Stichus
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Original / primary: Perseus Eng2
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Dramatis Personae ANTIPHO, an old gentleman of . EPIGNOMUS Two Brothers. PAMPHILUSIn the former Editions he is called Pamphilippus. Ritschel clearly shown that this is incorrect. GELASIMUS, a Parasite. STICHUS, the servant of Epignomus. SAGARINUS, the servant of Pamphilus. PINACIUM,In the former Editions he is called Dinacium. a boy. A PIPER. PHILUMENA,In the former Editions she is called Panegyris. the wife of Epignomus. PAMPHILA,In the former Editions she is called Pinacium. the wife of Pamphilus, and sister of Philumena. CROCOTIUM, a female servant of Philumena. STEPHANIUM, a female kitchen servant of Pamphila.
scene
(Scene.—Athens: a Street before the house of ANTIPHO and those of EPIGNOMUS and PAMPHILUS; the two latter being nest door to each other.)
subject
THE SUBJECT. THE plot of this Play (which is supposed by some Commentators not to have been written by Plautus) is extremely meagre. Antipho, a wealthy and jovial old gentleman of Athens, has two daughters, Philumena and Pamphila. They are married to two brothers, Epignomus and Pamphilus, who, having run through their property in the company of idlers and Parasites, have, with the view of retrieving their fortunes, taken to merchandize. Having been absent three years from home, and no tidings being heard of them whether they are alive or not Antipho assumes the prerogative of a father, and requests his daughters to marry again; who resolve, however, to maintain their fidelity to their absent husbands. Philumena sends the Parasite, Gelasimus, to the harbour to see if any ships have arrived. In the meantime, the boy, Pinacium, brings her word that her husband has. returned to Athens. He and his brother meet the Parasite, and resist all his attempts to fasten himself upon them; they then go home, and become reconciled to Antipho, from whom, in their poverty, they had become estranged; and who now requests them to make him a present of a female slave. Stichus, the servant, obtains a day’s holiday, together with a present from his master of a cask of wine. He makes an entertainment for himself, his friend Sagarinus, and their mistress Stephanium. The Play concludes with a dance, to the music of the Piper.
argument
THE ACROSTIC ARGUMENT. [Supposed to have been written by Priscian the Grammarian.] An old man (Senex) rebukes his daughters because they are so (Tam) persevering in thus (Ita) adhering to their husbands, brothers, poor and abroad, and in not deserting them. And, on the other hand (Contra), he is softened down by prudent words to allow them to retain (Habere) those whom they have already got. Enriched with wealth, their husbands (Viri) come back from beyond the sea; each one retains his own (Suam) wife, and to Stichus a holiday is given.
1
1
PHILUMENA
1
Sister, I think that Penelope was wretched from her very soul, who was so long deprived of her husband; for from our own fortunes, whose husbands are absent from us, we judge of her feelings;
2
for whose affairs, still, in their absence, both night and day, sister, as is becoming, we are ever anxious.
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3
PAMPHILA
3
’Tis right that we should do our duty; and we do not that any further than affection bids us.
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PHILUMENA
4
But, sister, step this way a moment; I want
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to speak about the affairs of my husband.
10b
10b
PAMPHILA
10b
Ain’t they prospering, pray?
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PHILUMENA
6
I hope and wish so, indeed. But, sister, at this am I vexed, that your and my father, one who is esteemed as especially honorable among all his fellow-citizens, should be now acting the part of a dishonorable man;
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who is undeservedly doing so great an injustice to our absent husbands, and is wishing to separate us from them. These things, sister, render me tired of existence; these things are a care and a vexation to me.
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PAMPHILA
8
Weep not, sister, nor do that to your feelings which your father is threatening to do. ’Tis to be hoped’Tis to be hoped: Spes est. Literally, there is a hope. that he will act more righteously. I know him well; he says these things in jest; and he would not earn for himself the mountains of the Persians,
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which are said to be of goldSaid to be of gold: No doubt, as the Persians were from an early period noted for their wealth and grandeur, it was a common notion with the people of Europe that they had mountains of gold., to do that of which you are in dread. Still, if he does do it, it befits you by no means to be angry; nor will it happen without some reason.
