The Comedies of Terence: Literally Translated into English Prose, with NotesTerence
General
The Comedies of Terence: Literally Translated into English Prose, with Notes
Terence
Latin drama (Comedy) -- Translations into English; Terence -- Translations into English
DOR. I have borne with you for several months quite against my
inclination; promising {and} whimpering, and {yet} bringing nothing;
now, on the other hand, I have found one to pay, and not be sniveling;
give place to your betters.
ANT. I’ faith, there surely was a day named, if I remember right, for
you to pay him.
PHÆD. {It} is the fact.
DOR. Do I deny it?
ANT. Is that {day} past, then?
DOR. No; but this one has come before it.
ANT. Are you not ashamed of your perfidy?
DOR. Not at all, so long as it is for my interest.
GETA. Dunghill!
PHÆD. Dorio, is it right, pray, for you to act thus?
DOR. It is my way; if I suit you, make use of me.
ANT. Do you try to trifle with him (_pointing to PHÆDRIA_) in this
manner?
DOR. Why really, on the contrary, Antipho, it’s he trifling with me,
for he knew me to be a person of this sort; I supposed him to be quite
a different man; he has deceived me; I’m not a bit different to him
from what I was {before}. But however that may be, I’ll yet do this;
the captain has said, that to-morrow morning he will pay me the money;
if you bring it me before that, Phædria, I’ll follow my rule, that he
is the first served who is the first to pay. Farewell! (_Goes into his
house._)
SCENE VI.
_PHÆDRIA, ANTIPHO, and GETA._
PHÆD. What am I to do? Wretch that I am! where am I now in this
emergency to raise the money for him, {I}, who am worse than nothing?
If it had been possible for these three days to be obtained of him, it
was promised me {by then}.
ANT. Geta, shall we suffer him to continue thus wretched, when he so
lately assisted me in the kind way you were mentioning? On the
contrary, why not, as there’s need of it, try to do him a kindness in
return?
GETA. For my part, I’m sure it is {but} fair.
ANT. Come then, you are the only man able to serve him.
GETA. What can I do?
ANT. Procure the money.
GETA. I wish I could; but where {it is to come} from-- tell me that.
ANT. My father has come home.
GETA. I know; but what of that?
ANT. Oh, a word to the wise[62] is quite enough.
GETA. Is that it, then?
ANT. Just so.
GETA. Upon my faith, you really do give me fine advice; out upon you!
Ought I not to be heartily glad, if I meet with no mishap through your
marriage, but what, in addition to that, you must now bid me, for his
sake, to be seeking risk upon risk?
ANT. ’Tis true what he says.
PHÆD. What! am I a stranger to you, Geta?
GETA. I don’t consider {you so}. But is it so trifling a matter that
the old gentleman is now vexed with us all, that we must provoke him
still more, and leave no room for entreaty?
PHÆD. Is another man to take her away from before my eyes to some
unknown spot? Alas! speak to me then, Antipho, and look upon me while
you have the opportunity, and while I’m present.
ANT. Why so, or what are you going to do? Pray, tell me.
PHÆD. To whatever part of the world she is borne away, I’m determined
to follow her or to perish.
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