 | The Andrian |  |
SCENE I.
CHARINUS, BYRRHIA.Char.
How, Byrrhia? Is she to be married, say you,
To Pamphilus to-day?
Byr.
'Tis even so.
Char.
How do you know?
Byr.
I had it even now
From Davus at the Forum.
Char.
Woe is me!
Then I'm a wretch indeed: till now my mind
Stunn'd, and o'erwhelm'd, it sinks beneath its cares.
Byr.
Nay, prithee Master, since the thing you wish
Cannot be had, e'en wish for that which may!
Char.
I wish for nothing but Philumena.
Byr.
Ah, how much wiser were it, that you strove
To quench this passion, than, with words like these,
To fan the fire, and blow it to a flame?
Char.
How readily do men at ease prescribe
To those who're sick at heart! Distrest like me,
You would not talk thus.
Byr.
Well, well, as you please.
Char.
Ha! I see Pamphilus. I can resolve
On any thing, e'er give up all for lost.
Byr.
What now?
Char.
I will intreat him, beg, beseech him,
Tell him our course of love, and thus perhaps,
At least prevail upon him to defer
His marriage some few days: meanwhile, I hope,
Something may happen.
Ay, that something's nothing.
Char.
Byrrhia, what think you? Shall I speak to him?
Byr.
Why not? for tho' you don't obtain your Suit,
He will at least imagine you're prepar'd
To cuckold him, in case he marries her.
Char.
Away, you hang-dog, with your base suspicions!
These two characters were not in the works of Menander, but were added to the Fable by Terence, lest Philumena's being left without a husband, on the marriage of Pamphilus to Glycerium, should appear too tragical a circumstance.
Donatus.Madam Dacier, after transcribing this remark, adds, that it appears to her to be an observation of great importance to the Theatre, and well worthy our attention.
Important as this Dramatick Arcanum may be, it were to be wished that Terence had never found it out, or at least that he had not availed himself of it in the construction of the Andrian. It is plain that the Duplicity of Intrigue did not proceed from the imitation of Menander, since these characters, on which the double plot is founded, were not drawn from the Greek Poet. Charinus and Byrrhia are indeed but poor counterparts, or faint shadows of Pamphilus and Davus; and instead of adding life and vigour to the Fable, rather damp its spirit, and stop the activity of its progress. As to the tragical circumstance of Philumena's having no husband, it seems something like the distress of Prince Prettyman, who thinks it a matter of indifference, whether he shall appear to be the son of a King or a Fisherman, and is only uneasy lest he should be the son of nobody at all. I am much more inclined to the opinion of an ingenious French Critick, whom I have already cited more than once, than to that of Donatus or Madam Dacier. His comment on this under-plot is as follows.
“It is almost impossible to conduct two intrigues at a time, without weakening the inrest of both. With what address has Terence interwoven the Amours of Pamphilus and Charinus in the Andrian! But has he done it without inconvenience? At the beginning of the second Act, do we not seem to be entering upon a new piece? and does the fifth conclude in a very interesting manner?”
Diderot.It is but justice to Sir Richard Steele to confess, that he has conducted the under-plot in the Conscious Lovers in a much more artful and interesting manner than Terence in the play before us. The part which Myrtle sustains (though not wholly unexceptionable, especially in the last act) is more essential to the Fable, than Charinus in the Andrian. His character also is more separated and distinguished from Bevil than Charinus from Pamphilus, and serves to produce one of the best scenes in the play.
| The Andrian | |