Adelphi; or, The Brothers (1-157)

THE PROLOGUE.

Since the Poet has found that his writings are carped at by unfair critics, and that his adversaries represent in a bad light the Play that we are about to perform, he shall give information about himself; you shall be the judges whether this ought to be esteemed to his praise or to his discredit. The Synapothnescontes

[*] is a Comedy of Diphilus; [*] Plautus made it into a Play called the "Commorientes." In the Greek, there is a young man, who, at the early part of the Play, carries off a Courtesan from a Procurer; that part Plautus has entirely left out. This portion he has adopted in the Adelphi, and has transferred it, translated word for word. This new Play we are about to perform; determine then whether you think a theft has been committed, or a passage has been restored to notice which has been passed over in neglect. For as to what these malevolent persons say, that men of noble rank assist him, and are always writing in conjunction with him—that which they deem to be a heavy crimination, he takes to be the highest praise; since he pleases those who please you all and the public; the aid of whom in war, in peace, in private business, [*] each one has availed himself of, on his own occasion, without any haughtiness on their part. Now then, do not expect the plot of the Play; the old men [*] who come first will disclose it in part; a part in the representation they will make known. Do you cause your impartial attention to increase the industry of the Poet in writing?

MICIO

Storax! Aeschinus has not returned home from the entertainment last night, nor any of the servants who went to fetch him.[*] To himself. Really, they say it with reason, if you are absent anywhere, or if you stay abroad at any time, 'twere better for that to happen which your wife says against you, and which in her passion she imagines in her mind, than the things which fond parents fancy. A wife, if you stay long abroad, either imagines that you are in love or are beloved, or that you are drinking and indulging your inclination, and that you only are taking your pleasure, while she herself is miserable. As for myself, in consequence of my son not having returned home, what do I imagine? In what ways am I not disturbed? For fear lest he may either have taken cold,

[*] or have fallen down somewhere, or have broken some limb. Oh dear! that any man should take it into his head, or find out what is dearer to him than he is to himself! And yet he is not my son, but my brother's. He is quite different in disposition. I, from my very youth upward, have lived a comfortable town life, and taken my ease; and, what they esteem a piece of luck, I have never had a wife. He, on the contrary to all this, has spent his life in the country, and has always lived laboriously and penuriously. He married a wife, and has two sons. This one, the elder of them, I have adopted. I have brought him up from an infant, and considered and loved him as my own. In him I centre my delight; this object alone is dear to me. On the other hand, I take all due care that he may hold me equally dear. I give—I overlook; I do not judge it necessary to exert my authority in every thing; in fine, the things that youth prompts to, and that others do unknown to their fathers, I have used my son not to conceal from me. For he, who, as the practice is, will dare to tell a lie to or to deceive his father, will still more dare to do so to others. I think it better to restrain children through a sense of shame and liberal treatment, than through fear. On these points my brother does not agree with me, nor do they please him. He often comes to me exclaiming, "What are you about, Micio? Why do you ruin for us this youth? Why does he intrigue? Why does he drink? Why do you supply him with the means for these goings on? You indulge him with too much dress; you are very inconsiderate." He himself is too strict, beyond what is just and reasonable; and he is very much mistaken, in my opinion, at all events, who thinks that an authority is more firm or more lasting which is established by force, than. that which is founded on affection. Such is my mode of reasoning; and thus do I persuade myself. He, who, compelled by harsh treatment, does his duty, so long as he thinks it will be known, is on his guard: if he hopes that it will be concealed, he again returns to his natural bent. He whom you have secured by kindness, acts from inclination; he is anxious to return like for like; present and absent, he will be the same. This is the duty of a parent, to accustom a son to do what is right rather of his own choice, than through fear of another. In this the father differs from the master: he who can not do this, let him confess that he does not know how to govern children. But is not this the very man of whom I was speaking? Surely it is he. I don't know why it is I see him out of spirits; I suppose he'll now be scolding as usual. Demea, I am glad to see you well. [*]

DEMEA

Oh,—opportunely met; you are the very man I was looking for.

[*]

MICIO

Why are you out of spirits?

DEMEA

Do you ask me, when we have such a son as Aeschinus,

[*] why I'm out of spirits?

MICIO

aside. Did I not say it would be so? To DEMEA. What has he been doing?

DEMEA

What has he been doing? He, who is ashamed of nothing, and fears no one, nor thinks that any law can control him. But I pass by what has been previously done: what a thing he has just perpetrated!

