# Comedies of Publius Terentius Afer (1870)/Andria/Act V

Layout 2
ACT V.
Scene 1.—Chremes—Simo.
Chr. Enough—enough now, Simo; I have run Myself in peril, in my wish to aid you. Cease to entreat me more: in pleasing you I nearly sacrificed my daughter's peace.
Sim. But, Chremes, I entreat more earnestly, Ah! with increase of vehemence, to fulfil Your promise given!
Chr. Your wishes blind you, Simo. You set no bounds to one's benignity. You have cast off your reason: if you thought, You would perceive you sought what is unjust.
Sim. How so?
Chr. Ah! dost thou ask? Entreating me To grant my daughter to a man engaged, Absorbed in other love, and hating marriage, To wed her to dissensions, and divorce. We are to medicate with our repose, Disorders of your son. I gave my word, I went to forward things whilst I believed The marriage possible. I find it not. She is a citizen—a child is born— Dispute not further.
Sim. By all the gods! I say, Do not believe a word those creatures say, Who do not wish my son to be reclaimed. All lies and fictions to break off this match, ​And so soon as we win him from their toils, They, too, will cease to sue and pester him.
Chr. You are deceived yourself. I chanced to hear The maid-servant and Davus at hard words.
Sim. All fable.
Chr. Not a bit: they were at strife; Nor one nor other knew that I was present.
Sim. I do believe it: Davus had forewarned me That so it was to be; also to warn you— I marvel I was so oblivious.
ACT V.—Scene 2.—Davus—Chremes—Simo—Dromo.
Dav. Now I ordain that all be silent here.
Chr. Hem, Davus—here.
Sim. Whence doth the fellow come?
Dav. And all attend to me and to this stranger.
Sim. What roguery 's this!
Dav. I never knew a man Arrive more opportunely at a time.
Sim. Scoundrel! whom praise you?
Dav. Matters now are all Safely on shore.
Sim. I will have at him now.
Dav. Master, by Jove!
Sim. O salvè! honest Sir!
Dav. Hem, Simo and our Chremes, all is laid Ready now for you.
Sim. You have been diligent.
Dav. Whene'er you bring the bride.
Sim. Ah! very good. We only lack the bride. But hark you now! ​Reply to what I ask you. Tell me what You do within there.
Dav. Who, me?
Sim. Ay, you.
Dav. Who, I?
Sim. You, you I say.
Dav. A moment since, Only, did I come here.
Sim. I did not ask you when, But wherefore?
Dav. With your son.
Sim. What doth he there? I am on thorns. Did you not tell me, sirrah, That they had quarrelled?
Dav. Ay, that was so.
Sim. Well, then, what doth he there?
Chr. [With irony.] What doth he there? He quarrels with her.
Dav. More, O Chremes! more, An insolence unheard of. An old man, Who or from whence I know not; an old man, With a front bold and sly, who seems to think Well of himself—with face of formal cut, And words of candour.
Sim. Well, what stuff is this!
Dav. Nought; save for what he said.
Sim. What did he say?
Dav. Glycerium is an Attic citizen.
Sim. Hey, Dromo! Dromo!
Dav. What's the matter now?
Sim. Dromo!
Dav. Hear!
​Sim. Speak not a word. Eh! Dromo.
Dav. Hear, I entreat you.
Dro. Master!
Sim. Haul him hence; Haul him within directly.
Dro. Whom?
Sim. Him—Davus.
Dav. Wherefore?
Sim. Because I choose: haul him within.
Dav. What have I done?
Sim. Haul! haul!
Dav. If I have told a lie, Then murder me.
Sim. I will not hear you, but Give it you, soundly.
Dav. But I spoke truth.
Sim. See that he be well bound; and, hear you, hear! Bind him by hand and feet. Pol! if I live, I will shew you, my man, that peril lies In treason to your master, and to me, The father.
Chr. Nay, be not in a passion.
Sim. Chremes! is this then filial piety? is this Respect due unto me? or shall I care For such a son? oh Pamphilus, I say, Come forth, come forth and blush.
ACT V.—Scene 3.—Pamphilus—Simo—Chremes.
Pam. Who summons me? My father, I'm undone!
