Adelphi
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Original / primary: Perseus Eng2
931b
931b
MICIO
931b
So they say.
931c
931c
DEMEA
931c
Advanced in years.
347
347
MICIO
347
I am aware of it.
932b
932b
DEMEA
932b
Through her years, she is long past child-bearing; there is no one to take care of her; she is a lone woman.
933b
933b
MICIO
933b
What can be his meaning ?
348
348
DEMEA
348
It is right you should marry her; and that you, Aeschinus, should use your endeavors to effect it.
349
349
MICIO
349
I, marry her, indeed ?
935b
935b
DEMEA
935b
You.
935c
935c
MICIO
935c
I?
935d
935d
DEMEA
935d
You, I say.
935e
935e
MICIO
935e
You are trifling!
935f
935f
DEMEA
935f
Aeschinus, if you are a man, he’ll do it.
936b
936b
AESCHINUS
936b
My dear father—
936c
936c
MICIO
936c
What, ass! do you attend to him?
936d
936d
DEMEA
936d
’T is all in vain; it can not be otherwise.
937b
937b
MICIO
937b
You are mad!
937c
937c
AESCHINUS
937c
Do let me prevail on you, my father.
350
350
MICIO
350
Are you out of your senses? Take yourself off.Take yourself off: Aeschinus, probably, in his earnestness, has seized hold of him with his hand, which Micio now pushes away.
938b
938b
DEMEA
938b
Come, do oblige your son.
938c
938c
MICIO
938c
Are you quite in your right mind? Am I, in my five-and-sixtieth year, to be marrying at last?
351
A decrepit old woman too? Do you advise me to do this?
352
352
AESCHINUS
352
Do; I have promised it.I have promised it: This is not the truth; the notion has only been started since he last saw them.
941b
941b
MICIO
941b
Promised, indeed; be generous at your own cost, young man.
353
353
DEMEA
353
Come, what if he should ask a still greater favor?
942b
942b
MICIO
942b
As if this was not the greatest!
354
354
DEMEA
354
Do comply.
943b
943b
AESCHINUS
943b
Don’t make any difficulty.
943c
943c
DEMEA
943c
Do promise.
943d
943d
MICIO
943d
Will you not have done?
355
355
AESCHINUS
355
Not until I have prevailed upon you.
944b
944b
MICIO
944b
Really, this is downright force.Really, this is downright force: Vis est haec quidem. The same expression occurs in the Captivi of Plautus, l. 755. The expression seemed to be a common one with the Romans. According to Suetonius, Julius Caesar used it when attacked by his murderers in the senate-house. On Tullius Cimber seizing hold of his garments, he exclaimed, Ita quidem vis est! (82.1) —Why, really, this is violence!
944c
944c
DEMEA
944c
Act with heartiness, Micio.
356
356
MICIO
356
Although this seems to meThis seems to me: Donatus informs us that in Menander’s Play, the old man did not make any resistance whatever to the match thus patched up for him. Colman has the following observation on this fact: It is surprising that none of the critics on this passage have taken notice of this observation of Donatus, especially as our loss of Menander makes it rather curious. It is plain that Terence in the plan of his last Act followed Menander; but though he has adopted the absurdity of marrying Micio to the old lady, yet we learn from Donatus that his judgment rather revolted at this circumstance, and he improved on his original by making Micio express a repugnance to such a match, which it seems he did not in the Play of Menander. to be wrong, foolish, absurd, and repugnant to my mode of life, yet, if you so strongly wish it, be it so.
946b
946b
AESCHINUS
946b
You act obligingly.
357
357
DEMEA
357
With reason I love you; but—
947b
947b
MICIO
947b
What ?
947c
947c
DEMEA
947c
I will tell you, when my wish has been complied with.
358
358
MICIO
358
What now? What remains to be done?
948a
948a
DEMEA
948a
Hegio here is their nearest relation;Part of line 948 in the Latin.
359
he is a connection of ours and poor; we ought to do some good for him.
360
360
MICIO
360
Do what?
950b
950b
DEMEA
950b
There is a little farm here in the suburbs, which you let out; let us give it him to live upon.
951b
951b
MICIO
951b
But is it a little one ?
951c
951c
DEMEA
951c
If it were a large one, still it ought to be done; he has been as it were a father to her; he is a worthy man, and connected with us; it would be properly bestowed. In fine, I now adopt that proverb which you, Micio, a short time ago repeated with sense and wisdom—it is the common vice of all,
361
in old age, to be too intent upon our own interests. This stain we ought to avoid: it is a true maxim, and ought to be observed in deed.
362
362
MICIO
362
What am I to say to this? Well then, as he desires it (pointing to AESCHINUS), it shall be given him.
957b
957b
AESCHINUS
957b
My father!
363
363
DEMEA
363
Now, Micio, you are indeed my brother, both in spirit and in body.
958b
958b
MICIO
958b
I am glad of it.