MICIO

Why, what is it?

DEMEA

He has broken open a door,

[*] and forced his way into another person's house, beaten to death the master himself, and all the household, and carried off a wench whom he had a fancy for. All people are exclaiming that it was a most disgraceful proceeding. How many, Micio, told me of this as I was coming here? It is in everybody's mouth. In fine, if an example must be cited, does he not see his brother giving his attention to business, and living frugally and soberly in the country? No action of his is like this. When I say this to him, Micio, I say it to you. You allow him to be corrupted.

MICIO

Never is there any thing more unreasonable than a man who wants experience, who thinks nothing right except what he himself has done.

DEMEA

What is the meaning of that?

MICIO

Because, Demea, you misjudge these matters. It is no heinous crime, believe me, for a young man to intrigue or to drink; it is not; nor yet for him to break open a door. If neither I nor you did so, it was poverty that did not allow us to do so. Do you now claim that as a merit to yourself which you then did from necessity? That is unfair; for if we had had the means to do so, we should have done the same. And, if you were a man, you would now suffer that other son of yours to act thus now, while his age will excuse it, rather than, when he has got you, after long wishing it, out of the way, he should still do so, at a future day, and at an age more unsuited.

DEMEA

O Jupiter! You, sir, are driving me to distraction. Is it not a heinous thing for a young man to do these things?

MICIO

Oh! do listen to me, and do not everlastingly din me upon this subject. You gave me your son to adopt; he became mine; if he offends in any thing, Demea, he offends against me: in that case I shall bear the greater part of the inconvenience. Does he feast,

[*] does he drink, does he smell of perfumes, [*]—it is at my cost. Does he intrigue, money shall be found by me, so long as it suits me; when it shall be no longer convenient, probably he'll be shut out of doors. [*] Has he broken open a door—it shall be replaced; has he torn any one's clothes—they shall be mended. Thanks to the Gods, I both have means for doing this, and these things are not as yet an annoyance. In fine, either desist, or else find some arbitrator between us: I will show that in this matter you are the most to blame.

DEMEA

Ah me! Learn to be a father from those who are really so.

MICIO

You are his father by nature, I by my anxiety.

DEMEA

You, feel any anxiety?

MICIO

Oh dear,—if you persist, I'll leave you.

DEMEA

Is it thus you act?

MICIO

Am I so often to hear about the same thing?

DEMEA

I have some concern for my son.

MICIO

I have some concern for him too; but, Demea, let us each be concerned for his own share—you for the one, and I for the other. For, to concern yourself about both is almost the same thing as to demand him back again, whom you intrusted to me.

DEMEA

Alas, Micio!

MICIO

So it seems to me.

DEMEA

What am I to say to this? If it pleases you, henceforth—let him spend, squander, and destroy; it's nothing to me. If I say one word after this—

MICIO

Again angry, Demea?

DEMEA

Won't you believe me? Do I demand him back whom I have intrusted? I am concerned for him; I am not a stranger in blood; if I do interpose—well, well, I have done. You desire me to concern myself for one of them,—do concern myself; and I give thanks to the Gods, he is just as I would have him; that fellow of yours will find it out at a future day : I don't wish to say any thing more harsh against him. (Exit.)

MICIO

These things are

[*] not nothing at all, nor yet all just as he says; still they do give me some uneasiness; but I was unwilling to show him that I took them amiss, for he is such a man; when I would pacify him, I steadily oppose and resist him; and in spite of it he hardly puts up with it like other men; but if I were to inflame, or even to humor his anger, I should certainly be as mad as himself. And yet Aesclhinus has done me some injustice in this affair. What courtesan has he not intrigued with? Or to which of them has he not made some present? At last, he recently told me that he wished to take a wife, [*] I suppose he was just then tired of them all. I was in hopes that the warmth of youth had now subsided; I was delighted. But look now, he is at it again; however, I am determined to know it, whatever it is, and to go meet the fellow, if he is at the Forum. (Exit.)

SANNIO

I beseech you, fellow-citizens, do give aid to a miserable and innocent man; do assist the distressed.

AESCHINUS

to the GIIL. Be quiet, and now then stand here just where you are. Why do you look back? There's no danger; he shall never touch you while I am here.

SANNIO

I'll have her, in spite of all.

AESCHINUS

Though he is a villain, he'll not risk, to-day, getting a second beating.

