This text is part of:
Search the Perseus Catalog for:
Enter CHARINUS and BYRRHIA.1
CHARINUS
How say you, Byrrhia? Is she to be given in marriage to Pamphilus to-day? BYRRHIA
It is so. CHARINUS
How do you know? BYRRHIA
I heard it just now from Davus at the Forum. CHARINUS
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 As, hitherto, until now, my mind has been racked amid hope and fear; so, since hope has been withdrawn, wearied with care, it sinks overwhelmed. BYRRHIA
By my troth, Charinus, since that which you wish can not come to pass, prithee, do wish that which can. CHARINUS
I wish for nothing else but Philumena. BYRRHIA
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. CHARINUS
We all, when we are well, with ease give good advice to the sick. If you were in my situation, you would think otherwise. BYRRHIA
Well, well, just as you like. CHARINUS
looking down the side scene. But I see Pamphilus; I'm determined I'll try every thing before I despair. BYRRHIA
aside. What does he mean? CHARINUS
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. BYRRHIA
That something is nothing. CHARINUS
Byrrhia, how seems it to you ? Shall I accost him ? BYRRHIA
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. CHARINUS
Away with you to perdition with that vile suggestion, you rascal! Enter PAMPHILUS. PAMPHILUS
I espy Charinus. Accosting him. Good-morrow! CHARINUS
O, good-morrow. Pamphilus, I'm come to you, seeking hope, safety, counsel, and assistance. PAMPHILUS
I'faith, I have neither time for counsel, nor resources for assistance. But what's the matter now? CHARINUS
To-day you are going to take a wife ? PAMPHILUS
So they say. CHARINUS
Pamphilus, if you do that, you behold me this day for the last time. PAMPHILUS
Why so CHARINUS
Ah me! I dread to tell it; prithee, do you tell it, Byrrhia. BYRRHIA
I'll tell it. PAMPHILUS
What is it? BYRRHIA
He's in love with your betrothed. PAMPHILUS
Assuredly he's not of my way of thinking. Come now, tell me, have you had any more to do with her, Charinus? CHARINUS
Oh Pamphilus, nothing. PAMPHILUS
How much I wish you had. CHARINUS
Now, by our friendship and by my affection, I do beseech you, in the first place, not to marry her. PAMPHILUS
For my own part I'll use my endeavors. CHARINUS
But if that can not be, or if this marriage is agreeable to you---- PAMPHILUS
Agreeable to me? CHARINUS
Put it off for some days at least, while I go elsewhere, that I may not be witness. PAMPHILUS
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. CHARINUS
You have restored me to life. PAMPHILUS
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. CHARINUS
I am satisfied. PAMPHILUS
Most opportunely I perceive Davus, on whose advice I have depended. CHARINUS
turning to BYRRHIA. But you, i'faith, tell me nothing,2 except those things which there is no need for knowing. Pushing him away. Get you gone from here. BYRRHIA
Certainly I will, and with all my heart. (Exit.)
Enter DAVUS in haste.
DAVUS
not seeing PAMPHILUS and CHARINUS. Ye gracious Gods, what good news I bring! But where shall I find Pamphilus, that I may remove the apprehension in which he now is, and fill his mind with joy----? CHARINUS
apart to PAMPHILUS. He's rejoiced about something, I don't know what. PAMPHILUS
apart. It's of no consequence; he hasn't yet heard of these misfortunes. DAVUS
to himself. For I do believe now, if he has already heard that a marriage is prepared for him---- CHARINUS
apart. Don't you hear him? DAVUS
to himself. He is seeking me distractedly all the city over. But where shall I look for him ? Or in which direction now first to betake me---- CHARINUS
apart to PAMPHILUS. Do you hesitate to accost him ? DAVUS
to himself. I have it. Moving on. PAMPHILUS
Davus, come here! Stop! DAVUS
Who's the person that's----Turning round. O Pamphilus, you are the very man I'm looking for. Well done, Charinus ! both in the nick of time: I want you both. CHARINUS
Davus, I'm undone! DAVUS
Nay but, do hear this. PAMPHILUS
I'm utterly ruined! DAVUS
I know what you are afraid of. CHARINUS
I'faith, my life indeed is really in danger. DAVUS
to CHARINUS. And what you are afraid of, I know. PAMPHILUS
My marriage---- DAVUS
As if I did not know it? PAMPHILUS
This day---- DAVUS
Why keep dinning me with it, when I know it all? To PAMPHILUS. This are you afraid of, lest you should marry her; and you to CHARINUS, lest you should not marry her. CHARINUS
You understand the matter. PAMPHILUS
That's the very thing. DAVUS
And that very thing is in no danger; trust me for that. PAMPHILUS
I do entreat you, release wretched me as soon as possible from this apprehension. DAVUS
Well, then, I will release you; Chremes is not going to give you his daughter at present. PAMPHILUS
How do you know ? DAVUS
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.3 I looked around; you were nowhere. There by chance I saw Byrrhia, his servant pointing to CHARINUS . I inquired of him; he said he hadn't seen you. This puzzled me. I considered what I was to do. As I was returning in the mean time, a surmise from the circumstances themselves occurred to me: " How now,--a very small amount of good cheer; lie out of spirits; a marriage all of a sudden; these things don't agree." PAMPHILUS
But to what purpose this ? DAVUS
I forthwith betook myself to the house of Chremes. When I arrived there--stillness before the door;4 then I was pleased at that. CHARINUS
You say well. PAMPHILUS
Proceed. DAVUS
I stopped there. In the mean time I saw no one going in, no one going out; no matron at the house,5 no preparation, no bustle. I drew near; looked in---- PAMPHILUS
I understand; a considerable indication. DAVUS
Do these things seem to accord with a wedding ? PAMPHILUS
I think not, Davus. 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,6 for the old man's dinner. CHARINUS
This day, Davus, have I been delivered by your means. DAVUS
And yet not at all. CHARINUS
Why so? Surely he will not give her to him, after all this. Pointing to PAMPHILUS. DAVUS
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. CHARINUS
You advise well. I'll go; although, upon my faith, this hope has often eluded me already. Farewell! (Exit.)
