Eunuchus; or, The Eunuch

Perseus Latin · Perseus Latin · 932 sections

front.cast
Dramatis Personae LACHES, an aged Athenian. PHAEDRIA, his sons. CHAEREA ANTIPHO, a young man, friend of Chaerea. CHREMES, a young man, brother of Pamphila. THRASO, a boastful Captain. GNATHO, a Parasite. PARMENO, servant of Phldria. SANGA, cook to Thraso. DONAX, servants of Thraso. SIMALIO SYRISCUS DORUS, a Eunuch slave. THAIS, a Courtesan. PYTHIAS, her attendants. DORIAS SOPHRONA, a nurse. PAMPHILA, a female slave.
front.scene
(Scene.—Athens; before the houses of LACHES and THAIS. )
front.subject
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 Phaedria, 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 Phaedria. Finding that the girl is no other than Pamphila, Thais is at a loss what to do, as she both loves Phaedria, and is extremely anxious to recover Pamphila. At length, to please the Captain, she excludes Phaedria, 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. Phaedria 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 Aethiopian girl, whom he has purchased for her. The Captain also sends Pamphila, who is accidentally seen by Chaerea, the younger brother of Phaedria; 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 Chaerea; while Thraso becomes reconciled to Phaedria, through the mediation of Gnatho, his Parasite.
front.production
THE TITLE OF THE PLAY. PERFORMED at the Megalensian Games; L. Posthumius Albinus and L. Cornelius Merula being Curule Aediles. L. Ambivius Turpio and L. Atilius Praenestinus 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.
front.argument
THE SUMMARY OF C. SULPITIUS 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, Phaedria, 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 Phaedria, 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 Phaedria by his entreaties.
prologue.pr.1
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.
prologue.pr.4
Next, if there is one who thinks that language too harsh is here applied to him, let him bear this in mind—
prologue.pr.6
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;
prologue.pr.10
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,
prologue.pr.15
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,
prologue.pr.19
as he has begun to do. After the Aediles 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;
prologue.pr.25
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.
prologue.pr.30
The Colax is a Play of Meander’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.
prologue.pr.35
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,
prologue.pr.40
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,
prologue.pr.45
that you may understand what the Eunuch means.
1.1.46
What then, shall I do? Ought I not to go, not now even, when I am sent for of her own accord? Or ought I rather so to behave myself as not to put up with affronts from Courtesans? She shut her door against me; she now invites me back. Ought I to return? No; though she should implore me.
1.1.50
l’faith, if indeed you only can, there’s nothing better or more spirited; but if you begin, and can not hold out stoutly, and if, when you can not endure it, while no one asks you, peace being not made, you come to her of your own accord, showing that you love her, and can not endure it, you are done for; it’s all over with you;
1.1.55
you are ruined outright. She’ll be jilting you, when she finds you overcome. Do you then, while there’s time, again and again reflect upon this, master, that a matter, which in itself admits of neither prudence nor moderation, you are unable to manage with prudence. In love there are all these evils; wrongs,
1.1.60
suspicions, enmities reconcilements, war, then peace; if you expect to render these things, naturally uncertain, certain by dint of reason, you wouldn’t effect it a bit the more than if you were to use your endeavors to be mad with reason. And, what you are now, in anger, meditating to yourself,
1.1.65
What! I to her? Who—him! Who—me! Who wouldn’t? Only let me alone; I had rather die; she shall find out what sort of a person I am; these expressions, upon my faith, by a single false tiny tear, which, by rubbing her eyes, poor thing, she can hardly squeeze out perforce, she will put an end to; and she’ll be the first to accuse you; and you will be
1.1.70
too ready to give satisfaction to her.
1.1.70b
O disgraceful conduct! I now perceive, both that she is perfidious, and that I am a wretched man. I am both weary of her, and burn with passion; knowing and fully sensible, alive and seeing it, I am going to ruin; nor do I know what I am to do.
1.1.74
What you are to do? Why, only to redeem yourself, thus captivated,
1.1.75
at the smallest price you can; if you can not at a very small, rate, still for as little as you can; and do not afflict yourself.
