Adelphi
Choose a text
id="mobileReaderAuthor" class="mobile-reader-author" href="/authors/terence" aria-label="More works by Terence">
—
⋯
Original / primary: Perseus Eng2
185b
185b
AESCHINUS
185b
Leave alone all that, and come to the point.
63
63
SANNIO
63
What point? Where am I to come to?
186b
186b
AESCHINUS
186b
Are you willing now that I should say something that concerns you?
64
64
SANNIO
64
With all my heart, only so it be something that’s fair.
187b
187b
AESCHINUS
187b
Very fine! a Procurer wishing me not to say what’s unfair.
65
65
SANNIO
65
I am a Procurer,I am a Procurer: Westerhovins supposes this part to be a translation from the works of Diphilus. I confess it—the common bane of youth—a perjurer, a public nuisance; still, no injury has befallen you from me.
66
66
AESCHINUS
66
Why, faith, that remains to come—
190b
190b
SANNIO
190b
Pray, Aeschinus, do come back to the point at which you set out.
67
67
AESCHINUS
67
You bought her for twenty nine; and may your bargain never thrive! That sum shall be given for her.
192b
192b
SANNIO
192b
What if I don’t choose to sell her to you? Will you compel me?
193b
193b
AESCHINUS
193b
By no means.
193c
193c
SANNIO
193c
I was afraid you would.
193d
193d
AESCHINUS
193d
Neither do I think that a woman can be sold who is free; for I claim her by action of freedom.By action of freedom: Asserere liberati causa, was to assert the freedom of a person, with a determination to maintain it at law. The assertor laid hands upon the person, declaring that he or she was free; and till the cause was tried, the person whose freedom was claimed, remained in the hands of the assertor.
68
Now consider which you choose; take the money, or prepare yourself for the action. Think of it, Procurer, till I return.Till I return: Colman has a curious remark here: I do not remember, in the whole circle of modern comedy, a more natural picture of the elegant ease and indifference of a fine gentleman, than that exhibited in this Scene in the character of Aeschinus.
196b
196b
SANNIO
196b
O supreme Jupiter! I do by no means wonder that men run mad through ill usage. He has dragged me out of my house, beaten me, taken my property away against my will, and has given me, unfortunate wretch, more than five hundred blows.
69
In return for all this ill usage he demands the girl to be made over to him for just the same price at which she was bought. But however, since he has so well deserved of me, be it so: he demands what is his due. Very well, I consent then, provided he only gives the money. But I suspect this; when I have said that I will sell her for so much, he’ll be getting witnesses forthwith that I have sold her.That I have sold her: He means, that if he only names a price, Aeschinus will suborn witnesses to say that be has agreed to sell her, in which case Aeschinus will carry her off with impunity, and the laws will not allow him to recover her; as it will then be an ordinary debt, and he will be put off with all the common excuses used by debtors. As to getting the money, it’s all a dream. Call again by and by; come back to-morrow.
70
I could bear with that too, hard as it is, if he would only pay it. But I consider this to be the fact; when you take up this trade, you must brook and bear in silence the affronts of these young fellows. However, no one will pay me; it’s in vain for me to be reckoning upon that.
71
71
SYRUS
71
Say no more; I myself will arrange with him; I’ll make him glad to take the money at once, and
72
say besides that he has been fairly dealt with. (Addressing SANNIO.) Sannio, how is this, that I hear you have been having some dispute or other with my master?
211b
211b
SANNIO
211b
I never saw a dispute on more unequal termsOn more unequal terms: Certationem comparatam. This was a term taken from the combats of gladiators, where it was usual to choose as combatants such as seemed most nearly a match for each other. than the one that has happened to-day between us; I, with being thumped, he, with beating me, were both of us quite tired.
73
73
SYRUS
73
Your own fault.
214b
214b
SANNIO
214b
What could I do?
214c
214c
SYRUS
214c
You ought to have yielded to the young man.
74
74
SANNIO
74
How could I more so, when to-day I have even afforded my face to his blows?
215b
215b
SYRUS
215b
Well—are you aware of what I tell you? To slight money on some occasions is sometimes the surest gain.
216b
What!—Assigned to Sannio in the Latin.
75
were you afraid, you greatest simpleton alive, if you had parted with ever so littleIf you had parted with ever so little: This passage is probably alluded to by Cicero, in his work, De Officiis, B. ii. c. 18: For it is not only liberal sometimes to give up a little of one’s rights, but it is also profitable. of your right, and had humored the young man, that he would not repay you with interest?
219b
219b
SANNIO
219b
I do not pay ready money for hope.
76
76
SYRUS
76
Then you’ll never make a fortune. Get out with you, Sannio; you don’t know how to take in mankind.
77
77
SANNIO
77
I believe that to be the better plan—but I was never so cunning as not, whenever I was able to get it, to prefer getting ready money.
