Publius Terentius Afer (Terence), Andria, Henry Thomas Riley (Translator), George Colman (Translator), 2.1

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301 (Enter CHARINUS and BYRRHIA.¹ )

CHARINUS

How say you, Byrrhia? Is she to be given in marriage to Pamphilus to-day?

BYRRHIA

It is so.

CHARINUS

How do you know?

BYRRHIA

I heard it just now from Davus at the Forum.

CHARINUS

Woe unto wretched me! As, hitherto, until now, my mind has been racked amid hope and fear; so, since hope has been withdrawn, wearied with care, it sinks overwhelmed.

BYRRHIA

By my troth, Charinus, since that which you wish can not come to pass, prithee, do wish that which can.
305

CHARINUS

I wish for nothing else but Philumena.

BYRRHIA

Alas! How much better were it for you to endeavor to expel that passion from your mind, than to be saying that by which your desire is to no purpose still more inflamed.

CHARINUS

We all, when we are well, with ease give good advice to the sick. If you were in my situation, you would think otherwise.

BYRRHIA

Well, well, just as you like.

CHARINUS

(looking down the side scene.)

But I see Pamphilus; I’m determined I’ll try every thing before I despair.

BYRRHIA

(aside.)

What does he mean?

CHARINUS

I will entreat his own self; I will supplicate him; I will disclose to him my love. I think that I shall prevail upon him to put off the marriage for some days at least; in the mean time, something will turn up, I trust.

BYRRHIA

That something is nothing.

CHARINUS

Byrrhia,

how seems it to you? Shall I accost him?
315

BYRRHIA

Why not? Should you not prevail, that at least he may look upon you as a gallant ready provided for him, if he marries her.

CHARINUS

Away with you to perdition with that vile suggestion, you rascal!

(Enter PAMPHILUS.)

PAMPHILUS

I espy Charinus. (Accosting him.) Good-morrow!

CHARINUS

O, good-morrow. Pamphilus, I’m come to you, seeking hope, safety, counsel, and assistance.

PAMPHILUS

I’faith, I have neither time for counsel, nor resources for assistance. But what’s the matter now?
320

CHARINUS

To-day you are going to take a wife?

PAMPHILUS

So they say.

CHARINUS

Pamphilus, if you do that, you behold me this day for the last time.

PAMPHILUS

Why so

CHARINUS

Ah me! I dread to tell it; prithee, do you tell it, Byrrhia.

BYRRHIA

I’ll tell it.

PAMPHILUS

What is it?

BYRRHIA

He’s in love with your betrothed.

PAMPHILUS

Assuredly he’s not of my way of thinking. Come now, tell me,

have you had any more to do with her, Charinus?
325

CHARINUS

Oh Pamphilus, nothing.

PAMPHILUS

How much I wish you had.

CHARINUS

Now, by our friendship and by my affection, I do beseech you, in the first place, not to marry her.

PAMPHILUS

For my own part I’ll use my endeavors.

CHARINUS

But if that can not be, or if this marriage is agreeable to you—

PAMPHILUS

Agreeable to me?

CHARINUS

Put it off for some days at least, while I go elsewhere, that I may not be witness.

PAMPHILUS

Now listen, once for all:

I think it, Charinus, to be by no means the part of an ingenuous man, when he confers nothing, to expect that it should be considered as an obligation on his part. I am more desirous to avoid this match, than you to gain it.
330

CHARINUS

You have restored me to life.

PAMPHILUS

Now, if you can do any thing, either you yourself, or Byrrhia here, manage, fabricate, invent, contrive some means, whereby she may be given to you;

this I shall aim at, how she may not be given to me.
335

CHARINUS

I am satisfied.

PAMPHILUS

Most opportunely I perceive Davus, on whose advice I have depended.

CHARINUS

(turning to BYRRHIA.)

But you, i’faith, tell me nothing,² except those things which there is no need for knowing. (Pushing him away.) Get you gone from here.

BYRRHIA

Certainly I will, and with all my heart. (Exit.)

Andria. Publius Terentius Afer (Terence). Henry Thomas Riley (Translator), George Colman (Translator). Ney York. 1874.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by NSF, NEH: Digital Libraries Initiative, Phase 2.

Current edition Perseus

Andria; or, The Fair Andrian (English) (Terence. The Comedies of Terence. Riley, Henry Thomas; Colman, George, translators. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1872.)

