right path.
SIMO:Sed nunc ea me exquirereIniqui patris est. Nam quod antehac fecit nihil ad me adtinet.Dum tempus ad eam rem tulit, sivi animum ut expleret suum:Nunc hic dies aliam vitam affert, alios mores postulat.Dehinc postulo, sive aequum est te oro, Dave, ut redeat iam in viam.
DAVUS: (aside.)What can this mean?
DAVUS:Hoc quid sit?
SIMO:All who are intriguing take it ill to have a wife given them.
SIMO:Omnes qui amant graviter sibi dari uxorem ferunt.
DAVUS:So they say.
DAVUS:Ita aiunt.
SIMO:And if anyone has adopted a bad instructor in that course, he generally urges the enfeebled mind to pursuits still more unbecoming.
SIMO:Tum siquis magistrum cepit ad eam rem improbumIpsum animum aegrotum ad deteriorem partem plerumque applicat.
DAVUS:I’faith, I do not comprehend.
DAVUS:Non hercle intelligo.
SIMO:No? Ha—
SIMO:Non? hem!
DAVUS:No—I am Davus, not Oedipus.
DAVUS:Non: Davus sum, non Oedipus.
SIMO:Of course then, you wish me to speak plainly in what further I have to say.
SIMO:Nempe ergo aperte vis quae restant me loqui.
DAVUS:Certainly, by all means.
DAVUS:Sane quidem.
SIMO:If I this day find out that you are attempting any trickery about this marriage, to the end that it may not take place; or are desirous that in this matter it should be proved how knowing you are; I’ll hand you over, Davus, beaten with stripes, to the mill, even to your dying day,upon this condition and pledge, that if ever I release you, I shall grind in your place. Now, do you understand this? Or not yet even this?
SIMO:Si sensero hodie quicquam in his te nuptiisFallaciae conari quo fiant minus,Aut velle in ea re ostendi quam sis callidus,Verberibus caesum te in pistrinum Dave dedam usque ad necem,Ea lege atque omine, ut si te inde exemerim ego pro te molam.Quid, hoc intellextin? an nondum etiam ne hoc quidem?
DAVUS:Yes, perfectly: you have now spoken so plainly upon the subject, you have not used the least circumlocution.
DAVUS:Immo callide;Ita aperte ipsam rem modo locutus nil circuitione usus es.
SIMO:In any thing would I more willingly allow myself to be imposed upon than in this matter.
SIMO:Ubi vis facilius passus sim, quam in hac re, me deludier.
DAVUS:Fair words, I entreat.
DAVUS:Bona verba, quaeso.
SIMO:You are ridiculing me: you don’t at all deceive me. I give you warning,don’t act rashly, and don’t say you were not warned. Take care.(Shaking his stick, goes into the house.)
SIMO:Irrides: nil me fallis. Edico tibiNe temere facias: neque tu hoc dicas tibi non praedictum. Cave.
(DAVUS alone.)DAVUS: (to himself.)Assuredly, Davus, there’s no room for slothfulness or inactivity, so far as I’ve just now ascertained the old man’s mind about the marriage; which if it is not provided against by cunning, will be bringing either myself or my master to ruin. What to do, I am not determined; whether I should assist Pamphilus or obey the old man.If I desert the former, I fear for his life; if I assist him, I dread the other’s threats, on whom it will be a difficult matter to impose. In the first place, he has now found out about this amour; with hostile feelings he watches me, lest I should be devising some trickery against the marriage. If he discovers it, I’m undone; or even if he chooses to allege any pretext, whether rightfully or wrongfully, he will consign me headlong to the mill.To these evils this one is besides added for me. This Andrian, whether she is his wife, or whether his mistress, is pregnant by Pamphilus. It is worth while to hear their effrontery; for it is an undertaking worthy of those in their dotage, not of those who dote in love; whatever she shall bring forth, they have resolved to rear;and they are now contriving among themselves a certain scheme, that she is a citizen of Attica. There was formerly a certain old man of this place, a merchant; he was shipwrecked off the Isle of Andros; he died. They say that there, the father of Chrysis, on that occasion, sheltered this girl, thrown on shore, an orphan, a little child. What nonsense!To myself at least it isn’t very probable; the fiction pleases them, however. But Mysis is coming out of the house. Now I’ll betake myself hence to the Forum, that I may meet with Pamphilus, lest his father should take him by surprise about this matter.(Exit.)
