Chapter XXXIII: Act THE FIFTH: Scene I

_Enter DEMIPHO and CHREMES, from DEMIPHO’S house._

DEM. I do give and return hearty thanks to the Gods, and with reason, brother, inasmuch as these matters have turned out for us so fortunately. We must now meet with Phormio as soon as possible, before he squanders our thirty minæ, so that we may get them from him.

_Enter PHORMIO, coming forward, and speaking aloud, as though not
seeing them._

PHOR. I’ll go see if Demipho’s at home; that as to what[83]--

DEM. (_accosting him._) Why, Phormio, we were coming to you.

PHOR. Perhaps about the very same affair. (_DEMIPHO nods assent._) I’ faith, I thought so. What were you coming to my house for? Ridiculous; are you afraid that I sha’n’t do what I have once undertaken? Hark you, whatever is my poverty, still, of this one thing I have taken due care, not to forfeit my word.

CHREM. (_to DEMIPHO._) Is she not genteel-looking,[84] just as I told you?

DEM. Very much so.

PHOR. And this is what I’m come to tell you, Demipho, that I’m quite ready; whenever you please, give me my wife. For I postponed all my {other} business, as was fit I should, when I understood that you were so very desirous to have it so.

DEM. (_pointing to CHREMES._) But he has dissuaded me from giving her to you. “For what,” says he, “will be the talk among people if you do this? Formerly, when she might have been handsomely {disposed of}, then she wasn’t given; now it’s a disgrace for her to be turned out of doors, a repudiated woman;” pretty nearly, {in fact}, all the reasons which you yourself, some little time since, were urging to me.

PHOR. Upon my faith, you are treating me in a very insulting manner.

DEM. How so?

PHOR. Do you ask me? Because I shall not be able to marry the other person {I mentioned}; for with what face shall I return to her whom I’ve slighted?

CHREM. Then besides, I see that Antipho is unwilling to part with her. (_Aside, prompting DEMIPHO._) Say so.

DEM. Then besides, I see that my son is very unwilling to part with the damsel. But have the goodness to step over to the Forum, and order this money to be transferred to my account,[85] Phormio.

PHOR. What, when I’ve paid it over to the persons to whom I was indebted?

DEM. What’s to be done, then?

PHOR. If you will let me have her for a wife, as you promised, I’ll take her; but if you prefer that she should stay with you, the portion must stay with me, Demipho. For it isn’t fair that I should be misled for you, as it was for your own sakes that I broke off with the other woman, who was to have brought me a portion just as large.

DEM. Away with you to utter perdition, with this swaggering, you vagabond. What, then, do you fancy we don’t know you, or your doings?

PHOR. You are provoking me.

DEM. Would you have married her, if she had been given to you?

PHOR. Try the experiment.

DEM. That my son might cohabit with her at your house, that was your design.

PHOR. Pray, what is that you say?

DEM. Then do you give me my money?

PHOR. Nay, but do you give me my wife?

DEM. Come before a magistrate. (_Going to seize hold of him._)

PHOR. Why, really, if you persist in being troublesome----

DEM. What will you do?

PHOR. What, I? You fancy, perhaps, just now, that I am the protector of the portionless; for the well portioned,[86] I’m in the habit {of being so} as well.

CHREM. What’s that to us?

PHOR. (_with a careless air._) Nothing at all. I know a certain lady here (_pointing at CHREMES’S house_) whose husband had----

CHREM. (_starting._) Ha!

DEM. What’s the matter?

PHOR. Another {wife} at Lemnos--

CHREM. (_aside._) I’m ruined!

PHOR. By whom he had a daughter; and her he is secretly bringing up.

CHREM. (_aside._) I’m {dead and} buried!

PHOR. This I shall assuredly now inform her of. (_Walks toward the house._)

CHREM. (_running and catching hold of him._) I beg of you, don’t do so.

PHOR. (_with a careless air._) Oh, were you the person?

DEM. What a jest he’s making {of us}.

CHREM. (_to PHORMIO._) We’ll let you off.

PHOR. Nonsense.

CHREM. What would you have? We’ll forgive you the money you’ve got.

PHOR. I hear you. Why the plague, then, do you {two} trifle with me in this way, you silly men, with your childish speeches-- “I won’t, {and} I will; I will, {and} I won’t,” over again: “keep it, give it me back; what has been said, is unsaid; what had been just a bargain, is {now} no bargain.”

CHREM. (_aside, to DEMIPHO._) In what manner, or from whom has he come to know of this?

DEM. (_aside._) I don’t know; but that I’ve told it to no one, I know for certain.

CHREM. (_aside._) So may the Gods bless me, ’tis as good as a miracle.

PHOR. (_aside, to himself._) I’ve graveled them.

DEM. (_apart, to CHREMES._) Well now, is he to be carrying off[87] from us such a sum of money as this, and so palpably to impose upon us? By heavens, I’d sooner die. Manage to show yourself of resolute and ready wit. You see that this slip of yours has got abroad, and that you can not now possibly conceal it from your wife; it is then more conducive to our quiet, Chremes, ourselves to disclose what she will be hearing from others; {and} then, in our own fashion, we shall be able to take vengeance upon this dirty fellow.

