The Comedies of Terence Part 45

CHaeR. A bargain!

PHaeD. 'Tis his due.

GNAT. Thraso, whene'er you please, approach!

THRASO. Pray now, How stands the case?

GNAT. Alas! they knew you not!

But when I drew your character, and prais'd Your worth, according to your deeds and virtues, I gain'd my point.

THRASO. 'Tis well: I'm much oblig'd; I ne'er was any where, in all my life, But all folks lov'd me dearly.

GNAT. Did not I Say he had all the Attic elegance?

PHaeD. He is the very character you drew.

GNAT. Retire then. --Ye, (_to the audience_,) farewell, and clap your hands!

[Changes:

_Harper_ PHaeD. O heavenly powers!

What wondrous things has Parmeno just told me!

But where's my brother?

CHaeR. Here he is.

PHaeD. I'm happy.

_Colman 1768_ PHaeD. Good heavens!

What wondrous things has Parmeno just told me!

But where's my brother?

CHaeR. Here.

PHaeD. I'm quite transported.

_Harper_ As my hope dies, my love increases. Gnatho Your help! my expectation's all in you.

_Colman 1768_ As my hope dies, my pa.s.sion gathers strength.

Gnatho, your help! my only hope's in you.

_Harper_ PHaeD. What is't you propose?

GNAT. I think you should admit the Captain, as Your rival.

PHaeD. How? admit him?

GNAT. Nay consider!

Phaedria, you live at a high rate with her _Colman 1768_ PHaeD. What are your proposals?

GNAT. I think, 'twere not imprudent to admit The Captain, as your rival.

PHaeD. How!

Admit him, say you?

GNAT. Nay reflect a little.

Phaedria, you live at a high rate with Thais

_Harper_ Admit me of your family!--I have Roll'd this stone long enough.

_Colman 1768_ Admit me into your fraternity!

I've roll'd this stone too long.

_Harper_ GNAT. Thraso, whene'er you please, approach!

THRASO. Pray now, _Colman 1768_ GNAT. Thraso, whene'er you please, come forward!

THRASO. Well!

_Harper_ But all folks lov'd me dearly.

GNAT. Did not I Say he had all the Attic elegance?

_Colman 1768_ But all folks lov'd me most exceedingly.

GNAT. There, did I not a.s.sure you, gentlemen, That he had all the Attick Elegance?]

THE SELF-TORMENTOR.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

PROLOGUE.

MENEDEMUS.

CHREMES.

CLINIA.

c.l.i.tIPHO.

SYRUS.

DROMO.

SOSTRATA.

ANTIPHILA.

BACCHIS.

NURSE.

PHRYGIA, _and other servants of BACCHIS._

SCENE, _a Village near ATHENS._

PROLOGUE.

Lest any of you wonder, why the Bard To an old actor hath a.s.sign'd the part Sustain'd of old by young performers; that I'll first explain: then say what brings To-day, a whole play, wholly from the Greek, We mean to represent:--The Self-Tormentor: Wrought from a single to a double plot.

Now therefore that our comedy is new, And what it is, I've shown: who wrote it too, And whose in Greek it is, were I not sure Most of you knew already, would I tell.

But, wherefore I have ta'en this part upon me, In brief I will deliver: for the Bard Has sent me here as pleader, not as Prologue; You he declares his judges, me his counsel: And yet as counsel nothing can I speak More than the Author teaches me to say, Who wrote th' oration which I now recite.

As to reports, which envious men have spread, That he has ransack'd many Grecian plays, While he composes some few Latin ones, That he denies not, he has done; nor does Repent he did it; means to do it still; Safe in the warrant and authority Of greater bards, who did long since the same.

Then for the charge, that his arch-enemy Maliciously reproaches him withal, That he but lately hath applied himself To music, with the genius of his friends, Rather than natural talents, fraught; how true, Your judgment, your opinion, must decide.

I would entreat you, therefore, not to lean To tales of slander, rather than of candor.

Be favorable; nurse with growing hopes The bards, who give you pleasing novelties; _Pleasing_ I say, not such as _His_ I mean, Who lately introduc'd a breathless slave, Making the crowd give way--But wherefore trace A dunce's faults? which shall be shown at large, When more he writes, unless he cease to rail.

Attend impartially! and let me once Without annoyance act an easy part; Lest your old servant be o'er-labor'd still With toilsome characters, the running slave, The eating parasite, enrag'd old man, The bold-fac'd sharper, covetous procurer; Parts, that ask pow'rs of voice, and iron sides.