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 ...

The First Scene of the First Act.

SIMO. SOSIA.

Si.

YOu (Sirs) take these things away in a doors; get you gone. Sosia, Come hither: I will speak a word or two with you.

So.

I know what you would say, For sooth, that these things should be well lookt unto.

Si.

Nay, some∣thing else.

So.

What is it? That my skill can do for you more then this?

Si.

[line 5] I have no need of that skill for this thing which I am about, But these which I always observed to be in you, Faithfulness and secrecie.

So.

I wait to know your pleasure:

Si.

You know what a fair and easie service you always had with me, Ever since I bought you of a little boy: [line 10] I made you a Freeman of a Bond slave, Because you did serve me with a good will; I have requited you with the best thing I had.

So.

I am mindfull of it.

Si.

I do not repent of what I have done.

So.

I am glad, If I have done, or do do any thing that liketh you Simo; and [line 15] I thank you that it hath been contenting to you: But this (speech of yours) troubleth me, for this rehearsal of old things Is as it were an upbraiding of one that is forgetful of a good turn: But do you tell me in a word what it is you would have with me.

Si.

So I will do: But first and foremost, I tell you this concerning this matter, [line 20] This marriage which you think to be reall, is not so.

So.

Why do you pretend it then?

Si.

You shall hear all the matter from the beginning; By that means you shall understand my sons course of life, and my in∣tent, And what I would have you do in this matter. For after he came towards mans estate, Sosia, [line 25] He had liberty to live more at random: For besorerime How could one know or discern his disposition, Whilst want of years, fear and a Master held him in?

So.

It is true.

Si.

That which all yong men for the most part use to do, Giving their minds to one imployment or other, either [line 30]

To keep horses or dogs for hunting, or to (hear) Philosophers; He minded none of these things extraordinarily more then others, And yet he minded them all pretty well. I was glad of it.

So.

Not without cause, for I hold it to be A thing very requisite in ones life, that he do nothing too much.

Si.

[line 35] Thus was his manner of life: patiently to bear and suffer all men; With whomsoever he kept company, to yield himself to them, And to do as they did, being thwart to no body, Nor at any time putting forth himself before them; so as one may easily Get commendations without envy, and purchase friends.

So.

[line 40] He took a wise course to live; for now a adyes Soothing gaineth friends, and true-dealing hatred.

Si.

In the mean time a certain Woman about three years ago, Removed from Andri into this neighbour-hood, Being driven to it by poverty, and the neglect of her kindred; [line 45] A very handsome woman (she was) and in the flower of her age.

So.

Alas, I am afraid lest this Andrian Woman should bring some∣thing that is nought.

Si.

At the first she lived chastly, sparingly and hardly, Seeking to get a livelihood by spinning and carding; But after a lover came and offered her hire, [line 50] Now one and then another (as the disposition of all Men is prone to fall from labour and follow lust) Shee took their offer, and afterwards began to make a gain of it, They who then loved her, by chance, as it fell out, Brought my son thither with them, to bear them company. [line 55] I presently concuded with my self; certainly he is caught, He hath his pay. I did watch their foot betimes in a morning, As they came and went, I used to ask them; Doest thou hear, boy? I pray thee tell me, who had Chrysis yesterday? For that Was the name of that Andrian woman.

So.

I understand you.

Si.

They said [line 60] Phaedrus, or Clinia, or Niceratus; fon these three then Loved all at once, Oh, but what did Pamphilus? what? he paid His club, he supt with them; I was glad of it. Likewise another day I made enquiry: I found nothing at all did touch Pamphilus, In good earnest I thought him to be a sufficiently tried, [line 65] And most notable pattern of chastity. For he that hath to strive with men of such like dispositions, And yet for all that his mind is not moved in that matter;

One may conclude he is a man able to have the guiding of his life. That both pleased me well, and besides all men with one consent [line 70] Gave him all the commendations that might be, and extolled my happiness, That had a Son endued with so towardly a nature. What needeth many words? Chremes being moved by this report, Came to me of his own mind, that he might bestow His onely daughter on my son for a wife, with a huge great portion. [line 75] It liked me well. I promised him my Son. This day is appointed for the marriage.

