Publius Terentius Afer (Terence), Heautontimorumenos, Henry Thomas Riley (Translator), George Colman (Translator), 3.2

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512 (Enter SYRUS from the house of CHREMES.)

SYRUS

(aloud to himself.)

Run to and fro in every direction; still, money, you must be found: a trap must be laid for the old man.

CHREMES

(apart, overhearing him.)

Was I deceived in saying that they were planning this?

That servant of Clinia’s is somewhat dull; therefore that province has been assigned to this one of ours.
515

SYRUS

(in a low voice.)

Who’s that speaking? (Catches sight of CGREMES.) I’m undone! Did he hear it, I wonder?

CHREMES

Syrus.

SYRUS

Well—

CHREMES

What are you doing here ?

SYRUS

All right. Really, I am quite surprised at you, Chremes, up so early, after drinking so much yesterday.

CHREMES

Not too much.

SYRUS

Not too much, say you? Really, you’ve seen the old age of an eagle,¹ as the saying is.
520

CHREMES

Pooh, pooh!

SYRUS

A pleasant and agreeable woman this Courtesan.

CHREMES

Why, so she seemed to me, in fact.

SYRUS

And really of handsome appearance.

CHREMES

Well enough.

SYRUS

Not like those of former days,² but as times are now, very passable:

nor do I in the least wonder that Clinia doats upon her. But he has a father—a certain covetous, miserable, and niggardly person—this neighbor of ours (pointing to the house). Do you know him ? Yet, as if he was not abounding in wealth, his son ran away through want. Are you aware that it is the fact, as I am saying?
525

CHREMES

How should I not be aware?

A fellow that deserves the mill.
530

SYRUS

Who?

CHREMES

That servant of the young gentleman, I mean.

SYRUS

(aside.)

Syrus! I was sadly afraid for you.

CHREMES

To suffer it to come to this!

SYRUS

What was he to do?

CHREMES

Do you ask the question? He ought to have found some expedient, contrived some stratagem, by means of which there might have been something for the young man to give to his mistress,

and thus have saved this crabbed old fellow in spite of himself.
535

SYRUS

You are surely joking.

CHREMES

This ought to have been done by him, Syrus.

SYRUS

How now—pray, do you commend servants, who deceive their masters?

CHREMES

Upon occasion—I certainly do commend them.

SYRUS

Quite right.

CHREMES

Inasmuch as it often is the remedy for great disturbances.

Then would this man’s only son have staid at home.
540

SYRUS

(aside.)

Whether he says this in jest or in earnest, I don’t know; only, in fact, that he gives me additional zest for longing still more to trick him.

CHREMES

And what is he now waiting for, Syrus? Is it until his father drives him away from here a second time, when he can no longer support her expenses?³

Has he no plot on foot against the old gentleman?
545

SYRUS

He is a stupid fellow.

CHREMES

Then you ought to assist him—for the sake of the young man.

SYRUS

For my part, I can do so easily, if you command me; for I know well in what fashion it is usually done.

CHREMES

So much the better, i’ faith.

SYRUS

’Tis not my way to tell an untruth.

CHREMES

Do it then.
550

SYRUS

But hark you! Just take care and remember this, in case any thing of this sort should perchance happen at a future time, such are human affairs!—your son might do the same.

CHREMES

The necessity will not arise, I trust.

SYRUS

I’ faith, and I trust so too: nor do I say so now, because I have suspected him in any way;

but in case, none the more⁴—You see what his age is; (aside) and truly, Chremes,⁵ if an occasion does happen, I may be able to handle you right handsomely.
555

CHREMES

As to that, we’ll consider what is requisite when the occasion does happen. At present do you set about this matter.

(Goes into his house.)

SYRUS

(to himself.)

Never on any occasion did I hear my master talk more to the purpose;

nor at any time could I believe that I was authorized to play the rogue with greater impunity. I wonder who it is coming out of our house?
560
(Stands aside.)

Heautontimorumenos. 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

Heautontimorumenos; or, The Self-Tormenter (English) (Terence. The Comedies of Terence. Riley, Henry Thomas; Colman, George, translators. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1872.)

Editions (1)

Heautontimorumenos Perseus (Terence. Publii Terentii Comoediae Sex. Parry, Edward St. John, editor. London: Whittaker and Co.; George Bell, 1857.) — 3.2 focus

512 (SYRUS. CHREMES.)

