Andria; or, The Fair Andrian

Perseus Latin · Perseus Latin · 901 sections

1.2.190
From this time forward, I do request, or if it is reasonable, I do entreat you, Davus, that he may now return to the right path.
1.2.191
What can this mean?
1.2.191b
All who are intriguing take it ill to have a wife given them.
1.2.192
So they say.
1.2.192b
And if anyone has adopted a bad instructor in that course, he generally urges the enfeebled mind to pursuits still more unbecoming.
1.2.194
I’faith, I do not comprehend.
1.2.194b
No? Ha—
1.2.194c
No—I am Davus, not Oedipus.
1.2.195
Of course then, you wish me to speak plainly in what further I have to say.
1.2.195b
Certainly, by all means.
1.2.196
If I this day find out that you are attempting any trickery about this marriage, to the end that it may not take place; or are desirous that in this matter it should be proved how knowing you are; I’ll hand you over, Davus, beaten with stripes, to the mill, even to your dying day,
1.2.200
upon this condition and pledge, that if ever I release you, I shall grind in your place. Now, do you understand this? Or not yet even this?
1.2.201b
Yes, perfectly: you have now spoken so plainly upon the subject, you have not used the least circumlocution.
1.2.203
In any thing would I more willingly allow myself to be imposed upon than in this matter.
1.2.204
Fair words, I entreat.
1.2.204b
You are ridiculing me: you don’t at all deceive me. I give you warning,
1.2.205
don’t act rashly, and don’t say you were not warned. Take care.
1.3.206
Assuredly, Davus, there’s no room for slothfulness or inactivity, so far as I’ve just now ascertained the old man’s mind about the marriage; which if it is not provided against by cunning, will be bringing either myself or my master to ruin. What to do, I am not determined; whether I should assist Pamphilus or obey the old man.
1.3.210
If I desert the former, I fear for his life; if I assist him, I dread the other’s threats, on whom it will be a difficult matter to impose. In the first place, he has now found out about this amour; with hostile feelings he watches me, lest I should be devising some trickery against the marriage. If he discovers it, I’m undone; or even if he chooses to allege any pretext, whether rightfully or wrongfully, he will consign me headlong to the mill.
1.3.215
To these evils this one is besides added for me. This Andrian, whether she is his wife, or whether his mistress, is pregnant by Pamphilus. It is worth while to hear their effrontery; for it is an undertaking worthy of those in their dotage, not of those who dote in love ; whatever she shall bring forth, they have resolved to rear ;
1.3.220
and they are now contriving among themselves a certain scheme, that she is a citizen of Attica. There was formerly a certain old man of this place, a merchant; he was shipwrecked off the Isle of Andros; he died. They say that there, the father of Chrysis, on that occasion, sheltered this girl, thrown on shore, an orphan, a little child. What nonsense!
1.3.225
To myself at least it isn’t very probable; the fiction pleases them, however. But Mysis is coming out of the house. Now I’ll betake myself hence to the Forum, that I may meet with Pamphilus, lest his father should take him by surprise about this matter.
1.4.228
I’ve heard you already, Archylis; you request Lesbia to be fetched. Really, upon my faith, she is a wine-bibbing and a rash woman,
1.4.230
and not sufficiently trustworthy for you to commit to her care a female at her first delivery; is she still to be brought? (She receives an answer from within, and comes forward.) Do look at the inconsiderateness of the old woman; because she is her pot-companion. Ye Gods, I do entreat you, give her ease in her delivery, and to that woman an opportunity of making her mistakes elsewhere in preference. But why do I see Pamphilus so out of spirits? I fear what it may be.
1.4.235
I’ll wait, that I may know whether this sorrow portends any disaster.
1.5.236
Is it humane to do or to devise this? Is this the duty of a father?
1.5.237
What does this mean?
1.5.237b
O, by our faith in the Gods! what is, if this is not, an indignity? He had resolved that he himself would give me a wife to-day; ought I not to have known this beforehand? Ought it not to have been mentioned previously?
1.5.240
Wretched me! What language do I hear?
1.5.241
What does Chremes do? He who had declared that he would not intrust his daughter to me as a wife; because he himself sees me unchanged he has changed. Thus perversely does he lend his aid, that he may withdraw wretched me from Glycerium. If this is effected, I am utterly undone.
1.5.245
That any man should be so unhappy in love, or so unfortunate as I am! Oh, faith of Gods and men! shall I by no device be able to escape this alliance with Chremes? In how many ways am I contemned, and held in scorn? Every thing done, and concluded! Alas! once rejected I am sought again; for what reason? Unless perhaps it is this, which I suspect it is:
1.5.250
they are rearing some monster, and as she can not be pushed off upon any one else, they have recourse to me.
1.5.251b
This language has terrified wretched me with apprehension.
1.5.252
But what am I to say about my father? Alas! that he should so thoughtlessly conclude an affair of such importance! Passing me in the Forum just now, he said, Pamphilus, you must be married to-day:
1.5.255
get ready; be off home. He seemed to me to say this: Be off this instant, and go hang yourself. I was amazed; think you that I was able to utter a single word, or any excuse, even a frivolous, false, or lame one? I was speechless. But if any one were to ask me now what I would have done, if I had known this sooner, why, I would have done any thing rather than do this. But now, what course shall I first adopt?
1.5.260
