 | Phormio |  |
ACT IV.
SCENE I.
DEMIPHO, GETA.Dem.
'Tis our own fault, that we encourage rogues,
By over-straining the due character
Of honesty and generosity.
“Shoot not beyond the mark,” the proverb goes.
Was't not enough that he had done us wrong,
But we must also throw him money too,
To live, till he devises some new mischief?
Get.
Very right!
Dem.
Knavery's now its own reward.
Get.
Very true!
Dem.
How like fools have we behav'd!
Get.
So as he keeps his word, and takes the girl,
'Tis well enough.
Is that a doubt at present?
Get.
A man, you know, may change his mind.
Dem.
How! change?
Get.
That I can't tell: but, if perhaps, I say.
Dem.
I'll now perform my promise to my brother,
And bring his wife to talk to the young woman.
You, Geta, go before, and let her know
Nausistrata will come and speak with her.
[Exit Demipho.
Ita fugias ne præter casam. Literally, “Fly so, as not to pass the house.” Commentators have been pleased to consider this as the most difficult passage in any part of our Author's works. But the occasion on which the proverb is here used, and the whole tenor of Demipho's speech make the import of it impossible to be mistaken: Donatus long ago properly explained it, Queritur senex se, dum avari infamiam fugeret, in stulti reprehensionem incidisse.—“The old man complains, that while he was endeavouring to avoid the charge of being a miser, he had laid himself open to the imputation of being a fool.”
SCENE II.
GETAalone.
The money's got for Phædria: all is hush'd:
And Phanium is not to depart as yet.
What more then? where will all this end at last?
—Alas, you're sticking in the same mire still:
You've only chang'd hands, Geta. The disaster,
That hung but now directly over you,
Delay perhaps will bring more heavy on you.
You're quite beset, unless you look about.
That she mayn't stand in fear of Phormio,
Nor dread this conf'rence with Nausistrata.
[Exit.
Plagæ crescunt. Plagæ is generally understood here to signify blows: but as Geta is full of metaphors in this speech, I am apt to think the words mean “the snares increase,” which agrees better with the following clause, nisi prospicis, and is a sense in which the plural of plaga is often used.
Ejus orationem. Ejus here is not to be understood of Phormio, but Nausistrata: and perhaps Terence wrote hujus. Dacier.
SCENE III.
Enter DEMIPHO and NAUSISTRATA.Dem.
Come then, Nausistrata, afford us now
A little of your usual art, and try
To put this woman in good humour with us:
That what is done, she may do willingly.
Nau.
I will.
Dem.
—And now assist us with your counsel,
As with your cash a little while ago.
Nau.
With all my heart: and I am only sorry
That 'tis my husband's fault I can't do more.
Dem.
How so?
Nau.
Because he takes such little care
Of the estate my father nurs'd so well:
To draw Two Talents by the year. But ah!
What difference between man and man!
Dem.
Two Talents?
Nau.
Ay—in worse times than these—and yet Two Talents
Dem.
Huy!
Nau.
What, are you surpriz'd?
Dem.
Prodigiously.
Nau.
Would I had been a man! I'd shew—
Dem.
No doubt.
Nau.
—By what means—
Dem.
Nay, but spare yourself a little
For the encounter with the girl: lest she,
Flippant and young, may weary you too much.
Nau.
—Well, I'll obey your orders: but I see
My husband coming forth.
Alluding to the money borrowed of her to pay Phormio; and, as Donatus observes in another place, it is admirably contrived, in order to bring about a humorous catastrophe, that Chremes should make use of his wife's money on this occasion.
SCENE IV.
Enter CHREMES hastily.Chre.
Ha! Demipho!
Has Phormio had the money yet?
I paid him
Immediately.
Chre.
I'm sorry for't.—[ seeing Nausistrata.]
—My wife!
I'd almost said too much.
[aside.
Dem.
Why sorry, Chremes?
Chre.
Nothing.—No matter.
Dem.
Well, but hark ye, Chremes.
Have you been talking with the girl, and told her
Wherefore we bring your wife?
Chre.
I've settled it.
Dem.
Well, and what says she?
Chre.
'Tis impossible
To send her hence.
Dem.
And why impossible?
Chre.
Because they're both so fond of one another.
Dem.
What's that to Us?
Chre.
A great deal. And besides,
I have discover'd she's related to us.
Dem.
Have you your wits?
Chre.
'Tis so. I'm very serious.
—Nay, recollect a little!
Dem.
Are you mad?
Nau.
Good now, beware of wronging a relation!
Dem.
She's no relation to us.