1.1.76b
Do you persuade me to this?
1.1.76c
If you are wise. And don’t be adding to the troubles which love itself produces; those which it does produce, bear patiently. But see, here she is coming herself, the downfall of our fortunes,—
1.1.80
for that which we ought ourselves to enjoy she intercepts.
1.2.81
Ah wretched me! I fear lest Phaedria should take it amiss or otherwise than I intended it, that he was not admitted yesterday.
1.2.83b
I’m trembling and shivering all over, Parmeno, at the sight of her.
1.2.84b
Be of good heart;
1.2.85
only approach this fire, you’ll soon be warmer than you need.
1.2.86
Who is it that’s speaking here? What, are you here, my Phaedria? Why are you standing here? Why didn’t you come into the house at once?
1.2.87b
But not a word about shutting you out!
1.2.88b
Why are you silent?
1.2.89
Of course, it’s because this door is always open to me,
1.2.90
or because I’m the highest in your favor?
1.2.90b
Pass those matters by.
1.2.91
How pass them by? O Thais, Thais, I wish that I had equal affection with yourself, and that it were in like degree, that either this might distress you in the same way that it distresses me, or that I might be indifferent at this being done by you.
1.2.95
Prithee, don’t torment yourself, my life, my Phaedria. Upon my faith, I did it, not because I love or esteem any person more than you; but the case was such that it was necessary to be done.
1.2.98
I suppose that, poor thing, you shut him out of doors, for love, according to the usual practice.
1.2.99
Is it thus you act, Parmeno? Well, well. (To PHAEDRIA.) But listen—the reason for which
1.2.100
I desired you to be sent for hither—
1.2.100b
Go on.
1.2.100c
First tell me this; can this fellow possibly hold his tongue?
1.2.101b
What, I? Perfectly well. But, hark you, upon these conditions I pledge my word to you; the truth that I hear, I’m silent upon, and retain it most faithfully; but if I hear what’s false and without foundation, it’s out at once;
1.2.105
I’m full of chinks, and leak in every direction. Therefore, if you wish it to be kept secret, speak the truth.
1.2.107
My mother was a Samian; she lived at Rhodes—
1.2.108
That may be kept a secret.
1.2.108b
There, at that period, a certain merchant made present to my mother of a little girl,
1.2.110
who had been stolen away from Attica here.
1.2.110b
What, a citizen?
1.2.110c
I think so; we do not know for certain: she herself used to mention her mother’s and her father’s name; her country and other tokens she didn’t know, nor, by reason of her age, was she able. The merchant added this: that he had heard from the kidnappers
1.2.115
that she had been carried off from Sunium. When my mother received her, she began carefully to teach her every thing, and to bring her up, just as though she had been her own daughter. Most persons supposed that she was my sister.
1.2.119
Thence I came hither with that stranger, with whom alone at that period I was connected; he left me all which I now possess—
1.2.121
Both these things are false; out it goes.
1.2.121b
How so?
1.2.121c
Because you were neither content with one, nor was he the only one to make you presents; for he likewise (pointing to PHAEDRIA) brought a pretty considerable share to you.
1.2.124
Such is the fact; but do allow me to arrive at the point I wish.
1.2.125
In the mean time, the Captain, who had begun to take a fancy to me, set out to Caria; since when, in the interval, I became acquainted with you. You yourself are aware how very dear I have held you; and how I confess to you all my nearest counsels.
1.2.129
Nor will Parmeno be silent about that.
1.2.129b
O, is that a matter of doubt?
1.2.130
Attend; I entreat you. My mother died there recently; her brother is somewhat greedy after wealth. When he saw that this damsel was of beauteous form and understood music, hoping for a good price, he forthwith put her up for sale, and sold her. By good fortune
1.2.135
this friend of mine was present; he bought her as a gift to me, not knowing or suspecting any thing of all this. He returned; but when he perceived that I had formed a connection with you as well, he feigned excuses on purpose that he might not give her; he said that if he could feel confidence that he should be preferred to yourself
1.2.140
by me, so as not to apprehend that, when I had received her, I should forsake him, then he was ready to give her to me; but that he did fear this. But, so far as I can conjecture, he has set his affections upon the girl.
