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Terence · Andria §subject_2-10

Conclusion of the Plot, Production Notice, and Prologue

Passage 2 of 18 · Latin

Summary

The resolution of Pamphilus and Philumena's marriage plot is described, leading to the revelation of Glycerium's true parentage, followed by the production notice and the prologue in which the poet defends himself against critics.

§subject_2This brings us to the point at which the action of the play commences.
This brings us to the point at which the action of the play commences.
Simo determines to tell Pamphilus that he is to be married to Philumena, hoping to place him in a dilemma; for if he refused, then he could take him severely to task; if he consented, then Chremes might be gained over, and after all the match might take place.
Simo determines to tell Pamphilus that he is to be married to Philumena, hoping to place him in a dilemma; for if he refused, then he could take him severely to task; if he consented, then Chremes might be gained over, and after all the match might take place.
Accordingly he tells Pamphilus by the way in the Forum that he is to be married that very day.
Accordingly he tells Pamphilus by the way in the Forum that he is to be married that very day.
Pamphilus returns home in amazement; but is met by Mysis, servant of Glycerium, who revives his old affection for her mistress.
Pamphilus returns home in amazement; but is met by Mysis, servant of Glycerium, who revives his old affection for her mistress.
Davus meanwhile sifts the whole matter to the bottom; finds that the marriage is a pretence, and accordingly recommends Pamphilus to humour his father to the utmost, and express his entire readiness to marry as soon as he pleases.
Davus meanwhile sifts the whole matter to the bottom; finds that the marriage is a pretence, and accordingly recommends Pamphilus to humour his father to the utmost, and express his entire readiness to marry as soon as he pleases.
At the same time he is to keep up his intimacy with Glycerium, that Chremes may be as shy of his connexion as he is now.
At the same time he is to keep up his intimacy with Glycerium, that Chremes may be as shy of his connexion as he is now.
Meanwhile there is a by-plot at work.
Meanwhile there is a by-plot at work.
One Charinus, a friend of Pamphilus, who is in love with Philumena, hears with dismay that she is to be married to his friend, and urges him to do all in his power to defer the marriage if possible.
One Charinus, a friend of Pamphilus, who is in love with Philumena, hears with dismay that she is to be married to his friend, and urges him to do all in his power to defer the marriage if possible.
So affairs stand when Glycerium is brought to bed of a son, Simo, who hears what is going on, imagining, and being confirmed by Davus in the belief, that this is merely an artifice of Glycerium and her friends to prevent Pamphilus’ marriage.
So affairs stand when Glycerium is brought to bed of a son, Simo, who hears what is going on, imagining, and being confirmed by Davus in the belief, that this is merely an artifice of Glycerium and her friends to prevent Pamphilus’ marriage.
He accordingly again treats with Chremes on the subject of the marriage of Pamphilus and Philumena, and extorts a reluctant consent.
He accordingly again treats with Chremes on the subject of the marriage of Pamphilus and Philumena, and extorts a reluctant consent.
This places Davus in a great strait; for Pamphilus now reproaches him with his untoward advice, which has got him into this mischief; and Charinus too is indignant to the last degree at the treachery of Pamphilus.
This places Davus in a great strait; for Pamphilus now reproaches him with his untoward advice, which has got him into this mischief; and Charinus too is indignant to the last degree at the treachery of Pamphilus.
As a last resource Davus places the child before Simo’s door, and contrives that Chremes shall hear its history from Mysis.
As a last resource Davus places the child before Simo’s door, and contrives that Chremes shall hear its history from Mysis.
This causes a fresh rupture between Chremes and Simo.
This causes a fresh rupture between Chremes and Simo.
At this moment there arrives a native of Andros, Crito, next of kin to Chrysis, who has come to Athens to claim her property.
At this moment there arrives a native of Andros, Crito, next of kin to Chrysis, who has come to Athens to claim her property.
He clears up the previous history of Glycerium, who is joyfully recognized as Chremes’ daughter, and all parties are made happy; Simo being with some difficulty gained over to forgive past offences, and to receive his son and Davus into favour again.
He clears up the previous history of Glycerium, who is joyfully recognized as Chremes’ daughter, and all parties are made happy; Simo being with some difficulty gained over to forgive past offences, and to receive his son and Davus into favour again.
§productionANDRIA. ACTA LUDIS MEGALENSIB M. FULVIO ET M. GLABRIONE AEDILIB. CURULIB. EGERUNT L. AMBIVIUS TURPIO, L. ATTILIUS PRAENESTINUS. MODOS FECIT FLACCUS CLAUDII FILIUS, TIBIIS PARIBUS DEXTRIS ET SINISTRIS. ET EST TOTA GRAECA. EDITA M. MARCELLO, CN. SULPITIO COSS.
ANDRIA. PERFORMED AT THE MEGALENSIAN GAMES IN THE CURULE AEDILESHIP OF M. FULVIUS AND M. GLABRIO. L. AMBIVIUS TURPIO AND L. ATTILIUS PRAENESTINUS PRODUCED IT. FLACCUS, THE SON OF CLAUDIUS, COMPOSED THE MUSIC FOR EQUAL FLUTES, RIGHT- AND LEFT-HANDED. AND IT IS ENTIRELY GREEK. PUBLISHED IN THE CONSULSHIP OF M. MARCELLUS AND CN. SULPICIUS.
§1Poeta quum primum animum ad scribendum appulit, §2Id sibi negoti credidit solum dari §3Populo ut placerent quas fecisset fabulas.
When the poet first applied his mind to writing, he believed that this alone was the task assigned to him, that the plays he had made should please the people.
§4Verum aliter evenire multo intelligit.
But he understands that it turns out far otherwise.
§5Nam in prologis scribundis operam abutitur, §6Non qui argumentum narret, sed qui malevoli §7Veteris poetae maledictis respondeat.
For in writing prologues he wastes his effort, not to narrate the plot, but to reply to the slanders of a malevolent old poet.
§8Nunc quam rem vitio dent quaeso animum advortite.
Now, I pray you, turn your attention to what they turn into a fault.
§9Menander fecit Andriam et Perinthiam.
Menander made the Andria and the Perinthia.
§10Qui utramvis recte norit ambas noverit.
Whoever knows either one well, will know them both.

