The circumstances
: "Res."
According, however, to Donatus, this word has the meaning here of "malice" or "spitefulness."Concerned in my own interests
: Equivalent to our sayings, "Charity begins at home;" "Take care of number one."They are not ashamed
: Terence has probably borrowed this remark from the Epidicus of Plautus, 1. 165-6: "Generally all men are ashamed when it is of no use; when they ought to be ashamed, then does shame forsake them, when occasion is for them to be ashamed."
Charinus, unintentionally I have ruined both myself and you, unless the Gods in some way befriend us.
Unintentionally, is it! An excuse has been discovered at last. You have broken your word.
How so, pray?
Do you expect to deceive me a second time by these speeches?
What does this mean?
Since I told you that I loved her, she has become quite pleasing to you. Ah wretched me! to have judged of your disposition from my own.
You are mistaken.
Did this pleasure appear to you not to be quite complete, unless you tantalized me in my passion, and lured me on by groundless hopes?—You may take her.
I, take her? Alas! you know not in what perplexities, to my sorrow, I am involved, and what vast anxieties this executioner of mine
What is it so wonderful, if he takes example from yourself?
You would not say that if you understood either myself or my affection.
I'm quite aware
No, not at all,—as you are not acquainted with my sorrows, these nuptials were not in preparation for me; and no one was thinking at present of giving me a wife.
I am aware; you have been influenced by your own inclination.
Hold; you do not yet know all.
For my part, I certainly do know that you are about to marry her.
Why are you torturing me to death? Listen to this. He
Who was this person?
Davus.
Davus! For what reason?
I don't know; except that I must have been under the displeasure of the Gods, for me to have listened to him.
Is this the fact, Davus?
It is the fact.
I have been deceived, but I don't despair.
This way it has not succeeded; we'll try another. Unless, perhaps, you think that because it failed at first, this misfortune can not now possibly be changed for better luck.
Certainly not; for I quite believe that if you set about it, you will be making two marriages for me out of one.
I owe you this, Pamphilus, in respect of my servitude, to strive with hands and feet, night and day; to submit to hazard of my life, to serve you. It is your part, if any thing has fallen out contrary to expectation, to forgive me. What I was contriving has not succeeded; still, I am using all endeavors; or, do you yourself devise something better, and dismiss me.
I wish to; restore me to the position in which you found me.
I'll do so.
But it must be done directly.
But the door of Glycerium's house here makes a noise.
Makes a noise
: The doors with the Romans opened in-wardly, while those of the Greeks opened on the outside. It was therefore usual with them, when coming out, to strike the door on the inside with a stick or with the knuckles, that those outside might be warned to get out of the way. Patrick, however, observes with some justice, that the word "concrepuit"
may here allude to the creaking of the hinges. See the Curculio of Plautus, l. 160, where the Procuress pours water on the hinges, in order that Cappadox may not hear the opening of the door.
That's nothing to you.
Presently I'll give you what I've hit upon.
Mysis.
From which, indeed, how easily a respite could have been obtained, if he
Mysis, I swear by all the Gods that I will never forsake her; not if I were to know that all men would be my enemies in consequence. Her have I chosen for mine; she has fallen to my lot; our feelings are congenial; farewell they, who wish for a separation between us; nothing but Death separates her from me.
I begin to revive.
Not the responses of Apollo are more true than this. If it can possibly be contrived that my father may not believe that this marriage has been broken off through me, I could wish it. But if that can not be, I will do that which is easily effected, for him to believe that through me it has been caused. What do you think of me?
That you are as unhappy as myself.
You are a clever hand; if you do set about any thing.
Assuredly, I'll manage this for you.
There's need of it now.
But I've got it now.
What is it?
For him (pointing to PAMPHILUS) I've got it, not for you, don't mistake.
I'm quite satisfied.
What will you do? Tell me.
I'm afraid that this day won't be long enough for me to execute it, so don't suppose that I've now got leisure for relating it; do you betake yourself off at once, for you are a hinderance to me.
I'll go and see her.
Do you wish me to tell you the truth?