So.

What hindereth, that a real marriage is not made?

Si.

You shall hear; Within a few dayes, almost in which these things were a doing, This our neighbour Chrysis died.

So.

O well done! You have made me happy: I doubted some harm from Chrysis.

Si.

There then my son [line 80] Was very often in company with them that loved Chrysis; He took order as well as they for the funeral; being sad all the while; Now and then he shed a tear with them. This also pleased me well. I thought thus with my self; he for a little acquaintance sake, Takes this womans death so heavily to be art: [line 85] What if he had loved her himself? what will he do for me his father? I thought all these to be the properties of a kind nature, Avd a gentle disposition. Why do I hold you with many words? I my self also for his sake go forth to the burial, Suspecting no harm at all.

So.

How now, what is the matter!

Si.

You shall know. [line 90] The corse is brought forth, we go along. In the mean time a∣mong the women That were there, I chanced to espy one young Damsel Of a feature.

So.

That was good perhaps.

Si.

And Sosia, Of a countenance So modest, and so comely, that more could not be (in a woman.) Because then she seemed to me to take on more then the rest, [line 95] And because she was of a more honest and Gentlewoman-like face then the rest, I went to the maids that waited on her, And asked who she might be; they said she was Chrysis sister: It presently struck me to the heart. Alas, this is it indeed;

Hence come all those tears, this is the pitie that he taketh.

So.

[line 100] How greatly do I fear, what that tale may tend to.

Si.

The funeral in the mean time, Goeth on forward: we follow after, we come to the burial place; Shee is put into the fire; they weep. In the mean while this Sister Whom I spake of, came to the flame somewhat rashly, With a deal of danger. Then Pamphilus being much affrighted, [line 105] Bewrayed the love which he handsomly cloaked and concealed. He runneth to her: he takes the woman about the middle in his arms. Ah my Glycerie, quoth he, what do you do? why go you about to cast away your self? Then shee, so as one might easily perceive their wonted love, Threw her self back upon him weeping very heavily.

So.

[line 110] What say you? Si. I return thence being angry, and taking it ill; Neither had I cause sufficient for to chide him; he might have said What have I done? what punishment have I deserved, or wherein have I done amiss? I have hindred her that would have thrown her self into the fire, I have saved her life, this is an honest excuse.

So.

You think rightly: [line 115] For if you should chide him, that helped to save ones life, What would you do to him that hath wrought one harm or mischief?

Si.

Chremes came to me the next day, crying out, That he had found out a shamefull act, that Pamphilus Used this strange woman as if she were his wife. I stoutly [line 120] Denied it to be so; he maintained that it was so. In the end I so parted from him, as from one that denied to match his daughter To my son.

So.

Did not you chide your son then?

Si.

Neither was this indeed A sufficient cause to chide him. So. Why so? tell me.

Si.

He might have said, Father, you your self have appointed an end for these things, [line 125] The time is nigh at hand, when I must live after anothers plea∣sure, Let me now in the mean time, live as I will my self.

So.

What occasion then is there left to chide him?

Si.

If he will not marry a wife (which is promised) because of his love to Glycerie, He must first be punished for that fault, [line 130] And now because of that my endeavour is, that by means of this feigned match

I may have a just cause to chide him, if he quite deny it. And withall that that roguish Davus, if he have ony knavish device, May vent it now whilst his tricks can do no harm: Who I verily beleeve will do all he can with tooth and nail, [line 135] And that the rather to work me a displeasure, Then to follow my sons humour.

So.

Why so?

Si.

Do you ask? An evill minde, an evill meaning; whom truly, if I finde him But need is there of words? But if it fall out as I desire, That there be no stop in Pamphilus; Chremes remain's [line 140] Whom I must strive to prevail with, and I trust it will come to pass. Now it is your part, that you handsomly fain this marriage, That you fright Davus to purpose, and be sure to watch my son, What he doth, and what advice he taketh with him.

So.

It is enough, I will have a care of it; let us go in now.

Si.

Go before, I will come after.