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For this is the third year since our husbands have been away from home.
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PHILUMENA
11
’Tis as you say; while, in the meantime, they may be living, and may be wellMay be well: After valeant in this line, a comma, and not colon, seems more reconcileable to the meaning of the passage., they do not make us acquainted where they are, what they are doing, whether they are doing well, neither do they return.
34.35
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PAMPHILA
34.35
And do you, sister, regret this, that they do not observe their duty, whereas you do yours?
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PHILUMENA
36b
Troth, I do.
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PAMPHILA
12
Hold your peace, if you please; take care, please, that I hear not that same thing from you in future.
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PHILUMENA
38b
And why, pray?
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PAMPHILA
13
Because, i’ faith, in my opinion, ’tis proper for all prudent people
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to observe and to do their duty. For that reason, sister, although you are the older, I advise you to remember your duty; and if they are unjust and act otherwise to us than is right, then, i’ faith, in exactly the same degree,
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that there may be no further mischief, it befits us studiously to remember our duty by all means in our power.
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PHILUMENA
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’Tis good; I’m silenced.
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PAMPHILA
47b
But do take care and remember it.
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PHILUMENA
17
I do not wish, sister, to be thought to be unmindful of my husband; nor has he thrown away the distinction that he conferred upon me.
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For, by my troth, his kindness is pleasing and delightful to me; and, really, this choice of mine is not now irksome to me, nor is there any reason why I should wish to abandon this match. But, in fine, ’tis placed in our father’s powerIn our father’s power: By the law of the Twelve Tables at Rome, females were never sui juris, but under a perpetual guardianship; and even marriage did not entirely exempt them from parental authority, unless they had been emancipated from it before. Among the Greeks also, parents exercised great authority in disposing of their daughters in marriage.; that must be done by us which our relatives enjoin.
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PAMPHILA
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I know it, and in thinking of it I am overwhelmed with grief; for already has he almost disclosed his sentiments.
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PHILUMENA
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Let us consider, then, what is necessary for us to do.
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ANTIPHO
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The man in condition of a servant who always waits to be told his duty, and doesn’t remember to do it of his own accord, that servant, I say, is not of a deserving character.
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You remember well on each returning Calends to ask for your allotment of provisionsAllotment of provisions: The Greeks, it must be borne in mind, had no Calends (whence the proverb ad Graecas Calendas, to-morrow come never); the Poet is here alluding to the Roman custom of distributing to the slaves their allowance of food on the Calends, or first day of every month.; why, then, do you less remember to do what is necessary to do about the house? Now, therefore, if, when I return, the furniture shall not be set for me, each piece in its proper place, I’ll be putting you in mind with a bull’s hide remembrancerBull’s hide remembrancer: Monumentis bubulis. Literally, with memorials of oxen. The thongs of the scutica and of the flagellum were generally made of bull’s hide.. Not human beings seem to be living with me, but pigs.
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Take care, if you please, that my house is clean, when I return home. I shall soon be back home; I’m going to her house, to see my eldest daughter. If any one should enquire for me, call me thence, some of you; or—I shall be here soon myself.
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PHILUMENA
24
What are we to do, sister, if our father shall resolve against us?
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PAMPHILA
68b
It befits us to submit to what he does whose power is the stronger.
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By entreating, not by opposing, I think we must use our endeavours. If with mildness we ask for favour, I trust to obtain it of him. Oppose him we cannot, without disgrace and extreme criminality; I will neither do that myself, nor will I give you the advice to do it, but rather that we should entreat him. I know our familyI know our family: Nostros. Literally, ours, meaning our people, our family.; he will yield to entreaty.
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ANTIPHO
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In the first place, in what manner I should make a beginning with them, about that I am in doubt; whether I should accost them in language couched in ambiguous terms, after this fashion, as though I had never pretendedAs though I had never pretended: Despite the ingenuity of Ritschel, this line seems to be in a corrupt state. anything at all against them, or whether as though I had heard that they were deserving of some censure against them; whether I should rather try them gently or with threats. I know that there will be opposition; I know my daughters right well.