SYRUS

Hac illac circumcursa: inveniendum est tamen

Argentum: intendenda in senem est fallacia.

CHREMES

Num me fefellit hosce id struere? Videlicet

Quia Cliniae ille servus tardiusculus est,
515

Idcirco huic nostro tradita est provincia.

SYRUS

Quis hic loquitur? Perii. Numnam haec audivit?

CHREMES

Syre.

SYRUS

Hem.

CHREMES

Quid tu istic?

SYRUS

Recte equidem: sed te miror, Chreme,

Tam mane qui heri tantum biberis.

CHREMES

Nihil nimis.

SYRUS

Nihil narras? visa vero est, quod dici solet,
520

Aquilae senectus.

CHREMES

Heia.

SYRUS

Mulier commoda et

Faceta haec meretrix.

CHREMES

Sane, idem visa est mihi.

SYRUS

Et quidem hercle forma luculenta.

CHREMES

Sic satis.

SYRUS

Ita non ut olim; sed uti nunc, sane bona:

Minimeque miror Clinia hanc si deperit.
525

Sed habet patrem quendam avidum, miserum, atque aridum,

Vicinum hunc: nostine? At quasi is non divitiis

Abundet, gnatus eius profugit inopia.

Scis esse factum ut dico?

CHREMES

Quid ego nesciam?

Hominem pistrino dignum.
530

SYRUS

Quem?

CHREMES

Istunc servulum

Dico adolescentis.

SYRUS

Syre, tibi timui male.

CHREMES

Qui passus est id fieri.

SYRUS

Quid faceret?

CHREMES

Rogas?

Aliquid reperiret, fingeret fallacias,

Unde esset adolescenti amicae quod daret;

Atque hunc difficilem invitum servaret senem.
535

SYRUS

Garris.

CHREMES

Haec facta ab illo oportebat, Syre.

SYRUS

Eho quaeso, laudas qui heros fallunt?

CHREMES

In loco

Ego vero laudo.

SYRUS

Recte sane.

CHREMES

Quippe quia

Magnarum saepe id remedium aegritudinum est.

Huic iam mansisset unicus gnatus domi.
540

SYRUS

Iocone an serio illaec dicat, nescio;

Nisi mihi quidem addit animum, quo lubeat magis.

CHREMES

Et nunc quid exspectat, Syre? an dum hinc denuo

Abeat, cum tolerare huius sumtus non queat?

Nonne ad senem aliquam fabricam fingit?
545

SYRUS

Stolidus est.

CHREMES

At te adiutare oportet adolescentuli

Causa.

SYRUS

Facile equidem facere possum, si iubes:

Etenim quo pacto id fieri soleat calleo.

CHREMES

Tanto hercle melior.

SYRUS

Non est mentiri meum.

CHREMES

Fac ergo.
550

SYRUS

At heus tu, facitodum eadem haec memineris,

Si quid huius simile forte aliquando evenerit,

Ut sunt humana, tuus ut faciat filius.

CHREMES

Non usus veniet, spero.

SYRUS

Spero hercle ego quoque.

Neque eo nunc dico, quo quicquam illum senserim:

Sed si quid, ne quid. Quae sit eius aetas vides.
555

Et nae ego te, si usus veniat, magnifice, Chreme,

Tractare possim.

CHREMES

De istoc, quum usus venerit,

Videbimus quid opus sit: nunc istuc age.

SYRUS

Nunquam commodius unquam herum audivi loqui,

Nec quum male facerem crederem mihi impunius
560

Licere. Quisnam a nobis egreditur foras?

Notes on the current edition

Heautontimorumenos; or, The Self-Tormenter

1. Old age of an eagle: This was a proverbial expression, signifying a hale and vigorous old age. It has been suggested, too, that it alludes to the practice of some old men, who drink more than they eat. It was vulgarly said that eagles never die of old age, and that when, by reason of their beaks growing inward, they are unable to feed upon their prey, they live by sucking the blood.

2. Not like those of former days: Syrus, by showing himself an admirer of the good old times, a laudator temporis acti, is wishful to flatter the vanity of Chremes, as it is a feeling common to old age, perhaps by no means an unamiable one, to think former times better than the present. Aged people feel grateful to those happy hours when their hopes were bright, and every thing was viewed from the sunny side of life.

3. Can no longer support her expenses: He refers to Menedemus and Bacchis.

4. But in case, none the more: Sed si quid, ne quid. An instance of Aposiopesis, signifying But if any thing does happen, don’t you blame me.