PHOR. (_aside, to himself._) Good lack-a-day, {now’s} the sticking-point, if I don’t look out for myself. They are making toward me with a gladiatorial air.

CHREM. (_apart, to DEMIPHO._) But I doubt whether it’s possible for her to be appeased.

DEM. (_apart, to CHREMES._) Be of good courage; I’ll effect a reconciliation between you; remembering this, Chremes, that she is dead[88] and gone by whom you had this girl.

PHOR. (_in a loud voice._) Is this the way you are going to deal with me? Very cleverly {done}. Come on with you. By heavens, Demipho, you have provoked me, not to his advantage (_pointing at CHREMES_). How say you? (_addressing CHREMES_). When you’ve been doing abroad just as you pleased, and have had no regard for this excellent lady {here}, but on the contrary, have been injuring her in an unheard-of manner, would you be coming to me with prayers to wash away your offenses? On telling her of this, I’ll make her so incensed with you, that you sha’n’t quench her, though you should melt away into tears.

DEM. (_aside._) A plague may {all} the Gods and Goddesses send upon him. That any fellow should be possessed of so much impudence! Does not this villain deserve to be transported hence to some desolate land at the public charge?

CHREM. (_aside._) I am brought to such a pass, that I really don’t know what to do in it.

DEM. I know; let’s go into court.

PHOR. Into court? Here {in preference} (_pointing to CHREMES’S house_), if it suits you in any way. (_Moves toward the house._)

DEM. (_to CHREMES._) Follow him, and hold him back, till I call out the servants.

CHREM. (_trying to seize PHORMIO._) But I can’t by myself; run {and help me}.

PHOR. (_to DEMIPHO, who seizes hold of him._) There’s one action of damages against you.

CHREM. Sue him at law, then.

PHOR. {And} another with you, Chremes.

DEM. Lay hold of him. (_They both drag him._)

PHOR. Is it thus you do? Why then I must exert my voice: Nausistrata, come out (_calling aloud_).

CHREM. (_to DEMIPHO._) Stop his mouth.

DEM. See how strong the rascal is.

PHOR. (_calling aloud._) Nausistrata, I say.

CHREM. Will you not hold your tongue?

PHOR. Hold my tongue?

DEM. (_to CHREMES, as they drag him along._) If he won’t follow, plant your fists in his stomach.

PHOR. Or e’en gouge out an eye. The time’s coming when I shall have a full revenge on you.

SCENE II.

_Enter NAUSISTRATA, in haste, from the house._

NAUS. Who calls my name?

CHREM. (_in alarm._) Ha!

NAUS. My husband, pray what means this disturbance?

PHOR. (_to CHREMES._) Oh, oh, why are you mute now?

NAUS. Who is this man? Won’t you answer me?

PHOR. What, he to answer you? who, upon my faith, doesn’t know where he is.

CHREM. (_to NAUSISTRATA._) Take care how you believe that fellow in any thing.

PHOR. (_to NAUSISTRATA._) Go, touch him; if he isn’t in a cold sweat all over, why then kill me.

CHREM. ’Tis nothing at all.

NAUS. What is it, then, that this person is talking about?

PHOR. You shall know directly; listen {now}.

CHREM. Are you resolved to believe him?

NAUS. Pray, how can I believe him, when he has told me nothing?

PHOR. The poor creature is distracted from fright.

NAUS. It isn’t for nothing, i’ faith, that you are in such a fright.

CHREM. What, I in a fright?

PHOR. (_to CHREMES._) All right, of course: since you are not in a fright at all, and this is nothing at all that I’m going to tell, do you relate it.

DEM. Villain, is he to relate it at your request?

PHOR. (_to DEMIPHO._) Come now, you’ve managed nicely for your brother.

NAUS. My husband, will you not tell me?

CHREM. But--

NAUS. But what?

CHREM. There’s no need to tell you.

PHOR. {Not} for you, indeed; but there’s need for her to know it. At Lemnos--

CHREM. (_starting._) Ha! what are you doing?

DEM. (_to PHORMIO._) Won’t you hold your tongue?

PHOR. (_to NAUSISTRATA._) Unknown to you----

CHREM. Ah me!

PHOR. He married another----

NAUS. My {dear} sir, may the Gods forbid it!

PHOR. Such is the fact.

NAUS. Wretch that I am, I’m undone!

PHOR. And had a daughter by her, too, while you never dreamed of it.

CHREM. What are we to do?

NAUS. O immortal Gods! --a disgraceful and a wicked misdeed!

DEM. (_aside, to CHREMES._) It’s all up {with} you.

PHOR. Was ever any thing now more ungenerously done? Your men, who, when they come to their wives, then become incapacitated from old age.

NAUS. Demipho, I appeal to you; for with that man it is irksome for me to speak. Were these those frequent journeys and long visits at Lemnos? Was this the lowness of prices that reduced our rents?

