How say you, Byrrhia? Is she to be given in marriage to Pamphilus to-day?
It is so.
How do you know?
I heard it just now from Davus at the Forum.
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 As, hitherto, until now, my mind has been racked amid hope and fear; so, since hope has been withdrawn, wearied with care, it sinks overwhelmed.
By my troth, Charinus, since that which you wish can not come to pass, prithee, do wish that which can.
I wish for nothing else but Philumena.
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.
We all, when we are well, with ease give good advice to the sick. If you were in my situation, you would think otherwise.
Well, well, just as you like.
I will entreat his own self; I will supplicate him; I will disclose to him my love. I think that I shall prevail upon him to put off the marriage for some days at least; in the mean time, something will turn up, I trust.
That something is nothing.
Byrrhia, how seems it to you ? Shall I accost him ?
Why not ? Should you not prevail, that at least he may look upon you as a gallant ready provided for him, if he marries her.
Away with you to perdition with that vile suggestion, you rascal!
I espy Charinus.
O, good-morrow. Pamphilus, I'm come to you, seeking hope, safety, counsel, and assistance.
I'faith, I have neither time for counsel, nor resources for assistance. But what's the matter now?
To-day you are going to take a wife ?
So they say.
Pamphilus, if you do that, you behold me this day for the last time.
Why so
Ah me! I dread to tell it; prithee, do you tell it, Byrrhia.
I'll tell it.
What is it?
He's in love with your betrothed.
Assuredly he's not of my way of thinking. Come now, tell me, have you had any more to do with her, Charinus?
Oh Pamphilus, nothing.
How much I wish you had.
Now, by our friendship and by my affection, I do beseech you, in the first place, not to marry her.
For my own part I'll use my endeavors.
But if that can not be, or if this marriage is agreeable to you—
Agreeable to me?
Put it off for some days at least, while I go elsewhere, that I may not be witness.
Now listen, once for all: I think it, Charinus, to be by no means the part of an ingenuous man, when he confers nothing, to expect that it should be considered as an obligation on his part. I am more desirous to avoid this match, than you to gain it.
You have restored me to life.
Now, if you can do any thing, either you yourself, or Byrrhia here, manage, fabricate, invent, contrive some means, whereby she may be given to you; this I shall aim at, how she may not be given to me.
I am satisfied.
Most opportunely I perceive Davus, on whose advice I have depended.
Tell me nothing
: It has been suggested that this refers to Byrrhia's dissuading his master from addressing Pamphilus, or else to what he has told him concerning the intended marriage. Westerhovius thinks that Byrrhia is just then whispering some trifling nonsense in his master's ear, which he, occupied with more important cares, is unwilling to attend to.
Certainly I will, and with all my heart.
Davus, come here! Stop!
Who's the person that's—
Davus, I'm undone!
Nay but, do hear this.
I'm utterly ruined!
I know what you are afraid of.
I'faith, my life indeed is really in danger.
My marriage—
As if I did not know it?
This day—
Why keep dinning me with it, when I know it all?
You understand the matter.
That's the very thing.
And that very thing is in no danger; trust me for that.
I do entreat you, release wretched me as soon as possible from this apprehension.
Well, then, I will release you; Chremes is not going to give you his daughter at present.
How do you know ?
You shall know. Your father just now laid hold of me; he said that a wife was to be given you to-day, and many other things as well, which just now I haven't time to relate. Hastening to you immediately, I ran on to the Forum that I might tell you these things. When I didn't find you, I ascended there to a high place.To a high place
: He probably alludes to some part of the Acropolis, the citadel, or higher part of
But to what purpose this ?
I forthwith betook myself to the house of Chremes. When I arrived there—stillness before the door;Stillness before the door
: Madame Dacier observes that this remark is very appropriately made by Davus, as showing that the marriage was clearly not intended by Chremes. The house of the bride on such an occasion would be thronged by her friends, and at the door would be the musicians and those who were to form part of the bridal procession.
You say well.
Proceed.
I stopped there. In the mean time I saw no one going in, no one going out; no matron at the house,No matron at the house
: By the use of the word "matrona,"
he probably alludes to the
I understand; a considerable indication.
Do these things seem to accord with a wedding ?
I think not, Davus.
Think, do you say ? You don't view it rightly; the thing is certain. Besides, coming away from there I saw the servant-boy of Chremes carrying some vegetables and little fishes, an obol's worth,An obol's worth
: The "obolus"
was the smallest Greek silver coin, and was equal in value to about three halfpence of our money.
This day, Davus, have I been delivered by your means.
And yet not at all.
Why so? Surely he will not give her to him, after all this.
You silly fellow ! as though it were a necessary consequence that if he doesn't give her to him you should marry her: unless, indeed, you look about you; unless you entreat and make court to the old man's friends.