Notes

  1. §2Id sibi negoti credidit solum dari — `negoti` is a partitive genitive modifying the demonstrative pronoun `Id`. `dari` forms an accusative with infinitive (ACI) construction as the object of `credidit`. The `ut` clause (`ut placerent`) functions as an appositional clause explaining the specific content of `Id`. Additionally, in the relative clause `quas fecisset fabulas`, the antecedent (`fabulae`) is incorporated into the relative clause.
  2. §5in prologis scribundis operam abutitur — `in prologis scribundis` is a gerundive construction. While the verb `abutor` typically governs the ablative in classical Latin, in archaic Latin, such as in Terence, it often takes an accusative direct object (`operam`), as seen here.
  3. §6Non qui argumentum narret, sed qui... — `qui narret` and `qui... respondeat` are instances of the relative clause of purpose, where the relative pronoun `qui` is used with the subjunctive to express purpose ("in order to...").
  4. §8quam rem vitio dent — `vitio dent` is an expression akin to the double dative, utilizing the dative of purpose/fault (`vitio`), meaning "to turn into a fault, to blame." The entire clause forms an indirect question acting as the object of `animum advortite` (turn your attention to), with the verb in the present subjunctive `dent`.
  5. §10Qui utramvis recte norit ambas noverit. — `norit` (and `noverit`) are syncopated forms of the perfect verb `nōvisse`. This verb is preteritive, meaning its perfect tense expresses a present state ("to know"). `qui norit` is a general relative clause (equivalent to a condition, "whoever knows"), and the apodosis `noverit` is either a potential subjunctive or future perfect indicative ("will know / knows").

Cite this passage

Terence, Andria §subject_2-10. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi0134.phi001.humanitext-lat2:subject_2-10

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