Complete Works of Terence

by Terence

  Gna. (apart.) If I manage this, I ask that your house, whether you are present or absent, may be open to me; that, without invitation, there may always be a place for me.

  Thra. (apart.) I pledge my honor that it shall be so.

  Gna. (apart.) I’ll set about it then.

  Phæd. Who is it I hear so close at hand? (Turning round.) O Thraso —

  Thra. (coming forward.) Save you both —

  Phæd. Perhaps you are not aware what has taken place here.

  Thra. I am quite aware.

  Phæd. Why, then, do I see you in this neighborhood?

  Thra. Depending on your kindness.

  Phæd. Do you know what sort of dependence you have? Captain, I give you notice, if ever I catch you in this street again, even if you should say to me, “I was looking for another person, I was on my road this way,” you are undone.

  Gna. Come, come, that’s not handsome.

  Phæd. I’ve said it.

  Gna. I didn’t know you gave yourself such airs.

  Phæd. So it shall be.

  Gna. First hear a few words from me; and when I have said the thing, if you approve of it, do it.

  Phæd. Let’s hear.

  Gna. Do you step a little that way, Thraso. (Thraso stands aside.) In the first place, I wish you both implicitly to believe me in this, that whatever I do in this matter, I do it entirely for my own sake; but if the same thing is of advantage to yourselves, it would be folly for you not to do it.

  Phæd. What is it?

  Gna. I’m of opinion that the Captain, your rival, should be received among you.

  Phæd. (starting.) Hah!

  Chæ. Be received?

  Gna. (to Phædria.) Only consider. I’faith, Phaedria, at the free rate you are living with her, and indeed very freely you are living, you have but little to give; and it’s necessary for Thais to receive a good deal. That all this may be supplied for your amour and not at your own expense, there is not an individual better suited or more fitted for your purpose than the Captain. In the first place, he both has got enough to give, and no one does give more profusely. He is a fool, a dolt, a blockhead; night and day he snores away; and you need not fear that the lady will fall in love with him; you may easily have him discarded whenever you please.

  Chæ. (to Phædria.) What shall we do?

  Gna. And this besides, which I deem to be of even greater importance, — not a single person entertains in better style or more bountifully.

  Chæ. It’s a wonder if this sort of man can not be made use of in some way or other.

  Phæd. I think so too.

  Gna. You act properly. One thing I have still to beg of you, — that you’ll receive me into your fraternity; I’ve been rolling that stone for a considerable time past.

  Phæd. We admit you.

  Chæ. And with all my heart.

  Gna. Then I, in return for this, Phaedria, and you, Chaerea, make him over to you to be eaten and drunk to the dregs.

  Chæ. Agreed.

  Phæd. He quite deserves it.

  Gna. (calling to Thraso.) Thraso, whenever you please, step this way.

  Thra. Prithee, how goes it?

  Gna. How? Why, these people didn’t know you; after I had discovered to them your qualities, and had praised you as your actions and your virtues deserved, I prevailed upon them.

  Thra. You have managed well; I give you my best thanks. Besides, I never was any where but what all were extremely fond of me.

  Gna. (to Phædria and Chærea.) Didn’t I tell you that he was a master of the Attic elegance?

  Phæd. He is no other than you mentioned. (Pointing to his Father’s house.) Walk this way. (To the Audience.) Fare you well, and grant us your applause.

  THE BROTHERS

  Translated by Henry Thomas Riley

  Adapted from plays by Menander and Diphilus, The Brothers was first performed in 160 BC at the funeral games of Aemilius Paulus. In the plot, Demea, the father of Aeschinus and Ctesipho, decides to separate his children and raises Ctesipho while allowing his brother Micio to raise Aeschinus. Demea is a strict authoritarian father, and Micio is permissive and democratic. The play explores the theme of ideal child-rearing, as demonstrated by the successes and failures of Demea’s parenting.

  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.

  Scene VII.

