Andria the first comoedie of Terence, in English. A furtherance for the attainment vnto the right knowledge, & true proprietie, of the Latin tong. And also a commodious meane of help, to such as haue forgotten Latin, for their speedy recouering of habilitie, to vnderstand, write, and speake the same. Carefully translated out of Latin, by Maurice Kyffin.

¶Act. 1. Scen. 1.

The Argument.

Simo discourseth vnto his late Bondman, first of the honest life of his sonne: And afterward of his falling in loue: Lastlie he discloseth for what cause he faineth a mar∣riage for him.

• Simo, the olde man.
• ... Sosia, the seruant.

SIrs, haue in these things: dispatch. So∣sia stay thou héere. I wil speake a word or two with thée.

Sosia.

I know your minde alredie, you would haue these things wel hand∣led.

Simo.

Nay, it is an other manner of matter.

So.

What is it sir? that my science can stande you in more steade than this comes to?

Si.

There is no néede of that science, for this matter which I am now about: But faithfulnesse and secrecie, which I alwaies noted to bée in thée, are the sciences I haue néede of now.

So.

I long to know what is your will with mée.

Si.

Thou wotst how reasonable and easie a bondage thou hadst with me, euer since the time I bought thée of a little one: and by cause thou didst thy seruice honest∣lie, and with good will, lo, of a Bondslaue I made thee my frée man, so as I rewarded thée with the very best thing I had.

So.

I remember it well.

Si.

I repent me not of that I did.

So.

Master, I am glad if I haue done, or doe, any seruice that may please you, and I thanke you with

all my heart that you take it in good woorth: But yet this spéech of yours troubles mée: for this manner of ripping vp things past, is as it were an vpbrayding to one vnmindefull of a good turne done him: but speake at a word what is your will with mée.

Si.

So will I doe, onelie this I tell thée first and formost: This marriage which thou wéenest to be certaine, is but a fained marriage.

So.

For what cause doo you pretend it than?

Si.

Thou shalt heare all the matter from the begin∣ning, so shalt thou vnderstand both my sonnes lyfe, and my purpose, and also what I would haue thée do in this behalfe. When my sonne grew to mannes estate, it lay in his power to liue more at randon, for till than, how could a man know his nature, or discerne his dis∣position, while as tender yéeres, fearefullnesse, and his Master, kept him vnder.

So.

It is true Sir.

Si.

That which all young men for the most parts do applying their minds to some kinde of studie or other, as either to horses, and horsmanship: or to kéepe hounds for hunting, or to studie Philosophie: he gaue him∣selfe speciallie, to none of these things more than other, and yet was reasonablie well séene in them all: I was glad of it.

So.

And good cause why, for I holde it a verie com∣modious matter in a mans lyfe, Not to go too far in any thing.

Si.

In this sorte was the manner of his lyfe, euen gently to beare, and take all in good worth, at all mens hands that he kept companie with: betaking himselfe to doo as they did, and to follow their studies and exercises: Not thwarting any man, nor at any time putting furth himselfe before his companions, so as a man might full easily purchas prayse, and not be enuied, and also furnish himselfe with fréends.

So.

He tooke him to a wise course of liuing, for now a dayes, Flatry gaynes Freends, and Truthe gets Foes.

Si.

In the meane time, a certaine woman of excel∣lent beautie, and in the flowre of age, came from An∣dros, (now thrée yéeres since) to dwell héere, in our neigh∣borhod, béeing thereto dryuen thorough very pouertie, and the small reckning that was made of her among her owne kindred.

So.

Alas I feare mée, that this woman of Andros, might be cause of some euell.

Si.

At the first, she liued chastlie, sparingly, and hardly, earning her liuing by wooll and web. But af∣terwards resorted, now one louer, and then an other, promising reward vnto her, and as all are naturally geuen full soone to leaue of labour and follow lust, euen so this woman accepted the offers, and then she began the gaine.

They which then loued her (as it fell out) carried my sonne thether, in company with them. I straight way imagined with my selfe: without doubt he is caught for a bird: he hath his errand: I watched their Pages betimes in the morning, as they were wont to come thence, or goe thither: I oftimes asked, ho Sir boy, tell mée if thou be a good fellow, who yesterday had his pleasure of Chrysis, (for so was the name of her of An∣dros.)

So.

I perceiue you.

Si.