Don't deny it.
Her father had assum'd another name,
And that deceiv'd you.
Dem.
What! not know her father?
Chre.
Perfectly.
Dem.
Why did she misname him then?
Chre.
Won't you be rul'd, nor understand me then?
Dem.
What can I understand from nothing?
Chre.
Still?
[impatiently.
Nau.
I can't imagine what this means.
Dem.
Nor I.
Chre.
Wou'd you know all?—Why then, so help me heaven,
She has no nearer kindred in the world,
Than you and I.
Dem.
Oh, all ye pow'rs of heaven!
—Let us go to her then immediately:
I wou'd fain know, or not know, all at once.
[going.
Chre.
Ah!
[stopping him.
Dem.
What's the matter?
Chre.
Can't you trust me then?
Dem.
Must I believe it? take it upon trust?
—Well, be it so!—But what is to be done
With our friend's daughter?
Chre.
Nothing.
Drop her?
Chre.
Ay.
Dem.
And keep this?
Chre.
Ay.
Dem.
Why then, Nausistrata,
You may return. We need not trouble you.
Nau.
Indeed, I think, 'tis better on all sides,
That you should keep her here, than send her hence.
For she appear'd to me, when first I saw her,
Much of a gentlewoman.
[Exit Nausistrata.
SCENE V.
Manent DEMIPHO and CHREMES.Dem.
What means this?
Chre.
looking after Nausistrata.]
Is the door shut?
Dem.
It is.
Chre.
O Jupiter!
The Gods take care of us. I've found my daughter
Married to your son.
Dem.
Ha! how could it be?
It is not safe to tell you here.
Dem.
Step in then.
Chre.
But hark ye, Demipho!—I would not have
Even our very sons inform'd of this.
[Exeunt.
SCENE VI.
ANTIPHOalone.
I'm glad, however my affairs proceed,
That Phædria's have succeeded to his mind.
How wise, to foster such desires alone,
As, altho' cross'd, are easily supplied!
Money, once found, sets Phædria at his ease;
But my distress admits no remedy.
For, if the secret's kept, I live in fear;
And if reveal'd, I am expos'd to shame.
Nor would I now return, but in the hope
Of still possessing her.—But where is Geta?
That I may learn of him, the fittest time
To meet my father.
SCENE VII.
Enter at a distance PHORMIO.Phor.
to himself.]
I've receiv'd the money;
Paid the Procurer; carried off the wench;
Who's free, and now in Phædria's possession.
One thing alone remains to be dispatch'd;
To get a respite from th'old gentlemen
To tipple some few days, which I must spend
In mirth and jollity.
Ant.
But yonder's Phormio.—
[goes up.
What now?
Phor.
Of what?
Ant.
What's Phædria about?
How does he mean to take his fill of love?
Phor.
By acting your part in his turn.
Ant.
What part?
Phor.
Flying his father's presence.—And he begs
That you'd act his, and make excuses for him:
For he intends a drinking-bout with Me.
I shall pretend to the old gentlemen
That I am going to the fair at Sunium,
Lest, finding I am absent, they suspect
That I am squandering the sum they paid me.
—But your door opens.
Ant.
Who comes here?
Phor.
'Tis Geta.
SCENE VIII.
Enter hastily, at another part of the Stage, GETA.Get.
O Fortune, a best Fortune, what high blessings,
What sudden, great, and unexpected joys
Hast thou show'r'd down on Antipho to-day!—
Ant.
What can this be, he's so rejoic'd about?
Get.
—And from what fears deliver'd Us, his friends?
—But wherefore do I loiter thus? and why
Do I not throw my cloak upon my shoulder,
And hast to find him out, that he may know
All that has happen'd?
Ant.
to Phormio.]
Do you comprehend
What he is talking of?
Do you?
Ant.
Not I.
Phor.
I'm just as wise as you.
Get.
I'll hurry hence
To the Procurer's.—I shall find them there.
[going.
Ant.
Ho, Geta!
Get.
Look ye there!—Is't new or strange,
To be recall'd when one's in haste?
[going.
Ant.
Here, Geta!
Get.
Again? Bawl on! l'll ne'er stop.
[going on.
Ant.
Stay, I say!
Get.
Go, and be drubb'd!
Ant.
You shall, I promise you,
Unless you stop, you Rascal!
Get.
stopping.]
Hold, hold, Geta!
Some intimate acquaintance this, be sure,
Being so free with you.—But is it he,
That I am looking for, or not?—'Tis He.
Phor.
Go up immediately.
[they go up to Geta.