Sim. What dost thou say? Of all—
​Chr. Forbear, I say; Speak calmly to him, without rhapsody.
Sim. If it were possible with what he has done— Say is Glycerium a citizen?
Pam. They so affirm.
Sim. They so affirm; do they? A most outrageous impudence—is there A falter in his voice—blush on his brow? Is there a sign of penitence or shame? Ah! can it be? so impotent of mind, So callous to the laws, so hostile to His filial obedience—father's hopes— To wed to ignominy and disgrace.
Pam. I am most wretched.
Sim. Do you, Pamphilus, Learn that to-day?—You should have wretched been Before you gave unbridled passion reins. Now truly may you say you're miserable. But wherefore do I trouble so my soul— Wherefore torment my mind—excruciate My old age—weary me to madness— Shall I endure the penalties for him? No; let him troop and go and—live with her.
Pam. My Father!
Sim. Ay, my Father; as though you Needed a father: you have house and home And wife and child, and all against his will. You bring your sycophants to prove that she Is a free-born of Attica. I yield.
Pam. Father, will you permit me a few words?
Sim. Wherefore—what words?
Chr. Yet, Simo, let him speak.
​Sim. I hear him? wherefore, Chremes, should I hear?
Chr. Nay, suffer him.
Sim. I suffer him; speak on.
Pam. Father, I do avow I am in love, And, if that be a crime, am criminal. But, father, I submit; impose on me Your pleasure, what you will; for if you wrench Me from her arms I love, I must submit. But do not think I have suborned this man To do you wrong; and let me bring him here.
Sim. Him here!
Pam. Oh, suffer it, my father.
Chr. Do; For what he asks is just.
Pam. Oh do, I pray.
Sim. I suffer it: Chremes, I would comply With what you wish, avoiding all deceit.
Chr. However great the errors of a son, Sufficient is rebuke from hands paternal.
ACT V.—Scene 4.—Crito—Chremes—Simo—Pamphilus.
Cri. Beseech no more; sufficient were one cause Of three impelling me, yourself, the truth, And love I bear Glycerium.
Chr. Do I behold— The Andrian Crito?
Cri. Health be unto you, Chremes.
Chr. And what do you at Athens?
Cri. Wherefore I— But is this Simo?
Chr. Ay.
​Sim. Doth he seek me? Do you affirm that this Glycerium is A free-born Attican?
Cri. Do you deny it?
Sim. Do you come hither thus prepared?
Cri. Prepared!
Sim. Prepared: to play the rogue, delude our youth, And with impunity to spread your nets And lures for generous youth; with promises And vile solicitations, snaring them.
Cri. Are you insane?
Sim. From meretricious loves To bind a marriage?
Pam. The stranger is upset By these reproaches.
Chr. Simo, you know him not. He is not what you say; he worthy is.
Sim. Or worthy or unworthy, how comes it That he arrives at this unlooked for hour, When I would wed my son unto another, And heretofore unknown. Is that a tale To be believed? say, Chremes.
Pam. If I did not fear My father's wrath—ah! I could prompt a word.
Sim. A sycophant!
Cri. Ah!
Chr. Ah! pardon, Crito, pray, He is angry.
Cri. Be it so—but he Must curb his tongue, or I shall say in turn What may displease him. What have I to do With your disorders—what are they to me! ​It seems to me you need the equal mind To bear your ills. For me, I speak the truth. There was an Attican was shipwrecked on The Isle of Andros; with him was this girl. He chanced to light upon the father of Our Chrysis—in extremity of ill.
Sim. Fables.
Chr. Let him speak.
Cri. But wherefore interrupt?
Chr. Proceed.
Cri. Her father was my relative, And in his house he died, declaring he Was Attican.
Chr. His name—his name?
Cri. Was Phania.
Chr. Ah, I am slain.
Cri. Doubtless, 'twas Phania, Moreover of the burgh Rhamnusium.
Chr. Oh, Jupiter!
Cri. It is well-known in Andros.
Sim. And grant it may be so. Now tell me, Crito, What did he say of her? Was she his child?
Cri. No.
Chr. And whose?
Cri. His brother's.
Chr. And my daughter!
Cri. How—what!
Sim. What!
Pam. Lift up your ears, O Pamphilé.
