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Terence here follows the same method, that he persues in some other of his Comedies, of introducing a Protatick Personage, that is, a character foreign to the fable; that, while the story is opened to him, the audience may be informed of as much as is necessary for them to know. But although this scene is introduced merely for the instruction of the spectator, yet the Poet has contrived to season it with a great deal of wit and humour; and indeed that is the highest pitch of dramatick art, to seem to intend nothing but the amusement of the Spectator, and to carry on the plot, while you are actually endeavouring to prepare them for the incidents that are to follow.

I have already more than once delivered my opinion concerning the Protatick Personage. The scene before us is indeed most exquisitely beautiful, and so admirable a model of Narration, that it gives one pain to make the slightest objection to it. But I cannot help thinking that the Trinummus of Plautus, a comedy which has some similarity to this of our author, is opened with more art and vivacity. Davus is rather idly introduced, brings money to no end, and hears the story to no purpose. In the Andrian, Simo has some sort of excuse for opening the mystery of his conduct to Sofia, as he belongs to the family, and it was proposed to make use of his assistance. But Davus has so very little relation to the parties concerned, that we do not know whose servant he is; nor does he take any part in the succeeding events. In the Trinummus, on the contrary, an old gentleman, who thinks the conduct of his friend reprehensible, comes to chide him for his behaviour; and the person accused, in his own vindication, explains himself at once to his angry monitor and to the spectators. This character also is not merely introduced as a Protatick Personage, but acts afterwards in concert with his friend.

Amicus summus meus & popularis Geta. Popularis properly signifies one of the same town; and though not born in it, a person who has been registered with the inhabitants. The very names Davus and Geta plainly prove they could not be countrymen in the strict sense and meaning of that word. Dacier.

Quod ille unciatim, &c. These verses are extremely fine and elaborate, and make an exact climax, almost every word, as Donatus has observed, having a considerable emphasis and energy; the touches are strong, forcible, and natural.—The images of poverty and distress are greatly heightened by the contrast which immediately follows. Dacier.

E demenso suo. Demensum was a measure of corn containing, as is commonly supposed, four bushels, which was delivered out to the slaves monthly, as their allowance. Donatus.

Ferietur alio munere. Here the familiar Latin phrase exactly answers to the English one.

Alluding to the custom of Initiation among the antients, of which there were several kinds. Madam Dacier supposes it to signify their being initiated in the grand mysteries of Ceres, which was commonly done, while they were yet very young. Patrick.

The Antients had a persuasion, that each man had a Genius or Guardian Deity, and that when he fell into any misfortune, or was guilty of any crime, it was because his Genius had abandoned him. Patrick.

Adversum stimulum calces. To kick against the pricks.—Originally an old Greek proverb, Προς τα κεντρα λακτιζειν.—προς κεντρα κωλον εκτενειν.—So our Saviour (Acts, chap. ix. v. 5.) it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Westerhovius.

Scîsti uti foro. An allusion to merchants, who fix the price of commodities in proportion to the demand there is for them. Donatus.

Musick-schools, where the Slave-merchants sent their Girls to attain accomplishments, which might enhance their price. Cooke.

Barbers shops in Athens and Rome were places of publick resort for conversation, much of the nature of our Coffee-houses. Patrick.

In Apollodorus this young man is no other than the Barber himself, who was just returned from cutting off the young woman's hair, which was one of the usual ceremonies of mourning among the Greeks. This circumstance Terence has judiciously altered, that he might not shock the Roman spectators with manners so very foreign to their own. Donatus.

The Poet has managed this part of the Narration with so much address, that we are not so much affected at the death of the mother, as at the distress of the beautiful virgin: especially as we find in the catastrophe, that the death of this woman gives the poet a better opportunity of establishing the general happiness. Donatus.

Quid Pædagogus ille. The servants who attended children to and from school were by the Greeks called Pedagogues. Socrates was satirically called the Pedagogue of Alcibiades: and Davus humourously applies this name to Phædria, who, as Geta had told him, attended the Girl to and from the Musick-school. Dacier.

Da hoc Dorcio.—Dorcio from Dorcium, the name of a woman, as Planesium, Glycerium. Donatus.

Purgem me? Laterem lavem.—Laterem lavare, “to wash a brick,” was a proverb, signifying to labour in vain.

Quamobrem omnes, &c. This passage is quoted by Tully in the third book of his Tusculan Questions, and the maxim contained in these lines was a favourite principle among the Stoicks. But I cannot help thinking that the introduction of it in this place has commonly been considered too seriously; and I have scarce any doubt but that Terence intended it as a stroke of character. Commentators, in general, are never so happy as when they light upon a sentence in a classick author, which they can extol as a lesson of sound morality: but in dramatick writings we are not merely to confine ourselves to the consideration of what is said, but who says it. Donatus, in his preface to this play, says “that it is founded on passions almost too high for Comedy; but that the Poet contrives to temper every circumstance by his art.” In the present instance, the old gentleman is indeed in a violent passion, but his anger is so managed throughout the scene, that it becomes truly comick: And Donatus very properly refers us to a similar passage in the Brothers, where Demea in like manner delivers moral precepts, which are in like manner turned into ridicule, and archly parodied by the impudent slave.

By this proposal Terence artfully prepares us for the imposition of Phormio, who extorts money from the old gentleman on this very foundation. Donatus.

Alexander ab Alexandro, Genial. Dier. L. I. takes notice of an antient decree of Senate, derived to the Romans from a law of Solon, in which, in order to provide against young men borrowing money during the life of their fathers, it was ordained, that in case of non-payment, the lender should have no remedy at law. The mischief meant to be guarded against by this decree was, that left the sons of rich men, being involved in debt, should be tempted to extricate themselves by dishonourable means, or even to hasten the death of a parent. Westerhovius. Patrick.

Istum Patronum mulieris. They who undertook to carry on a law-suit for another were called Patroni, Patrons.

It was the custom for those returning from a voyage or journey to give thanks in a formal manner to the Gods, even before they saw their wives or friends. And every citizen had at home Houshold Gods (usually called Penates, Demestici, or Lares) which he and his family worshipped in private, and considered as the particular guardians of the family. Westerhovius.