SANNIO

Hear me, Aeschinus, that you may not say that you were in ignorance of my calling; I am a Procurer.

[*]

AESCHINUS

I know it.

SANNIO

And of as high a character as any one ever was. When you shall be excusing yourself by-and-by, how that you wish this injury had not been done me, I shall not value it this snapping his fingers. Depend upon it, I'll prosecute my rights; and you shall never pay with words for the evil that you have done me in deed. I know those ways of yours: "I wish it hadn't happened; I'll take my oath that you did not deserve this injustice;" while I myself have been treated in a disgraceful manner.

AESCHINUS

to PARMENO. Go first with all dispatch and open the door. PARMENO opens the door.

SANNIO

But you will avail nothing by this.

AESCHINUS

To the GIRL. Now then, step in.

SANNIO

coming between. But I'll not let her.

AESCHINUS

Step this way, Parmeno; you are gone too far that way; here pointing, stand close by him; there, that's what I want. Now then, take care you don't move your eyes in any direction from mine, that there may be no delay if I give you the sign, to your fist being instantly planted in his jaws.

SANNIO

I'd have him then try that.

AESCHINUS

to PARMENO. Now then, observe me.

PARMENO

to SANNIO. Let go the woman. Strikes him.

SANNIO

Oh! scandalous deed!

AESCHINUS

He shall repeat it, if you don't take care. PARMENO strikes him again.

SANNIO

Oh shocking!

AESCHINUS

to PARMENO. I didn't give the sign; but still make your mistakes on that side in preference. Now then, go. PARMENO goes with the MUSIC-GIRL into MICIO'S house.

SANNIO

What is the meaning of this? Have you the sway here, Aeschinus?

AESCHINUS

If I had it, you should be exalted for your deserts.

SANNIO

What business have you with me?

AESCHINUS

None.

SANNIO

How then, do you know who I am?

AESCHINUS

I don't want to.

SANNIO

Have I touched any thing of yours?

AESCHINUS

If you had touched it, you'd have got a drubbing.

SANNIO

What greater right then have you to take my property, for which I paid my money? Answer me that.

AESCHINUS

It were better for you not to be making a disturbance here before the house; for if you persist in being impertinent, you shall be dragged in at once, and there you shall be lashed to death with whips.

SANNIO

A free man, with whips?

AESCHINUS

So it shall be.

SANNIO

Oh, you shameless fellow! Is this the place where they say there is equal liberty for all?

AESCHINUS

If you have now raved enough, Procurer, now then listen, if you please.

SANNIO

Why, is it I that have been raving, or you against me?

AESCHINUS

Leave alone all that, and come to the point.

SANNIO

What point? Where am I to come to?

AESCHINUS

Are you willing now that I should say something that concerns you?

SANNIO

With all my heart, only so it be something that's fair.

AESCHINUS

Very fine! a Procurer wishing me not to say what's unfair.

SANNIO

I am a Procurer,

[*] I confess it-the common bane of youth—a perjurer, a public nuisance; still, no injury has befallen you from me.

AESCHINUS

Why, faith, that remains to come—

SANNIO

Pray, Aeschinus, do come back to the point at which you set out.

AESCHINUS

You bought her for twenty nine; and may your bargain never thrive! That sum shall be given for her.

SANNIO

What if I don't choose to sell her to you? Will you compel me?

AESCHINUS

By no means.

SANNIO

I was afraid you would.

AESCHINUS

Neither do I think that a woman can be sold who is free; for I claim her by action of freedom.

[*] Now consider which you choose; take the money, or prepare yourself for the action. Think of it, Procurer, till I return. [*] He goes into the house of MICIO.

SANNIO

to himself. O supreme Jupiter! I do by no means wonder that men run mad through ill usage. He has dragged me out of my house, beaten me, taken my property away against my will, and has given me, unfortunate wretch, more than five hundred blows. In return for all this ill usage he demands the girl to be made over to him for just the same price at which she was bought. But however, since he has so well deserved of me, be it so: he demands what is his due. Very well, I consent then, provided he only gives the money. But I suspect this; when I have said that I will sell her for so much, he'll be getting witnesses forthwith that I have sold her.

[*] As to getting the money, it's all a dream. Call again by and by; come back to-morrow. I could bear with that too, hard as it is, if he would only pay it. But I consider this to be the fact; when you take up this trade, you must brook and bear in silence the affronts of these young fellows. However, no one will pay me; it's in vain for me to be reckoning upon that.