DEM. Nausistrata, I don’t deny that in this matter he has been deserving of censure; but still, it may be pardoned.

PHOR. (_apart._) He is talking to the dead.

DEM. For he did this neither through neglect or aversion to yourself. About fifteen years since, in a drunken fit, he had an intrigue with this poor woman, of whom this girl was born, nor did he ever touch her afterward. She is dead and gone: the {only} difficulty that remained in this matter. Wherefore, I do beg of you, that, as in other things, you’ll bear this with patience.

NAUS. Why {should I} with patience? I could wish, afflicted as I am, that there were an end now of this matter. But how can I hope? Am I to suppose that, at his age, he will not offend in future? Was he not an old man then, if old age makes people behave themselves decently? Are my looks and my age more attractive now, Demipho? What do you advance to me, to make me expect or hope that this will not happen any more?

PHOR. (_in a loud voice._) Those who have[89] a mind to come to the funeral of Chremes, why now’s their time. ’Tis thus I retaliate: come now, let him challenge Phormio who pleases: I’ll have him victimized[90] with just a like mischance. Why then, let him return again into her good graces. I have now had revenge enough. She has got something for her as long as she lives, to be forever ringing into his ears.

NAUS. But it was because I deserved this, I suppose; why should I now, Demipho, make mention of each particular, how I have conducted myself toward him?

DEM. I know it all, as well as yourself.

NAUS. Does it appear, then, that I deserved this treatment?

DEM. Far from it: but since, by reproaching, it can not now be undone, forgive him: he entreats you-- he begs your pardon-- owns his fault-- makes an apology. What would you have more?

PHOR. (_aside._) But really, before she grants pardon to him, I must take care of myself and Phædria. (_To NAUSISTRATA._) Hark you, Nausistrata, before you answer him without thinking, listen {to me}.

NAUS. What’s the matter?

PHOR. I got out of him thirty minæ by a stratagem. I give them to your son; he paid them to a Procurer for his mistress.

CHREM. Ha! what is it you say?

PHOR. (_sneeringly._) Does it seem to you so very improper for your son, a young man, to keep one mistress, {while} you {have} two wives? Are you ashamed of nothing? With what face will you censure him? Answer me that.

DEM. He shall do as you wish.

NAUS. Nay, that you may now know my determination. I neither forgive nor promise any thing, nor give any answer, before I see my son: to his decision I leave every thing. What he bids me, I shall do.

DEM. You are a wise woman, Nausistrata.

NAUS. Does that satisfy you, Chremes?

CHREM. Yes, indeed, I come off well, and fully to my satisfaction; indeed, beyond my expectation.

NAUS. (_to PHORMIO._) Do you tell me, what is your name?

PHOR. What, mine? Phormio; a well-wisher to your family, upon my honor, and to your {son} Phaedria in particular.

NAUS. Then, Phormio, on my word, henceforward I’ll both do and say for you all I can, and whatever you may desire.

PHOR. You speak obligingly.

NAUS. I’ faith, it is as you deserve.

PHOR. First, then, will you do this, Nausistrata, at once, to please me, and to make your husband’s eyes ache {with vexation}?

NAUS. With all my heart.

PHOR. Invite me to dinner.

NAUS. Assuredly indeed, I do invite you.

DEM. Let us now away in-doors.

CHREM. By all means; but where is Phaedria, our arbitrator?

PHOR. I’ll have him here just now. (_To the AUDIENCE._) Fare you well, and grant us your applause.[91]

ADDITIONAL SCENE.

(_Which is generally considered to be spurious._)

_Enter PHÆDRIA and PHORMIO, from opposite sides of the stage._

PHÆD. Assuredly there is a God, who both hears and sees what we do. And I do not consider that to be true which is commonly said: “Fortune frames and fashions the affairs of mankind, just as she pleases.”

PHOR. (_aside._) Heyday! what means this? I’ve met with Socrates, not Phædria, so far as I see. Why hesitate to go up and address him? (_Accosting him._) How now, Phædria, whence have you acquired this new wisdom, and derived such great delight, as you show by your countenance?

PHÆD. O welcome, {my} friend; O most delightful Phormio, welcome! There’s not a person in all the world I could more wish just now to meet than yourself.

PHOR. Pray, tell me what is the matter.

PHÆD. Aye, faith, I have to beg of you, that you will listen to it. My Pamphila is a citizen of Attica, and of noble birth, and rich.

PHOR. What is it you tell me? Are you dreaming, pray?

PHÆD. Upon my faith, I’m saying what’s true.

PHOR. Yes, and this, too, is a true saying: “You’ll have no great difficulty in believing that to be true, which you greatly wish {to be so}.”

PHÆD. Nay, but do listen, I beg of you, to all the wonderful things I have to tell you of. It was while thinking of this to myself, that I just now burst forth into those expressions which you heard-- that we, and what relates to us, are ruled by the sanction of the Gods, {and} not by blind chance.

PHOR. I’ve been for some time in a state of suspense.