No, not at all;
What will become of me?
Come now, you unreasonable person, are you not satisfied that I give you a little respite, by putting off his marriage?
But yet, Davus—
What then?
That I may marry her—
Absurd.
Be sure to come hither
Why should I come? I can do nothing for you.
But still, if any thing—
Well, well, I'll come.
If you can; I shall be at home.
Do you, Mysis, remain here a little while, until I come out.
For what reason?
There's a necessity for so doing.
Make haste.
I'll be here this moment, I tell you.
My good sir, prithee, what is that? Whither are you carrying the child?
Mysis, I now stand in need of your cunning being brought into play in this matter, and of your address.
Why, what are you going to do?
Prithee, on the ground?
Take some sacred herbs
: "Verbena"
appears to have been a general term applied to any kind of herb used in honor of the Deities, or to the boughs and leaves of any tree gathered from a pure or sacred place. Fresh From the altar here
: It was usual to have altars on the stage; when Comedy was performed, one on the left hand in honor of Apollo, and on the representation of Tragedy, one on the right in honor of Bacchus. It has been suggested that Terence here alludes to the former of these. As, however, at
Why don't you do it yourself?
That if perchance I should have to swear to my master that I did not place it there, I may be enabled to do so with a clear conscience.
I understand; have these new scruples only just now occurred to you, pray?
Bestir yourself quickly, that you may learn what I'm going to do next.
The father of the intended bride is coming in the middle of it all. The plan which I had first purposed I now give up.
Which I had first purposed, I now give up
: His first intention no doubt was to go and inform Simo of the child being laid at the door.
I don't understand what you are talking about.
I'll pretend too that I've come in this direction from the right. Do you take care to help out the conversation by your words, whenever there's necessity.
Whenever there's necessity
: He retires without fully explaining his intention to Mysis; consequently, in the next Scene she gives an answer to Chremes which Davus does not intend.
I don't at all comprehend what you are about; but if there's any thing in which you have need of my assistance, as you understand the best, I'll stay, that I mayn't in any way impede your success.
Don't you answer me?
Pray, why did you leave me here alone?
Are you quite right in your senses, to be asking me that?
Whom, then, ought I to ask, as I don't see any one else here?
Are you going to tell me what I ask?
Pshaw !
You are out of your senses; didn't you your own self?
Do we seem to you such very suitable persons for you to be playing tricks with us in this way?
Make haste then, and take the child away from the door here:
What is it you want?
Don't you know?
Why are you bawling out so?
O you impudent fellow!
Stuffed out beneath her clothes
: "Suffarcinatam."
He alludes to the trick already referred to as common among the Greeks, of the nurses and midwives secretly introducing supposititious children; see 1. 515 and the Note.
I'faith, I thank the Gods that several free women were present
Several free women were present
: She speaks of "liberae,"
"free women," because in
Upon my word, man, you are not sober.
Constrained by the laws
: He alludes to a law at
Well now, pray, is she not a citizen?
Who's that, speaking?
I have heard it all already.
Prithee, did you hear it? Here's villainy for you! she She ought to be carried off
: He says this implying that Mysis, who is a slave, ought to be put to the torture to confess the truth; as it was the usual method at
Wretched me! upon my faith I have told no untruth, my worthy old gentleman.
I know the whole affair. Is Simo within?
He is.
How now, simpleton, don't you know what has been done?
How should I know?
This is the bride's father. It couldn't any other way have been managed that he should know the things that we wanted him to know.
You should have told me that before.
Do you suppose that it makes little difference whether you do things according to impulse, as nature prompts, or from premeditation?
Descended to me by law
: On the supposition that Chrysis died without a will, Crito as her next of kin would be entitled to her effects.
Prithee, whom do I see? Isn't this Crito, the kinsman of Chrysis? It is he.
O Mysis, greetings to you.
Welcome to you, Crito.
Is Chrysis then —?
Is Chrysis then —?
: This is an instance of Aposiopesis; Crito, much affected, is unwilling to name the death of Chrysis. It was deemed of ill omen to mention death, and numerous Euphemisms or circumlocutions were employed in order to avid the necessity of doing so.
