The Comedies of Terence | Page 2

with Glycerium. Chremes, also coming to hear of it,
declines the match, having no idea that Glycerium is really his own
daughter. Simo, however, in order to test his son's feelings, resolves to
pretend that the marriage-day is fixed. Meeting Pamphilus in the town,
he desires him to go home and prepare for the wedding, which is to

take place immediately. In his perplexity, the youth has recourse to his
servant Davus, who, having heard of the refusal of Chremes, suspects
the design of Simo. At this conjuncture, Charinus, a friend of
Pamphilus, who is enamored of Philumena, but has been rejected by
her father, entreats Pamphilus to put off the marriage, for at least a few
days. Disclosing his own aversion to the match, Pamphilus readily
engages to do this. In order the more effectually to break it off, Davus
advises Pamphilus to pretend a readiness to comply with his father's
wishes, supposing that of course Chremes will steadily persist in his
refusal. Pamphilus does as he is advised, on which Simo again applies
to Chremes, who, after some entreaty, gives his consent. Just at this
conjuncture, Glycerium is delivered of a son; and by the advice of
Davus, it is laid before the door of Simo's house. Chremes happening to
see it there, and ascertaining that Pamphilus is its father, again refuses
to give him his daughter. At this moment, Crito, a native of Andros,
arrives, who, being a relative of Chrysis, has come to Athens to look
after her property. Through him, Chremes discovers that Glycerium is
no other than his long-lost daughter, Pasibula; on which he consents to
her immediate marriage with Pamphilus, who promises Charinus that
he will use his best endeavors to obtain for him the hand of Philumena.
THE TITLE OF THE PLAY.
Performed at the Megalensian Games;[13] M. Fulvius and M. Glabrio
being Curule Æediles.[14] Ambivius Turpio and Lucius Atilius
Prænestinus[15] performed it. Flaccus, the freedman of Claudius,[16]
composed the music, to a pair of treble flutes and bass flutes[17]
alternately. And it is entirely Grecian.[18] Published-- M. Marcellus
and Cneius Sulpicius being Consuls.[19]
ANDRIA;
THE FAIR ANDRIAN.
THE SUMMARY OF C. SULPITIUS APOLLINARIS.
Pamphilus seduces Glycerium, wrongfully supposed to be a sister of a
Courtesan, an Andrian by birth; and she having become pregnant, he

gives his word that she shall be his wife; but his father has engaged for
him another, the daughter of Chremes; and when he discovers the
intrigue he pretends that the nuptials are about to take place, desiring to
learn what intentions his son may have. By the advice of Davus,
Pamphilus does not resist; but Chremes, as soon as he has seen the little
child born of Glycerium, breaks off the match, {and} declines him for a
son-in-law. Afterward, this Glycerium, unexpectedly discovered {to be}
his own daughter, he bestows as a wife on Pamphilus, the other on
Charinus.

THE PROLOGUE.
The poet, when first he applied his mind to writing, thought that the
only duty which devolved on him was, that the Plays he should
compose might please the public. But he perceives that it has fallen out
entirely otherwise; for he is wasting his labor in writing Prologues, not
for the purpose of relating the plot, but to answer the slanders of a
malevolent old Poet.[20] Now I beseech you, give your attention to the
thing which they impute as a fault. Menander composed the
Andrian[21] and the Perinthian.[22] He who knows either of them well,
will know them both; they are in plot not very different, and yet they
have been composed in different language and style. What suited, he
confesses he has transferred into the Andrian from the Perinthian, and
has employed them as his own. These parties censure this proceeding;
and on this point they differ {from him}, that Plays ought not to be
mixed up together. By being {thus} knowing, do they not show that
they know nothing at all? For while they are censuring him, they are
censuring Nævius, Plautus, {and} Ennius,[23] whom our {Poet} has
for his precedents; whose carelessness he prefers to emulate, rather than
the mystifying carefulness[24] of those parties. Therefore, I advise
them to be quiet in future, and to cease to slander; that they may not be
made acquainted with their own misdeeds. Be well disposed, then;
attend with unbiased mind, and consider the matter, that you may
determine what hope is left; whether the Plays which he shall in future
compose anew, are to be witnessed, or are rather to be driven off {the
stage}.

ACT THE FIRST.
SCENE I.
Enter SIMO and SOSIA, followed by SERVANTS carrying provisions.
SIMO (to the Servants.) Do you carry those things away in-doors;
begone. (Beckoning to SOSIA.) Sosia, just step here; I want a few
words with