PHÆD. Do you know Phanocrates?

PHOR. As well as {I do} yourself.

PHÆD. The rich man?

PHOR. I understand.

PHÆD. He is the father of Pamphila. Not to detain you, these were the circumstances: Calchas was his servant, a worthless, wicked fellow. Intending to run away from the house, he carried off this girl, whom her father was bringing up in the country, {then} five years old, and, secretly taking her with him to Eubæa, sold her to Lycus, a merchant. This person, a long time after, sold her, when now grown up, to Dorio. She, however, knew that she was the daughter of parents of rank, inasmuch as she recollected herself being attended {and} trained up by female servants: the name of her parents she didn’t recollect.

PHOR. How, then, were they discovered?

PHÆD. Stay; I was coming to that. This runaway was caught yesterday, and sent back to Phanocrates: he related the wonderful circumstances I have mentioned about the girl, and how she was sold to Lycus, and afterward to Dorio. Phanocrates sent immediately, and claimed his daughter; but when he learned that she had been sold, he came running to me.

PHOR. O, how extremely fortunate!

PHÆD. Phanocrates has no objection to my marrying her; nor has my father, I imagine.

PHOR. Trust me for that; I’ll have all this matter managed for you; Phormio has so arranged it, that you shall not be a suppliant to your father, but his judge.

PHÆD. You are joking.

PHOR. So it is, I tell you. Do you only {give me} the thirty minæ which Dorio--

PHÆD. You put me well in mind; I understand you; you may have them; for he must give them back, as the law forbids a free woman to be sold; and, on my faith, I do rejoice that an opportunity is afforded me of rewarding you, and taking a hearty vengeance upon him; a monster of a fellow! he has feelings more hardened than iron.

PHOR. Now, Phædria, I return you thanks; I’ll make you a return upon occasion, if ever I have the opportunity. You impose a heavy task upon me, to be contending with you in good offices, as I can not in wealth; and in affection and zeal, I must repay you what I owe. To be surpassed in deserving well, is a disgrace to a man of principle.

PHÆD. Services badly bestowed, I take to be disservices. But I do not know any person more grateful and more mindful {of a service} than yourself. What is it you were just now mentioning about my father?

PHOR. There are many particulars, which at present I have not the opportunity to relate. Let’s go in-doors, for Nausistrata has invited me to dinner, and I’m afraid we may keep them waiting.

PHÆD. Very well; follow me. (_To the AUDIENCE._) Fare you well, and grant us your applause.

FOOTNOTES

[Footnote 1: From δημὸς, “the people,” and φῶς “light”.]

[Footnote 2: See the Dramatis Personæ of the Andria.]

[Footnote 3: See the Dramatis Personæ of the Eunuchus.]

[Footnote 4: See the Dramatis Personæ of the Eunuchus.]

[Footnote 5: From φορμὸς, “an osier basket.”]

[Footnote 6: See the Dramatis Personæ of the Adelphi.]

[Footnote 7: See the Dramatis Personæ of the Andria.]

[Footnote 8: See the Dramatis Personæ of the Adelphi.]

[Footnote 9: From κρατὸς, “strength.”]

[Footnote 10: See the Dramatis Personæ of the Andria.]

[Footnote 11: From Doris, his country, a part of Caria.]

[Footnote 12: From ναῦς, “a ship,” and στρατὸς, “an army.”]

[Footnote 13: See the Dramatis Personæ of the Eunuchus.]

[Footnote 14: _The Roman Games_)--The “ludi Romani,” or “Roman
Games,” were first established by Ancus Marcius, and were
celebrated in the month of September.]

[Footnote 15: _Four times_)--The numerals signifying “four,”
Donatus takes to mean that this was the fourth Play composed by
Terence; it is, however, more generally supposed that the meaning
is, that it was acted four times in one year.]

[Footnote 16: _Being Consuls_)--M. Valerius Messala and C. Fannius
Strabo were Consuls in the year from the Building of the City 591,
and B.C. 162.]

[Footnote 17: _Since the old Poet_)--Ver. 1. He alludes to his old
enemy, Luscus Lavinius, who is mentioned in all his Prologues,
except those to the Hecyra.]

[Footnote 18: _While one implored_)--Ver. 8. “Et eam plorare,
orare ut subveniat sibi.” This is probably in allusion to some
absurd passage in one of the Plays of Lavinius. It is generally
supposed to mean, that the stag implores the young man; but as the
youth is mad, the absurdity, of the passage is heightened if we
suppose that he implores the stag, and, in the moment of its own
danger, entreats it to come to his own assistance; as certainly
the Latin will admit of that interpretation. --Ovid has a somewhat
similar passage in the Pontic Epistles, B. ii. Ep. ii. l. 39: “The
hind that, in its terror, is flying from the savage dogs,
hesitates not to trust itself to the neighboring house.”]

[Footnote 19: _Epidicazomenos_)--Ver. 25. A Play of Apollodorus,
so called from that Greek word, signifying “one who demands
justice from another,” in allusion to Phormio, who is the
complainant in the suit, which is the foundation of the plot.]