Too truly. She has indeed left us poor creatures quite heart-broken.
How fare you here, and in what fashion? Pretty well?
What, we? Just as we can, as they say; since we can't as we would.
How is Glycerium? Has she discovered her parents yet?
I wish she had.
What, not yet? With no favorable omen did I set out for this place; for, upon my faith, if I had known that, I never would have moved a foot hither. She was always said to be, and was looked upon as her sister; what things were hers she is in possession of; now for me to begin a suit at law here, the precedents of others warn me, a stranger,
Warn me, a stranger
: Patrick has the following remarks upon this passage: "Madame Dacier observes that it appears, from Xenophon's Treatise on the policy of the Athenians, that all the inhabitants of cities and islands in alliance with
O most worthy stranger! I'faith, Crito, you still adhere to your good old-fashioned ways.
Lead me to her, since I have come hither, that I may see her.
By all means.
Enough already, enough, Simo, has my friendship toward you been proved. Sufficient hazard have I begun to encounter; make an end of your entreaties, then. While I've been endeavoring to oblige you, I've almost fooled away my daughter's prospects in life.
Nay but, now in especial, Chremes, I do beg and entreat of you, that the favor, commenced a short time since in words, you'll now complete by deeds.
See how unreasonable you are from your very earnestness; so long as you effect what you desire, you neither think of limits to compliance, nor what it is you request of me; for if you did think, you would now forbear to trouble me with unreasonable requests.
What unreasonable requests?
Do you ask? You importuned me to promise my daughter to a young man engaged in another attachment, averse to the marriage state, to plunge her into discord and a marriage of uncertain duration; that through her sorrow and her anguish I might reclaim your son. You prevailed; while the case admitted of it I made preparations. Now it does not admit of it; you must put up with it; they say that she is a citizen of this place; a child has been born; do cease to trouble us.
By the Gods, I do conjure you not to bring your mind to believe those whose especial interest it is that he should be as degraded as possible. On account of the marriage, have all these things been feigned and contrived. When the reason for which they do these things is removed from them, they will desist.
You are mistaken; I myself saw the servant-maid wrangling with Davus.
With an appearance of earnestness, when neither at the moment perceived that I was present there.
I believe it; and Davus a short time since forewarned me that this would be the case; and I don't know how I forgot to tell it you to-day, as I had intended.
From what house is he coming out?
The rascal! I wonder who it is he's praising?
All the affair is now in a safe position.
Why do I delay to accost him?
Send for the bride when you like.
Very good:
What, I?
Just so.
I?
Yes, you.
I went in just now.
As if I asked how long ago!
Together with your son.
What, is Phamphilus in there?
There is.
Why is he there, then?
Why do you. suppose he is?
Nay but, Chremes, I'll let you now hear from me a disgraceful piece of business. An old man, I don't know who he is, has just now come here; look you, he is a confident and shrewd person; when you look at his appearance, he seems to be a person of some consequence. There is a grave sternness in his features, and something commanding in his words.
What news are you bringing, I wonder?
Why nothing but what I heard him mention.
What does he say then?
That he knows Glycerium to be a citizen of
What is it?
Dromo!
Hear me.
If you add a word—Dromo!
Hear me, pray.
Whom?
Davus.
For what reason?
Because I choose.
What have I done?
Carry him off.
If you find that I have told a lie in any one matter, then kill me.
I'll hear nothing. I'll soon have you set in motion.
You set in motion
: By the use of the word "Commotus"
he seems to allude to the wretched, restless existence of a man tied hand and foot, and continually working at the hand-mill. Westerhovius thinks that Simo uses this word sarcastically, in allusion to the words of Davus, at the beginning of the present Scene,
What? Although this is the truth.
In spite of it. Hands and feet together
: "Quadrupedem."
Literally "as a quadruped" or "all fours." Echard remarks that it was the custom of the Athenians to tie criminals hands and feet together, just like calves.
Oh, don't be so extremely vexed.