  ACT THE FOURTH.

  Scene I.

  Scene II.

  Scene III.

  Scene IV.

  Scene V.

  Scene VI.

  Scene VII.

  Scene VIII.

  Scene IX.

  Scene X.

  ACT THE FIFTH.

  Scene I.

  Scene II.

  Scene III.

  Scene IV.

  Scene V.

  Scene VI.

  Scene VII.

  Scene VIII.

  Scene IX.

  A Roman mosaic in Pompeii depicting actors in a scene from a well-known play

  DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

  Demea, Brother, aged Athenian.

  Micio, Brother, aged Athenian.

  Hegio, an aged Athenian, kinsman of Sostrata.

  Æschinus, son of Demea, adopted by Micio.

  Ctesipho, another son of Demea.

  Sannio, a Procurer.

  Geta, servant of Sostrata.

  Parmeno, servant of Micio.

  Syrus, servant of Micio.

  Dromo, servant of Micio.

  Pamphila, a young woman beloved by Æschinus.

  Sostrata, a widow, mother of Pamphila.

  Canthara, a Nurse.

  A Music-girl.

  Scene. — Athens; before the houses of Micio and Sostrata.

  THE SUBJECT.

  Micio and Demea are two brothers of dissimilar tempers. Demea is married, and lives a country life, while his brother remains single, and resides in Athens. Demea has two sons, the elder of whom, Æschinus, has been adopted by Micio. Being allowed by his indulgent uncle to gratify his inclinations without restraint, Æschinus has debauched Pamphila, the daughter of a widow named Sostrata. Having, however, promised to marry the young woman, he has been pardoned for the offense, and it has been kept strictly secret. Ctesipho, who lives in the country with his father under great restraint, on visiting the city, falls in love with a certain Music-girl, who belongs to the Procurer Sannio. To screen his brother, Æschinus takes the responsibility of the affair on himself, and succeeds in carrying off the girl for him. Demea, upon hearing of this, censures Micio for his ill-timed indulgence, the bad effects of which are thus exemplified in Æschinus; and at the same time lauds the steady conduct and frugality of Ctesipho, who has been brought up under his own supervision. Shortly after this, Sostrata hears the story about the Music-girl, at the very time that her daughter Pamphila is in labor. She naturally supposes that Æschinus has deserted her daughter for another, and hastens to acquaint Hegio, her kinsman, with the fact. Meantime Demea learns that Ctesipho has taken part in carrying off the Music-girl, whereon Syrus invents a story, and screens Ctesipho for the moment. Demea is next informed by Hegio of the conduct of Æschinus toward Pamphila. Wishing to find his brother, he is purposely sent on a fruitless errand by Syrus, on which he wanders all over the city to no purpose. Micio having now been informed by Hegio, and knowing that the intentions of Æschinus toward Pamphila are not changed, accompanies him to the house of S
ostrata, whom he consoles by his promise that Æschinus shall marry her daughter. Demea then returns from his search, and, rushing into Micio’s house, finds his son Ctesipho there carousing; on which he exclaims vehemently against Micio, who uses his best endeavors to soothe him, and finally with success. He now determines to become kind and considerate for the future. At his request, Pamphila is brought to Micio’s house; and the nuptials are celebrated. Micio, at the earnest request of Demea and Æschinus, marries Sostrata; Hegio has a competency allowed him; and Syrus and his wife Phrygia are made free. The Play concludes with a serious warning from Demea, who advises his relatives not to squander their means in riotous living; but, on the contrary, to bear admonition and to submit to restraint in a spirit of moderation and thankfulness.

  THE TITLE OF THE PLAY.

  Performed at the Funeral Games of Æmilius Paulus, which were celebrated by Q. Fabius Maximus and P. Cornelius Africanus. L. Atilius Prænestinus and Minutius Prothimus performed it. Flaccus, the freedman of Claudius, composed the music for Sarranian flutes. Taken from the Greek of Menander, L. Anicius and M. Cornelius being Consuls.