364
364
DEMEA
364
I foil him at his own weapon. At his ownweapon: He probably means, by aping the kind feeling which is a part of Micio’s character.
959b
959b
SYRUS
959b
It has been done as you ordered, Demea.
365
365
DEMEA
365
You are a worthy fellow. Upon my faith,—in my opinion, at least,—I think Syrus ought at once to be made free.
961b
961b
MICIO
961b
He free! For what reason?
962b
962b
DEMEA
962b
For many.
962c
962c
SYRUS
962c
O my dear Demea! upon my word, you are a worthy man! I have strictly taken care of both these sons of yours, from childhood; I have taught, advised, and carefully instructed them in every thing I could.
366
366
DEMEA
366
The thing is evident; and then, besides all this, to cater for them, secretly bring, home a wench, prepare a morning entertainment;A morning entertainment: A banquet in the early part or middle of the day was considered by the Greeks a debauch. these are the accomplishments of no ordinary person.
967b
967b
SYRUS
967b
O, what a delightful man!
367
367
DEMEA
367
Last of all, he assisted to-day in purchasing this Music-wench—he had the management of it; it is right he should be rewarded; other servants will be encouraged thereby: besides, he (pointing to AESCHINUS) desires it to be so.
970b
970b
MICIO
970b
Do you desire this to be done?
970c
970c
AESCHINUS
970c
I do wish it.
970d
970d
MICIO
970d
Why then, if you desire it, just come hither, Syrus, to me (performing the ceremony of manumission); be a free man.Be a free man: He touches Syrus on the ear, and makes him free. The same occurs in the Epidicus of Plautus, Act V., Sc. 2, 1. 65.
971b
971b
SYRUS
971b
You act generously; I return my thanks to you all;—and to you, Demea, in particular.
368
368
DEMEA
368
I congratulate you.
973b
973b
AESCHINUS
973b
And I.
973c
973c
SYRUS
973c
I believe you. I wish that this joy were made complete—that I could see my wife, Phrygia,My wife, Phrygia : The so-called marriage, or rather cohabitation, of the Roman slaves will be found treated upon in the Notes to Plautus. Syrus calls Phrygia his wife on anticipation that she will become a free woman. free as well.
369
369
DEMEA
369
Really, a most excellent woman.
975b
975b
SYRUS
975b
And the first to suckle your grandchild, his son, today (pointing to AESCHINUS).
976b
976b
DEMEA
976b
Why really, in seriousness, if she was the first to do so, there is no doubt she ought to be made free.
370
370
MICIO
370
What, for doing that?
978b
978b
DEMEA
978b
For doing that; in fine, receive the amount from meReceive the amount from me: The only sign of generosity he has yet shown. at which she is valued.
371
371
SYRUS
371
May all the Gods always grant you, Demea, all you desire.
372
372
MICIO
372
Syrus, you have thrived pretty well to-day.
980b
980b
DEMEA
980b
If, in addition, Micio, you will do your duty, and lend him a little ready money in hand for present use, he will soon repay you.
982b
982b
MICIO
982b
Less than this (snapping his fingers).
373
373
AESCHINUS
373
He is a deserving fellow.
983b
983b
SYRUS
983b
Upon my word, I will repay it; only lend it me.
983c
983c
AESCHINUS
983c
Do, father.
983d
983d
MICIO
983d
I’ll consider of it afterward.
374
374
DEMEA
374
He’ll do it, Syrus.
984b
984b
SYRUS
984b
O most worthy man!
984c
984c
AESCHINUS
984c
O most kind-hearted father!
375
375
MICIO
375
How is this? What has so suddenly changed your disposition, Demea? What caprice is this? What means this sudden liberality?This sudden liberality: Quid prolubium? Quae istaec subita est largitas? Madame Dacier tells us that this passage was borrowed from Coeilius, the Comic Poet.
986b
986b
DEMEA
986b
I will tell you:—That I may convince you of this, Micio, that the fact that they consider you an easy and kind-hearted man, does not proceed from your real life, nor, indeed, from a regard for virtue and justice; but from your humoring, indulging, and pampering them.
376
Now therefore, Aeschinus, if my mode of life has been displeasing to you, because I do not quite humor you in every thing, just or unjust, I have done: squander, buy, do what you please.
377
But if you would rather have one to reprove and correct those faults, the results of which, by reason of your youth, you can not see, which you pursue too ardently, and are thoughtless upon, and in due season to direct you;
378
behold me ready to do it for you.
996b
996b
AESCHINUS
996b
Father, we leave it to you; you best know what ought to be done. But what is to be done about my brother?
997b
997b
DEMEA
997b
I consent. Let him have his mistress:Let him have his mistress: It must be remembered that he has the notions of a Greek parent, and sees no such criminality in this sanction as a parent would be sensible of at the present day. with her let him make an end of his follies.
998b
998b
MICIO
998b
That’s right. (To the AUDIENCE.) Grant us your applause.