You advise well. I'll go; although, upon my faith, this hope has often eluded me already. Farewell!
What then does my father mean? Why does he thus make pretense?
I'll tell you. If now he were angry with you, because Chremes will not give you a wife, he would seem to himself to be unjust, and that not without reason, before he has ascertained your feelings as to the marriage, how they are disposed. But if you refuse to marry her, in that case he will transfer the blame to you; then such disturbances will arise.
I will submit to any thing from him.
He is your father, Pamphilus. It is a difficult matter. Besides, this woman is defenseless. No sooner said than done; he will find some pretext for driving her away from the city.
Driving her away ?
Aye, and quickly too.
Tell me then, Davus, what am I to do?
Say that you will marry her.
What's the matter ?
What, am I to say so?
Why not?
Never will I do it.
Don't say so.
Don't attempt to persuade me.
Consider what will be the result of it.
That I shall be deprived of the one, and fixed with the other.
Not so. In fact, I think it will be thus: Your father will say: "I wish you to marry a wife to-day." You reply: " I'll marry her." Tell me, how can he raise a quarrel with you ? Thus you will cause all the plans which are now arranged by him to be disarranged, without any danger; for this is not to be doubted, that Chremes will not give you his daughter. Therefore do not hesitate in those measures which you are taking, on this account, lest he should change his sentiments. Tell your father that you consent; so that although he may desire it, he may not be able to be angry at you with reason. For that which you rely on, I will easily refute; "No one," you think, "will give a wife to a person of these habits." But he will find a beggar for you, rather than allow you to be corrupted by a mistress. If, however, he shall believe that you bear it with a contented mind, you will render him indifferent; at his leisure he will look out for another wife for you; in the mean time something lucky may turn up.
Do you think so?
It really is not a matter of doubt.
Consider to what you are persuading me.
Nay, but do be quiet.
Well, I'll say it; but, that he mayn't come to know that she has had a child by me, is a thing to be guarded against; for I have promised to bring it up.
Oh, piece of effrontery.
She entreated me that I would give her this pledge, by which she might be sure she should not be deserted.
It shall be attended to; but your father's coming. Take care that he doesn't perceive that you are out of spirits.
If I am only able, Davus.
Trust me for that, Pamphilus, I tell you; your father will never this day exchange a single word with you, if you say that you will marry.
I have now followed him
: "Hunc venientem sequor."
Cooke has the following remark on this line: "This verse, though in every edition, as Bentley judiciously observes, is certainly spurious; for as Pamphilus has not disappeared since Byrrhia left the stage, he could not say
Pamphilus!
I wish you to marry a wife to-day, as I was saying.
Neither in that nor in any thing else shall you ever find any hesitation in me.
You act as becomes you, when that which I ask I obtain with a good grace.
My master, so far as I learn, has missed his wife.
Now, then, go in-doors, that you mayn't be causing delay when you are wanted.
I'll go.
Inflict evil upon me
: "Malum;"
the usual name by which slaves spoke of the beatings they were in the habit of receiving at the hands or by the order of their irascible masters. Colman has the following remarks: "Donatus observes on this Scene between Byrrhia, Simo, Pamphilus, and Davus, that the dialogue is sustained by four persons, who have little or no intercourse with each other; so that the Scene is not only in direct contradiction to the precept of
What does he say, Davus ?What does he say, Davus?
: "Quid, Dave, narrat?"
This reading Vollbehr suggests in place of the old one,
Just as much as nothing.Just as much as nothing
: "Aeque quidquam nunc quidem."
This is a circumlocution for "nothing at all:" somewhat more literally perhaps, it might be rendered "just as much as before." Perizonius supplies the ellipsis with a long string of Latin words, which translated would mean, "Now, indeed, he says equally as much as he says then, when he says nothing at all."
What, nothing? Eh?
Nothing at all.
And yet I certainly was expecting something.
It has turned out contrary to your expectations.
Are you able to tell me the truth?
I? Nothing more easy.
Is this marriage at all disagreeable to him, on account of his intimacy with this foreign woman?
No, faith; or if at all, it is a two or three days' annoyance this—you understand. It will then cease. Moreover, he himself has thought over this matter in a proper way.
I commend him.
While it was allowed him, and while his years prompted him, he intrigued; even then it was secretly. He took precaution that that circumstance should never be a cause of disgrace to him, as behooves a man of principle; now that he must have a wife, he has set his mind upon a wife.
He seemed to me to be somewhat melancholy in a slight degree.
Not at all on account of her, but there's something he blames you for.
What is it, pray?
It's a childish thing.
What is it?
Nothing at all.
Nay but, tell me what it is.
He says that you are making too sparing preparations.
