Perde 2
[Textpart 3]
Mark what I say. There have been words enough already; if you don’t make haste to fetch away the woman, I shall turn her out: I have said it, Phormio.
435
PHORMIO
If you use her in any other manner than is befitting a free-born woman, I shall be bringing a swinging action against you: I have said it, Demipho.
(To GETA.) Hark you, if there should be any occasion for me, I shall be at home.
440
GETA
I understand you.
440
[Textpart 4]
What care and anxiety my son does bring upon me, by entangling himself and me in this same marriage! And he doesn’t so much as come into my sight, that at least I might know what he says about this matter. or what his sentiments are.
DEMIPHO
(To GETA.) Be off, go see whether he has returned home or not by this.
445
GETA
I will. (Goes into the house.)
DEMIPHO
You see how the case stands. What am I to do? Tell me, Hegio.
HEGIO
What, I? I think Cratinus ought, if it seems good to you.
DEMIPHO
Tell me, Cratinus.
CRATINUS
What, do you wish me to speak?
I should like you to do what is most for your advantage;
it is my opinion, that what this son of yours has done in your absence, in law and justice ought to be annulled; and that you’ll obtain redress. That’s my opinion.
450
HEGIO
I believe that he has spoken with due deliberation; but it is the fact, as many men, so many minds;So many minds. Quot homines, tot sententiae. This is a famous adage. One similar to the succeeding one is found in the Second Eclogue of Virgil, 1. 65: Trahit sua quemque voluptas, exactly equivalent to our saying, Every man to his taste. every, one his own way.
It doesn’t appear to me that what has been done by law can be revoked; and it is wrong to attempt it.
455
CRITO
I am of opinion that we must deliberate further;Must deliberate further. Amplius deliberandum. This is probably a satirical allusion to the judicial system of procrastination, which, by the Romans, was called ampliatio. When the judges could not come to a satisfactory conclusion about a cause, they signified it by the letters N. L. (for non liquet, it is not clear), and put off the suit for a rehearing. it is a, matter of importance.
HEGIO
Do you want any thing further with us?
DEMIPHO
You have done very well. (Exeunt ASSISTANTS.) I am much more at a lossMuch more at a loss. See the Poenulus of Plautus, where advocates or assistants are introduced among the Dramatic Personae. Colman has the following remarks on this quaint passage: I believe there is no Scene in Comedy more highly seasoned with the ridiculous than this before us. The idea is truly comic, and it is worked up with all that simplicity and chastity so peculiar to the manner of Terence. An ordinary writer would have indulged himself in twenty little conceits on this occasion; but the dry gravity of Terence infinitely surpasses, as true humor, all the drolleries which, perhaps, even those great masters of Comedy, Plautus or Molière, might have been tempted to throw out. It is the highest art of a Dramatic Author, on some occasions, to leave a good deal to the Actor; and it has been remarked by Heinsius and others, that Terence was particularly attentive to this circumstance. than before.