Sim. Do you believe this, Chremes?
Chr. Yes. Phania— He was my brother.
​Sim. True; I knew him well.
Chr. He fled from hence and war. He followed me To Asian shores, where then I was. He led My daughter with him, daring not to leave her. And lo! the first that I have heard of her.
Pam. I am beside myself, with spirit stirred By fears and hope and joy. I am o'erfraught With gladness, and with unexpected wonder.
Sim. Chremes, I am glad; for many reasons glad, That you have found your child.
Pam. Surely, my father.
Chr. But one doubt troubles me—one doubt remains.
Pam. Confound your stupid doubt. I hate the man Seeking for doubts where there can none exist.
Cri. Pronounce it.
Chr. Her name was not Glycerium.
Cri. Assuredly, she had another name.
Chr. What was it?
Cri. Ah! if I can call to mind.
Pam. What, shall I suffer a bad memory To blight and blast my joy, when I myself Have the remedial knowledge? I will not. Chremes, her name was Pasibula then.
Cri. It is.
Chr. It is.
Pam. We often call her so.
Sim. Chremes, I give you joy, I give you joy. You credit me?
Chr. I do assuredly.
Pam. My father, now———
Sim. My son, the late annoyance Becomes a blessing now.
​Pam. My dearest father, If Chremes now consents and grants his daughter.
Chr. Nay, I am willing, if your father is.
Pam. Ah! surely.
Sim. I consent.
Chr. And, Pamphilus, Her dower is ten talents.
Pam. Most content.
Chr. I hurry to my child. Ah, Crito, come! Come with me, for she knows me not!
Sim. Wherefore Not bring her home?
Pam. True, true; I will find Davus.
Sim. He cannot.
Pam. Who?
Sim. For he has business Imports himself more nearly.
Pam. What is that?
Sim. He is bound.
Pam. He is unjustly bound.
Sim. I so commanded.
Pam. Oh, bid the contrary.
Sim. So be it then.
Pam. Without delay.
Sim. I go.
Pam. happy and most auspicious day.
ACT V.—Scene 5.—Charinus—Pamphilus.
Cha. I sought for Pamphilus, and lo, behold him!
Pam. Another one might, perhaps, imagine now That I am full of fond imaginings, ​And in a fool's elysium. Now am I Persuaded that the gods immortal are, Because their joys have immortality. And I, too, am immortal in my bliss, If no mischance step on my happiness. Oh! for a friend I love the best, to be My partner in this joy and ecstacy.
Cha. He is rejoicing surely.
Pam. Davus, ah! I want you, Davus; no one more than you, For none more vividly reflects my joys.
ACT V.—Scene 6.—Davus—Pamphilus—Charinus.
Dav. Where then is Pamphilus?
Pam. Behold! 'tis I.
Dav. O, Pamphilus.
Pam. Dost know my happy fortune?
Dav. No; but I know my own bad fortune, since We parted last.
Pam. And I—I know it, too.
Dav. The lot of mortals; quicker is the flight Of tale of woe than tale of happiness.
Pam. Ah! my Glycerium has found her friends— Her father.
Dav. That is well done.
Cha. Hem!
Pam. Her father is our friend.
Dav. Who?
Pam. Chremes.
Dav. Good. I am rejoiced.
​Pam. Nothing forbids the marriage.
Cha. Doth he not dream, and waking, grasps a shade?
Pam. And the boy, Davus—
Dav. Trouble not yourself; The gods love only him.
Cha. And I am saved, If what they say be true. Now will I hail And ask.
Pam. Charinus, in a happy hour—
Cha. And I rejoice.
Pam. Oh! have you heard?
Cha. I have— I have heard all; and now that you are blest, Aid, and forget me not, I do implore you. Chremes is now your relative, and will Grant whatsoe'er you ask him.
Pam. And I will. But we cannot wait here, Charinus, now Until he comes forth from Glycerium. Come you with me and seek him. Davus—you, Go seek the men to bear her to our house! Why do you tarry? Go!
Dav. I go, I go. [To the audience.] Now do not wait until they reappear, Whate'er is to be done, will be done there. There may be more to do than we can tell; And so applaud us, sirs, and fare ye well.