[Footnote 20: _Was driven from the place_)--Ver. 32. Alluding,
probably, to the disturbances which took place at the first
representation of the Hecyra, and which are mentioned in the
Prologues to that Play.]

[Footnote 21: _Davus_)--Davus is a protatic character, only
introduced for the purpose of opening the story.]

[Footnote 22: _Out of his allowance_)--Ver. 43. Donatus tells us
that the slaves received four “modii,” or measures of corn, each
month, which was called their “demensum.”]

[Footnote 23: _Will be struck_)--Ver. 48. “Ferietur.” “To strike”
a person for a present was said when it was extorted from him
reluctantly. So in the Trinummuns of Plautus, l. 247, “Ibi illa
pendentem ferit.” “Then does she strike while he is wavering.”]

[Footnote 24: _For another present_)--Ver. 48. Presents were
usually made to persons on their birthday, on the day of their
marriage, and on the birth of their children.]

[Footnote 25: _Initiate him_)--Ver. 49. It is not known what
initiation is here referred to. Madame Dacier thinks it was an
initiation into the great mysteries of Ceres, which was commonly
performed while children were yet very young; others suggest that
it means the period of weaning the child, and initiating it into
the use of another kind of diet. Donatus says, that Varro speaks
of children being initiated into the mysteries of the Deities
Edulia, Potica, and Cuba, the Divinities of Eating, Drinking, and
Sleeping.]

[Footnote 26: _Ready counted out_)--Ver. 53. “Lectum,” literally
“picked out” or “chosen”-- the coins being of full weight.]

[Footnote 27: _Have been angry with me_)--Ver. 74. He alludes to
the common belief that each person had a Genius or Guardian Deity;
and that when misfortune overtook him, he had been abandoned by
his Genius.]

[Footnote 28: _Kick against the spur_)--Ver. 78. “To kick against
the pricks,” or “in spite of the spur,” was a common Greek
proverb. The expression occurs in the New Testament, Acts ix. 5.
“It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”]

[Footnote 29: _To make your market_)--Ver. 79. This is a
metaphorical expression taken from traffic, in which merchants
suit themselves to the times, and fix a price on their
commodities, according to the course of the market.]

[Footnote 30: _To the school_)--Ver. 86. It was the custom for the
“lenones,” or “procurers,” to send their female slaves to
music-schools, in order to learn accomplishments. So in the
Prologue to the Rudens of Plautus: “This Procurer brought the
maiden to Cyrene hither. A certain Athenian youth, a citizen of
this city, beheld her us she was going home from the
music-school.”]

[Footnote 31: _Young man in tears_)--Ver. 92. In the Play of
Apollodorus, it was the barber himself that gave the account how
he had just returned from cutting off the young woman’s hair,
which was one of the usual ceremonies in mourning among the
Greeks. Donatus remarks, that Terence altered this circumstance
that he might not shock a Roman audience by a reference to manners
so different from their own.]

[Footnote 32: _Take out a summons_)--Ver. 127. “Dica” was the writ
or summons with which an action at law was commenced.]

[Footnote 33: _Usher to the Music-girl_)--Ver. 144. This is said
satirically of Phaedria, who was in the habit of escorting the
girl to the music-school. It was the duty of the “pædagogi,” or
“tutors,” to lead the children to school, who were placed under
their care. See the speech of Lydus, the pædagogus of Pistoclerus,
in the Bacchides of Plautus, Act iii. Sc. 3, where, enlarging upon
his duties, he mentions this among them.]

[Footnote 34: _Sever from me this connection_)--Ver. 161. By
forcing him to divorce her.]

[Footnote 35: _Neither right_)--Ver. 176. No right to get rid of
her in consequence of the judgment which, at the suit of Phormio,
has been pronounced against him; nor yet, right to keep her,
because of his father insisting upon turning her out of doors.]

[Footnote 36: _Be washing a brickbat_)--Ver. 187. “Laterem
lavare,” “to wash a brick,” or “tile,” was a proverb signifying
labor in vain, probably because (if the brick was previously
baked) it was impossible to wash away the red color of it.
According to some, the saying alluded to the act of washing a
brick which had been only dried in the sun, in which case the
party so doing both washed away the brick and soiled his own
fingers.]

[Footnote 37: _Here in reserve_)--Ver. 230. “Succenturiatus.” The
“succenturiati” were, properly, men intrusted to fill up vacancies
in the centuries or companies, when thinned by battle.]

[Footnote 38: _Let alone “authority”_)--Ver. 232. “Ac mitto
imperium.” Cicero has quoted this passage in his Epistles to
Atticus, B. ii. Ep. 19.]

[Footnote 39: _When affairs are the most prosperous_)--Ver. 241.
Cicero quotes this passage in the Third Book of his Tusculan
Questions, and the maxim here inculcated was a favorite one with
the Stoic philosophers.]

