Terence's Andrian, a comedy, in five acts : $b Translated into English prose, with critical and explanatory notes.Terence
General
Terence's Andrian, a comedy, in five acts : $b Translated into English prose, with critical and explanatory notes.
Terence
Latin drama (Comedy) -- Translations into English; Terence -- Translations into English
_Simo._ In the mean time the procession advances; we follow, and arrive
at the tomb[80]: the corpse is placed on the pile[81], and quickly
enveloped in flames; they weep; while the sister I was speaking of,
rushed forward in an agony of grief toward the fire; and her imprudence
exposed her to great danger. Then, then it was, that Pamphilus, half
dead with terror, publicly betrayed the love he had hitherto so well
concealed: he flew to the spot, and throwing his arms around her with
all the tenderness imaginable; my dearest Glycera, cried he, what are
you about to do? Why do you rush upon destruction? Upon which she threw
herself weeping upon his bosom in so affectionate a manner, that it was
easy enough to perceive their mutual love.
_Sosia._ How! is this possible!
_Simo._ I returned home, scarcely able to contain my anger; but yet
I had not sufficient cause to chide Pamphilus openly; as he might
have replied to me, What have I done amiss, my father? or how have I
offended you? of what am I guilty? I have preserved the life of one
who was going to throw herself into the flames: I prevented her: this
would have been a plausible excuse.
_Sosia._ You consider this rightly, Sir; for if he who has helped to
save a life is to be blamed for it; what must be done to him who is
guilty of violence and injustice?
_Simo._ The next day Chremes came to me, and complained of being
shamefully used, as he had discovered for a certainty that Pamphilus
had actually married this strange woman[82]. I positively denied that
this was the case, and he as obstinately insisted on the truth of it:
at last I left him, as he was absolutely resolved to break off the
match.
_Sosia._ Did you not then rebuke Pamphilus?
_Simo._ No: there was nothing yet so flagrant as to justify my rebuke.
_Sosia._ How so, Sir, pray explain?
_Simo._ He might have answered me thus: you yourself, my father, have
fixed the time when this liberty must cease; and the period is at hand
when I must conform myself to the pleasure of another: permit me then,
I beseech you, for the short space that remains to me, to live as my
own will prompts me.
_Sosia._ True. What cause of complaint can you then find against him?
_Simo._ If he is induced by his love for this stranger, to refuse to
marry Philumena in obedience to my commands, that offence will lay him
open to my anger; and I am now endeavouring by means of this feigned
marriage, to find a just cause of complaint against him: and, at the
same time, if that rogue Davus has any subtle scheme on foot, this
will induce him to bring it forward now, when it can do no harm; as
I believe that rascal will leave no stone unturned in the affair;
though more for the sake of tormenting me, than with a view to serve or
gratify my son.
_Sosia._ Why do you suspect that?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account