  THE SUMMARY OF C. SULPITIUS APOLLINARIS.

  As Demea has two sons, young men, he gives Æschinus to his brother Micio to be adopted by him; but he retains Ctesipho: him, captivated with the charms of a Music-girl, and under a harsh and strict father, his brother Æschinus screens; the scandal of the affair and the amour he takes upon himself; at last, he carries the Music-girl away from the Procurer. This same Æschinus has previously debauched a poor woman, a citizen of Athens, and has given his word that she shall be his wife. Demea upbraids him, and is greatly vexed; afterward, however, when the truth is discovered, Æschinus marries the girl who has been debauched; and, his harsh father Demea now softened, Ctesipho retains the Music-girl.

  THE PROLOGUE.

  Since the Poet has found that his writings are carped at by unfair critics, and that his adversaries represent in a bad light the Play that we are about to perform, he shall give information about himself; you shall be the judges whether this ought to be esteemed to his praise or to his discredit. The Synapothnescontes is a Comedy of Diphilus; Plautus made it into a Play called the “Commorientes.” In the Greek, there is a young man, who, at the early part of the Play, carries off a Courtesan from a Procurer; that part Plautus has entirely left out. This portion he has adopted in the Adelphi, and has transferred it, translated word for word. This new Play we are about to perform; determine then whether you think a theft has been committed, or a passage has been restored to notice which has been passed over in neglect. For as to what these malevolent persons say, that men of noble rank assist him, and are always writing in conjunction with him — that which they deem to be a heavy crimination, he takes to be the highest praise; since he pleases those who please you all and the public; the aid of whom in war, in peace, in private business, each one has availed himself of, on his own occasion, without any haughtiness on their part. Now then, do not expect the plot of the Play; the old men who come first will disclose it in part; a part in the representation they will make known. Do you cause your impartial attention to increase the industry of the Poet in writing.

  ACT THE FIRST.

  Scene I.

  Enter Micio, calling to a servant within.

  Mic. Storax! Æschinus has not returned home from the entertainment last night, nor any of the servants who went to fetch him. (To himself.) Really, they say it with reason, if you are absent any where, or if you stay abroad at any time, ‘twere better for that to happen which your wife says against you, and which in her passion she imagines in her mind, than the things which fond parents fancy. A wife, if you stay long abroad, either imagines that you are in love or are beloved, or that you are drinking and indulging your inclination, and that you only are taking your pleasure, while she herself is miserable. As for myself, in consequence of my son not having returned home, what do I imagine? In what ways am I not disturbed? For fear lest he may either have taken cold, or have fallen down somewhere, or have broken some limb. Oh dear! that any man should take it into his head, or find out what is dearer to him than he is to himself! And yet he is not my son, but my brother’s. He is quite different in disposition. I, from my very youth upward, have lived a comfortable town life, and taken my ease; and, what they esteem a piece of luck, I have never had a wife. He, on the contrary to all this, has spent his life in the country, and has always lived laboriously and penuriously. He married a wife, and has two sons. This one, the elder of them, I have adopted. I have brought him up from an infant, and considered and loved him as my own. In him I centre my delight; this object alone is dear to me. On the other hand, I take all due care that he may hold me equally dear. I give — I overlook; I do not judge it necessary to exert my authority in every thing; in fine, the things that youth prompts to, and that others do unknown to their fathers, I have used my son not to conceal from me. For he, who, as the practice is, will dare to tell a lie to or to deceive his father, will still more dare to do so to others. I think it better to restrain children through a sense of shame and liberal treatment, than through fear. On these points my brother does not agree with me, nor do they please him. He often comes to me exclaiming, “What are you about, Micio? Why do you ruin for us this youth? Why does he intrigue? Why does he drink? Why do you supply him with the means for these goings on? You indulge him with too much dress; you are very inconsiderate.” He himself is too strict, beyond what is just and reasonable; and he is very much mistaken, in my opinion, at all events, who thinks that an authority is more firm or more lasting which is established by force, than that which is founded on affection. Such is my mode of reasoning;