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If they should prefer to remain here rather than to marry afresh, why, let them do so. What need is there for me, the term of my life run out, to be waging war with my children, when I think that they don’t at all deserve that I should do so? By no means; I’ll have no disturbances. But I think that this is the best thing to be done by me; I’ll do thus; I’ll pretend as though they had themselves been guilty of some fault;
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I’ll terribly terrify their minds this day by some ambiguous expressions; ana then, after that, as I shall feel disposed, I’ll disclose myself. I know that many words will be spoken; I’ll go in. (Goes to the door of PHILUMENA’S house.) But the door’s open.
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PHILUMENA
29
Why, surely the sound of my father’s voice reached my ears.
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PAMPHILA
30
I’ troth, ’tis he; let’s hasten to meet him with a kiss.
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PHILUMENA
31
My father, my respects.
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ANTIPHO
90b
And to you the same. Away this instant, and be off from me,
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PHILUMENA
32
One kiss.
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ANTIPHO
91b
I’ve had enough of your kissing.
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PHILUMENA
91c
Prithee, father, why so?
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ANTIPHO
33
Because, as it is, the seasoning of your affection has reached my soulHas reached my soul: Meae animae salsura evenit. Literally, the salting has come forth to my soul. This phrase is rendered in Leverett’s Lexicon, I am dejected or I am in an ill humour. That, however, does not appear to be the meaning. The father has had kissing enough from his daughters, but he intends, as it would seem, to compliment them by comparing their kisses to salt, with its refreshing and vivifying powers; and when Philumena asks for one kiss more, he says, No, as it is (ita) their refreshing power has reached my soul. Rost seems to be of this opinion, but he suggests that animae meae are vocatives plural; in that case the passage would mean, as it is, my loves, or my delights, the refreshing salt of your affection has reached me..
92b
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PAMPHILA
92b
Sit down here, father.
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ANTIPHO
34
I’ll not sit there; do you sit down; I’ll sit on the benchOn the bench: Subsellium generally means a footstool, used by persons when sitting on a high seat. Here, however, it probably signifies a bench, perhaps placed against the wall in the front of Philumena’s house, where he was about to make a call..
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PAMPHILA
35
Wait till I fetch a cushion.
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ANTIPHO
94b
You take kind care of me; I’m nicely seated now as I amNicely seated now as I am: Sat sic fultum est. Literally enough is it thus supported. She has brought out the cushion, and has placed it upon or at the back of the hard bench, which was perhaps something like our garden chair..
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PAMPHILA
36
Do let me, father.
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ANTIPHO
95b
What need is there?
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PAMPHILA
95c
There is need.
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ANTIPHO
95d
I’ll submit to you. (Arranging the cushion.) Yes, this does very well.
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PAMPHILA
37
Why, daughters can never take too much care of their parent. Whom is it proper that we should esteem more dear than yourself? And then, in the next place, father, our husbands, for whom you have chosen that we should be the mothers of families.
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ANTIPHO
38
You do as it is proper for good wives to do, in esteeming your husbands,
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though absent, just as though they were present.
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PAMPHILA
100b
’Tis propriety, father, for us to highly honor those who have chosen us as companions for themselves.
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ANTIPHO
40
Is there any other person here to listen with his earsTo listen with his ears: Nostris dictis auceps auribus Literacy a fowler for our words; in allusion to the stealthy manner in which the fowler lies in wait for his prey. to our conversation?
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PHILUMENA
41
There’s no one except us and yourself.
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ANTIPHO
103b
I wish your attention to be given; for, unacquainted with female matters and ways,
42
I come now as a pupil to you, my instructresses; in order that each of you may tell me what endowments matrons ought to have, who are the best esteemed.
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PAMPHILA
43
What’s the reason that you come hither to enquire about the ways of females?
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ANTIPHO
44
Troth, I’m looking for a wife, as your mother’s dead and gone.