(DAVUS.)DAVUS:Enimvero, Dave, nil loci est segnitiae neque socordiae,Quantum intellexi modo senis sententiam de nuptiis:Quae si non astu providentur me aut herum pessum dabunt.Nec quid agam certum est: Pamphilumne adiutem an auscultem seni.Si illum relinquo eius vitae timeo: sin opitulor huius minas;Cui verba dare difficile est. Primum iam de amore hoc comperit:Me infensus servat ne quam faciam in nuptiis fallaciam.Si senserit perii: aut si lubitum fuerit causam ceperit,Quo iure quaque iniuria praecipitem in pistrinum dabit.Ad haec mala hoc mihi accedit etiam: haec Andria,Si ista uxor sive amica est, gravida e Pamphilo est.Audireque eorum est operae pretium audaciam:Nam inceptio est amentium haud amantium:Quicquid peperisset decreverunt tollere:Et fingunt quandam inter se nunc fallaciam,Civem Atticam esse hanc. Fuit olim hinc quidam senex,Mercator: navem is fregit apud Andrum insulam:Is obiit mortem: ibi tum hanc eiectam ChrysidisPatrem recepisse orbam, parvam: Fabulae.Mihi quidem hercle non fit verisimile; atque ipsis commentum placet.Sed Mysis ab ea egreditur: at ego hinc me ad forum utConveniam Pamphilum, ne de hac re pater imprudentem opprimat.
(Enter MYSIS from the house of GLYCERIUM.)MYSIS: (speaking at the door to Archylis within.)I’ve heard you already, Archylis; you request Lesbia to be fetched. Really, upon my faith, she is a wine-bibbing and a rash woman,and not sufficiently trustworthy for you to commit to her care a female at her first delivery; is she still to be brought? (She receives an answer from within, and comes forward.) Do look at the inconsiderateness of the old woman; because she is her pot-companion. Ye Gods, I do entreat you, give her ease in her delivery, and to that woman an opportunity of making her mistakes elsewhere in preference. But why do I see Pamphilus so out of spirits? I fear what it may be.I’ll wait, that I may know whether this sorrow portends any disaster.(Stands apart.)
(MYSIS.)MYSIS:Audivi Archylis iamdudum: Lesbiam adduci iubes.Sane pol illa temulenta est mulier et temeraria,Nec satis digna cui committas primo partu mulierem;Tamen eam adducam. Importunitatem spectate aniculae,Quia compotrix eius est. Di date facultatem obsecroHuic pariundi, atque illi in aliis potius peccandi locum.Sed quidnam Pamphilum exanimatum video? Vereor quid siet.Opperiar ut sciam numquidnam haec turbae tristitia adferat.
(Enter PAMPHILUS, wringing his hands.)PAMPHILUS: (to himself.)Is it humane to do or to devise this? Is this the duty of a father?
(PAMPHILUS. MYSIS.)PAMPHILUS:Hocine est humanum factum aut inceptum? hocine est officium patris?
MYSIS: (apart.)What does this mean?
MYSIS:Quid illud est?
PAMPHILUS: (to himself.)O, by our faith in the Gods! what is, if this is not, an indignity? He had resolved that he himself would give me a wife to-day; ought I not to have known this beforehand? Ought it not to have been mentioned previously?
PAMPHILUS:Pro deum atque hominum fidem, quid est si non haec contumelia est?Uxorem decrerat dare sese mihi hodie: nonne oportuitPraescisse me ante? nonne prius communicatum oportuit?
MYSIS: (apart.)Wretched me! What language do I hear?
MYSIS:Miseram me, quod verbum audio?
PAMPHILUS: (to himself.)What does Chremes do? He who had declared that he would not intrust his daughter to me as a wife; because he himself sees me unchanged he has changed. Thus perversely does he lend his aid, that he may withdraw wretched me from Glycerium. If this is effected, I am utterly undone.That any man should be so unhappy in love, or so unfortunate as I am! Oh, faith of Gods and men! shall I by no device be able to escape this alliance with Chremes? In how many ways am I contemned, and held in scorn? Every thing done, and concluded! Alas! once rejected I am sought again; for what reason? Unless perhaps it is this, which I suspect it is:they are rearing some monster, and as she can not be pushed off upon any one else, they have recourse to me.