PAMPHILUS and DAVUS.
PAMPHILUS
What then does my father mean? Why does he thus make pretense? DAVUS
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. PAMPHILUS
I will submit to any thing from him. DAVUS
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. PAMPHILUS
Driving her away ? DAVUS
Aye, and quickly too. PAMPHILUS
Tell me then, Davus, what am I to do? DAVUS
Say that you will marry her. PAMPHILUS
starting. Ha! DAVUS
What's the matter ? PAMPHILUS
What, am I to say so? DAVUS
Why not? PAMPHILUS
Never will I do it. DAVUS
Don't say so. PAMPHILUS
Don't attempt to persuade me. DAVUS
Consider what will be the result of it. PAMPHILUS
That I shall be deprived of the one, and fixed with the other. DAVUS
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. PAMPHILUS
Do you think so? DAVUS
It really is not a matter of doubt. PAMPHILUS
Consider to what you are persuading me. DAVUS
Nay, but do be quiet. PAMPHILUS
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. DAVUS
Oh, piece of effrontery. PAMPHILUS
She entreated me that I would give her this pledge, by which she might be sure she should not be deserted. DAVUS
It shall be attended to; but your father's coming. Take care that he doesn't perceive that you are out of spirits.
Enter SIMO, at a distance.
SIMO
apart to himself. I've come back to see what they are about, or what scheme they are hatching. DAVUS
to PAMPHILUS. He has no doubt at present but that you'll refuse to marry. Having considered his course, he's come from a retired spot somewhere or other; he hopes that he has framed a speech by which to disconcert you; do you take care, then, to be yourself. PAMPHILUS
If I am only able, Davus. 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.
Enter BYRRHIA, unperceived, at a distance behind SIMO.
BYRRHIA
apart to himself. My master has ordered me, leaving my business, to keep an eye on Pamphilus today, what he is doing with regard to the marriage. I was to learn it; for that reason, I have now followed him7 pointing to SIMO as he came hither. Himself, as well, I see standing with Davus close at hand; I'll note this. SIMO
apart to himself. I see that both of them are here. DAVUS
in a low voice to PAMPHILUS. Now then, be on your guard. SIMO
Pamphilus! DAVUS
in a low voice. Look round at him as though taken unawares. PAMPHILUS
turning round sharply. What, my father! DAVUS
in a low voice. Capital! SIMO
I wish you to marry a wife to-day, as I was saying. BYRRHIA
apart. Now I'm in dread for our side, as to what he will answer. PAMPHILUS
Neither in that nor in any thing else shall you ever find any hesitation in me. BYRRHIA
apart. Hah! DAVUS
in a low voice to PAMPHILUS. He is struck dumb. BYRRHIA
apart. What a speech! SIMO
You act as becomes you, when that which I ask I obtain with a good grace. DAVUS
aside to PAMPHILUS. Am I right? BYRRHIA
My master, so far as I learn, has missed his wife. SIMO
Now, then, go in-doors, that you mayn't be causing delay when you are wanted. PAMPHILUS
I'll go. Goes into the house. BYRRHIA
apart. Is there, in no case, putting trust in any man ? That is a true proverb which is wont to be commonly quoted, that "all had rather it to be well for themselves than for another." I remember noticing, when I saw her, that she was a young woman of handsome figure; wherefore I am the more disposed to excuse Pamphilus, if he has preferred that he himself, rather than the other, should embrace her in his slumbers. I'll carry back these tidings, that, in return for this evil he may inflict evil upon me.8 (Exit.)