Editions (1)

Andria Perseus (Terence. Publii Terentii Comoediae Sex. Parry, Edward St. John, editor. London: Whittaker and Co.; George Bell, 1857.) — 2.1 focus

301 (CHARINUS. BYRRHIA. PAMPHILUS.)

CHARINUS

Quid ais Byrrhia? daturne illa Pamphilo hodie nuptum?

BYRRHIA

Sic est.

CHARINUS

Qui scis?

BYRRHIA

Apud forum modo e Davo audivi.

CHARINUS

Vae misero mihi.

Ut animus in spe atque in timore usque antehac attentus fuit,

Ita postquam adempta spes est lassus cura confectus stupet.

BYRRHIA

Quaeso edepol, Charine, quoniam non potest id fieri quod vis,
305

Id velis quod possit.

CHARINUS

Nil volo aliud nisi Philumenam.

BYRRHIA

Ah,

Quanto satius est te id dare operam qui istum amorem ex animo amoveas,

Quam id loqui quo magis libido frustra incendatur tua.

CHARINUS

Facile omnes cum valemus recta consilia aegrotis damus.

Tu si hic sis aliter sentias.
310

BYRRHIA

Age age, ut libet.

CHARINUS

Sed Pamphilum

Video: omnia experiri certum est prius quam pereo.

BYRRHIA

Quid hic agit?

CHARINUS

Ipsum hunc orabo: huic supplicabo: amorem huic narrabo meum:

Credo impetrabo ut aliquot saltem nuptiis prodat dies:

Interea fiet aliquid, spero.

BYRRHIA

Id aliquid nihil est.

CHARINUS

Byrrhia,

Quid tibi videtur? adeon’ ad eum?
315

BYRRHIA

Quidni? Si nihil impetres,

Ut te arbitretur sibi paratum moechum si illam duxerit?

CHARINUS

Abin’ hinc in malam rem cum suspicione istac, scelus?

PAMPHILUS

Charinum video: salve.

CHARINUS

O salve Pamphile.

Ad te advenio spem, salutem, auxilium, consilium expetens.

PAMPHILUS

Neque pol consili locum habeo, neque auxili copiam.
320

Sed istuc quidnam est?

CHARINUS

Hodie uxorem ducis?

PAMPHILUS

Aiunt.

CHARINUS

Pamphile,

Si id facis hodie postremum me vides.

PAMPHILUS

Quid ita?

CHARINUS

Hei mihi,

Vereor dicere: huic dic quaeso Byrrhia.

BYRRHIA

Ego dicam.

PAMPHILUS

Quid est?

BYRRHIA

Sponsam hic tuam amat.

PAMPHILUS

Nae iste haud mecum sentit: Ehodum dic mihi:

Numquidnam amplius tibi cum illa fuit Charine?
325

CHARINUS

Ah Pamphile

Nihil.

PAMPHILUS

Quam vellem.

CHARINUS

Nunc te per amicitiam et per amorem obsecro

Principio ut ne ducas.

PAMPHILUS

Dabo equidem operam.

CHARINUS

Sed si id non potes,

Aut tibi nuptiae haec sunt cordi.

PAMPHILUS

Cordi?

CHARINUS

Saltem aliquot dies

Profer, dum proficiscor aliquo ne videam.

PAMPHILUS

Audi nunc iam.

Ego Charine neutiquam officium liberi esse hominis puto
330

Cum is nihil promereat postulare id gratiae adponi sibi.

Nuptias effugere ego istas malo, quam tu adipiscier.

CHARINUS

Reddidisti animum.

PAMPHILUS

Nunc si quid potes aut tute aut hic Byrrhia,

Facite, fingite, invenite, efficite qui detur tibi:

Ego id agam qui mihi ne detur.
335

CHARINUS

Sat habeo.

PAMPHILUS

Davom optume

Video cuius consilio fretus sum.

CHARINUS

At tu hercle haud quidquam mihi;

Nisi ea quae nihil opus sunt sciri. Fugin’ hinc?

BYRRHIA

Ego vero ac libens.

Notes on the current edition

Andria; or, The Fair Andrian

1. We learn from Donatus that the characters of Charinus and Byrrhia were not introduced in the work of Menander, but were added to the Play of Terence, lest Philumena’s being left without a husband, on the marriage of Pamphilus to Glycerium, should appear too tragical a circumstance. Diderot is of opinion that Terence did not improve his Play by this addition.

2. Tell me nothing: It has been suggested that this refers to Byrrhia’s dissuading his master from addressing Pamphilus, or else to what he has told him concerning the intended marriage. Westerhovius thinks that Byrrhia is just then whispering some trifling nonsense in his master’s ear, which he, occupied with more important cares, is unwilling to attend to.

