Not without reason; for this I deem in life to be especially advantageous; that one do nothing to excess.Nothing to excess: Ne quid nimis. This was one of the three sentences which were inscribed in golden letters in the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. The two others were Know thyself, and Misery is the consequence of debt and discord. Sosia seems from the short glimpse we have of him to have been a retailer of old saws and proverbs. He is unfortunately only a Protatic or introductory character, as we lose sight of him after this Act. SIMOSuch 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.SOSIAHe has wisely laid down his rule of life; for in these days obsequiousness begets friends; sincerity, dislike.SIMOMeanwhile, three years ago,Meanwhile, three years ago: The following remark of Donatus on this passage is quoted by Colman for its curiosity. The Author has artfully said three years, when he might have given a longer or a shorter period; since it is probable that the woman might have lived modestly one year; set up the trade the next; and died the third. In the first year, therefore, Pamphilus knew nothing of the family of Chrysis; in the second, he became acquainted with Glycerium; and in the third, Glycerium marries Pamphilus, and finds her parents. a certain womanfrom Andros removed hither into this neighborhood, driven by poverty and the neglect of her relations, of surpassing beauty and in the bloom of youth.SOSIAAh! I’m afraid that this Andrian will bring some mischief.SIMOAt 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.He is smitten: Habet, literally He has it. This was the expression used by the spectators at the moment when a Gladiator was wounded by his antagonist. In the previous line, in the words captus est, a figurative allusion is made to the retiarius, a Gladiator who was provided with a net, with which he endeavored to entangle his opponent. 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.(touching SOSIA on the arm.)SOSIAI understand.SIMOPhaedrus, 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;Gave his contribution: Symbolam. The symbolae, shot at picnic or club entertainments, are more than once alluded to in the Notes to the Translation of Plautus. 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.SOSIAWhat then stands in the way? Why should they not take place?SIMOYou shall hear. In about a few days after these things had been agreed on, Chrysis, this neighbor, dies.SOSIABravo! You’ve made me happy. I was afraid for him on account of Chrysis.SIMOThen 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,Even I myself: Cooke remarks here: A complaisant father, to go to the funeral of a courtesan, merely to oblige his son. for his sake, went forth to the funeral, as yet suspecting no harm.SOSIAHa! what is this?SIMOYou 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.SOSIAVery likely.SIMOAnd 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;The female attendants: Pedissequae. These pedissequae. or female attendants, are frequently alluded to in the Plays of Plautus. See the Notes to Bohn’s Translation. 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.SOSIAHow I dread what you are coming to!