So many cares beset me, which rend my mind to pieces; love, sympathy for her, the worry of this marriage; then, respect for my father, who has ever, until now, with such an indulgent disposition, allowed me to do whatever was agreeable to my feelings. Ought I to oppose him? Ah me! I am in uncertainty what to do.
1.5.264b
I’m wretchedly afraid how this uncertainty is to terminate.
1.5.265
But now there’s an absolute necessity, either for him to speak to her, or for me to speak to him about her. While the mind is in suspense, it is swayed by a slight impulse one way or the other.
1.5.267
Who is it speaking here? (Seeing her.) Mysis? Good-morrow to you.
1.5.267b
Oh! Good-morrow to you, Pamphilus.
1.5.267c
How is she?
1.5.267d
Do you ask? She is oppressed with grief, and on this account the poor thing is anxious, because some time ago the marriage was arranged for this day. Then, too, she fears this,
1.5.270
that you may forsake her.
1.5.270b
Ha! could I attempt that? Could I suffer her, poor thing, to be deceived on my account? She, who has confided to me her affection, and her entire existence? She, whom I have held especially dear to my feelings as my wife? Shall I suffer her mind, well and chastely trained and tutored,
1.5.275
to be overcome by poverty and corrupted? I will not do it.
1.5.276b
I should have no fear if it rested with yourself alone; but whether you may be able to withstand compulsion—
1.5.277b
Do you deem me so cowardly, so utterly ungrateful, inhuman, and so brutish, that neither intimacy, nor affection, nor shame,
1.5.280
can move or admonish me to keep faith?
1.5.281
This one thing I know, that she is deserving that you should not forget her.
1.5.282
Forget her? Oh Mysis, Mysis, at this moment are those words of Chrysis concerning Glycerium written on my mind. Now at the point of death, she called me;
1.5.285
I went to her; you had withdrawn; we were alone; she began: My dear Pamphilus, you see her beauty and her youth; and it is not unknown to you to what extent both of these are now of use to her, in protecting both her chastity and her interests. By this right hand I do entreat you, and by your good Genius,
1.5.290
by your own fidelity, and by her bereft condition, do not withdraw yourself from her, or forsake her; if I have loved you as my own brother, or if she has always prized you above all others, or has been obedient to you in all things.
1.5.295
You do I give to her as a husband, friend, protector, father. This property of mine do I intrust to you, and commit to your care. She placed her in my hands; that instant, death came upon her. I accepted her; having accepted, I will protect her.
1.5.298b
So indeed I hope.
1.5.299
But why are you leaving her?
1.5.299b
I’m going to fetch the midwife.
1.5.299c
Make all haste. And—do you hear?—
1.5.300
take care, and not one word about the marriage, lest that too should add to her illness.
1.5.300b
I understand.
2.1.301
How say you, Byrrhia? Is she to be given in marriage to Pamphilus to-day?
2.1.301b
It is so.
2.1.302
How do you know?
2.1.302b
I heard it just now from Davus at the Forum.
2.1.302c
Woe unto wretched me! As, hitherto, until now, my mind has been racked amid hope and fear; so, since hope has been withdrawn, wearied with care, it sinks overwhelmed.
2.1.305
By my troth, Charinus, since that which you wish can not come to pass, prithee, do wish that which can.
2.1.306b
I wish for nothing else but Philumena.
2.1.306c
Alas! How much better were it for you to endeavor to expel that passion from your mind, than to be saying that by which your desire is to no purpose still more inflamed.
2.1.309
We all, when we are well, with ease give good advice to the sick. If you were in my situation, you would think otherwise.
2.1.310b
Well, well, just as you like.
2.1.310c
But I see Pamphilus; I’m determined I’ll try every thing before I despair.
2.1.311b
What does he mean?
2.1.312
I will entreat his own self; I will supplicate him; I will disclose to him my love. I think that I shall prevail upon him to put off the marriage for some days at least; in the mean time, something will turn up, I trust.
2.1.314b
That something is nothing.
2.1.314c
Byrrhia,
2.1.315
how seems it to you? Shall I accost him?
2.1.315b
Why not? Should you not prevail, that at least he may look upon you as a gallant ready provided for him, if he marries her.
2.1.317
Away with you to perdition with that vile suggestion, you rascal!
2.1.318
I espy Charinus. (Accosting him.) Good-morrow!
2.1.318b
O, good-morrow. Pamphilus, I’m come to you, seeking hope, safety, counsel, and assistance.
2.1.320
I’faith, I have neither time for counsel, nor resources for assistance. But what’s the matter now?
2.1.321b
To-day you are going to take a wife?
2.1.321c
So they say.
2.1.321d
Pamphilus, if you do that, you behold me this day for the last time.
2.1.322b
Why so
2.1.322c
Ah me! I dread to tell it; prithee, do you tell it, Byrrhia.
2.1.323b
I’ll tell it.
2.1.323c
What is it?
2.1.324
He’s in love with your betrothed.
2.1.324b
Assuredly he’s not of my way of thinking. Come now, tell me,
2.1.325
have you had any more to do with her, Charinus?
2.1.325b
Oh Pamphilus, nothing.
2.1.326b
How much I wish you had.
2.1.326c
Now, by our friendship and by my affection, I do beseech you, in the first place, not to marry her.
2.1.327b
For my own part I’ll use my endeavors.
2.1.327c
But if that can not be, or if this marriage is agreeable to you—
2.1.328b
Agreeable to me?
2.1.328c
Put it off for some days at least, while I go elsewhere, that I may not be witness.
2.1.329b
Now listen, once for all:
2.1.330
I think it, Charinus, to be by no means the part of an ingenuous man, when he confers nothing, to expect that it should be considered as an obligation on his part. I am more desirous to avoid this match, than you to gain it.
2.1.333
You have restored me to life.

Perseus Latin. CTS URN phi0134.phi001.perseus-eng2. Via the Perseus Digital Library / Open Greek and Latin TEI corpora. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source.