Perde 4
[Textpart 3]
You, afraid! As if it was not in your power to clear yourself at any time you like, and discover the whole matter.
720
CLINIA
Well, well; let Bacchis be brought over to our house.
SYRUS
Capital! she is coming out of doors.
[Textpart 4]
To a very fine purpose,To a very fine purpose: Satis pol proterve, etc. C. Laelius was said to have assisted Terence in the composition of his Plays, and in confirmation of this, the following story is told by Cornelius Nepos: C. Laelius, happening to pass the Matronalia [a Festival on the first of March, when the husband, for once in the year, was bound to obey the wife] at his villa near Puteoli, was told that dinner was waiting, but still neglected the summons. At last, when he made his appearance, he excused himself by saying that he had been in a particular vein of composition, and quoted certain lines which occur in the Heautontimorumenos, namely, those beginning Satis pol proterve me Syri promissa hue induxerunt. upon my faith, have the promises of Syrus brought me hither, who agreed to lend me ten minae. If now he
BACCHIS
deceives me, oft as he may entreat me to come, he shall come in vain. Or else, when I’ve promised to come, and fixed the time, when he has carried word back for certain, and Clitipho is on the stretch of expectation, I’ll disappoint him and not come. Syrus will make atonement to me with his back.
725
CLINIA
She promises you very fairly.
SYRUS
But do you think she is in jest?
She’ll do it, if I don’t take care.
730
BACCHIS
They’re asleepThey’re asleep: Dormiunt. This is clearly used figuratively, though Hedelin interprets it literally.—I’faith, I’ll rouse them. (Aloud.) My dear Phrygia, did you hear about the country-seat of Charinus, which that man was showing us just now ?
730
BACCHIS
That it was the next to the farm here on the right-hand side.Farm here on the right-hand side: Cooke suggests that the Poet makes Bacchis call the house of Charinus villa, and that of Chremes fundus (which signifies a farm-house, or farm), for the purpose of exalting the one and depreciating the other in the hearing of Syrus.
BACCHIS
Run thither post-haste; the Captain is keeping the feast of Bacchus The feast of Bacchus : This passage goes far to prove that the Dionysia here mentioned as being celebrated, were those κάτ’ ἀγρούς or the rural Dionysia. at his house.
SYRUS
What is she going to be at?
BACCHIS
Tell him I am here very much against my inclination, and am detained;
but that by some means or other I’ll give them the slip and come to him.
735
SYRUS
Upon my faith, I’m ruined! Bacchis, stay, stay; prithee, where are you sending her ? Order her to stop.
SYRUS
Why, the money’s ready.
BACCHIS
Why, then I’ll stay.