5. And truly, Chremes: Some suppose that this is said in apparent candor by Syrus, in order the more readily to throw Chremes off his guard. Other Commentators, again, fancy these words to be said by Syrus in a low voice, aside, which seems not improbable; it being a just retribution on Chremes for his recommendation, however well intended: in that case, Chremes probably overhears it, if we may judge from his answer.

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SYRUS (aloud to himself.) Run to and fro in every direction; still, money, you must be found: a trap must be laid for the old man.

CHREMES (apart, overhearing him.) Was I deceived in saying that they were planning this? That servant of Clinia’s is somewhat dull; therefore that province has been assigned to this one of ours. 515

SYRUS (in a low voice.) Who’s that speaking? (Catches sight of CGREMES.) I’m undone! Did he hear it, I wonder?

CHREMES Syrus.

SYRUS Well—

CHREMES What are you doing here ?

SYRUS All right. Really, I am quite surprised at you, Chremes, up so early, after drinking so much yesterday.

CHREMES Not too much.

SYRUS Not too much, say you? Really, you’ve seen the old age of an eagle, 1 as the saying is. 520

CHREMES Pooh, pooh!

SYRUS A pleasant and agreeable woman this Courtesan.

CHREMES Why, so she seemed to me, in fact.

SYRUS And really of handsome appearance.

CHREMES Well enough.

CHREMES How should I not be aware? A fellow that deserves the mill. 530

SYRUS Who?

CHREMES That servant of the young gentleman, I mean.

SYRUS (aside.) Syrus! I was sadly afraid for you.

CHREMES To suffer it to come to this!

SYRUS What was he to do?

CHREMES Do you ask the question? He ought to have found some expedient, contrived some stratagem, by means of which there might have been something for the young man to give to his mistress, and thus have saved this crabbed old fellow in spite of himself. 535

SYRUS You are surely joking.

CHREMES This ought to have been done by him, Syrus.

SYRUS How now—pray, do you commend servants, who deceive their masters?

CHREMES Upon occasion—I certainly do commend them.

SYRUS Quite right.

CHREMES Inasmuch as it often is the remedy for great disturbances. Then would this man’s only son have staid at home. 540

SYRUS (aside.) Whether he says this in jest or in earnest, I don’t know; only, in fact, that he gives me additional zest for longing still more to trick him.

CHREMES And what is he now waiting for, Syrus? Is it until his father drives him away from here a second time, when he can no longer support her expenses? 3 Has he no plot on foot against the old gentleman? 545

SYRUS He is a stupid fellow.

CHREMES Then you ought to assist him—for the sake of the young man.

SYRUS For my part, I can do so easily, if you command me; for I know well in what fashion it is usually done.

CHREMES So much the better, i’ faith.

SYRUS ’Tis not my way to tell an untruth.

CHREMES Do it then. 550

SYRUS But hark you! Just take care and remember this, in case any thing of this sort should perchance happen at a future time, such are human affairs!—your son might do the same.

CHREMES The necessity will not arise, I trust.

SYRUS I’ faith, and I trust so too: nor do I say so now, because I have suspected him in any way; but in case, none the more 4 —You see what his age is; (aside) and truly, Chremes, 5 if an occasion does happen, I may be able to handle you right handsomely. 555

CHREMES As to that, we’ll consider what is requisite when the occasion does happen. At present do you set about this matter. (Goes into his house.)

SYRUS (to himself.) Never on any occasion did I hear my master talk more to the purpose; nor at any time could I believe that I was authorized to play the rogue with greater impunity. I wonder who it is coming out of our house? 560 (Stands aside.)

Current edition Perseus

SYRUS Hac illac circumcursa: inveniendum est tamen Argentum: intendenda in senem est fallacia.

CHREMES Num me fefellit hosce id struere? Videlicet Quia Cliniae ille servus tardiusculus est, 515 Idcirco huic nostro tradita est provincia.

SYRUS Quis hic loquitur? Perii. Numnam haec audivit?

CHREMES Syre.

SYRUS Hem.

CHREMES Quid tu istic?

SYRUS Recte equidem: sed te miror, Chreme, Tam mane qui heri tantum biberis.

CHREMES Nihil nimis.

SYRUS Nihil narras? visa vero est, quod dici solet, 520 Aquilae senectus.

CHREMES Heia.

SYRUS Mulier commoda et Faceta haec meretrix.