  203 and thus do I persuade myself. He, who, compelled by harsh treatment, does his duty, so long as he thinks it will be known, is on his guard: if he hopes that it will be concealed, he again returns to his natural bent. He whom you have secured by kindness, acts from inclination; he is anxious to return like for like; present and absent, he will be the same. This is the duty of a parent, to accustom a son to do what is right rather of his own choice, than through fear of another. In this the father differs from the master: he who can not do this, let him confess that he does not know how to govern children. But is not this the very man of whom I was speaking? Surely it is he. I don’t know why it is I see him out of spirits; I suppose he’ll now be scolding as usual. Demea, I am glad to see you well.

  Scene II.

  Enter Demea.

  Dem. Oh, — opportunely met; you are the very man I was looking for.

  Mic. Why are you out of spirits?

  Dem. Do you ask me, when we have such a son as Æschinus, why I’m out of spirits?

  Mic. (aside.) Did I not say it would be so? (To Demea.) What has he been doing?

  Dem. What has he been doing? He, who is ashamed of nothing, and fears no one, nor thinks that any law can control him. But I pass by what has been previously done: what a thing he has just perpetrated!

  Mic. Why, what is it?

  Dem. He has broken open a door, and forced his way into another person’s house, beaten to death the master himself, and all the household, and carried off a wench whom he had a fancy for. All people are exclaiming that it was a most disgraceful proceeding. How many, Micio, told me of this as I was coming here? It is in every body’s mouth. In fine, if an example must be cited, does he not see his brother giving his attention to business, and living frugally and soberly in the country? No action of his is like this. When I say this to him, Micio, I say it to you. You allow him to be corrupted.

  Mic. Never is there any thing more unreasonable than a man who wants experience, who thinks nothing right except what he himself has done.

  Dem. What is the meaning of that?

  Mic. Because, Demea, you misjudge these matters. It is no heinous crime, believe me, for a young man to intrigue or to drink; it is not; nor yet for him to break open a door. If neither I nor you did so, it was poverty that did not allow us to do so. Do
you now claim that as a merit to yourself, which you then did from necessity? That is unfair; for if we had had the means to do so, we should have done the same. And, if you were a man, you would now suffer that other son of yours to act thus now, while his age will excuse it, rather than, when he has got you, after long wishing it, out of the way, he should still do so, at a future day, and at an age more unsuited.

  Dem. O Jupiter! You, sir, are driving me to distraction. Is it not a heinous thing for a young man to do these things?

  Mic. Oh! do listen to me, and do not everlastingly din me upon this subject. You gave me your son to adopt; he became mine; if he offends in any thing, Demea, he offends against me: in that case I shall bear the greater part of the inconvenience. Does he feast, does he drink, does he smell of perfumes, — it is at my cost. Does he intrigue, money shall be found by me, so long as it suits me; when it shall be no longer convenient, probably he’ll be shut out of doors. Has he broken open a door — it shall be replaced; has he torn any one’s clothes — they shall be mended. Thanks to the Gods, I both have means for doing this, and these things are not as yet an annoyance. In fine, either desist, or else find some arbitrator between us: I will show that in this matter you are the most to blame.

  Dem. Ah me! Learn to be a father from those who are really so.

  Mic. You are his father by nature, I by my anxiety.

  Dem. You, feel any anxiety?

  Mic. Oh dear, — if you persist, I’ll leave you.

  Dem. Is it thus you act?

  Mic. Am I so often to hear about the same thing?

  Dem. I have some concern for my son.

  Mic. I have some concern for him too; but, Demea, let us each be concerned for his own share — you for the one, and I for the other. For, to concern yourself about both is almost the same thing as to demand him back again, whom you intrusted to me.

  Dem. Alas, Micio!