SIMO and DAVUS.
DAVUS
aside, coming away from the door of the house. He now supposes that I'm bringing some trick to bear against him, and that on that account I've remained here. SIMO
What does he say, Davus ?9 DAVUS
Just as much as nothing.10 SIMO
What, nothing? Eh? DAVUS
Nothing at all. SIMO
And yet I certainly was expecting something. DAVUS
It has turned out contrary to your expectations. Aside. I perceive it; this vexes the man. SIMO
Are you able to tell me the truth? DAVUS
I? Nothing more easy. SIMO
Is this marriage at all disagreeable to him, on account of his intimacy with this foreign woman? DAVUS
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. SIMO
I commend him. DAVUS
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. SIMO
He seemed to me to be somewhat melancholy in a slight degree. DAVUS
Not at all on account of her, but there's something he blames you for. SIMO
What is it, pray? DAVUS
It's a childish thing. SIMO
What is it? DAVUS
Nothing at all. SIMO
Nay but, tell me what it is. DAVUS
He says that you are making too sparing preparations. SIMO
What, I? DAVUS
You.--He says that there has hardly been fare provided to the amount of ten drachmae.11--"Does he seem to be bestowing a wife on his son? Which one now, in preference, of my companions shall I invite to the dinner?" And, it must be owned, you really are providing too parsimoniously--I do not commend you. SIMO
Hold your tongue. DAVUS
aside. I've touched him up. SIMO
I'll see that these things are properly done. DAVUS goes into the house. What's the meaning of this? What does this old rogue mean? But if there's any knavery here, why, he's sure to be the source of the mischief. Goes into his house.
1 We learn from Donatus that the characters of Charinus and Byrrhia were not introduced in the work of Menander, but were added to the Play of Terence, lest Philumena's being left without a husband, on the marriage of Pamphilus to Glycerium, should appear too tragical a circumstance. Diderot is of opinion that Terence did not improve his Play by this addition.
2 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.
3 To a high place: He probably alludes to some part of the Acropolis, the citadel, or higher part of Athens, which commanded a view of the lower town.
4 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.
5 No matron at the house: By the use of the word “"matrona,"” he probably alludes to the "pronubae" among the Romans, whose duties were somewhat similar to those of our bride's-maids. At the completion of the bridal repast, the bride was conducted to the bridal chamber by matrons who had not had more than one husband.
6 An obol's worth: The “"obolus"” was the smallest Greek silver coin, and was equal in value to about three halfpence of our money. "Pisciculi minuti," "little fish," were much used for food among the poorer classes; "mena," a fish resembling our pilchard, was a common article of food with the Romans. The larger kinds of fish went under the general name of "cetum."
7 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 'nunc hunc venientem sequor.' If we suppose the line genuine, we must at the same time suppose Terence guilty of a monstrous absurdity." On these words Colman rakes the following just observations: " Other Commentators have also stumbled at this passage; but if in the words 'followed him hither,' we suppose 'him' (hunc) to refer to Simo, the difficulty is removed; and that the pronoun really does signify Simo, is evident from the circumstance of Pamphilus never having left the stage since the disappearance of Byrrhia. Simo is also represented as coming on the stage homeward, so that Byrrhia might easily have followed him along the street; and it is evident that Byrrhia does not allude to Pamphilus from the agreeable surprise which he expresses on seeing him there so opportunely for the purpose."
8 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 Horace, excluding a fourth person, but is also otherwise vicious in its construction. Scenes of this kind are, I think, much too frequent in Terence, though, indeed, the form of the ancient Theatre was more adapted to the representation of them than the modern. The multiplicity of speeches aside is also the chief error in this dialogue; such speeches, though very common in dramatic writers, ancient and modern, being always more or less unnatural."
9 What does he say, Davus?: “"Quid, Dave, narrat?"” This reading Vollbehr suggests in place of the old one, "Quid Davus narrat ?" and upon good grounds, as it appears. According to the latter reading we are to suppose that Davus is grumbling to himself, on which Simo says, " What does Davus say?" It seems, however, much more likely that Davus accompanies Pamphilus to the door, and speaks to him before he goes in, and then, on his return to Simo, the latter asks him, "What does he say, Davus ?"
10 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."
11 Amount of ten drachmoe: The Attic drachma was a silver coin worth in value about 9¾d. of English money.
The Comedies of Terence. Henry Thomas Riley. Ney York. Harper and Brothers. 1874.
NSF, NEH: Digital Libraries Initiative, Phase 2 provided support for entering this text.
This text was converted to electronic form by professional data entry and has been proofread to a medium level of accuracy.
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License.
An XML version of this text is available for download, with the additional restriction that you offer Perseus any modifications you make. Perseus provides credit for all accepted changes, storing new additions in a versioning system.