Complete Works of Terence

by Terence

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 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 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.

  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 tru
e.

  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.

  THE EUNUCH

  Translated by Henry Thomas Riley

  One of Roman literature’s most celebrated dramatic works, The Eunuch boasts a complex plot, based on a lost play by Menander. The play concerns the love between Phaedria, a young Athenian man, and Thais, a foreign born courtesan. As the play opens, Phaedria and Parmeno, his witty slave, discuss their situation, having been shut out of Thais’ house, due to her mischievous nature.

  CONTENTS

  DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

  THE SUBJECT.

  THE TITLE OF THE PLAY.

  THE SUMMARY OF C. SULPITIUS APOLLINARIS.

  THE PROLOGUE.

  ACT THE FIRST.

  Scene I.

  Scene II.

  Scene III.

  ACT THE SECOND.

  Scene I.

  Scene II.

  SCENE III.

  Scene IV.

  Scene V.

  ACT THE THIRD.

  Scene I.

  Scene II.

  Scene III.

  Scene IV.

  Scene V.

  Scene VI.

  ACT THE FOURTH.

  Scene I.

  Scene II.

  Scene III.

  Scene IV.

  Scene V.

  Scene VI.

  Scene VII.

  Scene VIII.

  ACT THE FIFTH.

  Scene I.

  Scene II.

  Scene III.

  Scene IV.

  Scene V.

  Scene VI.

  Scene VII.

  Scene VIII.

  Scene IX.

  Scene X.

  DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

  Laches, an aged Athenian.

  Phædria,

  Chærea,

  his sons.

  Antipho, a young man, friend of Chærea.

  Chremes, a young man, brother of Pamphila.

  Thraso, a boastful Captain.

  Gnatho, a Parasite.

  Parmeno, servant of Phædria.

  Sanga, cook to Thraso.

  Donax,

  Simalio,

  Syriscus,

  servants of Thraso.

  Dorus, a Eunuch slave.

  Thais, a Courtesan.

  Pythias,

  Dorias,

  her attendants.

  Sophrona, a nurse.

  Pamphila, a female slave.

  Scene. — Athens; before the houses of Laches and Thais.

  THE SUBJECT.

  A certain citizen of Athens had a daughter named Pamphila, and a son called Chremes. The former was stolen while an infant, and sold to a Rhodian merchant, who having made a present of her to a Courtesan of Rhodes, she brought her up with her own daughter Thais, who was somewhat older. In the course of years, Thais following her mother’s way of life, removes to Athens. Her mother dying, her property is put up for sale, and Pamphila is purchased as a slave by Thraso, an officer and an admirer of Thais, who happens just then to be visiting Rhodes. During the absence of Thraso, Thais becomes acquainted with Phædria, an Athenian youth, the son of Laches; she also discovers from Chremes, who lives near Athens, that Pamphila, her former companion, is his sister. Thraso returns, intending to present to her the girl he has bought, but determines not to do so until she has discarded Phædria. Finding that the girl is no other than Pamphila, Thais is at a loss what to do, as she both loves Phædria, and is extremely anxious to recover Pamphila. At length, to please the Captain, she excludes Phædria, but next day sends for him, and explains to him her reasons, at the same time begging of him to allow Thraso the sole right of admission to her house for the next two days, and assuring him that as soon as she shall have gained possession of the girl, she will entirely throw him off. Phædria consents, and resolves to spend these two days in the country; at the same time he orders Parmeno to take to Thais a Eunuch and an Æthiopian girl, whom he has purchased for her. The Captain also sends Pamphila, who is accidentally seen by Chærea, the younger brother of Phædria; he, being smitten with her beauty, prevails upon Parmeno to introduce him into the house of Thais, in the Eunuch’s dress. Being admitted there, in the absence of Thais, he ravishes the damsel. Shortly afterward Thraso quarrels with Thais, and comes with all his attendants to her house to demand the return of Pamphila, but is disappointed. In conclusion, Pamphila is recognized by her brother Chremes, and is promised in marriage to Chremes; while Thraso becomes reconciled to Phædria, through the mediation of Gnatho, his Parasite.

  THE TITLE OF THE PLAY.

  Performed at the Megalensian Games; L. Posthumius Albinus and L. Cornelius Merula being Curule Ædiles. L. Ambivius Turpio and L. Atilius Præsnestinus performed it. Flaccus, the freedman of Claudius, composed the music to two treble flutes. From the Greek of Menander. It was acted twice, M. Valerius and C. Fannius being Consuls.

  THE SUMMARY OF C. SULPITI
US APOLLINARIS.

  The Captain, Thraso, being ignorant of the same, has brought from abroad a girl who used wrongly to be called the sister of Thais, and presents her to Thais herself: she in reality is a citizen of Attica. To the same woman, Phædria, an admirer of Thais, orders a Eunuch whom he has purchased, to be taken, and he himself goes away into the country, having been entreated to give up two days to Thraso. A youth, the brother of Phædria, having fallen in love with the damsel sent to the house of Thais, is dressed up in the clothes of the Eunuch. Parmeno prompts him; he goes in; he ravishes the maiden; but at length her brother being discovered, a citizen of Attica, betroths her who has been ravished, to the youth, and Thraso prevails upon Phædria by his entreaties.

  THE PROLOGUE.

  If there is any one who desires to please as many good men as possible, and to give offense to extremely few, among those does our Poet enroll his name. Next, if there is one who thinks that language too harsh, is here applied to him, let him bear this in mind — that it is an answer, not an attack; inasmuch as he has himself been the first aggressor; who, by translating plays verbally, and writing them in bad Latin, has made out of good Greek Plays Latin ones by no means good. Just as of late he has published the Phasma [the Apparition] of Menander; and in the Thesaurus [the Treasure] has described him from whom the gold is demanded, as pleading his cause why it should be deemed his own, before the person who demands it has stated how this treasure belongs to him, or how it came into the tomb of his father. Henceforward, let him not deceive himself, or fancy thus, “I have now done with it; there’s nothing that he can say to me.” I recommend him not to be mistaken, and to refrain from provoking me. I have many other points, as to which for the present he shall be pardoned, which, however, shall be brought forward hereafter, if he persists in attacking me, as he has begun to do. After the Ædiles had purchased the Eunuch of Menander, the Play which we are about to perform, he managed to get an opportunity of viewing it. When the magistrates were present it began to be performed. He exclaimed that a thief, no Poet, had produced the piece, but still had not deceived him; that, in fact, it was the Colax, an old Play of Plautus; and that from it were taken the characters of the Parasite and the Captain. If this is a fault, the fault is the ignorance of the Poet; not that he intended to be guilty of theft. That so it is, you will now be enabled to judge. The Colax is a Play of Menander’s; in it there is Colax, a Parasite, and a braggart Captain: he does not deny that he has transferred these characters into his Eunuch from the Greek; but assuredly he does deny this, that he was aware that those pieces had been already translated into Latin. But if it is not permitted us to use the same characters as others, how can it any more be allowed to represent hurrying servants, to describe virtuous matrons, artful courtesans, the gluttonous parasite, the braggart captain, the infant palmed off, the old man cajoled by the servant, about love, hatred, suspicion? In fine, nothing is said now that has not been said before. Wherefore it is but just that you should know this, and make allowance, if the moderns do what the ancients used to do. Grant me your attention, and give heed in silence, that you may understand what the Eunuch means.