What, I?
You.—He says that there has hardly been fare provided to the amount of ten drachmae.Amount of ten drachmoe
: The Attic drachma was a silver coin worth in value about 9¾d. of English money.
Hold your tongue.
I'll see that these things are properly done.
But this Pamphilus—
Has proved his constancy.
For the child she brings forth, he has ordered to be brought up.
You mention a good disposition on the part of the young man.
A most excellent one. But follow me in-doors, that you mayn't keep her waiting.
I'll follow.
Juno Lucina
: Juno Lucina had the care of women in childbed. Under this name some suppose
Whew! so sudden? What nonsense! As soon as she has heard that I'm standing before the door, she makes all haste. These incidents, Davus, have not been quite happily adapted by you as to the points of time.
By me?
Are your scholars forgetful?
Are your scholars forqetful?
: He alludes under this term to Mysis, Lesbia, and Pamphilus, whom he supposes Davus to have been training to act their parts in the plot against him.
I don't know what you are talking about.
Let her bathe
: It was the custom for women to bathe immediately after childbirth. See the Amphitryon of Plautus, 1. 669, and the Note to the passage in Bohn's Translation.
Even this, who is there that knows you that would not believe that it originated in you?
Why, what is this?
She didn't order in their presence what was requisite to be done for the woman lying in; but after she has come out, she bawls from the street to those who are in the house. O Davus, am I thus trifled with by you? Or pray, do I seem to you so very well suited to be thus openly imposed upon by your tricks? At all events it should have been with pre-caution; that at least I might have seemed to be feared, if I should detect it.
I gave you warning, I forbade you with threats to do it. Have you been awed? What has it availed? Am I to believe you now in this, that this woman has had a child by Pamphilus?
Why are you silent?
What would you believe? As though word had not been brought you that thus it would happen.
Any word brought to me?
Come now, did you of your own accord perceive that this was counterfeited?
I am being trifled with.
Word has been brought you; for otherwise how could this suspicion have occurred to you?
How? Because I knew you.
As though you meant to say that this has been done by my contrivance.
Why, I'm sure of it, to a certainty.
Not yet even do you know me sufficiently, Simo, what sort of person I am.
I, not know you!
But if I begin to tell you any thing, at once you think that deceit is being practiced upon you in guile; therefore, upon my faith, I don't dare now even to whisper.
This one thing I am sure of, that no person has been delivered here.
You have discovered that? Still, not a bit the less will they presently be laying the childBe laying the child
: Colman has the following remark on this line:—"The art of this passage is equal to the pleasantry, for though Davus runs into this detail merely with a view to dupe the old man still further by flattering him on his fancied sagacity, yet it very naturally prepares us for an incident which, by another turn of circumstances, afterward becomes necessary."
How do you know that?
I've heard so, and I believe it: many things combine for me to form this conjecture. In the first place then, she declared that she was pregnant by Pamphilus; that has been proved to be false.
Proved to be false
: That is, according to Simo's own notion, which Davus now thinks proper to humor.To bring a child at the same time
: This is a piece of roguery which has probably been practiced in all ages, and was some-what commonly perpetrated in
What do you say to this? When you perceived that they were adopting this plan, why didn't you tell Pamphilus immediately?
Why, who has induced him to leave her, but myself? For, indeed, we all know how desperately he loved her. Now he wishes for a wife. In fine, do you intrust me with that affair; proceed however, as before, to celebrate these nuptials, just as you are doing, and I trust that the Gods will prosper this matter.
Very well; be off in-doors; wait for me there, and get ready what's necessary to be prepared.
I greet you, Chremes.
O, you are the very person I was looking for.
And I for you.
You meet me at a welcome moment. Some persons have been to me, to say that they had heard from you, that my daughter was to be married to your son to-day; I've come to see whether they are out of their senses or you.
Listen; in a few words you shall learn both what I want of you, and what you seek to know.
I am listening; say what you wish.
By the Gods, I do entreat you, Chremes, and by our friendship, which, commencing with our infancy, has grown up with our years, and by your only daughter and by my own son (of preserving whom the entire power lies with you), that you will assist me in this matter; and that, just as this marriage was about to be celebrated, it may be celebrated.
O, don't importune me; as though you needed to obtain this of me by entreaty. Do you suppose I am different now from what I was formerly, when I promised her? If it is for the advantage of them both that it should take place, order her to be sent for. But if from this course there would result more harm than advantage for each, this I do beg of you, that you will consult for their common good, as though she were your own daughter, and I the father of Pamphilus.
Nay, so I intend, and so I wish it to be, Chremes; and I would not ask it of you, did not the occasion itself require it.
What is the matter?
There is a quarrel between Glycerium and my son.
So munch so, that I'm in hopes they may be separated.