[Footnote 40: _Any giving evidence_)--Ver. 293. Slaves were
neither allowed to plead for themselves, nor to give evidence. See
the Curculio of Plautus, l. 621, and the Notes to the Andria.]

[Footnote 41: _Given her a portion_)--Ver. 297. By this remark,
Donatus observes that Terence artfully prepares us for the
imposition of Phormio, who extorts money from the old gentleman on
this very ground.]

[Footnote 42: _While you were living_)--Ver. 302. There was a law
at Athens which enacted that persons who lent money to young men
in the lifetime of their parents should have no power to recover
it. In line 303 of the Pseudolus, Plautus alludes to the
Quinavicenarian or Lætorian Law, at Rome, which forbade credit to
be given to persons under the age of twenty-five years, and
deprived the creditor of all right to recover his money or goods.]

[Footnote 43: _The woman’s next friend_)--Ver. 307. The “patronus”
was the person who undertook to conduct a lawsuit for another.]

[Footnote 44: _Salute the household Gods_)--Ver. 311. It was the
custom for those returning from a voyage or journey, to give
thanks to their household Gods for having protected them in their
absence. Thus, in the Amphitryon of Plautus, Jupiter, while
personating Amphitryon, pretends, in l. 983, that he is going to
offer sacrifice for his safe return.]

[Footnote 45: _And so you say_)--Ver. 315. Donatus tells the
following story with reference to this passage: “This Play being
once rehearsed before Terence and some of his most intimate
acquaintances, Ambivius, who acted the part of Phormio, came in
drunk, which threw the author into a violent passion; but Ambivius
had scarcely repeated a few lines, stammering and scratching his
head, before Terence became pacified, declaring that when he was
writing these very lines, he had exactly such a Parasite as
Ambivius then represented, in his thoughts.”]

[Footnote 46: _Have hashed it up_)--Ver. 318. He is thought to
allude here, figuratively, to the composition of a dish called
“moretum,” (in praise of which Virgil wrote a poem) which was
composed of garlic, onions, cheese, eggs, and other ingredients,
beaten up in a mortar. The allusion to eating is appropriately
used in an address to a Parasite.]

[Footnote 47: _Turn upon myself_)--Ver. 323. Donatus observes that
in this Scene Terence exhibits the lower order of Parasites, who
ingratiated themselves by sharping and roguery, as in the Eunuchus
he describes Parasites of a higher rank, and of a newer species,
who obtained their ends by flattery.]

[Footnote 48: _In the stocks at last_)--Ver. 325. “In nervum
crumpat denique.” There are several interpretations suggested for
these words. Some think they allude to the drawing of a bow till
it breaks; but they are more generally thought to imply
termination in corporal punishment. “Nervus” is supposed to have
been the name of a kind of stocks used in torturing slaves, and so
called from being formed, in part at least, of the sinews of
animals.]

[Footnote 49: _They will take you_)--Ver. 334. At Rome, insolvent
debtors became the slaves of their creditors till their debts were
paid.]

[Footnote 50: _To his patron_)--Ver. 338. “Regi.” The Parasites
were in the habit of calling their patron “Rex,” their “King.”]

[Footnote 51: _At free cost_)--Ver. 339. “Asymbolum.” Without
having paid his “symbola,” or “club,” for the entertainment.
Donatus informs us that the whole of this passage is borrowed from
one of Ennius, which is still preserved.]

[Footnote 52: _First to drink_)--Ver. 342. To be the first to
drink, and to take the higher place on the couch when eating, was
the privilege of the most honored guests, who usually bathed, and
were then anointed before the repast.]

[Footnote 53: _Banquet full of doubts_)--Ver. 342. “Coena dubia.”
Horace, who borrows many of his phrases from Terence, uses the
same expression.]

[Footnote 54: _Since you reign alone_)--Ver. 605. This is a remark
well put into the mouth of an Athenian, as the public were very
jealous of any person becoming paramount to the laws, and to
prevent it, were frequently guilty of the most odious oppression.]

[Footnote 55: _So many minds_)--Ver. 454. “Quot homines, tot
sententiæ.” This is a famous adage. One similar to the succeeding
one is found in the Second Eclogue of Virgil, l. 65: “Trahit sua
quemque voluptas,” exactly equivalent to our saying, “Every man to
his taste.”]

[Footnote 56: _Must deliberate further_)--Ver. 457. “Amplius
deliberandum.” This is probably a satirical allusion to the
judicial system of procrastination, which, by the Romans, was
called “ampliatio.” When the judges could not come to a
satisfactory conclusion about a cause, they signified it by the
letters N. L. (for “non liquet,” “it is not clear”), and put off
the suit for a rehearing.]