They would say, either Phedria, or Clinia, or Ni∣ceratus: for these thrée than loued her all at once. But what did Pamphilus, hah? (What, sayd they) Mary he supt and payed his share. I was well apaid of this. In like sorte, I made enquirie at an other time, and could not finde, that Pamphilus was any way toucht with dishonesty. Therefore I thought I had suffici∣ent tryall of him, and that he was a notable Pattern of Chastitie: for he that hath to doe with men of such

condicions, and yet is not moued in mynde that way, one wold thinke hee might ful well haue the rule and •…•…uyding of his owne life. Now ouer and besides that this lyked my selfe well, lo all other men also, euen with one censent, gaue al the commendations that might be, and praised my happy state, in that I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a sonne, en∣dued with so good witte and gouernment. What néede I make many woordes? Chremes stird vp by this good report, came of him selfe vnto me, to the end to match his onely daughter in marryage to my sonne, and that with a •…•…ry large dowry: I was well pleas'd withall: promysd him my sonne: and this very day was appoin∣ted for the marryage.

So.

Why than what letteth, that it is not made ac∣cordingly?

Si.

That shall thou heare: shortly after within few dayes that theis thinges were a dooing, this Chrysis our neighbour dyed.

So.

O happy chaunce, you haue now made mée glad, for still I doubted the woorst of that Chrysis.

Si.

Than specially my son vsed thither, euer and anon in company with those which loued Chrysis: he was as busie as the best, in setting furth the buryal: beyng all this while very sad: and now and than, would euen shead teares with them for company: well, this also lyked mée welinough: for thus thought I: hée that vppon small acquaintance and familiarity, takes this womans death so greeuously at the hart? what if hee had loued her himselfe? or how would he take on for me his father? so as I tooke all this to haue proceeded of a good nature, and gentle hart. To bée bréfe, I my selfe lykewise for his sake go furth to the buriall, mistrusting no ill in the world.

So.

O what followed?

Si.

Thou shalt knowe by and by. The Coars is brought furth: we passe along with it: Anon I chuance

to cast myne eye (among the women there) vpon an od young damosell, of such fauour.

So.

What, so good?

Si.

Yea Sosia, of such modest and sober countenance and so passing beautifull to looke too, as there could not possibly bée more in a woman: who than to my séeming, made greater sorrow than any of the rest: And for that she excelled all the other women, bearing a face worthy an honest woman and well borne, I get me to the wayting maides and aske what shée might bee: They tell mée that shée is sister vnto Chrys•…•… That went by and by, to the very hart of mee. Out alas, this is it I wist not of: hence grew those tears of his: here is shée whom hée pittied so.

So.

O how greatly I feare whereto your tale tends.

Si.

Well, on goeth the coars still: wée follow after: we are come to the place of buriall: it is put into the fire: They wéepe. In the meane space, this sister whom I told you of, rusht headlong to the flame with no small ieopardy: wherat my sonne Pamphilus being sore frigh∣ted, did than lo, bewray his loue which hée had cun∣ningly cloked and kept secrete all this while: hee runnes vnto her, and takes her about the middle: My swéete hart Glycerie (quoth hee) what do you? why goe you about to cast away your selfe? with that, shée caste her selfe weeping, and leaning vpon him so familiarly, as a man might easily perceiue their old accustomed loue.

So.

What, say you so?

Si.

I returne thence angry and disquieted in minde, & yet had I not cause sufficiēt to chide him: for he mought haue sayd: father what haue I done? What punish∣ment haue I deserued? or wherein haue I offended? The mayd which wilfully would haue throwen her selfe into the fire, I staied and saued her lyfe: This were an honest excuse.

So.

It is well considered of you: for if you would chide him which helped to saue ones life, what would you doo to him that wrought ones harme or mischiefe?

Si.

The next day following, Chremes came to me exclaming what a shamefull Act it was, that Pam∣philus (as he had found out for certenty) vsed this strāge noughtie pack euen as his wife: I straight way de∣nyed that there was any such matter, he earnestly af∣firmes that it was so: well, in the end I parted from him, as one then vtterly refusing to match his Daugh∣ter to my sonne.

So.

Did you not then rebuke your Sonne for it?

Si.

No, nor this was not cause great inough to rebuke him.

So.

How so I pray you?

Si.

Hée inought haue aunswered thus: Father you your selfe haue set a time when these things shall cease: ywis it is not long hence that I must liue after an others pleasure: suffer me than, now in the meane while to liue as I lyst my selfe.

So.

What occasion then is left to rebuke him?

Si.

