Primores populi arripuit populumque tributim: Scilicet uni aequus virtuti atque ejus amicis. Quin ubi se a vulgo et scena in secreta remorant Virtus Scipiadae et mitis sapientia Laeli, Nugari cum illo et discincti ludere, donec Decoqueretur olus, soliti. HORACE. * * * * * * * * * THE ANDRIAN. PERSONS REPRESENTED. PROLOGUE. SIMO. PAMPHILUS. CHREMES. CHARINUS. CRITO. SOSIA. DAVUS. BYRRHIA. DROMO. SERVANTS, ETC. GLYCERIUM. MYSIS. LESBIA. ARCHYLLIS. SCENE, ATHENS. PROLOGUE. The Bard, when first he gave his mind to write, Thought it his only business, that his Plays Should please the people: but it now falls out, He finds, much otherwise, and wastes, perforce, His time in writing Prologues; not to tell The argument, but to refute the slanders Broach'd by the malice of an older Bard. And mark what vices he is charg'd withal! Menander wrote the Andrian and Perinthian: Know one, and you know both; in argument Less diff'rent than in sentiment and style. What suited with the Andrian he confesses From the Perinthian he transferr'd, and us'd For his: and this it is these sland'rers blame, Proving by deep and learned disputation, That Fables should not be contaminated. Troth! all the knowledge is they nothing know: Who, blaming; him, blame Naevius, Plautus, Ennius, Whose great example is his precedent; Whose negligence he'd wish to emulate Rather than _their_ dark diligence. Henceforth, Let them, I give them warning, be at peace, And cease to rail, lest they be made to know Their own misdeeds. Be favorable! sit With equal mind, and hear our play; that hence Ye may conclude, what hope to entertain, The comedies he may hereafter write Shall merit approbation or contempt. [Changes: _Harper_ That Fables should not be contaminated. _Colman 1768_ That Fables should not be confounded thus.] ACT THE FIRST. SCENE I. _SIMO, SOSIA, and SERVANTS with Provisions._ SIMO. Carry those things in: go! (_Ex. SERVANTS._ Sosia, come here; A word with you! SOSIA. I understand: that these Be ta'en due care of. SIMO. Quite another thing. SOSIA. What can my art do more for you? SIMO. This business Needs not that art; but those good qualities, Which I have ever known abide in you, Fidelity and secrecy. SOSIA. I wait Your pleasure. SIMO. Since I bought you, from a boy How just and mild a servitude you've pass'd With me, you're conscious: from a purchas'd slave I made you free, because you serv'd me freely: The greatest recompense I could bestow. SOSIA. I do remember. SIMO. Nor do I repent. SOSIA. If I have ever done, or now do aught That's pleasing to you, Simo, I am glad, And thankful that you hold my service good And yet this troubles me: for this detail, Forcing your kindness on my memory, Seems to reproach me of ingratitude. Oh tell me then at once, what would you? Sir!