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!