78
78
SYRUS
78
Come, come, I know your spirit; as if twenty minae were any thing at all to you in comparison to obliging him; besides, they say that you are setting out for Cyprus—
224b
224b
SANNIO
224b
(aside.) Hah!
79
79
SYRUS
79
That you have been buying up many things to take thither; and that the vessel is hired. This I know, your mind is in suspense; however, when you return thence, I hope you’ll settle the matter.
80
80
SANNIO
80
Not a foot do stir: Heavens! I’m undone! (Aside.) It was upon this hope they devised their project.
227b
227b
SYRUS
227b
He is alarmed. I’ve brought the fellow into a fix.
228b
228b
SANNIO
228b
Oh, what villainy!—Just look at that; how he has nicked me in the very joint.In the very joint: Ut in ipso articulo oppressit. Colman translates this, Nick’d me to a hair. Several women have been purchased, and other things as well, for me to take to Cyprus.To take to Cyprus : He alludes to a famous slave-market held in the Isle of Cyprus, whither merchants carried slaves for sale, after buying them up in all parts of Greece.
81
If I don’t get there to the fair, my loss will, be very great. Then if I postpone this business, and settle it when I come back from there, it will be of no use; the matter will be quite forgotten. Come at last? they’ll say. Why did you delay it? Where have you been? So that I had better lose it altogether
82
than either stay here so long, or be suing for it then.
83
83
SYRUS
83
Have you by this reckonedHave you by this reckoned: Iamne enumerasti id quod ad te rediturum putes? Colman renders this, Well, have you calculated what’s your due? referring to the value of the Music-girl that has been taken away from him; and thinks that the following conversation between Sannio and Syrus supports that construction. Madame Dacier puts another sense on the words, and understands them as alluding to Sannio’s calculation of his expected profits at Cyprus. up what you calculate will be your profits?
84
84
SANNIO
84
Is this honorable of him? Ought Aeschinus to attempt this? Ought he to endeavor to take her away from me by downright violence?
85
85
SYRUS
85
He gives ground. (To SANNIO.) I have this one proposal to make; see if you fully approve of it.
86
Rather than you should run the risk, Sannio, of getting or losing the whole, halve it. He will manage to scrape together ten minaeScrape together ten minae: Donatus remarks, that Syrus knows very well that Aeschinus is ready to pay the whole, but offers Sannio half, that he may be glad to take the bare principal, and think himself well off into the bargain. from some quarter or other.
242b
242b
SANNIO
242b
Ah me! unfortunate wretch, I am now in danger of even losing part of the principal. Has he no shame? He has loosened all my teeth;
87
my head, too, is full of bumps with his cuffs; and would he defraud me as well? I shall go nowhere.
246b
246b
SYRUS
246b
Just as you please. Have you any thing more to say before I go?
247b
247b
SANNIO
247b
Why yes, Syrus, i’ faith, I have this to request. Whatever the matters that are past, rather than go to law, let what is my own be returned me; at least, Syrus, the sum she cost me.
88
I know that you have not hitherto made trial of my friendship; you will have no occasion to say that I am unmindful or ungrateful.
251b
251b
SYRUS
251b
I’ll do the best I can. But I see Ctesipho; he’s in high spirits about his mistress.
253b
253b
SANNIO
253b
What about what I was asking you?
253c
253c
SYRUS
253c
Stay a little.
89
89
CTESIPHO
89
From any man, when you stand in need of it, you are glad to receive a service;
90
but of a truth it is doubly acceptable, if he does you a kindness who ought to do so. O brother, brother, how can I sufficiently commend you? This I am quite sure of; I can never speak of you in such high terms but that your deserts will surpass it. For I am of opinion that I possess this one thing in especial beyond all others, a brother than whom no individual is more highly endowed with the highest qualities.
91
91
SYRUS
91
O Ctesipho!
260b
260b
CTESIPHO
260b
O Syrus, where is Aeschinus?
260c
260c
SYRUS
260c
Why, look—he’s at home, waiting for you.
260d
260d
CTESIPHO
260d
Ha!
92
92
SYRUS
92
What’s the matter?
261b
261b
CTESIPHO
261b
What’s the matter? ’Tis through him, Syrus, that I am now alive—generous creature! Has he not deemed every thing of secondary importance to himself in comparison with my happiness? The reproach, the discredit, my own amour and imprudence, he has taken upon himself. There can be nothing beyond this; but what means that noise at the door?
264b
264b
SYRUS
264b
Stay, stay; ’tis Aeschinus himself coming out.
93
93
AESCHINUS
93
Where is that villain?
265b
265b
SANNIO
265b
He’s looking for me.He’s looking for me: Donatus remarks upon the readiness with which Sannio takes the appellation of sacrilegus, as adapted to no other person than himself. Is he bringing any thing with him? Confusion! I don’t see any thing.
266b
266b
AESCHINUS
266b
Ha! well met; you are the very man I was looking for. How goes it, Ctesipho? All is safe: away then with your melancholy.