[Footnote 57: _Much more at a loss_)--Ver. 459. See the Poenulus
of Plautus, where advocates or assistants are introduced among the
Dramatic Personæ. Colman has the following remarks on this quaint
passage: “I believe there is no Scene in Comedy more highly
seasoned with the {ridiculous} than this before us. The idea is
truly comic, and it is worked up with all that simplicity and
chastity so peculiar to the manner of Terence. An ordinary writer
would have indulged himself in twenty little conceits on this
occasion; but the dry gravity of Terence infinitely surpasses, as
true humor, all the drolleries which, perhaps, even those great
masters of Comedy, Plautus or Molière, might have been tempted to
throw out. It is the highest art of a Dramatic Author, on some
occasions, to leave a good deal to the Actor; and it has been
remarked by Heinsius and others, that Terence was particularly
attentive to this circumstance.”]

[Footnote 58: _From his place of exercise_)--Ver. 484. “Palæstra.”
He alludes to the Procurer’s house under this name.]

[Footnote 59: _Befall his own safety_)--Ver. 490. Overhearing
Phædria earnest and determined, and the Procurer obstinate and
inflexible, Antipho and Geta join in apprehending that the
brutality of the latter may provoke Phædria to some act of
violence.]

[Footnote 60: _With fine words_)--Ver. 499. “Phaleratis dictis.”
“Phaleræ” were, properly, the silver ornaments with which horses
were decked out, and being only for show, and not for use, gave
rise to this saying. “Ductes” was an obscene word, and not likely
to be used by any but such characters as Dorio.]

[Footnote 61: _A wolf by the ears_)--Ver. 505. A proverbial
expression which, according to Suetonius, was frequently in the
mouth of Tiberius Cæsar.]

[Footnote 62: _A word to the wise_)--Ver. 540. “Dictum sapienti
sat est.” The same proverb is found in the Persa of Plautus,
l. 736.]

[Footnote 63: _To shake myself_)--Ver. 585. “Me excutiam.” In
reference to the custom of the Greeks, and the Eastern nations, of
shaking their clothes at the door of any house which they were
going to leave.]

[Footnote 64: _Rely on at home_)--Ver. 586. “Nam ego meorum solus
sum meus.” He means that he is the only person in his house
friendly to himself, inasmuch as his wife, from her wealth, has
supreme power over the domestics, in whom he himself can place no
trust.]

[Footnote 65: _Good terms with him_)--Ver. 635. Meaning, “Is he in
his senses or not?”]

[Footnote 66: _Amount of his life_)--Ver. 660. “Quid si animam
debet?” Erasmus tells us that this was a proverb among the Greeks
applied to those who ran so deeply in debt, that their persons,
and consequently, in one sense, their very existence, came into
the power of their creditors.]

[Footnote 67: _Six hundred actions_)--Ver. 667. “Sescentos;”
literally, “six hundred.” The Romans used this term as we do the
words “ten thousand,” to signify a large, but indefinite number.]

[Footnote 68: _A strange black dog_)--Ver. 705. This omen, Plautus
calls, in the Casina, l. 937, “canina scæva.”]

[Footnote 69: _Through the sky-light_)--Ver. 706. So in the
Amphitryon of Plautus, l. 1108, two great snakes come down through
the “impluvium,” or “sky-light.” On the subject of the
“impluvium,” see the Notes to the Miles Gloriosus of Plautus,
l. 159.]

[Footnote 70: _A hen crowed_)--Ver. 707. Donatus tells us that it
was a saying, that in the house where a hen crowed, the wife had
the upper hand.]

[Footnote 71: _The soothsayer-- the diviner_)--Ver. 708. According
to some accounts there was this difference between the “hariolus”
and the “aruspex,” that the former foretold human events, the
latter those relating to the Deities. Donatus has remarked on
these passages, that Terence seems to sneer at the superstitions
referred to.]

[Footnote 72: _Can find them now_)--Ver. 726. His Lemnian wife and
daughter. Colman remarks: “This is intended as a transition to the
next Scene; but I think it would have been better if it had
followed without this kind of introduction. The Scene itself is
admirable, and is, in many places, both affecting and comic, and
the discovery of the real character of Phanium is made at a very
proper time.”]

[Footnote 73: _My daughter’s nurse_)--Ver. 735. Among the
ancients, it was the custom for nurses who had brought up children
to remain with them in after-life.]

[Footnote 74: _Where are the ladies?_)--Ver. 748. “Ubi illæ?”
literally, “Where are these women?”]

[Footnote 75: _Run beyond the house_)--Ver. 767. “Fugias ne præter
casam.” This passage has given much trouble to the Commentators;
but it is pretty clear that the explanation of Donatus is the
correct one: “Don’t abandon your own home,” that being the safest
place. Stallbaum agrees with Gronovius in thinking that it was
first applied as a piece of advice to runaway slaves, as being
likely to become worse off by the change; probably much in the
same spirit as we say, “Out of the frying-pan into the fire.”]

[Footnote 76: _Paying by borrowing_)--Ver. 779. “Versura solvere,”
was “to pay a debt by borrowing money,” and consequently to be no
better off than before. Geta having, by the money he has procured,
freed Phædria from all danger of losing his mistress, but at the
same time having brought Antipho into still greater danger of
losing his wife.]

[Footnote 77: _Or his talking_)--Ver. 782. “Ejus” here alludes,
not to Nausistrata but to Phormio. Madame Dacier suggests that it
should be “hujus.”]

