Andria; or, The Fair Andrian

Perseus Latin · Perseus Latin · 901 sections

2.1.333b
Now, if you can do any thing, either you yourself, or Byrrhia here, manage, fabricate, invent, contrive some means, whereby she may be given to you;
2.1.335
this I shall aim at, how she may not be given to me.
2.1.335b
I am satisfied.
2.1.335c
Most opportunely I perceive Davus, on whose advice I have depended.
2.1.336b
But you, i’faith, tell me nothing, except those things which there is no need for knowing. (Pushing him away.) Get you gone from here.
2.1.337b
Certainly I will, and with all my heart. (Exit.)
2.2.338
Ye gracious Gods, what good news I bring! But where shall I find Pamphilus, that I may remove the apprehension in which he now is, and fill his mind with joy—?
2.2.340
He’s rejoiced about something, I don’t know what.
2.2.340b
It’s of no consequence; he hasn’t yet heard of these misfortunes.
2.2.341
For I do believe now, if he has already heard that a marriage is prepared for him—
2.2.342
Don’t you hear him?
2.2.342b
He is seeking me distractedly all the city over. But where shall I look for him? Or in which direction now first to betake me—
2.2.343b
Do you hesitate to accost him?
2.2.344
I have it.
2.2.344b
Davus, come here! Stop!
2.2.344c
Who’s the person that’s—(Turning round.) O Pamphilus,
2.2.345
you are the very man I’m looking for. Well done, Charinus! both in the nick of time: I want you both.
2.2.346
Davus, I’m undone!
2.2.346b
Nay but, do hear this.
2.2.346c
I’m utterly ruined!
2.2.346d
I know what you are afraid of.
2.2.347
I’faith, my life indeed is really in danger.
2.2.347b
And what you are afraid of, I know.
2.2.348
My marriage—
2.2.348b
As if I did not know it?
2.2.348c
This day—
2.2.348d
Why keep dinning me with it, when I know it all? (To PAMPHILUS.) This are you afraid of, lest you should marry her; and you (to CHARINUS,) lest you should not marry her.
2.2.349b
You understand the matter.
2.2.350
That’s the very thing.
2.2.350b
And that very thing is in no danger; trust me for that.
2.2.351
I do entreat you, release wretched me as soon as possible from this apprehension.
2.2.351b
Well, then, I will release you; Chremes is not going to give you his daughter at present.
2.2.352b
How do you know?
2.2.352c
You shall know. Your father just now laid hold of me; he said that a wife was to be given you to-day, and many other things as well, which just now I haven’t time to relate.
2.2.355
Hastening to you immediately, I ran on to the Forum that I might tell you these things. When I didn’t find you, I ascended there to ahigh place. I looked around; you were nowhere. There by chance I saw Byrrhia, his servant (pointing to CHARINUS.). I inquired of him; he said he hadn’t seen you. This puzzled me. I considered what I was to do. As I was returning in the mean time, a surmise from the circumstances themselves occurred to me: How now,—
2.2.360
a very small amount of good cheer; he out of spirits; a marriage all of a sudden; these things don’t agree.
2.2.361b
But to what purpose this?
2.2.361c
I forthwith betook myself to the house of Chremes. When I arrived there—stillness before the door; then I was pleased at that.
2.2.363
You say well.
2.2.363b
Proceed.
2.2.363c
I stopped there. In the mean time I saw no one going in, no one going out; no matron at the house,
2.2.365
no preparation, no bustle. I drew near; looked in—
2.2.365b
I understand; a considerable indication.
2.2.366b
Do these things seem to accord with a wedding?
2.2.367
I think not, Davus.
2.2.367b
Think, do you say? You don’t view it rightly; the thing is certain. Besides, coming away from there I saw the servant-boy of Chremes carrying some vegetables and little fishes, an obol’s worth, for the old man’s dinner.
2.2.370
This day, Davus, have I been delivered by your means.
2.2.370b
And yet not at all.
2.2.371
Why so? Surely he will not give her to him, after all this. (Pointing to PAMPHILUS.)
2.2.371b
You silly fellow! as though it were a necessary consequence that if he doesn’t give her to him you should marry her: unless, indeed, you look about you; unless you entreat and make court to the old man’s friends.
2.2.373b
You advise well. I’ll go; although, upon my faith, this hope has often eluded me already. Farewell!