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CHARINUS How say you, Byrrhia? Is she to be given in marriage to Pamphilus to-day?

BYRRHIA It is so.

CHARINUS How do you know?

BYRRHIA I heard it just now from Davus at the Forum.

CHARINUS Woe unto wretched me! As, hitherto, until now, my mind has been racked amid hope and fear; so, since hope has been withdrawn, wearied with care, it sinks overwhelmed.

BYRRHIA By my troth, Charinus, since that which you wish can not come to pass, prithee, do wish that which can. 305

CHARINUS I wish for nothing else but Philumena.

BYRRHIA Alas! How much better were it for you to endeavor to expel that passion from your mind, than to be saying that by which your desire is to no purpose still more inflamed.

CHARINUS We all, when we are well, with ease give good advice to the sick. If you were in my situation, you would think otherwise.

BYRRHIA Well, well, just as you like.

CHARINUS (looking down the side scene.) But I see Pamphilus; I’m determined I’ll try every thing before I despair.

BYRRHIA (aside.) What does he mean?

CHARINUS I will entreat his own self; I will supplicate him; I will disclose to him my love. I think that I shall prevail upon him to put off the marriage for some days at least; in the mean time, something will turn up, I trust.

BYRRHIA That something is nothing.

CHARINUS Byrrhia, how seems it to you? Shall I accost him? 315

BYRRHIA Why not? Should you not prevail, that at least he may look upon you as a gallant ready provided for him, if he marries her.

CHARINUS Away with you to perdition with that vile suggestion, you rascal!

PAMPHILUS I espy Charinus. (Accosting him.) Good-morrow!

CHARINUS O, good-morrow. Pamphilus, I’m come to you, seeking hope, safety, counsel, and assistance.

PAMPHILUS I’faith, I have neither time for counsel, nor resources for assistance. But what’s the matter now? 320

CHARINUS To-day you are going to take a wife?

PAMPHILUS So they say.

CHARINUS Pamphilus, if you do that, you behold me this day for the last time.

PAMPHILUS Why so

CHARINUS Ah me! I dread to tell it; prithee, do you tell it, Byrrhia.

BYRRHIA I’ll tell it.

PAMPHILUS What is it?

BYRRHIA He’s in love with your betrothed.

PAMPHILUS Assuredly he’s not of my way of thinking. Come now, tell me, have you had any more to do with her, Charinus? 325

CHARINUS Oh Pamphilus, nothing.

PAMPHILUS How much I wish you had.

CHARINUS Now, by our friendship and by my affection, I do beseech you, in the first place, not to marry her.

PAMPHILUS For my own part I’ll use my endeavors.

CHARINUS But if that can not be, or if this marriage is agreeable to you—

PAMPHILUS Agreeable to me?

CHARINUS Put it off for some days at least, while I go elsewhere, that I may not be witness.

PAMPHILUS Now listen, once for all: I think it, Charinus, to be by no means the part of an ingenuous man, when he confers nothing, to expect that it should be considered as an obligation on his part. I am more desirous to avoid this match, than you to gain it. 330

CHARINUS You have restored me to life.

PAMPHILUS Now, if you can do any thing, either you yourself, or Byrrhia here, manage, fabricate, invent, contrive some means, whereby she may be given to you; this I shall aim at, how she may not be given to me. 335

CHARINUS I am satisfied.

PAMPHILUS Most opportunely I perceive Davus, on whose advice I have depended.

CHARINUS (turning to BYRRHIA.) But you, i’faith, tell me nothing, 2 except those things which there is no need for knowing. (Pushing him away.) Get you gone from here.

BYRRHIA Certainly I will, and with all my heart. (Exit.)

Current edition Perseus

CHARINUS Quid ais Byrrhia? daturne illa Pamphilo hodie nuptum?

BYRRHIA Sic est.

CHARINUS Qui scis?

BYRRHIA Apud forum modo e Davo audivi.

CHARINUS Vae misero mihi. Ut animus in spe atque in timore usque antehac attentus fuit, Ita postquam adempta spes est lassus cura confectus stupet.

BYRRHIA Quaeso edepol, Charine, quoniam non potest id fieri quod vis, 305 Id velis quod possit.

CHARINUS Nil volo aliud nisi Philumenam.

BYRRHIA Ah, Quanto satius est te id dare operam qui istum amorem ex animo amoveas, Quam id loqui quo magis libido frustra incendatur tua.