[Footnote 78: _With your money_)--Ver. 785. Colman observes:
“Alluding to the money borrowed of her to pay Phormio; and as
Donatus observes in another place, it is admirably contrived, in
order to bring about a humorous catastrophe that Chremes should
make use of his wife’s money on this occasion.”]

[Footnote 79: _Our friend’s_)--Ver. 811. Chremes himself is so
called, to deceive Nausistrata.]

[Footnote 80: _O good luck_)--Ver. 840. “Fors fortuna,” “good
fortune;” while “fortuna” merely means “chance.”]

[Footnote 81: _Throwing my cloak_)--Ver. 843. When expedition was
required, it was usual to throw the ends of the “pallium,” or
“cloak,” over the shoulders.]

[Footnote 82: _Carry me off_)--Ver. 881. Madame Dacier says that
Antipho is so rejoiced here at Geta’s news, that he jumps upon his
shoulders, and is carried off in triumph, which was a sort of
stage-trick, and was very diverting to the Audience. On this,
Colman observes: “I believe Madame Dacier has not the least
foundation for this extraordinary piece of information; and I must
confess, that I have too high an opinion, both of the Roman
audience and actors, to believe it to be true.”]

[Footnote 83: _That as to what_)--Ver. 898. Lemaire suggests that
he is about to say: “that as to what was agreed upon between us,
I may take home this young woman, and make her my wife.”]

[Footnote 84: _Is she not genteel-looking_)--Ver. 904. Patrick has
the following note here: “One can not conceive any thing more
happy or just than these words of Chremes. Demipho’s thoughts are
wholly taken up how to recover the money, and Phormio is equally
solicitous to retain it; but Chremes, who had just left his
daughter, is regardless of their discourse, and fresh from the
impressions which she had made on him, longs to know if his
brother’s sentiments of her were equally favorable, and naturally
puts this paternal question to him.”]

[Footnote 85: _Transferred to my account_)--Ver. 921. “Rescribere
argentum,” or “nummos,” meant “to transfer,” or “set down money to
the account of another person in one’s banker’s books.” A passage
in the Asinaria of Plautus, l. 445, seems to have the same
meaning.]

[Footnote 86: _For the well portioned_)--Ver. 939. Though Colman
thinks otherwise, it is pretty clear that he alludes to
Nausistrata in these words.]

[Footnote 87: _To be carrying off_)--Ver. 954. Patrick has the
following note here: “The different characters of the two brothers
are admirably preserved throughout this Scene. Chremes stands
greatly in awe of his wife, and will submit to any thing rather
than the story should come to her ears; but Demipho can not brook
the thoughts of losing so much money, and encourages his brother
to behave with spirit and resolution, promising to make up matters
between him and his wife.”]

[Footnote 88: _Dead and gone_)--Ver. 965. “E medio excedere,” was
an Euphemism signifying “to die,” which it was deemed of ill omen
to mention.]

[Footnote 89: _Those who have_)--Ver. 1025. He here uses the terms
which it was customary to employ in the celebration of a public
funeral. See also the form of proclaiming an auction, at the end
of the Menæchmi of Plautus.]

[Footnote 90: _Have him victimised_)--Ver. 1027. “Mactatus” was
the term applied to the pouring of wine and frankincense on the
victim about to be sacrificed, on which it was said to be “magis
auctus,” “increased,” or “amplified;” which, in time, became
corrupted into the word “mactatus,” or “mactus.”]

[Footnote 91: _Grant us your applause_)--Ver. 1054. Thus concludes
the last, and certainly not the least meritorious of the Plays of
our Author; indeed, for genuine comic spirit, it may challenge
comparison with the Eunuch, which is in general considered to be
the best.]

* * * * *
* * * *
* * * * *

Errors and Inconsistencies (Noted by transcriber)

The variation between “Augustin” and “Augustine” (St.) is unchanged.

Unless otherwise noted, errors found in the New York (Harper) edition are also present in the London (Bell/Bohn) edition.

Andria:

CHREM. But how say you----? [extraneous close quote at end]
Footnote 83... She speaks of “liberæ,” “free women,”
[in Harper edn. only, second open quote missing]
Footnote 90... to tie criminals hands and feet together
[no apostrophe after ”criminals”; grammatical intent is
ambiguous]

Eunuch:

Footnote 10... From δόναξ, “a reed.” [δόνὰξ with extra accent]
Footnote 33... these words, commencing with “Sane, quia vero,”
[Harper edn. has “conmencing”]

Self-Tormentor:

CHREM. ...I opened all the casks, all the vessels;[56]
[footnote tag missing in Bell/Bohn;
Harper has extraneous close quote instead]

Adelphi:

Footnotes 14-16 --This Play [page printed without dashes in
footnotes]
DEM. {Æschinus}, if you are a man, he’ll do it.
[final period missing in Harper]

Hecyra:

Footnote 57... contradicts himself?
[Harper edn. has extraneous close quote]