CHREMES Sane, idem visa est mihi.

SYRUS Et quidem hercle forma luculenta.

CHREMES Sic satis.

SYRUS Ita non ut olim; sed uti nunc, sane bona: Minimeque miror Clinia hanc si deperit. 525 Sed habet patrem quendam avidum, miserum, atque aridum, Vicinum hunc: nostine? At quasi is non divitiis Abundet, gnatus eius profugit inopia. Scis esse factum ut dico?

CHREMES Quid ego nesciam? Hominem pistrino dignum. 530

SYRUS Quem?

CHREMES Istunc servulum Dico adolescentis.

SYRUS Syre, tibi timui male.

CHREMES Qui passus est id fieri.

SYRUS Quid faceret?

CHREMES Rogas? Aliquid reperiret, fingeret fallacias, Unde esset adolescenti amicae quod daret; Atque hunc difficilem invitum servaret senem. 535

SYRUS Garris.

CHREMES Haec facta ab illo oportebat, Syre.

SYRUS Eho quaeso, laudas qui heros fallunt?

CHREMES In loco Ego vero laudo.

SYRUS Recte sane.

CHREMES Quippe quia Magnarum saepe id remedium aegritudinum est. Huic iam mansisset unicus gnatus domi. 540

SYRUS Iocone an serio illaec dicat, nescio; Nisi mihi quidem addit animum, quo lubeat magis.

CHREMES Et nunc quid exspectat, Syre? an dum hinc denuo Abeat, cum tolerare huius sumtus non queat? Nonne ad senem aliquam fabricam fingit? 545

SYRUS Stolidus est.

CHREMES At te adiutare oportet adolescentuli Causa.

SYRUS Facile equidem facere possum, si iubes: Etenim quo pacto id fieri soleat calleo.

CHREMES Tanto hercle melior.

SYRUS Non est mentiri meum.

CHREMES Fac ergo. 550

SYRUS At heus tu, facitodum eadem haec memineris, Si quid huius simile forte aliquando evenerit, Ut sunt humana, tuus ut faciat filius.

SYRUS

(aloud to himself.)

Run to and fro in every direction; still, money, you must be found: a trap must be laid for the old man.

CHREMES

(apart, overhearing him.)

Was I deceived in saying that they were planning this?

That servant of Clinia’s is somewhat dull; therefore that province has been assigned to this one of ours.
515

SYRUS

(in a low voice.)

Who’s that speaking? (Catches sight of CGREMES.) I’m undone! Did he hear it, I wonder?

CHREMES

Syrus.

SYRUS

Well—

CHREMES

What are you doing here ?

SYRUS

All right. Really, I am quite surprised at you, Chremes, up so early, after drinking so much yesterday.

CHREMES

Not too much.

SYRUS

Not too much, say you? Really, you’ve seen the old age of an eagle,¹ as the saying is.
520

CHREMES

Pooh, pooh!

SYRUS

A pleasant and agreeable woman this Courtesan.

CHREMES

Why, so she seemed to me, in fact.

SYRUS

And really of handsome appearance.

CHREMES

Well enough.

CHREMES

How should I not be aware?

A fellow that deserves the mill.
530

SYRUS

Who?

CHREMES

That servant of the young gentleman, I mean.

SYRUS

(aside.)

Syrus! I was sadly afraid for you.

CHREMES

To suffer it to come to this!

SYRUS

What was he to do?

CHREMES

Do you ask the question? He ought to have found some expedient, contrived some stratagem, by means of which there might have been something for the young man to give to his mistress,

and thus have saved this crabbed old fellow in spite of himself.
535

SYRUS

You are surely joking.

CHREMES

This ought to have been done by him, Syrus.

SYRUS

How now—pray, do you commend servants, who deceive their masters?

CHREMES

Upon occasion—I certainly do commend them.

SYRUS

Quite right.

CHREMES

Inasmuch as it often is the remedy for great disturbances.

Then would this man’s only son have staid at home.
540

SYRUS

(aside.)

Whether he says this in jest or in earnest, I don’t know; only, in fact, that he gives me additional zest for longing still more to trick him.

CHREMES

And what is he now waiting for, Syrus? Is it until his father drives him away from here a second time, when he can no longer support her expenses?³

Has he no plot on foot against the old gentleman?
545

SYRUS

He is a stupid fellow.

CHREMES

Then you ought to assist him—for the sake of the young man.

