Publius Terentius Afer (Terence), Eunuchus, Henry Thomas Riley (Translator), George Colman (Translator), 4.2

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628 (Enter PHAEDRIA.)

PHAEDRIA

(to himself.)

While I was going¹ into the country, I began on the road, as it mostly happens when there is any anxiety on the mind,

to reflect with myself upon one thing after another, and upon every thing in the worst light. What need of words? While I was musing thus, inadvertently I passed my country-house. I had already got some distance from it, when I perceived this; I returned again, really feeling quite uneasy; when I came to the very turning that leads to the house, I came to a stop,
630

and began to reason with myself; What! must I stay here alone for two days without her? Well, and what then? It’s nothing at all. What? Nothing at all? Well now, if I haven't the privilege of touching her, am I not even to have that of seeing her? If I may not do the one, at least I may the other. Surely to love at a distance²
635

even, is better than nothing at all. I purposely passed the house. But how’s this, that Pythias is suddenly hurrying out in such a fright?
640
(Stands apart.)

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

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Current edition Perseus

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

Editions (1)

Eunuchus Perseus (Terence. Publii Terentii Comoediae Sex. Parry, Edward St. John, editor. London: Whittaker and Co.; George Bell, 1857.) — 4.2 focus

628 (PHAEDRIA.)

PHAEDRIA

Dum rus eo coepi egomet mecum inter vias,

Ita ut fit ubi quid in animo est molestiae,

Aliam rem ex alia cogitare, et ea omnia in
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Peiorem partem. Quid opus est verbis? dum haec puto

Praeterii imprudens villam: longe iam abieram

Cum sensi: redeo rursum, male vero me habens.

Ubi ad ipsum veni diverticulum, constiti.

Occepi mecum cogitare: Hem! biduum hic
635

Manendum est soli sine illa? quid tum postea?

Nihil est: quid? nihil? si non tangendi copia est,

Eho, ne videndi quidem erit? si illud non licet,

Saltem hoc licebit. Certe extrema linea

Amare haud nihil est. Villam praetereo sciens.
640

Sed quid hoc quod timida subito egreditur Pythias?

Notes on the current edition

Eunuchus; or, The Eunuch

1. While I was going: Donatus remarks that here the Poet artfully finds a reason to bring Phaedria back again; as he at first with equal art sent him out of the way, to give probability to those incidents necessary to happen in his absence.

2. At a distance: Extremâ lineâ. There have been many suggestions offered for the origin of this figurative expression. Some suggest that it alludes to the last or lowest stage of the supposed ladder of love; others that it refers to the first or elementary line traced by the student, when beginning to learn the art of painting. It is however more generally thought to be a metaphor taken from the chariot races in the Circus, where, in going round the turning-place, he who was nearest was said currere in primâ lineâ; the next, in secundâ; and so on to the last, who took the widest range, and was said to run in extremâ lineâ.

Publius Terentius Afer (Terence) Eunuchus 4.2

Henry Thomas Riley (Translator), George Colman (Translator)

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