The Comedies of Terence Part 1

The Comedies of Terence.

by Publius Terentius Afer.

PROLOGUE.

The Bard, when first he gave his mind to write, Thought it his only business, that his Plays Should please the people: but it now falls out, He finds, much otherwise, and wastes, perforce, His time in writing Prologues; not to tell The argument, but to refute the slanders Broach'd by the malice of an older Bard.

And mark what vices he is charg'd withal!

Menander wrote the Andrian and Perinthian: Know one, and you know both; in argument Less diff'rent than in sentiment and style.

What suited with the Andrian he confesses From the Perinthian he transferr'd, and us'd For his: and this it is these sland'rers blame, Proving by deep and learned disputation, That Fables should not be contaminated.

Troth! all the knowledge is they nothing know: Who, blaming; him, blame Naevius, Plautus, Ennius, Whose great example is his precedent; Whose negligence he'd wish to emulate Rather than _their_ dark diligence. Henceforth, Let them, I give them warning, be at peace, And cease to rail, lest they be made to know Their own misdeeds. Be favorable! sit With equal mind, and hear our play; that hence Ye may conclude, what hope to entertain, The comedies he may hereafter write Shall merit approbation or contempt.

[Changes:

_Harper_ That Fables should not be contaminated.

_Colman 1768_ That Fables should not be confounded thus.]

ACT THE FIRST.

SCENE I.

_SIMO, SOSIA, and SERVANTS with Provisions._

SIMO. Carry those things in: go! (_Ex. SERVANTS._ Sosia, come here; A word with you!

SOSIA. I understand: that these Be ta'en due care of.

SIMO. Quite another thing.

SOSIA. What can my art do more for you?

SIMO. This business Needs not that art; but those good qualities, Which I have ever known abide in you, Fidelity and secrecy.

SOSIA. I wait Your pleasure.

SIMO. Since I bought you, from a boy How just and mild a servitude you've pa.s.s'd With me, you're conscious: from a purchas'd slave I made you free, because you serv'd me freely: The greatest recompense I could bestow.

SOSIA. I do remember.

SIMO. Nor do I repent.

SOSIA. If I have ever done, or now do aught That's pleasing to you, Simo, I am glad, And thankful that you hold my service good And yet this troubles me: for this detail, Forcing your kindness on my memory, Seems to reproach me of ingrat.i.tude.

Oh tell me then at once, what would you? Sir!

SIMO. I will; and this I must advise you first; The nuptial you suppose preparing now, Is all unreal.

SOSIA. Why pretend it then?

SIMO. You shall hear all from first to last: and thus The conduct of my son, my own intent, And what part you're to act, you'll know at once.

For my son, Sosia, now to manhood grown, Had freer scope of living: for before How might you know, or how indeed divine His disposition, good or ill, while youth, Fear, and a master, all constrain'd him?

SOSIA. True.

SIMO. Though most, as is the bent of youth, apply Their mind to some one object, horses, hounds, Or to the study of philosophy; Yet none of these, beyond the rest, did he Pursue; and yet, in moderation, all.

I was o'erjoy'd.

SOSIA. And not without good cause.

For this I hold to be the Golden Rule Of Life, too much of one thing's good for nothing.

SIMO. So did he shape his life to bear himself With ease and frank good-humor unto all; Mix'd in what company soe'er, to them He wholly did resign himself; and join'd In their pursuits, opposing n.o.body, Nor e'er a.s.suming to himself: and thus With ease, and free from envy, may you gain Praise, and conciliate friends.

SOSIA. He rul'd his life By prudent maxims: for, as times go now, Compliance raises friends, and truth breeds hate.

SIMO. Meanwhile, 'tis now about three years ago, A certain woman from the isle of Andros, Came o'er to settle in this neighborhood, By poverty and cruel kindred driv'n: Handsome and young.

SOSIA. Ah! I begin to fear Some mischief from this Andrian.

SIMO. At first Modest and thriftily, though poor, she liv'd, With her own hands a homely livelihood Scarce earning from the distaff and the loom.

But when a lover came, with promis'd gold, Another, and another, as the mind Falls easily from labor to delight, She took their offers, and set up the trade.

They, who were then her chief gallants, by chance Drew thither, as oft happen with young men My son to join their company. "So, so!"

Said I within myself, "he's smit! he has it!"

And in the morning as I saw their servants Run to and fro, I'd often call, "here, boy!

Prithee now, who had Chrysis yesterday?"

The name of this same Andrian.

SOSIA. I take you.

SIMO. Phaedrus they said, Clinia, or Niceratus, For all these three then follow'd her.--"Well, well, But what of Pamphilus?"--"Of Pamphilus!

He supp'd, and paid his reck'ning."--I was glad.

Another day I made the like inquiry, But still found nothing touching Pamphilus.

Thus I believ'd his virtue prov'd, and hence Thought him a miracle of continence: For he who struggles with such spirits, yet Holds in that commerce an unshaken mind, May well be trusted with the governance Of his own conduct. Nor was I alone Delighted with his life, but all the world With one accord said all good things, and prais'd My happy fortunes, who possess'd a son So good, so lib'rally disposed.--In short Chremes, seduc'd by this fine character, Came of his own accord, to offer me His only daughter with a handsome portion In marriage with my son. I lik'd the match; Betroth'd my son; and this was pitch'd upon, By joint agreement, for the wedding-day.

SOSIA. And what prevents it's being so?

SIMO. I'll tell you.

In a few days, the treaty still on foot, This neighbor Chrysis dies.

SOSIA. In happy hour: Happy for you! I was afraid of Chrysis.

SIMO. My son, on this event, was often there With those who were the late gallants of Chrysis; a.s.sisted to prepare the funeral, Ever condol'd, and sometimes wept with them.

This pleas'd me then; for in myself I thought, "Since merely for a small acquaintance-sake He takes this woman's death so nearly, what If he himself had lov'd? What would he feel For me, his father?" All these things, I thought; Were but the tokens and the offices Of a humane and tender disposition.

In short, on his account, e'en I myself Attend the funeral, suspecting yet No harm.

SOSIA. And what----

SIMO. You shall hear all. The Corpse Borne forth, we follow: when among the women Attending there, I chanc'd to cast my eyes, Upon one girl, in form----