Latin drama (Comedy) -- Translations into English; Terence -- Translations into English
CHAR. I know it:
You are constrain'd, poor man, by inclination.
PAM. Nay, but have patience! you don't know----
CHAR. I know
That you're to marry her.
PAM. Why rack me thus?
Nay hear! he never ceas'd to importune
That I would tell my father, I would wed;
So press'd, and urg'd, that he at length prevail'd.
CHAR. Who did this?
PAM. Davus.
CHAR. Davus!
PAM. Davus all.
CHAR. Wherefore?
PAM. I know not: but I know the Gods
Meant in their anger I should listen to him.
CHAR. Is it so, Davus?
DAVUS. Even so.
CHAR. How, villain?
The Gods confound you for it!--Tell me, wretch
Had all his most inveterate foes desir'd
To throw him on this marriage, what advice
Could they have given else?
DAVUS. I am deceiv'd,
But not dishearten'd.
CHAR. True. (_Ironically._)
DAVUS. This way has fail'd;
We'll try another way: unless you think
Because the business has gone ill at first,
We can not graft advantage on misfortune.
PAM. Oh aye, I warrant you, if you look to 't,
Out of one wedding you can work me two.
DAVUS. Pamphilus, 'tis my duty, as your slave,
To strive with might and main, by day and night
With hazard of my life, to do you service:
'Tis yours, if I am cross'd, to pardon me.
My undertakings fail indeed, but then
I spare no pains. Do better, if you can,
And send me packing.
PAM. Aye, with all my heart:
Place me but where you found me first.
DAVUS. I will.
PAM. But do it instantly.
DAVUS. Hist! hold a while:
I hear the creaking of Glycerium's door.
PAM. Nothing to you.
DAVUS. I'm thinking.
PAM. What, at last?
DAVUS. Your business shall be done, and presently.
SCENE III.
_Enter MYSIS._
MYSIS _to GLYCERIUM (within)_. Be where he will, I'll find your
Pamphilus,
And bring him with me. Meanwhile, you, my soul,
Forbear to vex yourself.
PAM. Mysis!
MYSIS. Who's there?
Oh Pamphilus, well met, Sir!
PAM. What's the matter?
MYSIS. My mistress, by the love you bear her, begs
Your presence instantly. She longs to see you.
PAM. Ah, I'm undone: This sore breaks out afresh.
Unhappy that we are, through your curs'd means,
To be tormented thus. (_To DAVUS._)--She has been told
A nuptial is prepar'd and therefore sends.
CHAR. From which how safe you were, had he been quiet! (_Pointing to
DAVUS._)
DAVUS. Aye, if he raves not of himself enough,
Do, irritate him. (_To CHARINUS._)
MYSIS. Truly that's the cause;
And therefore 'tis, poor soul, she sorrows thus.
PAM. Mysis, I swear to thee by all the Gods,
I never will desert her: though assur'd
That I for her make all mankind my foes.
I sought her, carried her: our hearts are one,
And farewell they that wish us put asunder!
Death, naught but death shall part us.
MYSIS. I revive.
PAM. Apollo's oracles are not more true.
If that my father may be wrought upon,
To think I hinder'd not the match, 'tis well:
But if that can not be, come what come may,
Why let him know, 'twas I--What think you now? (_To CHARINUS._)
CHAR. That we are wretches both.
DAVUS. My brain 's at work.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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