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The Andrian

Colman, George (1732-1794)
  
THE ANDRIAN;
  
[note]
  
[epigraph]
  
[dedication]
  
[dedication]
  
[castlist]
  
[section]
  
PROLOGUE.

collapse section1. 
ACT I.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE IV.
 5. 
SCENE V.
collapse section2. 
ACT II.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE IV.
 5. 
SCENE V.
 6. 
SCENE VI.
 7. 
SCENE VII.
collapse section3. 
ACT III.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE IV.
 5. 
SCENE V.
 6. 
SCENE VI.
 7. 
SCENE VII.
 8. 
SCENE VIII.
collapse section4. 
ACT IV.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE V.
 5. 
SCENE VI.
 6. 
SCENE VII.
 7. 
SCENE VIII.
 8. 
SCENE IX.
 9. 
SCENE X.
collapse section5. 
ACT V.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE IV.
 5. 
SCENE V.
 6. 
SCENE V.
 7. 
SCENE VI.
 8. 
SCENE THE LAST.

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46

SCENE VII.

Manent SIMO and DAVUS.
Davus.
Now he supposes I've some trick in hand,
And loiter here to practise it on him!

Simo.
Well, what now, Davus?

Davus.
Nothing.

Simo.
Nothing, say you?

Davus.
Nothing at all.

Simo.
And yet I look'd for something

Davus.
So, I perceive, you did:—This nettles him.

[aside.
Simo.
Can you speak truth?

Davus.
Most easily.

Simo.
Say then,
Is not this wedding irksome to my Son,
From his adventure with the Andrian?

Davus.
No faith; or if at all, 'twill only be
Two or three days' anxiety, you know:
Then 'twill be over: for he sees the thing
In its true light.

47

Simo.
I praise him for't.

Davus.
While you
Restrain'd him not; and while his youth allow'd,
'Tis true he lov'd; and even then by stealth,
As wise men ought, and careful of his fame.
Now his age calls for matrimony, now
To matrimony he inclines his mind.

Simo.
Yet, in my eyes, he seem'd a little sad.

Davus.
Not upon that account. He has, he thinks
Another reason to complain of you.

Simo.
For what?

Davus.
A trifle.

Simo.
Well, what is't?

Davus.
Nay, nothing.

Simo.
Tell me, what is't?

Davus.
You are then he complains,
Somewhat too sparing of expence.

Simo.
I?

Davus.
You.
A feast of scarce ten Drachms! Does this, says he,
Look like a wedding-supper for his son?
What friends can I invite? especially,
48

At such a time as this?—and, truly, Sir,
You have been very frugal; much too sparing.
I can't commend you for it.

Simo.
Hold your peace.

Davus.
I've ruffled him.

[aside.
Simo.
I'll look to that. Away!
[Exit Davus.
What now? What means the varlet? Precious Rogue,
For if there's any Knavery on foot,
He, I am sure, is the contriver on't.

[Exit.
 

Præter spem evenit: sentio: hoc male habet virum. All the commentators and translators have understood this whole line as spoken aside: but as the first part of it is an apt answer to what Simo had said, and in the same stile with the rest of the conversation, that Davus commonly holds with him, I rather think it was intended in reply; to which Davus subjoins the conclusion, as his sly remark aside.—Whether this was certainly the Poet's meaning, it is difficult to determine; but I think that this manner of speaking the line would have the best effect on the Stage.

The Attick Drachma was equal to seven-pence, three farthings, of English money. Cooke.

The second Act of the Andrian of Baron is, like the first, very nearly an exact translation of Terence.

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