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PAMPHILA
45
You’ll easily find, father, one both worse and of worse morals
46
than she was; one better you’ll neither find nor does the sun behold.
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ANTIPHO
47
But I’m making the enquiry of you, and of this sister of yours.
111b
111b
PAMPHILA
111b
I’ faith, father, I know how they should be, if they are to be such as I think right.
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ANTIPHO
48
I wish, then, to know what you do think right.
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113b
PAMPHILA
113b
That when they walk through the city, they should shut the mouths of all, so that none can speak ill of them with good reason.
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ANTIPHO
49
And now speak you in your turn.
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PHILUMENA
115b
What do you wish that I should speak to you about, father?
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ANTIPHO
50
How is the woman most easily distinguished, who is of a good disposition?
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PHILUMENA
51
When she, who has the power of doing ill, refrains from doing so.
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ANTIPHO
52
Not bad that. (To PAMPHILA.) Come, say you, which choice is the preferable, to marry a maiden or a widow?
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119b
PAMPHILA
119b
So far as my skill extends,
53
of many evilsOf many evils: Pamphila is embarrassed here; and as she probably does not wish her father to marry either widow or maiden, but still does not like to tell him so, she takes refuge in a truism, rather than give a direct answer to his question. Aristotle tells us that Epicharmus was much in the habit of giving utterance to remarks of this nature., that which is the least evil, the same is the least an evil.
54
He that can avoid the women, let him avoid them,
121b
so that each day he takes care, the day before, not to do that which, the day after, he may regret.
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ANTIPHO
55
What sort of woman, pray, seems to you by far the wisest?
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PHILUMENA
56
She who, when affairs are prosperous, shall still be able to know herself,
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and who with equanimity can endure it to be worse with her than it has been.
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ANTIPHO
58
By my troth, in merry mood have I been trying the bent of your dispositions. But ’tis this for which I am come to you, and for which I wished to meet you both. My friends are advising me to the effect that I should remove you hence to my own house.
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PAMPHILA
59
But still, we, whose interests are concerned, are advising you quite otherwise.
60
For either, father, we ought not formerly to have been bestowed in marriage, unless our husbands pleased you, or, it is not right for us now to be taken away when they are absent.
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ANTIPHO
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And shall I suffer you while I am alive to remain married to men who are beggars?
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PAMPHILA
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This beggar of mine is agreable to me; her own king is agreableHer own king is agreable: She speaks here of the husband in the character of the rex, or king, in his own establishment, which to him is his kingdom. Of course, then, the wife would be the regina, or queen. to the queen. In poverty have I the same feelings that once I had in riches.
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ANTIPHO
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And do you set such high value on thieves and beggars?
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PHILUMENA
64
You did not, as I think, give me in marriage to the money, but to the man.
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ANTIPHO
65
Why are you still in expectation of those who have been absent for now three years? Why don’t you accept an eligible matchEligible match: Conditio, in the sense of offer or proposal, especially applies to one of marriage. As their husbands had spent almost all their substance, the ladies are probably living on the fortune which he has given them, and he anticipates that it may be soon exhausted. in place of a very bad one?
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PAMPHILA
66
’Tis folly, father, to lead unwilling dogs to hunt.
67
That wife is an enemy, who is given to a man in marriage against her will.
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ANTIPHO
68
Are you then determined that neither of you will obey the command of your father?
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PHILUMENA
69
We do obey; for where you gave us in marriage, thence are we unwilling to depart.
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ANTIPHO
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Kindly good b’ye; I’ll go and tell my friends your resolutions.
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PAMPHILA
71
They will, I doubt not, think us the more honorable, if you tell them to honorable men.
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ANTIPHO
72
Take you care, then, of their domestic concerns, the best way that you can.
145b
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PHILUMENA
145b
Now you gratify us, when you direct us aright: now we will hearken to you. Now, sister, let’s go indoors.
147b
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PAMPHILA
147b
Well, first I’ll take a look at home. If, perchance, any news should come to you from your husband, take you care that I know it.
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PHILUMENA
73
Neither will I conceal it from you, nor do you conceal from me what you may know.