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 87: _Took off her golden jewels_)--Ver. 627. This was
probably because it was contrary to the laws of Athens for a
Courtesan to appear with gold or jewels in the street. Madame
Dacier suggests another reason, in which there is some force,
although it is ridiculed by Cooke. Thais may have supposed that
the Captain, when irritated, might not have scrupled to take them
away from her. Indeed, nothing would be more probable, than that
he would be ready to take them by way of security for the return
of the slave, whom he had thus, to no purpose, presented to her.
In reference to the preceding line, we may remark that it was not
customary among the Greeks for females of good character to appear
at table with strangers.]
[Footnote 88: _While I was going_)--Ver. 629. Donatus remarks that
here the Poet artfully finds a reason to bring Phædria back again;
as he at first with equal art sent him out of the way, to give
probability to those incidents necessary to happen in his
absence.]
[Footnote 89: _At a distance_)--Ver. 640. “Extremâ lineâ.” There
have been many suggestions offered for the origin of this
figurative expression. Some suggest that it alludes to the last or
lowest stage of the supposed ladder of love; others that it refers
to the first or elementary line traced by the student, when
beginning to learn the art of painting. It is however more
generally thought to be a metaphor taken from the chariot-races in
the Circus, where, in going round the turning-place, he who was
nearest was said “currere in primâ lineâ;” the next, “in secundâ;”
and so on to the last, who took the widest range, and was said to
run “in extremâ lineâ.”]
[Footnote 90: _In party-colored clothes_)--Ver. 683. It was the
custom to dress Eunuchs in party-colored clothes of bright hue.
Most probably it was from them that the “motley” descended to the
fools and buffoons of the Middle Ages.]
[Footnote 91: _With a speckled complexion_)--Ver. 689. “Colore
stellionino;” probably having spots or freckles on his face like a
“stellio” or “lizard.”]
[Footnote 92: _Have done a service to her_)--Ver. 722. Though some
would have “illi” here to refer to the damsel, and others again to
Phædria, it is pretty clear that Madame Dacier is right in
suggesting that Thais is the person meant.]
[Footnote 93: _Casket with the tokens_)--Ver. 752. It was the
custom with the ancients when they exposed their children, to
leave with them some pledge or token of value, that they might
afterward be recognized by means of them. The catastrophes of the
Curculio, the Rudens, and other Plays of Plautus, are brought
about by taking advantage of this circumstance. The reasons for
using these tokens will be stated in a future Note.]
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