a hard struggle to make an honest livelihood, has been driven to make a market of her beauty. Amongst the visitors to her house, one of the most constant has been the young Pamphilus, who may be considered the hero of the piece. But, whatever the lady's reputation, the relations between her and Pamphilus have been of the most innocent kind: and of this fact none are better convinced than his father Simo, and the freedman Sosia—who is, in spite of his humble position in the household, the confidential friend and adviser of both father and son. The scene between Sosia and his master gives us, as most of these comedies do, a very pleasant idea of the kindly relations which in a well-regulated Roman household might subsist between the head of the family and his dependants, even under the hateful conditions of slavery. For we must still remember that, though the scene is laid in Athens, the words, and in a great degree the manners also, are Roman; though Terence is more careful on this point than Plautus. Simo tells his freedman that he wants his services in a matter which involves trust and secrecy—qualities in which he has not hitherto found him wanting.
Simo. You know that, since I bought you when a boy,
You found me as a master just and kind;
Then from a slave I made you free; and this
Because you had served me with a free goodwill;
The greatest boon I had to give, I gave you.
Sosia. I don't forget it.
Si. Nor do I repent it.
So. If aught that I have done, or can do, pleases you,
It is my pleasure: if you thank me for it,