94
94
CTESIPHO
94
By my troth, I certainly will away with it, when I have such a brother as you. O my dear Aeschinus! O my brother! Alas! I am unwilling to praise you any more to your face,
95
lest you should think I do so rather for flattery than through gratitude.
96
96
AESCHINUS
96
Go to, you simpleton! as though we didn’t by this time understand each other, Ctesipho. This grieves me, that we knew of it almost too late, and that the matter had come to such a pass, that if all mankind had wished they could not possibly have assisted you.
97
97
CTESIPHO
97
I felt ashamed.
274b
274b
AESCHINUS
274b
Pooh! that is folly, not shame; about such a trifling
98
matter to be almost flying the country!Flying the country: Donatus tells us, that in Menander the young man was on the point of killing himself. Terence has here softened it into leaving the country. Colman remarks: We know that the circumstance of carrying off the Music-girl was borrowed from Diphilus; yet it is plain from Donatus that there was also an intrigue by Ctesipho in the Play of Menander; which gives another proof of the manner in which Terence used the Greek Comedies. ’Tis shocking to be mentioned; I pray the Gods may forbid it!
99
99
CTESIPHO
99
I did wrong.
276b
276b
AESCHINUS
276b
What says Sannio to us at last?
276c
276c
SYRUS
276c
He is pacified at last.
100
100
AESCHINUS
100
I’ll go to the Forum to pay him off; you, Ctesipho, step in-doors to her.
101
101
SANNIO
101
Syrus, do urge the matter.
278b
278b
SYRUS
278b
Let us be off, for he is in haste foe’ Cyprus.He is in haste for Cyprus: Donatus remarks that this is a piece of malice on the part of Syrus, for the purpose of teasing Sannio.
278c
278c
SANNIO
278c
Not particularly so; although still, I’m stopping here doing nothing at all.
279b
279b
SYRUS
279b
It shall be paid, don’t fear.
102
102
SANNIO
102
But he is to pay it all.
280b
280b
SYRUS
280b
He shall pay it all; only hold your tongue and follow us this way.
280c
280c
SANNIO
280c
I’ll follow.
103
103
CTESIPHO
103
Harkye, harkye, Syrus.
281b
281b
SYRUS
281b
Well now, what is it?
281c
281c
CTESIPHO
281c
Pray do discharge that most abominable fellow as soon as possible; for fear, in case he should become more angry, by some means or other this matter should reach my father, and then I should be ruined forever.
104
104
SYRUS
104
That shall not happen, be of good heart; meanwhile enjoy yourself in-doors with her,
105
and order the couchesOrder the couches: Those used for the purpose of reclining on at the entertainment. to be spread for us, and the other things to be got ready. As soon as this business is settled, I shall come home with the provisions.
106
106
CTESIPHO
106
Pray do so. Since this has turned out so well, let us make a cheerful day of it.
107
107
SOSTRATA
107
Prithee, my dear nurse, how is it like to end?
288b
288b
CANTHARA
288b
Like to end, do you ask? I’ troth, right well, I trust.
289b
289b
SOSTRATA
289b
Her pains are just beginning, my dear.
108
108
CANTHARA
108
You are in a flight, now, just as though you had never been present on such an occasion—never been in labor yourself.
109
109
SOSTRATA
109
Unfortunate woman that I am! I have not a person at home; we are quite alone; Geta too is absent. I have no one to go for the midwife, or to fetch Aeschinus.
110
110
CANTHARA
110
I’ faith, he’ll certainly be here just now, for he never lets a day pass without visiting us.
294b
294b
SOSTRATA
294b
He is my sole comfort in my afflictions.
111
111
CANTHARA
111
Things could not have happened, mistress, more for the advantage of your daughter than they have, seeing that violence was offered her; so far as he is concerned, it is most lucky,—such a person, of such disposition and feelings, a member of so respectable a family.
112
112
SOSTRATA
112
It is indeed as you say; I entreat the Gods that he may be preserved to us.
113
113
GETA
113
Now such is our condition, that if all were to combine all their counsels,
114
and to seek a remedy for this mischief that has befallen myself, my mistress, and her daughter, they could find no relief. Oh wretched me! so many calamities beset us on a sudden, we can not possibly extricate ourselves. Violence, poverty, oppression, desertion, infamy! What an age is this! O shocking villainy! O accursed race! O impious man!—
115
115
SOSTRATA
115
Unhappy me! How is it that I see Geta hurrying along thus terrified?
116
116
GETA
116
Whom neither promises, nor oaths, nor compassion could move or soften; nor yet the fact that the delivery was nigh at hand of the unfortunate woman on whom he had so shamefully committed violence.
308b
308b
SOSTRATA
308b
I don’t well understand what he is talking about.
309b
309b
CANTHARA
309b
Pray, let us go nearer to him, Sostrata.