Perde 4
[Textpart 1]
Is this to be believed or spoken of; that malice so great could be inborn in any one as to exult at misfortunes, and to derive advantage from the distresses of another! Oh, is this true? Assuredly, that is the most dangerous class of men,
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CHARINUS
in whom there is only a slight degree of hesitation at refusing; afterward, when the time arrives for fulfilling their promises, then, obliged, of necessity they discover themselves. They are afraid, and yet the circumstances The circumstances: Res. According, however, to Donatus, this word has the meaning here of malice or spitefulness. compel them to refuse. Then, in that case, their very insolent remark is,
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Who are you? What are you to me? What should I give up to you what’s my own? Look you, I am the most concerned in my own interests. Concerned in my own interests: Equivalent to our sayings, Charity begins at home; Take care of number one. But if you inquire where is honor, they are not ashamed. They are not ashamed: Terence has probably borrowed this remark from the Epidicus of Plautus, 1. 165-6: Generally all men are ashamed when it is of no use; when they ought to be ashamed, then does shame forsake them, when occasion is for them to be ashamed. Here, where there is occasion, they are not afraid; there, where there is no occasion, they are afraid. But what am I to do? Ought I not to go to him, and reason with him upon this outrage,
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and heap many an invective upon him? Yet some one may say, you will avail nothing. Nothing? At least I shall have vexed him, and have given vent to my own feelings.
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PAMPHILUS
Charinus, unintentionally I have ruined both myself and you, unless the Gods in some way befriend us.
CHARINUS
Unintentionally, is it! An excuse has been discovered at last. You have broken your word.
CHARINUS
Do you expect to deceive me a second time by these speeches?
PAMPHILUS
What does this mean?
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CHARINUS
Since I told you that I loved her, she has become quite pleasing to you. Ah wretched me! to have judged of your disposition from my own.
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PAMPHILUS
You are mistaken.
CHARINUS
Did this pleasure appear to you not to be quite complete, unless you tantalized me in my passion, and lured me on by groundless hopes?—You may take her.
PAMPHILUS
I, take her? Alas! you know not in what perplexities, to my sorrow, I am involved,
and what vast anxieties this executioner of mine (pointing to DAVUS.) has contrived for me by his devices.
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CHARINUS
What is it so wonderful, if he takes example from yourself?
PAMPHILUS
You would not say that if you understood either myself or my affection.
CHARINUS
I’m quite aware (ironically.); you have just now had a dispute with your father, and he is now angry with you in consequence, and has not been able to-day to prevail upon you to marry her.
PAMPHILUS
No, not at all,—as you are not acquainted with my sorrows, these nuptials were not in preparation for me; and no one was thinking at present of giving me a wife.
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CHARINUS
I am aware; you have been influenced by your own inclination.
PAMPHILUS
Hold; you do not yet know all.