Mary, if for cause of this loue hée shall refuse to take a wife, Than lo, for that offence will I first cor∣rect him to begin with all. And now my indeuour is this, that by meanes of this fained marriage, I may haue vnfayned cause to rebuke him, if he doo not agrée to it: And with all that the naughtie knaue Dauus, if he haue any suttle deuice, may spende it now, while his craft can doo no harme: whom I verely beleeue wil labour with tooth and nayl, to the vttermost that in him lyeth, and so much the rather that he may worke mee a displeasure, than for any care hee hath to followe my sonnes fancy.

So.

Why so?

Si.

Aske you why so? An ill minde, an ill meaning: whom if I shall perciue, But what néede I vse many

words, and if so be it, all doe fall out as I would, that ther be no let or delay in my sonne Pamphilus: Than resteth that I entreate Chremes for his Daughter, and that I hope to bring to passe well inough. Now is it thy parte to set on a good face in faining this same mar∣riage: to make Dauus thorowly afrayed, and to be a watch ouer my sonne, espying what he doth, and where∣of Dauus and he do consult together.

So.

You haue said inough. I will sée to it: wée may now goe in.

Si.

Goe thou first, I will come anon.

¶Act. 1. Scen. 2.

The Argument.

The father hauing found out that his Sonne is in loue, pre∣tendeth a marriage for him, he threatneth Dauus with punishment if he shall go about any deceyt to hinder the marriage.

• Simo, the olde man.
• ... Dauus, the seruant.

THere is no doubt of this, but that my Sonne will refuse to haue a wife: I no∣ted such feare er while in Dauus, as soone as he hard that there was a mar∣riage towards: but lo where he comes forth himselfe.

Dauus.

I meruailed if this matter should passe away so, and still I feared whereto my Masters long gen∣tlenes

would grow at length: who after he heard that shée whom hee thought of, should not bée geuen in marriage to his son, did, (notwithstanding) neuer speake woorde to an•• of vs, nor yet was any thing mooued at it.

Si.

But now hee will, and that, as I wéene to thy cost.

Da.

His purpose was to haue vs brought vnder hande into fooles paradise, to the end that now hoping the best, and hauing cast of all feare, wée should suddeinly bee taken napping, in such sorte, as wée might not haue time to bethinke vs how to preuent the marryage. A suttle foxe I warrant him.

Si.

What prates this Gallowelapper?

Da.

Good Lord my maister is here, and I saw him not till now.

Si.

Dauus?

Da.

Now, what is the matter?

Si

Come your way hether to mée.

Da.

What a Deuill will hée haue?

Si.

What is that thou talkest of?

Da.

Whereof should I talke?

Si.

Askest thow whereof? Sirra, the report is that my sonne is in loue.

Da.

Yea no doubt the world cares much for that.

Si.

Nay, but dost thou minde what I speake to thee or not?

Da.

Yes truly I mynde it well inough.

Si.

Wel, for mée now to go serch and fift out that mat∣ter, were but the part of a harde father: for what he did heretofore, pertaynes nothing at all to mee: so long as he tooke time conuenient for it, I suffered him to fulfill his desire. Now it is high time for him to leade an other life, and chaunge his manners. And therefore I require, or if it be reason I desyre thée Dauos, that now at length he do returne into the right way.

Da.

What meane you by this?

Si.

All men that bée in loue, can ill away to haue wiues appoynted them by others.

Da.

So they say.

Si.

Then if one take a knaue for his scholmaister in that behalfe, The loue sicke mynde of the scholler is by him commonly applied to all naughtines.

Da.

Truely I vnderstand you not.

Si.

No, dost thou not?

Da.

No, I am plaine Dauus, and not Oedipus [the rea∣der of Riddels.]

Si.

Wilt thou then that I speake the rest of my minde plainly.

Da.

Yea a Gods name.

Si.

If I shall perceiue that thou go about to worke a∣ny deceyte this day, to the ende to breake of this mar∣riage, or that thou wilt therein shew how slie and craf∣ty a companion thou art: I will kudgill thee well and thriftely, and then cast thee into the grinding house to grinde till thou die: with this couenant and condicion, that if I take thée out thence, then I my selfe to grinde in thy place. What, hast thou vnderstoode me now? or dost thou not yet vnderstande this neither?

Da.

Yes full well, you went now very plainly to the matter, and nothing about the bush.

Si.

I could rather beare any abuse at thy hands, than bée deluded in this matter.