PAMPHILUS:Quid Chremes qui denegarat se commissurum mihiGnatam suam uxorem? id mutavit, quia me immutatum videt.Itan obstinate operam dat ut me a Glycerio miserum abstrahat:Quod si fit pereo funditus.Adeon’ hominem esse invenustum aut infelicem quemquam ut ego sum?Pro deum atque hominum fidem!Nullon’ ego Chremetis pacto adfinitatem effugere potero?Quot modis contemptus, spretus? facta, transacta omnia: hem,Repudiatus repetor: quamobrem? nisi si id est quod suspicor:Aliquid monstri alunt: ea quoniam nemini obtrudi potest,Itur ad me.
MYSIS: (apart.)This language has terrified wretched me with apprehension.
MYSIS:Oratio haec me miseram exanimavit metu.
PAMPHILUS: (to himself.)But what am I to say about my father? Alas! that he should so thoughtlessly conclude an affair of such importance! Passing me in the Forum just now, he said, “Pamphilus, you must be married to-day:”“get ready; be off home.” He seemed to me to say this: “Be off this instant, and go hang yourself.” I was amazed; think you that I was able to utter a single word, or any excuse, even a frivolous, false, or lame one? I was speechless. But if any one were to ask me now what I would have done, if I had known this sooner, why, I would have done any thing rather than do this. But now, what course shall I first adopt?So many cares beset me, which rend my mind to pieces; love, sympathy for her, the worry of this marriage; then, respect for my father, who has ever, until now, with such an indulgent disposition, allowed me to do whatever was agreeable to my feelings. Ought I to oppose him? Ah me! I am in uncertainty what to do.
PAMPHILUS:Nam quid ego nunc dicam de patre? ahTantam rem tam neglegenter agere! praeteriens modoMihi apud forum, “Uxor tibi ducenda est, Pamphile, hodie,” inquit, “para:”“Abi domum.” Id mi visus est dicere, “Abi cito, et suspende te.”Obstipui: censen’ me verbum potuisse ullum proloqui? autUllam causam, saltem ineptam, falsam, iniquam? Obmutui.Quod si ego rescissem id prius quid facerem, si quis nunc me roget?Aliquid facerem ut hoc ne facerem. Sed nunc quid primum exsequar?Tot me impediunt curae, quae meum animum divorsae trahunt,Amor, misericordia huius, nuptiarum sollicitatio,Tum patris pudor qui me tam leni passus animo est usque adhucQuae meo quomque animo libitum est facere. Eine ego ut advorser? hei mihi!Incertum est quid agam.
MYSIS: (apart.)I’m wretchedly afraid how this uncertainty is to terminate.But now there’s an absolute necessity, either for him to speak to her, or for me to speak to him about her. While the mind is in suspense, it is swayed by a slight impulse one way or the other.
MYSIS:Misera timeo incertum hoc quorsum accidat.Sed nunc peropus est, aut hunc cum ipsa, aut me aliquid de illa adversum hunc loqui.Dum in dubio est animus, paulo momento huc vel illuc impellitur.
PAMPHILUS: (overhearing her.)Who is it speaking here? (Seeing her.) Mysis? Good-morrow to you.
PAMPHILUS:Quis hic loquitur? Mysis? salve.
MYSIS:Oh! Good-morrow to you, Pamphilus.
MYSIS:O salve, Pamphile.
PAMPHILUS:How is she?
PAMPHILUS:Quid agit?
MYSIS:Do you ask? She is oppressed with grief, and on this account the poor thing is anxious, because some time ago the marriage was arranged for this day. Then, too, she fears this,that you may forsake her.
MYSIS:Rogas?Laborat e dolore; atque ex hoc misera sollicita est, diemQuia olim in hunc sunt constitutae nuptiae: tum autem hoc timet,Ne deseras se.
PAMPHILUS:Ha! could I attempt that? Could I suffer her, poor thing, to be deceived on my account? She, who has confided to me her affection, and her entire existence? She, whom I have held especially dear to my feelings as my wife? Shall I suffer her mind, well and chastely trained and tutored,to be overcome by poverty and corrupted? I will not do it.
PAMPHILUS:Hem, egone istuc conari queam?Ego propter me illam decipi miseram sinamQuae mihi suum animum atque omnem vitam credidit,Quam ego animo egregie caram pro uxore habuerim?Bene et pudice eius doctum atque eductum sinamCoactum egestate ingenium immutarier?Non faciam.
MYSIS:I should have no fear if it rested with yourself alone; but whether you may be able to withstand compulsion—
MYSIS:Haud vereor si in te solo sit situm;Sed ut vim queas ferre.
