Publii Terentii Carthaginiensis Afris poëtae lepidissimi comoediae sex Anglo-Latinae in usum ludi-discipulorum, quo Feliciùs venustatem linguae Latinae ad sermonem quotidianum exercendum assequantur / a Carolo Hoole ... = Six comedies of that excellent poet Publius Terentius, an African of Carthage, in English and Latine : for the use of young scholars, that they may the more readily attain the purity of the Latine tongue for common discourse / by Charles Hoole ...

Act IV. Scene 1.

Sostrata, Chremes, Nutrix, Syrus.

So.

UNless I be deceived, surely this is the ring, which I suppose it to be. That with which my daughter was exposed with.

Ch.

Syrus, what meaneth this talk?

So.

What is it? Do not you think it To be it?

N.

Truly I told you presently, as soon as you shewed it me, [line 5] That it was it.

So.

But be sure that you now look well upon it, My nurse.

N.

I have viewed it sufficiently.

So.

Now go your way in, and if she Have already washed, bring me word. In the mean time I will tarry for my husband here.

Sy.

She would speak with you, you may see what she would have: I know not why she is sad, There's some occasion: I fear what the matter should be.

Ch.

What should it be? truly she [line 10] Will tell us great trifling tales now with much ado.

So.

O ho, my husband.

Ch.

O ho, my wife.

So.

I am looking for you.

Ch.

Speak, what You would have.

So.

First, I intreat you that you would not think That I durst do any thing contrary to your command.

Ch.

Would you have me Beleeve you this, though it be a thing not to be beleeved? I beleeve you.

Sy.

I know not [line 15] What fault this excuse importeth.

So.

Do you not remember that I was with childe, And that you gave me very strict charge, that if I had a girl I should not Bring it up?

Ch.

I know what you have done, you have brought it up.

Sy.

Have you done so? Then, mistress, my master hath received damage.

So.

Not so, But there was here an old woman of Corinth, an honest woman, I gave her to be cast forth.

Ch.

[line 20] O Jupiter, that you should be so void of wit!

So.

I am un∣done.

What have I done?

Ch.

But do you ask?

So.

I have done amiss, my Chremes, I have done it unwittingly.

Ch.

I know that for certain, though you should say say to it, That you both say and doe all things unwittingly and unadvisedly; You discover so many faults in this matter. For first now▪ if you would have done [line 25] As I commanded you, she should have been killed, you should not have dissembled her death In words, and given her hope of life in very deed. But I pass by that; that was but pity, And a motherly minde, I bear with it. But how well have you looke to it? what did you intend? Consider with your self, your daughter forsooth is most manifestly be∣trayed to that old woman By you, either to turn whore, or to be sold publikely. I think this was [line 30] Your thought; any thing is well enough, so she may but live. What should one do with those That know neither right nor reason, what is fitting? be a thing better or worse, Be it for them, or against them, they regard nothing but what they list.

So.

My Chremes, I confess, I have offended, I am confuted; now I intreat you this, by how much more Experienced your minde is, and more inclinable to pardon, that your equity [line 35] May be some protection to my folly.

Ch.

Yes indeed I will pardon that fault. But Sostrata, my gentleness doth badly teach you Many things. But what ever it be, speak, wherefore it was begun.

So.

As we foolish and sorry women are all superstitious; when I gave her to her to be exposed, I pluckt the ring from off my finger, and bade her expose it with the girl; [line 40] That if she died she might not be quite without some of óur goods.

Ch.

That is very well, you both saved your self and her.

So.

This is that ring:

Ch.

Whence had you it?

So.

Of the yong woman which Bacchis brought with her.

Sy.

What now?

Ch.

What doth she say?

So.

She whilst she went to wash her, Gave me the ring to keep. I did not minde it at first, but after I lookt upon it, I knew it presently. [line 45] I came in haste to you.

Ch.

What now do you conjecture or finde concerning her?

So.

I know not, but you may ask of her, whence she had it, if she may Be found.

Sy.

I am undone, I see more hope then I would; she is ours, if it be so.

Ch.

Is she alive to whom you gave her?

So.

I know not.

Ch.

What did she say Shee did heretofore?

So.

That which I bade her.

Ch.

Tell me what was the name [line 50] Of the woman, that she may be enquired after.

So.

Philtere.

Sy.

That is she, it is a wonder If she be not safe, and I undone.

Ch.

Sostrata, follow me in this way.

So.

How is it fallen out beyond my expectation! how greatly feared I, lest you should be As hard-hearted now, as you was heretofore, Chremes, about bringing her up!

Ch.

A man may not be Oftentimes as he would, if the matter do not permit. Now so is the time with me that I desire [line 55] A daughter, whereas once I coveted nothing lesse.

Sy.

Ʋnless I be deceived, an ill turn is not far off me, My forces are now quite driven into such a narrow strait, Except I finde out some trick, that the old may not know this is his sons sweet-heart. For there is nothing for me to hope on about getting the money, or that I should desire To deceive the old man; I shall be glad if I may get away with a whole skin. [line 60] I am vext that such a good morsel is suddenly taken out of my chaps; What should I do? or what shall I devise? I must begin to reckon anew; There is nothing so hard, but by searching it may be found out. What if I should begin this thus? it is to no purpose. What if thus? I shall do all one. But I think it may be thus: it cannot be; Yes, very well; O brave! I have a very fine way. [line 65]

Truly I suppose I shall for all this draw into my fingers that same monie which is apt to be gone.

Act. IV. Scen. 1.

Sostrata, Chremes, Nutrix, Syrus.

