The Comedies of Terence Part 67

MENE. Do, I prithee now!

Be not obdurate, Chremes!

CHREM. Why is this?

I see I can't proceed as I've begun.

MENE. 'Tis as it should be now.

CHREM. On this condition, That he agrees to do what I think fit.

c.l.i.t. I will do ev'ry thing. Command me, father!

CHREM. Take a wife.

c.l.i.t. Father!

CHREM. Nay, Sir, no denial!

MENE. I take that charge upon me. He shall do't.

CHREM. But I don't hear a word of it from him.

c.l.i.t. Confusion!

SOSTRA. Do you doubt then, c.l.i.tipho?

CHREM. Nay, which he pleases.

MENE. He'll obey in all; Whate'er you'd have him.

SOSTRA. This at first is grievous, While you don't know it; when you know it, easy.

c.l.i.t. I'm all obedience, father!

SOSTRA. Oh my son, I'll give you a sweet wife, that you'll adore, Phanocrata's, our neighbor's daughter.

c.l.i.t. Her!

That red-hair'd, blear-eyed, wide-mouth'd, hook-nos'd wench?

I can not, father.

CHREM. Oh, how nice he is!

Would any one imagine it?

SOSTRA. I'll get you Another then.

c.l.i.t. Well, well; since I must marry, I know one pretty near my mind.

SOSTRA. Good boy!

c.l.i.t. The daughter of Archonides, our neighbor.

SOSTRA. Well chosen!

c.l.i.t. One thing, father, still remains.

CHREM. What?

c.l.i.t. That you'd grant poor Syrus a full pardon For all that he hath done on my account.

CHREM. Be it so.-- (_To the Audience._) Farewell Sirs, and clap your hands!

THE BROTHERS.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

PROLOGUE.

DEMEA.

MICIO.

aeSCHINUS.

CTESIPHO.

HEGIO.

SANNIO.

GETA.

SYRUS.

GETA.

DROMO.

PARMENO, _other Servants, etc._

SOSTRATA.

CANTHARA.

MUSIC-GIRL, _and other Mutes._

SCENE, ATHENS.

PROLOGUE.

The Bard perceiving his piece cavil'd at By partial critics, and his adversaries Misrepresenting what we're now to play, Pleads his own cause: and you shall be the judges, Whether he merits praise or condemnation.

The _Synapothnescontes_ is a piece By Diphilus, a comedy which Plautus, Having translated, call'd COMMORIENTES.

In the beginning of the Grecian play There is a youth, who rends a girl perforce From a procurer: and this incident, Untouch'd by Plautus, render'd word for word, Has our bard interwoven with his _Brothers_; The new piece which we represent to-day.

Say then if this be theft, or honest use Of what remain'd unoccupied.--For that Which malice tells, that certain n.o.ble persons a.s.sist the Bard, and write in concert with him; That which they deem a heavy slander, He Esteems his greatest praise: that he can please Those who please you, who all the people please; Those who in war, in peace, in counsel, ever Have render'd you the dearest services, And ever borne their faculties so meekly.

Expect not now the story of the play: Part the old men, who first appear, will open; Part will in act be shown.--Be favorable; And let your candor to the poet now Increase his future earnestness to write!