THE

ANDRIAN'.

ACTED AT THE MEGALESIAN GAMES 2,

M. Fulvius and M. Glabrio, Curule Ediles': Principal Actors, L. Ambivius Turpio and L. Attilius Prænestius: The musick, composed for equal flutes, right and left handed, by Flaccus, freedman to Clau dius: It is wholly Grecian: Published, M. Marcellus and Cn. Sulpicius, Consuls.

THE Bard, when first he gave his mind to write,

Thought it his only business, that his plays
Should please the people : but it now falls out,
He finds, much otherwise, and wastes, perforce,
His time in writing Prologues; not to tell
The argument, but to refute the slanders
Broach'd by the malice of an older Bard'.

And mark what vices he is charg'd withal!
Menander wrote the Andrian' and Perinthian'7:

،

Know one, and you know both; in argument
Less diff'rent than in sentiment and style.
What suited with the Andrian' he confesses
From the 'Perinthian' he transferr'd, and us'd
For his and this it is these sland'rers blame,

:

Proving by deep and learned disputation,

That Fables should not be confounded thus.

8

Troth! all their knowledge is, they nothing know: Who, blaming him, blame Nævius, Plautus, Ennius, Whose great example is his precedent;

Whose negligence he'd wish to emulate

Rather than their dark diligence. Henceforth,

Let them, I give them warning, be at peace,
And cease to rail, lest they be made to know
Their own misdeeds. Be favourable! Sit
With equal mind, and hear our play; that hence
Ye may conclude, what hope to entertain,
Whether the plays he may hereafter write,
Shall merit approbation or contempt.

9

PERSONS.

PROLOGUE.

SIMO, Father of Pamphilus.

CHREMES, Father of Glycerium and Philumena.

PAMPHILUS, Son of Simo:

CHARINUS, A young Man.
CRITO, A native of Andros.

SOSIA, Freedman of Simo.

DAVUS, Servant to Simo.

BYRRHIA, Servant to Charinus.

DROMO.

SERVANTS, &c.

GLYCERIUM, Daughter of Chremes.

MYSIS, Maidservant to Glycerium.

LESBIA, A midwife attendant on Glycerium.

ARCHYLLIS.

SCENE-ATHENS.

10

THE

ANDRIA N.

ACT I.-SCENE I.

SIMO, SOSIA, and Servants with provisions.

Simo. CARRY those things in: go! [Ex. servants".

Sosia, come here :

A word with you!

Sosia. I understand :-that these

Be ta'en due care of1o.

Simo. Quite another thing.

Sosia. What can my art do more for you?

Simo. This business

Needs not that art; but those good qualities,

Which I have ever known abide in you,

Fidelity and secrecy.

Sosia. I wait

Your pleasure.

Simo. Since I bought you, from a boy,
How just and mild a servitude you've pass'd
With me, you're conscious: from a purchas'd slave
1 made you free, because you serv'd me freely:
The greatest recompence 1 could bestow.

Sosia. I do remember.

Simo. Nor do I repent.

Sosia. If I have ever done, or now do aught That's pleasing to you, Simo, I am glad,

And