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
[Footnote 85: _She ought to be carried off_)--Ver. 787. He says
this implying that Mysis, who is a slave, ought to be put to the
torture to confess the truth; as it was the usual method at Athens
to force a confession from slaves by that method. We find in the
Hecyra, Bacchis readily offering her slaves to be put to the
torture, and in the Adelphi the same custom is alluded to in the
scene between Micio, Hegio, and Geta.]
[Footnote 86: _Descended to me by law_)--Ver. 800. On the
supposition that Chrysis died without a will, Crito as her next of
kin would be entitled to her effects.]
[Footnote 87: _ Is Chrysis then----?_)--Ver. 804. This is an
instance of Aposiopesis; Crito, much affected, is unwilling to
name the death of Chrysis. It was deemed of ill omen to mention
death, and numerous Euphemisms or circumlocutions were employed in
order to avoid the necessity of doing so.]
[Footnote 88: _Warn me, a stranger_)--Ver. 812. Patrick has the
following remarks upon this passage: “Madame Dacier observes that
it appears, from Xenophon’s Treatise on the policy of the
Athenians, that all the inhabitants of cities and islands in
alliance with Athens were obliged in all claims to repair thither,
and refer their cause to the decision of the people, not being
permitted to plead elsewhere. We can not wonder then that Crito is
unwilling to engage in a suit so inconvenient from its length,
expense, and little prospect of success.” She might have added
that such was the partiality and corruptness of the Athenian
people, that, being a stranger, his chances of success would
probably be materially diminished.]
[Footnote 89: _You set in motion_)--Ver. 865. By the use of the
word “Commotus” he seems to allude to the wretched, restless
existence of a man tied hand and foot, and continually working at
the hand-mill. Westerhovius thinks that Simo uses this word
sarcastically, in allusion to the words of Davus, at the beginning
of the present Scene, “Animo otioso esse impero;” “I bid you set
your minds at ease.”]
[Footnote 90: _Hands and feet together_)--Ver. 866. “Quadrupedem.”
Literally “as a quadruped” or “all fours.” Echard remarks that it
was the custom of the Athenians to tie criminals hands and feet
together, just like calves.]
[Footnote 91: _ Without regard to the custom and the law_)--Ver.
880. There was a law among the Athenians which forbade citizens to
marry strangers, and made the offspring of such alliances
illegitimate; the same law also excluded such as were not born of
two citizens from all offices of trust and honor.]
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