Nonsense!
It really is so.
After this fashion, i'faith, I tell you, "the quarrels of lovers are the renewal of love."
Well—this I beg of you, that we may prevent it. While an opportunity offers, and while his passion is cooled by affronts, before the wiles of these women and their tears, craftily feigned, bring back his love-sick mind to compassion, let us give him a wife. I trust, Chremes, that, when attached by intimacy and a respectable marriage, he will easily extricate himself from these evils.
So it appears to you; but I do not think
But I do not think
: -4. "At ego non posse arbitror neque illum hanc perpetuo habere."
Chremes uses an ambiguous expression here, perhaps purposely. It may mean, "I do not think that he can possibly be constant to her," or, "that she will continue to live with him."
How then can you be sure of that, unless you make the experiment?
But for that experiment to be made upon a daughter is a serious thing—
Why look, all the inconvenience in fine amounts to this—possibly, which may the Gods forfend, a separation may take place. But if he is reformed, see how many are the advantages: in the first place, you will have restored a son to your friend; you will obtain a sure son-in-law
A sure son-in-law
: By the use of the word "firmum,"
he means a son-in-law who will not be likely to resort to divorce or separation from his wife.
What is one to say to all this? If you feel persuaded that this is beneficial, I don't wish that any advantage should be denied you.
With good reason, Chremes, have I always considered you a most valuable friend.
But how say you—?
What?
How do you know that they are now at variance?
Davus himself, who is privy to all their plans, has told me so; and he advises me to expedite the match as fast as I can. Do you think he would do so, unless he was aware that my son desired it? You yourself as well shall presently hear what he says.
I was coming to you.
Why, what's the matter?
Why isn't the bride sent for?
Why isn't the bride sent for?
: Among the Greeks the bride was conducted by the bridegroom at nightfall from her father's house, in a chariot drawn by a pair of mules or oxen, and escorted by persons carrying the nuptial torches. Among the Romans, she proceeded in the evening to the bridegroom's house; preceded by a boy carrying a torch of white thorn, or, according to some, of pine-wood. To this custom reference is indirectly made in the present passage.
Do you hear me? I've been for some time not a little apprehensive of you, Davus, lest you should do that which the common class of servants is in the habit of doing, namely, impose upon me by your artifices; because my son is engaged in an amour.
What, I do that?
I fancied so; and therefore, fearing that, I concealed from you what I shall now mention.
What?
You shall know; for now I almost feel confidence in you.
Have you found out at last what sort of a person I am?
The marriage was not to have taken place.
How? Not to have taken place?
But I was making pretense, that I might test you all.
Such is the fact.
Only see! I was not able to discover that. Dear me! what a cunning contrivance!
Listen to this. Just as I ordered you to go from here into the house, he
I told him what you just now told me.
I begged him to give his daughter, and with difficulty I prevailed upon him.
Extremely well done, I say.
There's no delay on his part now.
I'll go home at once; I'll tell her to make due preparation, and bring back word here.
Now I do entreat you, Davus, since you by yourself have brought about this marriage for me—
I myself, indeed!
I myself, indeed!
: No doubt Davus says these words in sorrow and regret; Simo, however, supposes them to be uttered in exultation at the apparent success of his plans. Consequently "vero"
is intended by Davus to have the sense here of "too truly."
Do your best still to reform my son.
Troth, I'll do it with all due care.
Do it now, while his mind is agitated.
You may be at ease.
Come then; where is he just now?
A wonder if he isn't at home.
I'll go to him; and what I've been telling you, I'll tell him as well.
Where is he? The villain, who this day—I'm ruined; and I confess that this has justly befallen me, for being such a dolt, so devoid of sense; that I should have in-trusted my fortunes to a frivolous slave!
To a frivolous slave
: "Servo futili."
According to the Scholiast on the
But what now am I to say to my father? Am I to deny that I am ready, who have just promised to marry? With what effrontery could I presume to do that? I know not what to do with myself.
Still, I'll soon extricate you.
You, extricate me?
Assuredly, Pamphilus.
As you have just done, I suppose.
Why no, better, I trust.
What, am I to believe you, you scoundrel?
You scoundrel
: "Furcifer;"
literally, wearer of the
You did say so.
What do you deserve?
What do you deserve?
: Madame Dacier remarks that this question is taken from the custom of the Athenians, who never condemned a criminal without first asking him what punishment he thought he deserved; and according to the nature of his answer they mitigated or increased his punishment. The Commentators quote a similar passage from the Frogs of Aristophanes.
The cross.
The cross
: The "cross,"
Ah me! not to have the leisure to inflict punishment upon you as I desire ! for the present conjuncture warns me to take precautions for myself, not to be taking vengeance on you.