Da.

Yet good woordes I pray you sir.

Si.

What, dost thou laugh mee to scorne? I sée I am not a whit deceiued in thée: But I tell thée this, that thou be not ouer rash, and that thou maist not hereafter say but thou hadst a faire warning.

¶Act. 1. Scen. 3.

The Argument.

In this scene Dauus deliberateth whether it be best for him to ayde Pamphilus, or to obey the olde man.

• Dauus alone.

IN good earnest Dauus it is no time now to be flow and fluggish, so far as I per∣ceiued of late by the old mans speech tou∣ching the marriage: which if it bee not cunningly prouided for and preuented, will cast either me or my maister cleane vnder foote: And yet I wot not in the world what to doo: whether I shall helpe Pamphilus, or els listen af∣ter the old man. Yf I leaue him helples, I feare me yt will cost him his life: Contrariwise, if I ayd and fur∣ther him, than stand I in feare of the old mans threat∣ning, whom yt is a hard matter to beguyle: for first and formost, he knoweth certeynlie of this same loue, and beyng at deadly fewd with me, he watcheth least I go about some guile to hinder the marriage: yf hée shall sée any such matter by mée, I am vtterly vndon: or if the Toy take him in the head, hée will finde some cause or other, and so bée it right or wrong, he will tum∣ble me headlong into the grinding hous: Now ouer and besides these mischeeues, this comes also in the very ••icke: This same woman an of Andros whether she be wife to Pamphilus, or but his loue, I knowe not, but great with childe she is by him: And it is a world to heare their presumption: They fare as they were lunaticke, and not loue sicke, for be it boy or gyrle that she shal be deliuered of, they are determined to bring it

vp. And now they faine betwixt themselues an od péece of craft, that this Glycerie is a free borne woman of A∣thens: Ther was a good while since (say they) a certaine old Marchant which suffred shipwracke at the Ile of Andros, who afterward died there: and that shée being then a small succourles childe cast on the shore, should (forsooth) bée fostred by Chrysis father: A trim fable. In good faith me thinks it soundes nothing like troth, and yet this fayned deuise pleaseth them well. But lo where Mysis comes furth from her. Now wil I go get me hence to the market place to méete with Pamphilus, least his father come vpon him vnawares with this ma∣riage matter.

¶Act. 1. Scen. 4.

The Argument.

MYSIS declareth the cause of her comming furth from Glyce∣rie: And here Terence g••ues a lesson, That such espe∣cially as haue charge of waighty busines, ought to es∣chew immoderate drinking of wine, concluding that a drunkard can do nothing rightly.

• Mysys, the mayde.

ARchillis, I heard you a prety while since, bid that Lesbia should be brought hither: In very truth she is a drunken harebraynd woman, and far vnfit to take charge of a woman in trauaile of her first child: yet neuerthelesse I will bring her: See how ernest the olde Trot is, to haue her here, and all because she is a drinking Gossip of hers. God graunt my Mistres safe and spéedy deliuerance, and that any other miscarry vnder the handes of the Tip∣sie

Midwiefe, rather than shée: But what is the matter that I sée Pamphilus so much out of quiet, I feare me all is not well: I will stay, and know whither this his trooble of minde, bring not some hea∣uy newes.

¶Act. 1. Scen. 5.

The Argument.

This scene conteynes the griefe of Pamphilus as touching the marriages where likewise he promiseth to keepe faith∣ful touch with Glycerie, yea, whether his father will or no, if cause so require.

• Pamphilus, the young man.
• ... Mysis the, Mayde.

IS this a point of good nature, or a kinde¦ly déede? Is this the part of a Father?

My.

What might that be?

Pamph.

O the faith of God and man, what can be greater spite than this? he had purposed with himselfe to marry me to a wife to day: ought not I haue knowen so much before hand? had it not bin méete to haue made me pri∣uie to it long ere this?

My.

Wo is me (silly wench that I am,) what newes doo I heare?

Pamph.

What meanes Chremes, who hauing once denyed to giue me his daughter to wife, doth he now change his minde in that, because he séeth me still one manner of man? Dooth he deale so ouerthwartly, to thend to part me from Glycerie, forlorne man that I am? which, if it come to passe, I am cleane cast away. Alas, alas, is there any man lyuing so rest of all grace

and good fortune as my selfe? O Lord God, shall I by no meanes be able to auoyd the Aliance of Chremes? How many waies am I despised and set at naught? All things were done and past, and so, I that was re∣fused am sought for againe, and wherefore, without it be as I suspect, they cloake some secret fault in her, and because she cannot be shifted to any other, they would thrust her on me.

