Andria; or, The Fair Andrian (60b-127)

Not without reason; for this I deem in life to be especially advantageous; that one do nothing to excess.[*]

Such was his mode of life; readily to bear and to comply with all; with whomsoever he was in company, to them to resign himself; to devote himself to their pursuits; at variance with no one;

never preferring himself to them. Thus most readily you may acquire praise without envy, and gain friends.

He has wisely laid down his rule of life; for in these days obsequiousness begets friends; sincerity, dislike.

Meanwhile, three years ago,[*] a certain woman

from Andros removed hither into this neighborhood, driven by poverty and the neglect of her relations, of surpassing beauty and in the bloom of youth.

Ah! I’m afraid that this Andrian will bring some mischief.

At first, in a modest way, she passed her life with thriftiness and in hardship,

seeking a livelihood with her wool and loom. But after an admirer made advances, promising her a recompense, first one and then another; as the disposition of all mankind has a downward tendency from industry toward pleasure, she accepted their proposals, and then began to trade upon her beauty.

Those who then were her admirers, by chance, as it often happens, took my son thither that he might be in their company. Forthwith I said to myself, He is surely caught; he is smitten.[*] In the morning I used to observe their servant-boys coming or going away; I used to make inquiry, Here, my lad,

tell me, will you, who had Chrysis yesterday? for that was the name of the Andrian.

I understand.

Phaedrus, or Clinias, or Niceratus, they used to say; for these three then loved her at the same time. Well now, what did Pamphilus do? What? He gave his contribution;[*] he took part in the dinner. Just so on another day

I made inquiry, but I discovered nothing whatever that affected Pamphilus. In fact, I thought him sufficiently proved, and a great pattern of continence; for he who is brought into contact with dispositions of that sort, and his feelings are not aroused even under such circumstances,

you may be sure that he is already capable of undertaking the governance of his own life. This pleased me, and every body with one voice began to say all kinds of flattering things, and to extol my good fortune, in having a son endowed with such a disposition. What need is there of talking? Chremes, influenced by this report,

came to me of his own accord, to offer his only daughter as a wife to my son, with a very large portion. It pleased me; I betrothed him; this was the day appointed for the nuptials.

What then stands in the way? Why should they not take place?

You shall hear. In about a few days after these things had been agreed on,

Chrysis, this neighbor, dies.

Bravo! You’ve made me happy. I was afraid for him on account of Chrysis.

Then my son was often there, with those who had admired Chrysis; with them he took charge of the funeral; sorrowful, in the mean time, he sometimes wept with them in condolence. Then that pleased me.

Thus I reflected: He by reason of this slight intimacy takes her death so much to heart; what if he himself had wooed her? What will he do for me his father? All these things I took to be the duties of a humane disposition and of tender feelings. Why do I detain you with many words?

Even I myself,[*] for his sake, went forth to the funeral, as yet suspecting no harm.

Ha! what is this?

You shall know. She is brought out; we proceed. In the mean time, among the females who were there present, I saw by chance one young woman of beauteous form.

Very likely.

And of countenance, Sosia,

so modest, so charming, that nothing could surpass. As she appeared to me to lament beyond the rest, and as she was of a figure handsome and genteel beyond the other women, I approached the female attendants;[*] I inquired who she was. They said that she was the sister of Chrysis.

It instantly struck my mind: Ay, ay, this is it; hence those tears, hence that sympathy.

How I dread what you are coming to!