Ant.
to Geta.]
What means all this?
Get.
O happy man! the happiest man on earth!
So very happy, that, beyond all doubt,
You are the God's chief fav'rite, Antipho.
Ant.
Would I were! but your reason.
Is't enough,
To plunge you over head and ears in joy?
Ant.
You torture me.
Phor.
No promises! but tell us.
What is your news?
Get.
Oh, Phormio! are you here?
Phor.
I am: but why d'ye trifle?
Get.
Mind me then!
[to Phormio.
No sooner had we paid you at the Forum,
But we return'd directly home again.
—Arriv'd, my master sends me to your wife.
[to Antipho.
Ant.
For what?
Get.
No matter now, good Antipho.
I was just entering the women's lodging,
When up runs little Mida; catches me
Hold by the cloak behind, and pulls me back.
I turn about, and ask why he detains me.
He told me, “Nobody must see his mistress:
“For Sophrona, says he, has just now brought
“Demipho's brother, Chremes, here; and He
“Is talking with the women now within.”
—When I heard this, I stole immediately
Drew in my breath; applied my ear; and thus,
Deep in attention, catch'd their whole discourse.
Ant.
Excellent, Geta!
Get.
Here I overheard
The pleasantest adventure!—On my life,
I scarce refrain'd from crying out for joy.
Ant.
What?
Get.
What d'ye think?
[laughing.
Ant.
I can't tell.
Get.
Oh! it was
[laughing.
Most wonderful!—most exquisite!—your uncle
Is found to be the father of your wife.
Ant.
How! what?
Get.
He had a sly intrigue, it seems,
With Phanium's mother formerly at Lemnos.
[laughing.
Phor.
Nonsense! as if she did not know her father!
Get.
Nay, there's some reason for it, Phormio,
You may be sure.—But was it possible
For me, who stood without, to comprehend
Each minute circumstance that past within?
Ant.
I have heard something of this story too.
Then, Sir, to settle your belief the more,
At last out comes your uncle; and soon after
Returns again, and carries in your father.
Then they both said, they gave their full consent,
That you should keep your Phanium.—In a word,
I'm sent to find you out, and bring you to them.
Ant.
Away with me then instantly! D'ye linger?
Get.
Not I. Away!
Ant.
My Phormio, fare you well!
Phor.
Fare you well, Antipho.
[Exeunt.
O Fortuna! O Fors Fortuna! Fortuna signified simply chance; but Fors Fortuna meant Good Fortune, and there was a Temple to this Goddess near the Tiber. Donatus.
Gynæceum; from the Greek Γυναικειον, οικημα understood. The Gynæceum was an interior part of the house appropriated to the women. Westerhovius.
In all the editions which I have seen, Bentley's excepted, this speech is put into Phormio's mouth: but that learned Critick tells us it is attributed to Antipho in a copy at Cambridge. I am sure it is very improper for Phormio, who had just before said,
Nonsense! as if she did not know her father!Cooke.
Quin ergo rape me. Cessas? Antipho is so rejoiced at Geta's news, that he jumps upon his shoulders, and is carried off in triumph. This was a sort of stage-trick, and was extremely diverting to the audience.
Dacier.I believe Madam Dacier has not the least foundation for this extraordinary piece of information; and I must confess that I have too high an opinion both of the Roman Audience and Actors to believe it to be true.
SCENE IX.
PHORMIOalone.
Well done, 'fore heaven!
I'm overjoy'd to see so much good fortune
Fallen thus unexpectedly upon them:
To bubble the old gentlemen, and ease
Phædria of all his cares about the money;
So that he need not be oblig'd to friends.
For this same money, tho' it will be given,
Will yet come from them much against the grain;
But I have found a way to force them to't.
—Now then I must assume a grander air,
And put another face upon this business.
—I'll hence awhile into the next bye-alley,
And pop upon them, as they're coming forth.
—As for the trip I talk'd of to the Fair,
I sha'n't pretend to take that journey now.
[Exit.
Gaudes, &c. Pro gaudeo Guyetus Plaudite: & scenas sequentes spurias esse pronuntiat; neminemque, siquidem sanus fuerit, a se dissensurum putat. Credasne hunc hominem sanæ tum mentis fuisse,cum hæc effutiret? certe ad Anticyras relegandus tum erat; non nunc argumentis refutandus. Nihil in toto Terentio sequentibus scenis pulchrius, venustius, urbanius, moratius: sine quibus reliqua fabula, quæ nulli cedit, ex fulgore in fumum exiret.
Bentley.See the last note to the fifth act.
| Phormio | |