O Chremes, the dutifulness of a son! Do you not pity me? That I should endure so much trouble for such a son!
Who is it that wants me?
What say you, of all men, the —?
Oh! rather speak about the matter itself, and forbear to use harsh language.
As if any thing too severe could now be possibly said against him. Pray, do you say that Glycerium is a citizen—
So they say.
So they say! Unparalleled assurance! does he consider what he says? Is he sorry for what he has done? Does his countenance, pray, at all betray any marks of shame? That he should be of mind so weak, as, without regard to the custom and the law
Without regard to the custom and the law
: There was a law among the Athenians which forbade citizens to marry strangers, and made the offspring of such alliances illegitimate; the same law also excluded such as were not born of two citizens from all offices of trust and honor.
Miserable that I am!
Ha! have you at last found that out only just now, Pamphilus? Long since did that expression, long since, when you made up your mind, that what you desired must be effected by you at any price; from that very day did that expression aptly befit you. But yet why do I torment myself? Why vex myself? Why worry my old age with this madness? Am I to suffer the punishment for his offenses? Nay then, let him have her, good-by to him, let him pass his life with her.
My father—
How, "my father?" As if you stood in any need of this father. Home, wife, and children, provided by you against the will of your father! People suborned, too, to say that she is a citizen of this place! You have gained your point.
Father, may I say a few words?
What can you say to me?
But, Simo, do hear him.
I, hear him? Why should I hear him, Chremes?
Still, however, do allow him to speak.
Well then, let him speak: I allow him.
I own that I love her; if that is committing a fault, I own that also. To you, father, do I subject myself. Impose on me any injunction you please; command me. Do you wish me to take a wife? Do you wish me to give her up? As well as I can I will endure it. This only I request of you, not to think that this old gentleman has been suborned by me. Allow me to clear myself, and to bring him here before you.
To bring him here?
Do allow me, father.
He asks what's reasonable; do give him leave.
Allow me to obtain thus much of you.
I allow it. I desire any thing, so long as I find, Chremes, that I have not been deceived by him.
For a great offense, a slight punishment ought to satisfy a father.
Greetings to you, Chremes.
How is it that, so contrary to your usage, you are at
So it has happened. But is this Simo?
It is he.
Simo, were you asking for me?
How now, do you say that Glycerium is a citizen of this place?
Do you deny it?
For what purpose?
Do you ask? Are you to be acting this way with impunity? Are you to be luring young men into snares here, inexperienced in affairs, and liberally brought up, by tempting them, and to be playing upon their fancies by making promises?
Are you in your senses?
And are you to be patching up amours with Courtesans by marriage?
If, Simo, you knew this person well, you would not think thus; he is a worthy man.
He, a worthy man! To come so opportunely to-day just at the very nuptials, and yet never to have come before?
Could opportunely suggest to him
: Colman has the following remark on this line: "Madame Dacier and several English Translators make Pamphilus say that he could give Crito a hint or two. What hints he could propose to suggest to Crito, I can not conceive. The Italian translation, printed with the Vatican Terence, seems to understand the words in the same manner that I have translated them, in which sense (the pronoun
A sharper
: "Sycophanta."
For some account of the
It is his way, Crito; do excuse it.
Let him take heed how he behaves. If he persists in saying to me what he likes, he'll be hearing things that he don't like. Am I meddling with these matters or interesting myself? Can you not endure your troubles with a patient mind? For as to what I say, whether it is true or false what I have heard, can soon be known. A certain man of A long time ago
: The story begins with
Let him alone.
Really, is he to be interrupting me in this way?
Do you proceed.
He who received him was a relation of mine. There I heard from him that he was a native of
His name?
The name, in such a hurry!
Phania.
I'faith, I really think it was Phania; this I know for certain, he said that he was a citizen of Rhamnus.
A citizen of Rhamnus
: Rhamnus was a maritime town of
O
Many other persons in
No.
Whose then?
His brother's daughter.
She certainly is mine.
What do you say?
What is this that you say?
Why do you suppose so?
That Phania was my brother.
