Latin drama (Comedy) -- Translations into English; Terence -- Translations into English
CRITO. Not yet! an ill wind blew me hither then.
For truly, had I been appris'd of that,
I'd ne'er have set foot here: for this Glycerium
Was always call'd and thought to be her sister.
What Chrysis left, she takes possession of:
And now for me, a stranger, to commence
A lawsuit here, how good and wise it were,
Other examples teach me. She, I warrant,
Has got her some gallant too, some defender:
For she was growing up a jolly girl
When first she journeyed hither. They will cry
That I'm a pettifogger, fortune-hunter,
A beggar.--And besides it were not well
To leave her in distress.
MYSIS. Good soul! troth Crito,
You have the good old-fashion'd honesty.
CRITO. Well, since I am arriv'd here, bring me to her,
That I may see her.
MYSIS. Aye, with all my heart.
DAVUS. I will in with them: for I would not choose
That our old gentleman should see me now. (_Exeunt._
ACT THE FIFTH.
SCENE I.
_CHREMES, SIMO._
CHREMES. Enough already, Simo, and enough
I've shown my friendship for you; hazarded
Enough of peril: urge me then no more!
Wishing to please you, I had near destroy'd
My daughter's peace and happiness forever.
SIMO. Ah, Chremes, I must now entreat the more,
More urge you to confirm the promis'd boon.
CHREMES. Mark, how unjust you are through willfulness!
So you obtain what you demand, you set
No bounds to my compliance, nor consider
What you request; for if you did consider,
You'd cease to load me with these injuries.
SIMO. What injuries?
CHREMES. Is that a question now?
Have you not driven me to plight my child
To one possess'd with other love, averse
To marriage; to expose her to divorce,
And crazy nuptials; by her woe and bane
To work a cure for your distemper'd son?
You had prevail'd: I travel'd in the match,
While circumstances would admit; but now
The case is chang'd, content you:--It is said
That she's a citizen; a child is born:
Prithee excuse us!
SIMO. Now, for Heav'n's sake.
Believe not them, whose interest it is
To make him vile and abject as themselves.
These stories are all feign'd, concerted all,
To break the match: when the occasion's past
That urges them to this, they will desist.
CHREMES. Oh, you mistake: e'en now I saw the maid
Wrangling with Davus.
SIMO. Artifice! mere trick.
CHREMES. Aye, but in earnest; and when neither knew
That I was there.
SIMO. It may be so: and Davus
Told me beforehand they'd attempt all this;
Though I, I know not how, forgot to tell you.
SCENE II.
_Enter DAVUS from GLYCERIUM'S._
DAVUS (_to himself_). He may be easy now, I warrant him----
CHREMES. See yonder's Davus.
SIMO. Ha! whence comes the rogue?
DAVUS. By my assistance, and this stranger's safe. (_To himself._)
SIMO. What mischief's this? (_Listening._)
DAVUS. A more commodious man,
Arriving just in season, at a time
So critical, I never knew. (_To himself._)
SIMO. A knave!
Who's that he praises? (_Listening._)
DAVUS. All is now secure. (_To himself._)
SIMO. Why don't I speak to him?
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