2.3.375
What then does my father mean? Why does he thus make pretense?
2.3.375b
I’ll tell you. If now he were angry with you, because Chremes will not give you a wife, he would seem to himself to be unjust, and that not without reason, before he has ascertained your feelings as to the marriage, how they are disposed. But if you refuse to marry her, in that case he will transfer the blame to you;
2.3.380
then such disturbances will arise.
2.3.380b
I will submit to any thing from him.
2.3.380c
He is your father, Pamphilus. It is a difficult matter. Besides, this woman is defenseless. No sooner said than done; he will find some pretext for driving her away from the city.
2.3.382b
Driving her away?
2.3.382c
Aye, and quickly too.
2.3.383
Tell me then, Davus, what am I to do?
2.3.383b
Say that you will marry her.
2.3.383c
Ha!
2.3.383d
What’s the matter?
2.3.384
What, am I to say so?
2.3.384b
Why not?
2.3.384c
Never will I do it.
2.3.384d
Don’t say so.
2.3.385
Don’t attempt to persuade me.
2.3.385b
Consider what will be the result of it.
2.3.386
That I shall be deprived of the one, and fixed with the other.
2.3.386b
Not so. In fact, I think it will be thus: Your father will say: I wish you to marry a wife to-day. You reply: I’ll marry her. Tell me, how can he raise a quarrel with you? Thus you will cause all the plans
2.3.390
which are now arranged by him to be disarranged, without any danger; for this is not to be doubted, that Chremes will not give you his daughter. Therefore do not hesitate in those measures which you are taking, on this account, lest he should change his sentiments. Tell your father that you consent; so that although he may desire it, he may not be able to be angry at you with reason.
2.3.395
For that which you rely on, I will easily refute; No one, you think, will give a wife to a person of these habits. But he will find a beggar for you, rather than allow you to be corrupted by a mistress. If, however, he shall believe that you bear it with a contented mind, you will render him indifferent; at his leisure he will look out for another wife for you; in the mean time something lucky may turn up.
2.3.399
Do you think so?
2.3.399b
It really is not a matter of doubt.
2.3.399c
Consider to what you are persuading me.
2.3.399d
Nay, but do be quiet.
2.3.400
Well, I’ll say it; but, that he mayn’t come to know that she has had a child by me, is a thing to be guarded against; for I have promised to bring it up.
2.3.401b
Oh, piece of effrontery.
2.3.401c
She entreated me that I would give her this pledge, by which she might be sure she should not be deserted.
2.3.403
It shall be attended to; but your father’s coming. Take care that he doesn’t perceive that you are out of spirits.
2.4.404
I’ve come back to see what they are about, or what scheme they are hatching.
2.4.405
He has no doubt at present but that you’ll refuse to marry. Having considered his course, he’s come from a retired spot somewhere or other; he hopes that he has framed a speech by which to disconcert you; do you take care, then, to be yourself.
2.4.409
If I am only able, Davus.
2.4.409b
Trust me for that, Pamphilus, I tell you; your father will never this day exchange a single word with you, if you say that you will marry.
2.5.412
My master has ordered me, leaving my business, to keep an eye on Pamphilus today, what he is doing with regard to the marriage. I was to learn it; for that reason, I have now followed him (pointing to SIMO.) as he came hither.
2.5.415
Himself, as well, I see standing with Davus close at hand; I’ll note this.
2.5.416
I see that both of them are here.
2.5.416b
Now then, be on your guard.
2.5.416c
Pamphilus!
2.5.417
Look round at him as though taken unawares.
2.5.417b
What, my father!
2.5.418
Capital!
2.5.418b
I wish you to marry a wife to-day, as I was saying.
2.5.419
Now I’m in dread for our side, as to what he will answer.
2.5.420
Neither in that nor in any thing else shall you ever find any hesitation in me.
2.5.420b
Hah!
2.5.421
He is struck dumb.
2.5.421b
What a speech!
2.5.421c
You act as becomes you, when that which I ask I obtain with a good grace.
2.5.423
Am I right?

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.