CHARINUS Facile omnes cum valemus recta consilia aegrotis damus. Tu si hic sis aliter sentias. 310

BYRRHIA Age age, ut libet.

CHARINUS Sed Pamphilum Video: omnia experiri certum est prius quam pereo.

BYRRHIA Quid hic agit?

CHARINUS Ipsum hunc orabo: huic supplicabo: amorem huic narrabo meum: Credo impetrabo ut aliquot saltem nuptiis prodat dies: Interea fiet aliquid, spero.

BYRRHIA Id aliquid nihil est.

CHARINUS Byrrhia, Quid tibi videtur? adeon’ ad eum? 315

BYRRHIA Quidni? Si nihil impetres, Ut te arbitretur sibi paratum moechum si illam duxerit?

CHARINUS Abin’ hinc in malam rem cum suspicione istac, scelus?

PAMPHILUS Charinum video: salve.

CHARINUS O salve Pamphile. Ad te advenio spem, salutem, auxilium, consilium expetens.

PAMPHILUS Neque pol consili locum habeo, neque auxili copiam. 320 Sed istuc quidnam est?

CHARINUS Hodie uxorem ducis?

PAMPHILUS Aiunt.

CHARINUS Pamphile, Si id facis hodie postremum me vides.

PAMPHILUS Quid ita?

CHARINUS Hei mihi, Vereor dicere: huic dic quaeso Byrrhia.

BYRRHIA Ego dicam.

PAMPHILUS Quid est?

BYRRHIA Sponsam hic tuam amat.

PAMPHILUS Nae iste haud mecum sentit: Ehodum dic mihi: Numquidnam amplius tibi cum illa fuit Charine? 325

CHARINUS Ah Pamphile Nihil.

PAMPHILUS Quam vellem.

CHARINUS Nunc te per amicitiam et per amorem obsecro Principio ut ne ducas.

PAMPHILUS Dabo equidem operam.

CHARINUS Sed si id non potes, Aut tibi nuptiae haec sunt cordi.

CHARINUS

How say you, Byrrhia? Is she to be given in marriage to Pamphilus to-day?

BYRRHIA

It is so.

CHARINUS

How do you know?

BYRRHIA

I heard it just now from Davus at the Forum.

CHARINUS

Woe unto wretched me! As, hitherto, until now, my mind has been racked amid hope and fear; so, since hope has been withdrawn, wearied with care, it sinks overwhelmed.

BYRRHIA

By my troth, Charinus, since that which you wish can not come to pass, prithee, do wish that which can.
305

CHARINUS

I wish for nothing else but Philumena.

BYRRHIA

Alas! How much better were it for you to endeavor to expel that passion from your mind, than to be saying that by which your desire is to no purpose still more inflamed.

CHARINUS

We all, when we are well, with ease give good advice to the sick. If you were in my situation, you would think otherwise.

BYRRHIA

Well, well, just as you like.

CHARINUS

(looking down the side scene.)

But I see Pamphilus; I’m determined I’ll try every thing before I despair.

BYRRHIA

(aside.)

What does he mean?

CHARINUS

I will entreat his own self; I will supplicate him; I will disclose to him my love. I think that I shall prevail upon him to put off the marriage for some days at least; in the mean time, something will turn up, I trust.

BYRRHIA

That something is nothing.

CHARINUS

Byrrhia,

how seems it to you? Shall I accost him?
315

BYRRHIA

Why not? Should you not prevail, that at least he may look upon you as a gallant ready provided for him, if he marries her.

CHARINUS

Away with you to perdition with that vile suggestion, you rascal!

PAMPHILUS

I espy Charinus. (Accosting him.) Good-morrow!

CHARINUS

O, good-morrow. Pamphilus, I’m come to you, seeking hope, safety, counsel, and assistance.

PAMPHILUS

I’faith, I have neither time for counsel, nor resources for assistance. But what’s the matter now?
320

CHARINUS

To-day you are going to take a wife?

PAMPHILUS

So they say.

CHARINUS

Pamphilus, if you do that, you behold me this day for the last time.

PAMPHILUS

Why so

CHARINUS

Ah me! I dread to tell it; prithee, do you tell it, Byrrhia.

BYRRHIA

I’ll tell it.

PAMPHILUS

What is it?

BYRRHIA

He’s in love with your betrothed.

PAMPHILUS

Assuredly he’s not of my way of thinking. Come now, tell me,

have you had any more to do with her, Charinus?
325

CHARINUS

Oh Pamphilus, nothing.