SYRUS

For my part, I can do so easily, if you command me; for I know well in what fashion it is usually done.

CHREMES

So much the better, i’ faith.

SYRUS

’Tis not my way to tell an untruth.

CHREMES

Do it then.
550

SYRUS

But hark you! Just take care and remember this, in case any thing of this sort should perchance happen at a future time, such are human affairs!—your son might do the same.

CHREMES

The necessity will not arise, I trust.

SYRUS

I’ faith, and I trust so too: nor do I say so now, because I have suspected him in any way;

but in case, none the more⁴—You see what his age is; (aside) and truly, Chremes,⁵ if an occasion does happen, I may be able to handle you right handsomely.
555

CHREMES

As to that, we’ll consider what is requisite when the occasion does happen. At present do you set about this matter.

(Goes into his house.)

SYRUS

(to himself.)

Never on any occasion did I hear my master talk more to the purpose;

nor at any time could I believe that I was authorized to play the rogue with greater impunity. I wonder who it is coming out of our house?
560
(Stands aside.)

SYRUS

Hac illac circumcursa: inveniendum est tamen

Argentum: intendenda in senem est fallacia.

CHREMES

Num me fefellit hosce id struere? Videlicet

Quia Cliniae ille servus tardiusculus est,
515

Idcirco huic nostro tradita est provincia.

SYRUS

Quis hic loquitur? Perii. Numnam haec audivit?

CHREMES

Syre.

SYRUS

Hem.

CHREMES

Quid tu istic?

SYRUS

Recte equidem: sed te miror, Chreme,

Tam mane qui heri tantum biberis.

CHREMES

Nihil nimis.

SYRUS

Nihil narras? visa vero est, quod dici solet,
520

Aquilae senectus.

CHREMES

Heia.

SYRUS

Mulier commoda et

Faceta haec meretrix.

CHREMES

Sane, idem visa est mihi.

SYRUS

Et quidem hercle forma luculenta.

CHREMES

Sic satis.

SYRUS

Ita non ut olim; sed uti nunc, sane bona:

Minimeque miror Clinia hanc si deperit.
525

Sed habet patrem quendam avidum, miserum, atque aridum,

Vicinum hunc: nostine? At quasi is non divitiis

Abundet, gnatus eius profugit inopia.

Scis esse factum ut dico?

CHREMES

Quid ego nesciam?

Hominem pistrino dignum.
530

SYRUS

Quem?

CHREMES

Istunc servulum

Dico adolescentis.

SYRUS

Syre, tibi timui male.

CHREMES

Qui passus est id fieri.

SYRUS

Quid faceret?

CHREMES

Rogas?

Aliquid reperiret, fingeret fallacias,

Unde esset adolescenti amicae quod daret;

Atque hunc difficilem invitum servaret senem.
535

SYRUS

Garris.

CHREMES

Haec facta ab illo oportebat, Syre.

SYRUS

Eho quaeso, laudas qui heros fallunt?

CHREMES

In loco

Ego vero laudo.

SYRUS

Recte sane.

CHREMES

Quippe quia

Magnarum saepe id remedium aegritudinum est.

Huic iam mansisset unicus gnatus domi.
540

SYRUS

Iocone an serio illaec dicat, nescio;

Nisi mihi quidem addit animum, quo lubeat magis.

CHREMES

Et nunc quid exspectat, Syre? an dum hinc denuo

Abeat, cum tolerare huius sumtus non queat?

Nonne ad senem aliquam fabricam fingit?
545

SYRUS

Stolidus est.

CHREMES

At te adiutare oportet adolescentuli

Causa.

SYRUS

Facile equidem facere possum, si iubes:

Etenim quo pacto id fieri soleat calleo.

CHREMES

Tanto hercle melior.

SYRUS

Non est mentiri meum.

CHREMES

Fac ergo.
550

SYRUS

At heus tu, facitodum eadem haec memineris,

Si quid huius simile forte aliquando evenerit,

Ut sunt humana, tuus ut faciat filius.

CHREMES

Non usus veniet, spero.

SYRUS

Spero hercle ego quoque.

Neque eo nunc dico, quo quicquam illum senserim:

Sed si quid, ne quid. Quae sit eius aetas vides.
555

Et nae ego te, si usus veniat, magnifice, Chreme,

Tractare possim.

CHREMES

De istoc, quum usus venerit,

Videbimus quid opus sit: nunc istuc age.