University of Virginia Library

Madam Dacier, and most of the later criticks who have implicitly followed her, tell us that, in the interval between the third and fourth acts, Syrus has been present at the interview between Chremes and Antiphila within. The only difficulty in this doctrine is how to reconcile to it the apparent ignorance of Syrus, which he discovers at the entrance of Clinia. But this objection, says she, is easily answered. Syrus having partly heard Antiphila's story, and finding things take an unfavourable turn, retires to consider what is best to be done. But surely this is a most unnatural impatience at so critical a juncture: and after all, would it not be better to take up the matter just where Terence has left it, and to suppose that Syrus knew nothing more of the affair than what might be collected from the late conversation between Chremes and Sostrata, at which we know he was present; and which at once accounts for his apprehensions, which he betrayed even during that scene, as well as for his imperfect knowledge of the real state of the case, till apprized of the whole by Clinia?

There is a remarkable passage in Arrian's account of Alexander, lib. 4. where he tells us that some embassadors from the Celtæ, being asked by Alexander, what in the world they dreaded most, answered, Δεδιεναι, μηποτε ο ουρανος αυτοις εμπεσοι, “that they feared, lest the sky should fall.” Alexander, who expected to hear himself named, was surprised at an answer, which signified that they thought themselves beyond the reach of all human power, plainly implying that nothing could hurt them, unless he would suppose impossibilities, or a total destruction of nature. Patrick.

Dormiunt; ego pol istos commovebo. Hedelin interprets these words literally; but surely nothing can be more plain, from the whole tenor of the scene, than that they are merely metaphorical, as Menage justly argues.

Villam Charini. This passage alone is a sufficient proof that the feast of Bacchis, mentioned in this play, was the Dionysia in the fields; and consequently that the scene is not laid in Athens, but in the country. Dacier.

Summum jus, sæpe summa est malitia. This, as Syrus himself says, was a proverb. Menander probably made use of it in this very play, as the same sentiment is to be found among his fragments,

I am charmed with this sentiment, and still more with the good man's application of it. For in fact nothing can be more ridiculous, than that when a father bestows his daughter upon a man, he must also bestow part of his fortune with her. And as a proof, that custom only authorizes such a practice, in antient times the very contrary was the case, money and presents being given to the fathers by those who demanded their daughters in marriage. MADAM DACIER.

These two or three speeches are differently divided in different editions. I have followed that order, which seemed to me to create the most lively and natural dialogue.