So.

NIsi me animus fall it, hic profectò est annulus, quem Ego suspicor. Is quîcum exposita est gnata.

Ch.

Quid vult sibi, Syre, haec oratio?

So.

Quid est? isne tibi Videtur?

N.

Dixi equidem, ubi mihi ostendisti, [line 5] Illicò cum esse.

So.

At ut satis modò contemplata sis, mea Nutrix.

N.

Satis.

So.

Abi nunc jam intró, at{que} illa Si jam laverit, mihi nuntia. Hîc ego virum interea operibor.

Sy.

Te vult: ut videas quid velit; nescio quid tristis est, Non temerè est: metuo quid sit.

Ch.

Quid siet? nae ista hercle [line 10] Magno jam conatu magnas nugas dixerit.

So.

Ehem, mi vir.

Ch.

Ehem, mea uxor.

So.

Teipsum quaero.

Ch.

Loquere, quid Velis.

So.

Primùm hoc te oro, ne quid credas me advers••m Edictum tuum facere esse ausam.

Ch.

Vis me istuc tibi, etsi Incredibile est, credere? credo.

Sy.

Nescio quid peccati [line 15] Portat haec purgatio.

So.

Meministin' me esse gravidam, Et mihi te maximo opere interminatum, si puellam parerem, nollc Tolli?

Ch.

Scio quid feceris, sustulisti.

Sy.

Sic est factum? Domina, Ergo herus damno auctus est.

So.

Minimè. Sed erat hîc anus Corinthia haud impura, ei dedi exponendam.

Ch.

[line 20] O Jupiter, tantámne esse in animo inscitiam!

So.

Perii.

Quid ego feci?

Ch.

Atrogitas?

So.

Si peccavi, mi Chremes, Insciens feci.

Ch.

Id quidem ego, etsi tu neges, certe scio, Te inscientem at{que} imprudentem dicere ac facere omnia. Tot peccata in hac re ostendis. Nam jam primùm si meum impe∣rium [line 25] Exequi voluisses, interemptam oportuit, non simulare mortem Verbis, re ipsâ spem vitae dare; at id omitto; miscricord••a, Animus maternus, sino; quàm bene verò abs te prospectum est▪ quid voluisti? Cogita: nempe anui illi prodita abs te filia est planissimé, Per te; vel uti quaestum faceret, vel uti veniret palàm. Credo id [line 30] Cogitâsti, quidvis satis est dum vivat modó. Quid cum illis agas, Qui neque, jus, neque bonum at{que} aequum sciunt? melius, pejus; Prosit, obsit; nihil vident, nisi quod lubet.

So.

Mi Chreme, Peccavi, fateor, vincor; nunc hoc te obsecro, quanto tuus est Animus natu gravior, ignoscentior, ut meae stultitiae [line 35] Justitia tua sit aliquid praesidii.

Ch.

Scilicet equidem Istuc factum ignoscam. Verùm, Sostrata, malè docet te mea faci∣litas Multa. Sed istud quicquid est, quâ hoc occeptum causâ est, loquere.

So.

Ut stultae & miserae omnes sumus religiosae; cùm exponendam do Illi, de digito annulum detraho, & cum dico ut unà cum puellâ [line 40] Exponeret. Si moreretur, ne expers partis esset de nostris bonis.

Ch.

Istuc rectè, conservâsti te at{que} illam.

So.

Hic is est annulu••.

Ch.

Unde habes?

So.

Quam Bacchis secum adduxit adolescentu∣lam.

Sy.

Hem!

Ch.

Quid ea narrat?

So.

Ea lavatum dum it, servandum mihi Dedit annulum. Non advorti primò; sed postquam aspexi, illico cognovi. [line 45] Ad te exilii.

Ch.

Quid nunc suspicare, aut invenis de illâ?

So.

Nescio, nisi ut ex ipsâ quaeras, unde hunc habuerit, si potis est Reperiri.

Sy.

Interii, plus spei video quàm volo; nostra est, si ita est;

Ch.

Vivitne illa, cui tu dederas?

So.

Nescio.

Ch.

Quid renuncia∣vit Olim fecisse?

So.

Id quod jusseram.

Ch.

Nomen mulieris cedò [line 50] Quid sit, ut quaeratur.

So.

Philtere.

Sy.

Ipsa est; mirum, ni Illa salva est, & ego perii.

Ch.

Sostrata, sequere intrò hâc.

So.

Ut praeter spem evenit! quam timui malè, ne nunc animo ita esses duro, Ut olim in tollendâ, Chreme!

Ch.

Non licet hominem esse saepe Ita ut vult, si res non sinit. Nunc ita tempus est mihi ut cupiam fi∣liam, olim [line 55] Nihil minús.

Sy.

Nisi me animus fall••t, haud multum a me ab∣erit infortunium, Ita hercle in angustum oppidò nunc meae coguntur copiae: Nisi aliquid video, ne esse amicam hanc gnati resciscat senex. Nam quod de argento sperem, aut posse postulem, me fallere, Nihil est; triumpho, si licet me latere tecto abscedere [line 60] Crucior bolum tantum mihi esse ereptum tam subitò è faucibus. Quid agam? aut quid comminiscar? ratio de integro ineunda est mihi. Nihil tam difficile est, quin quaerendo investigari possiet. Quid si hoc sic incipi••m? nihil est; fi sic? tantundem egero. At sic opinor: non potest; immò, optumè; euge, optumam habeo. [line 65]

Retraham hercle opinor ad me idem illud fu gitivum argentum tamen.