Let the old gentleman come; all my plans are now ready prepared in my mind. GETA What will you do? PHORMIO What would you have me? But that Phanium may continue with him, and that I may clear Antipho from this charge, and turn upon myself Turn upon myself. Donatus observes that in this Scene Terence exhibits the lower order of Parasites, who ingratiated themselves by sharping and roguery, as in the Eunuchus he describes Parasites of a higher rank, and of a-newer species, who obtained their ends by flattery. all the wrath of the old gentleman? GETA O brave and kind man! But, Phormio, I often dread lest this courage may end in the stocks at last. In the stock at last. In nervum; crumpat denique. There are several interpretations suggested for these words. Some think they allude to the drawing of a bow till it breaks; but they are more generally thought to imply termination in corporal punishment. Nervus is supposed to have been the name of a kind of stocks used in torturing slaves, and so called from being formed, in part at least, of the sinews of animals. PHORMIO Oh, by no means; I’ve made trial, and have already pondered on the paths for my feet. How many men before to-day do you suppose I have beaten, even to death, strangers as well as citizens: the better I understand it, the oftener I try it. Just tell me, look you, did you ever hear of an action of damages being brought against me? GETA How is that? PHORMIO Because the net is never spread for the hawk or the kite, that do us the mischief; it is spread for those that do us none: because in the last there is profit, while with the others it is labor lost. For persons, out of whom any thing can be got, there’s risk from others; they know that I’ve got nothing. You will say: They will take you, They will take you. At Rome , insolvent debtors became the slaves of their creditors till their debts were paid. when sentenced, into their house; they have no wish to maintain a devouring fellow; and, in my opinion, they are wise, if for an injury they are unwilling to return the highest benefits. GETA It’s impossible that sufficient thanks can be returned you by him for your kindness. PHORMIO Why no; no person can return thanks sufficient to his patron To his patron. Regi. The Parasites were in the habit of calling their patron Rex, their King. for his kindness. For you to take your place at table at free cost, At free cost. Asymbolum. Without having paid his symbola, or club, for the entertainment. Donatus informs us that the whole of this passage is borrowed from one of Ennius, which is still preserved. anointed and just washed at the bath, with your mind at ease, whereas he is devoured with the care and expense: while every thing is being done to give you delight, he is being vexed at heart; you are laughing away, first to drink, First to drink. To be the first to drink, and to take the higher place on the couch when eating, was the privilege of the most honored guests, who usually bathed, and were then anointed before the repast. take the higher place; a banquet full of doubts Banquet full of doubts. Coena dubia. Horace, who borrows many of his phrases from Terence, uses the same expression. is placed before you— GETA What is the meaning of that expression? PHORMIO When you are in doubt which in especial to par-take of. When you enter upon a consideration how delicious these things are, and how costly they are, the person who provides them, must you not account him a very God—neither more nor less? GETA The old man is coming; take care what you are about; the first onset is the fiercest; if you stand that, then, afterward, you may play just as you please. (They retire to a distance.) (Enter, at a distance, DEMIPHO, HEGIO, CRATINUS, and CRITO, following him.) DEMIPHO Well now—did you ever hear of an injury being done to any person in a more affronting manner than this has to me? Assist me, I do beg of you. GETA (apart.) He’s in a passion. PHORMIO (apart.) Do you mind your cue; I’ll rouse him just now. (Stepping forward and crying aloud.) Oh immortal Gods! does Demipho deny that Phanium here is related to him? GETA He does deny it. DEMIPHO (to his friends.) I believe it is the very man I was speaking about. Follow me. (They all come forward.) PHORMIO (to GETA.) And that he knows who her father was? GETA He does deny it. PHORMIO And that he knows who Stilpho was? GETA He does deny it. PHORMIO Because the poor thing was left destitute, her father is disowned; she herself is slighted: see what avarice does. GETA (in a loud voice.) If you are going to accuse my: master of avarice, you shall hear what you won’t like. DEMIPHO Oh, the impudence of the fellow! Does he come on purpose to accuse me? PHORMIO For really, I have no reason why I should be offended at the young man, if he did not know him; since that person, when growing aged and poor, and supporting himself by his labor, generally confined himself to the country; there he had a piece of land from my father