My.

These wordes do astony me for feare, (sillie wench that I am)

Pamph.

But what should I now say of my father? is it fit he go so careleslie to woork about so great a matter? who passing by me crewhile at the market place, spake to me in this sorte: Pamphilus; thou must be married to day: Get the home and make thée ready. It séemed to me he said, Get thee away quicklie and hang thy selfe. I was vtterlie amazed: Think ye that I could bring furth one woord, or make any excuse for my selfe, were it wrong, fals, or neuer so foolish? I became quite dumbe. But had I wist so much before, if one should now aske me, what would I then haue don, surely som∣what I would haue don, rather than doo as I dyd. But now whereto shall I first betake me? I am cumbred with so many cares, which diuerslie hale my minde to & fro, what with loue & pitie toward this woman, The griefe I conceiue of this marriage, and the shame I incurre with my father, who hitherto so gently suffred me to do what I would, (and shall I now gainesay him?) That wo is me, I wot not what to do.

My.

I feare me wretch whereto this doubtfull pang will breake in the end, so as now it is very needfull that either he come and speake with my Mistres himselfe, or els that I say somewhat to him as touching her. For while his minde hangs thus in doubt, it is carryed héere, and there, with the least thing in the world.

Pamph.

Who talkes héere? O Mysis, welcome.

My.

God saue you maister Pamphilus.

Pamph.

How dooth thy mistres?

My.

Doo you not know? she is in labour with childe: And for this the silly woman takes care and thought, bycause heretofore your mariage was appointed to bée made as this day: Moreouer she is in great feare least you will forsake her.

Pamph.

O Lord, should I finde in my hart to do so? Alas poore sowle, should I suffer her to bée deceiued thorough me, which committed her whole trust vnto me, and euen put her life in my hands? Shall I deale so by her (whom I haue intirely loued as my wife) that through néed and necessity her chast behauiour and wel ordered life should be corrupted and changed? No, I wil neuer doo it.

My.

I would not feare at all, if it lay onely in you, but I feare how you will be able to hide the brunt of your father.

Pamph.

What, dost thou thinke me so faint harted, or moreouer, so vnkinde, or vncurteous, or so cruell, as that neither our daily familiarity, nor loue, nor yet ve∣ry shame, can mooue me nor put mée in minde to kéepe promise with her?

My.

This one thing I wot well: shée hath deserued that you should be mindefull of her.

Pamph.

That I should be mindfull of her? O Mysis Mysis, those woordes of Chrysis remaine yet printed in my minde, which she spake vnto mée, as touching Gly∣cerie: Being néere the point of Death, shee calles mée to her: I came, and after you were gone aside and no body left but wée twoo: thus shée began: Frend Pam∣philus, you sée of what beauty and yéeres this same mayden is: neither are you to bée tolde, what incon∣uenience these twoo thinges are vnto her, both for sa∣uing her honesty and her stocke: And therefore I pray you by this right hand of yours, and your honesty:

I beséech you also on your faith and troth, and in res∣pect of the solitary state of this maiden, that you will neither part her from you, nor forsake her: euen as I haue loued you as myne owne brother, and as shée al∣waies estéemed you alone aboue all men liuing, and was in all things ready at your commaundement. I bequeath you to her, as husband, frend, tutor, and fa∣ther. These our goods I commit vnto you, and charge you with them of trust. Herevpon shée deliuered Glyce∣rie vnto mee in way of marriage, and by and by gaue vp the Ghost: I receiued Glycerie of her, and hauing once receiued her, I will kepe her still.

My.

Truly I hope no lesse.

Pamph.

But why art thou come from her?

My.

I go for the midwife.

Pamph.

Hye thée apace: and hearst thou mée? beware thou speake not one woorde of the marriage, least that also increase her griefe.

My.

O, I vnderstand you.

Notes

• Simo speaketh this out of the hearing of Dauus.
• It was not Lawful in A∣thens to bring vp the children begotten out of wedlocke vpon strange womē, but rather to doo them a∣way.
• Mysis speakes this to her self, out of the hea∣ring of Pam∣philus.
• This also is spoken by Mysis, out of the hea∣ring of Pam∣philus.
• This likewise she speakes to her selfe.
• This speech of Mysis is ouer∣heard by Pam∣philus.