1.2.143b
Any thing beyond that?
1.2.144
Nothing; for I have made inquiry. Now, my Phaedria,
1.2.145
there are many reasons why I could wish to get her away from him. In the first place, because she was called my sister; moreover, that I may restore and deliver her to her friends. I am a lone woman; I have no one here, neither acquaintance nor relative; wherefore, Phaedria, I am desirous by my good offices to secure friends.
1.2.150
Prithee, do aid me in this, in order that it may be the more easily effected. Do allow him for the few next days to have the preference with me. Do you make no answer?
1.2.152b
Most vile woman! Can I make you any answer after such behavior as this?
1.2.154
Well done, my master, I commend you; (aside) he’s galled at last. (To PHAEDRIA.) You show yourself a man.
1.2.155
I was not aware what you were aiming at; she was carried away from here, when a little child; my mother brought her up as though her own; she was called my sister; I wish to get her away, that I may restore her to her friends. The meaning is, that all these expressions, in fine, now amount to this, that I am shut out, he is admitted. For what reason?
1.2.160
Except that you love him more than me: and now you are afraid of her who has been brought hither, lest she should win him, such as he is, from yourself.
1.2.162
I, afraid of that?
1.2.162b
What else, then, gives you concern? Let me know. Is he the only person who makes presents? Have you found my bounty shut against you?
1.2.165
Did I not, when you told me that you wished for a servant-maid from Aethiopia, setting all other matters aside, go and seek for one? Then you said that you wanted a Eunuch, because ladies of quality alone make use of them; I found you one. I yesterday paid twenty minae for them both.
1.2.170
Though slighted by you, I still kept these things in mind; as a reward for so doing, I am despised by you.
1.2.171b
Phaedria, what does this mean? Although I wish to get her away, and think that by these means it could most probably be effected; still, rather than make an enemy of you, I’ll do as you request me.
1.2.175
I only wish that you used that expression from your heart and truthfully, rather than make an enemy of you. If I could believe that this was said sincerely, I could put up with any thing.
1.2.178
He staggers; how instantaneously is he vanquished by a single expression!
1.2.179
I, wretched woman, not speak from my heart? What, pray,
1.2.180
did you ever ask of me in jest, but that you carried your point? I am unable to obtain even this of you, that you would grant me only two days.
1.2.182b
If, indeed, it is but two days; but don’t let these days become twenty.
1.2.184
Assuredly not more than two days, or—
1.2.184b
Or? I won’t have it.
1.2.185
It shall not be; only do allow me to obtain this of you.
1.2.185b
Of course that which you desire must be done.
1.2.186b
I love you as you deserve; you act obligingly.
1.2.186c
I shall go into the country; there I shall worry myself for the next two days: I’m resolved to do so; Thais must be humored. Do you, Parmeno, take care that they are brought hither.
1.2.189b
Certainly.
1.2.190
For the next two days then, Thais, adieu.
1.2.190b
And the same to you, my Phaedria; do you desire aught else?
1.2.191b
What should I desire? That, present with the Captain, you may be as if absent; that night and day you may love me; may feel my absence; may dream of me; may be impatient for me; may think about me;
1.2.195
may hope for me; may centre your delight in me; may be all in all with me; in fine, if you will, be my very life, as I am yours.
1.2.197
Ah wretched me! perhaps now he puts but little faith in me, and forms his estimate of me from the dispositions of other women. By my troth, I, who know my own self, am very sure of this,
1.2.200
that I have not feigned any thing that’s false, and that no person is dearer to my heart than this same Phaedria; and whatever in the present case I have done, for this girl’s sake have I done it; for I trust that now I have pretty nearly discovered her brother, a young man of very good family;
1.2.205
and he has appointed this day to come to me at my house. I’ll go hence in-doors, and wait until he comes.
2.1.207
Mind that those people are taken there, as I ordered.
2.1.207b
I’ll do so.
2.1.207c
And carefully.

Perseus Latin. CTS URN phi0134.phi003.perseus-eng2. Via the Perseus Digital Library / Open Greek and Latin TEI corpora. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source.