PAMPHILUS:Do you deem me so cowardly, so utterly ungrateful, inhuman, and so brutish, that neither intimacy, nor affection, nor shame,can move or admonish me to keep faith?
PAMPHILUS:Adeone me ignavum putas,Adeone porro ingratum, aut inhumanum, aut ferum,Ut neque me consuetudo neque amor neque pudorCommoveat neque commoneat ut servem fidem?
MYSIS:This one thing I know, that she is deserving that you should not forget her.
MYSIS:Unum hoc scio, esse meritam ut memor esses sui.
PAMPHILUS:Forget her? Oh Mysis, Mysis, at this moment are those words of Chrysis concerning Glycerium written on my mind. Now at the point of death, she called me;I went to her; you had withdrawn; we were alone; she began: “My dear Pamphilus, you see her beauty and her youth; and it is not unknown to you to what extent both of these are now of use to her, in protecting both her chastity and her interests. By this right hand I do entreat you, and by your good Genius,”“by your own fidelity, and by her bereft condition, do not withdraw yourself from her, or forsake her; if I have loved you as my own brother, or if she has always prized you above all others, or has been obedient to you in all things.”“You do I give to her as a husband, friend, protector, father. This property of mine do I intrust to you, and commit to your care.” She placed her in my hands; that instant, death came upon her. I accepted her; having accepted, I will protect her.
PAMPHILUS:Memor essem? o Mysis Mysis, etiam nunc mihiScripta illa sunt in animo dicta ChrysidisDe Glycerio. Iam ferme moriens me vocat:Accessi: vos semotae: nos soli: incipit:“Mi Pamphile, huius formam atque aetatem vides:”“Nec clam te est quam illi utraeque res nunc utiles”“Et ad pudicitiam et ad rem tutandam sient.”“Quod ego te per hanc dextram oro et ingenium tuum,”“Per tuam fidem, perque huius solitudinem,”“Te obtestor, ne abs te hanc segreges neu deseras,”“Si te in germani fratris dilexi loco,”“Sive haec te solum semper fecit maximi,”“Seu tibi morigera fuit in rebus omnibus.”“Te isti virum do amicum tutorem patrem.”“Bona nostra haec tibi permitto et tuae mando fidei.”Hanc mihi in manum dat: mors continuo ipsam occupat.Accepi: acceptam servabo.
MYSIS:So indeed I hope.(Moving.)
MYSIS:Ita spero quidem.
PAMPHILUS:But why are you leaving her?
PAMPHILUS:Sed cur tu abis ab illa?
MYSIS:I’m going to fetch the midwife.
MYSIS:Obstetricem arcesso.
PAMPHILUS:Make all haste. And—do you hear?—take care, and not one word about the marriage, lest that too should add to her illness.
PAMPHILUS:Propera, atque audin’?Verbum unum cave de nuptiis, ne ad morbum hoc etiam.
MYSIS:I understand.(Exeunt severally.)
MYSIS:Teneo.
(Enter CHARINUS and BYRRHIA. )CHARINUS:How say you, Byrrhia? Is she to be given in marriage to Pamphilus to-day?
(CHARINUS.BYRRHIA. PAMPHILUS.)CHARINUS:Quid ais Byrrhia? daturne illa Pamphilo hodie nuptum?
BYRRHIA:It is so.
BYRRHIA:Sic est.
CHARINUS:How do you know?
CHARINUS:Qui scis?
BYRRHIA:I heard it just now from Davus at the Forum.
BYRRHIA:Apud forum modo e Davo audivi.
CHARINUS:Woe unto wretched me! As, hitherto, until now, my mind has been racked amid hope and fear; so, since hope has been withdrawn, wearied with care, it sinks overwhelmed.
CHARINUS:Vae misero mihi.Ut animus in spe atque in timore usque antehac attentus fuit,Ita postquam adempta spes est lassus cura confectus stupet.
BYRRHIA:By my troth, Charinus, since that which you wish can not come to pass, prithee, do wish that which can.
BYRRHIA:Quaeso edepol, Charine, quoniam non potest id fieri quod vis,Id velis quod possit.
CHARINUS:I wish for nothing else but Philumena.
CHARINUS:Nil volo aliud nisi Philumenam.
BYRRHIA:Alas! How much better were it for you to endeavor to expel that passion from your mind, than to be saying that by which your desire is to no purpose still more inflamed.
BYRRHIA:Ah,Quanto satius est te id dare operam qui istum amorem ex animo amoveas,Quam id loqui quo magis libido frustra incendatur tua.