PAMPHILUS

How much I wish you had.

CHARINUS

Now, by our friendship and by my affection, I do beseech you, in the first place, not to marry her.

PAMPHILUS

For my own part I’ll use my endeavors.

CHARINUS

But if that can not be, or if this marriage is agreeable to you—

PAMPHILUS

Agreeable to me?

CHARINUS

Put it off for some days at least, while I go elsewhere, that I may not be witness.

PAMPHILUS

Now listen, once for all:

I think it, Charinus, to be by no means the part of an ingenuous man, when he confers nothing, to expect that it should be considered as an obligation on his part. I am more desirous to avoid this match, than you to gain it.
330

CHARINUS

You have restored me to life.

PAMPHILUS

Now, if you can do any thing, either you yourself, or Byrrhia here, manage, fabricate, invent, contrive some means, whereby she may be given to you;

this I shall aim at, how she may not be given to me.
335

CHARINUS

I am satisfied.

PAMPHILUS

Most opportunely I perceive Davus, on whose advice I have depended.

CHARINUS

(turning to BYRRHIA.)

But you, i’faith, tell me nothing,² except those things which there is no need for knowing. (Pushing him away.) Get you gone from here.

BYRRHIA

Certainly I will, and with all my heart. (Exit.)

CHARINUS

Quid ais Byrrhia? daturne illa Pamphilo hodie nuptum?

BYRRHIA

Sic est.

CHARINUS

Qui scis?

BYRRHIA

Apud forum modo e Davo audivi.

CHARINUS

Vae misero mihi.

Ut animus in spe atque in timore usque antehac attentus fuit,

Ita postquam adempta spes est lassus cura confectus stupet.

BYRRHIA

Quaeso edepol, Charine, quoniam non potest id fieri quod vis,
305

Id velis quod possit.

CHARINUS

Nil volo aliud nisi Philumenam.

BYRRHIA

Ah,

Quanto satius est te id dare operam qui istum amorem ex animo amoveas,

Quam id loqui quo magis libido frustra incendatur tua.

CHARINUS

Facile omnes cum valemus recta consilia aegrotis damus.

Tu si hic sis aliter sentias.
310

BYRRHIA

Age age, ut libet.

CHARINUS

Sed Pamphilum

Video: omnia experiri certum est prius quam pereo.

BYRRHIA

Quid hic agit?

CHARINUS

Ipsum hunc orabo: huic supplicabo: amorem huic narrabo meum:

Credo impetrabo ut aliquot saltem nuptiis prodat dies:

Interea fiet aliquid, spero.

BYRRHIA

Id aliquid nihil est.

CHARINUS

Byrrhia,

Quid tibi videtur? adeon’ ad eum?
315

BYRRHIA

Quidni? Si nihil impetres,

Ut te arbitretur sibi paratum moechum si illam duxerit?

CHARINUS

Abin’ hinc in malam rem cum suspicione istac, scelus?

PAMPHILUS

Charinum video: salve.

CHARINUS

O salve Pamphile.

Ad te advenio spem, salutem, auxilium, consilium expetens.

PAMPHILUS

Neque pol consili locum habeo, neque auxili copiam.
320

Sed istuc quidnam est?

CHARINUS

Hodie uxorem ducis?

PAMPHILUS

Aiunt.

CHARINUS

Pamphile,

Si id facis hodie postremum me vides.

PAMPHILUS

Quid ita?

CHARINUS

Hei mihi,

Vereor dicere: huic dic quaeso Byrrhia.

BYRRHIA

Ego dicam.

PAMPHILUS

Quid est?

BYRRHIA

Sponsam hic tuam amat.

PAMPHILUS

Nae iste haud mecum sentit: Ehodum dic mihi:

Numquidnam amplius tibi cum illa fuit Charine?
325

CHARINUS

Ah Pamphile

Nihil.

PAMPHILUS

Quam vellem.

CHARINUS

Nunc te per amicitiam et per amorem obsecro

Principio ut ne ducas.

PAMPHILUS

Dabo equidem operam.

CHARINUS

Sed si id non potes,

Aut tibi nuptiae haec sunt cordi.

PAMPHILUS

Cordi?

CHARINUS

Saltem aliquot dies

Profer, dum proficiscor aliquo ne videam.

PAMPHILUS

Audi nunc iam.

Ego Charine neutiquam officium liberi esse hominis puto
330

Cum is nihil promereat postulare id gratiae adponi sibi.

Nuptias effugere ego istas malo, quam tu adipiscier.