I knew him, and I am aware of it.
He, flying from the wars, and following me to
Really, I am glad for many reasons that she has been discovered to be a citizen.
I believe it, father.
But there yet remains one difficulty
One difficulty
: "Scrupus,"
or "scrupulus," was properly a stone or small piece of gravel which, getting into the shoe, hurt the foot; hence the word figuratively came to mean a "scruple," "difficulty," or "doubt." We have a similar expression: "to be graveled."
A knot in a bulrush
: "Nodum in scirpo quaerere"
was a proverbial expression implying a desire to create doubts and difficulties where there really were none; there being no knots in the bulrush. The same expression occurs in the Menaechmi of Plautus, 1. 247.
The names don't agree.
Troth, she had another when little.
What was it, Crito? Can you remember it?
I'm trying to recollect it.
The very same.
That's it.
I've heard it from herself a thousand times.
I suppose, Chremes, that you believe that we all rejoice at this discovery.
So may the Gods bless me, I do believe it.
What remains to be done, father?
The event itself has quite brought me to reconcilement.
O kind father! With regard to her as a wife, since I have taken possession of her, Chremes will not offer any opposition.
The plea is a very good one, unless perchance your father says any thing to the contrary.
Of course, I agree.
Then be it so.
Of course—Then be it so
: "Nempe id. Scilicet."
Colman has the following remark on this line: "Donatus, and some others after him, understand these words of Simo and Pamphilus as requiring a fortune of Chremes with his daughter; and one of them' says that Simo, in order to explain his meaning, in the representation, should produce a bag of money. This surely is precious refinement, worthy the genius of a true Commentator. Madame Dacier, who entertains a just veneration for Donatus, doubts the authenticity of the observation ascribed to him. The sense I have followed is, I think, the most obvious and natural' interpretation of the words of Pamphilus and Simo, which refers to the preceding, not the subsequent, speech of Chremes."
Her portion, Pamphilus, is ten talents.
I alm satisfied.
I'll hasten to my daughter. Come now,
Well thought of; I'll at once give charge of that to Davus.
He can't do it.
How so?
Because he has another matter that more nearly concerns himself, and of more importance.
What, pray?
He is bound.
Father, he is not rightly bound.
He is not rightly bound
: "Non recte vinctus;"
meaning "it was not well done to bind him." The father pretends to understand him as meaning (which he might equally well by using the same words),
But I ordered to that effect.
Prithee, do order him to be set at liberty,
Well, be it so.
But immediately.
I'm going in.
O fortunate and happy day!
Their joys are their own
: Westerhovius remarks that he seems here to be promulgating the doctrine of Epicurus, who taught that the Deities devoted themselves entirely to pleasure and did not trouble themselves about mortals. Donatus observes that these are the doctrines of Epicurus, and that the whole sentence is copied from the Eunuch of Menander; to which practice of borrowing from various Plays, allusion is made in the Prologue, where he mentions the mixing of plays;
Here he is, Davus.
'Tis I, Pamphilus; you don't know what has happened to me.
No really; but I know what has happened to myself.
And I too.
It has fallen out just like human affairs in general, that you should know the mishap I have met with, before I the good that has befallen you.
My Glycerium has discovered her parents.
O, well done!
Her father is an intimate friend of ours.
Who?
Chremes.
You do tell good news.
And there's no hinderance to my marrying her at once.
Then about the child, Davus.
O, say no more; you are the only person whom the Gods favor.
Who is this? Why, Charinus, you meet me at the very nick of time.
That's all right.
Have you heard—?
Every thing; come, in your good fortune do have some regard for me. Chremes is now at your command; I'm sure that he'll do every thing you wish.
I'll remember you; and because it is tedious for us to wait for him until he comes out, follow me this way; he is now in-doors at the house of Glycerium; do you, Davus, go home; send with all haste to remove her thence. Why are you standing there? Why are you delaying?
I'm going. Grant us your applause
: "Plaudite."
Colman has the following remark at the conclusion of this Play: "All the old Tragedies and Comedies acted at