Page:Comedies of Publius Terentius Afer (1870).djvu/82

"Give place, make room,"^[1] and hurling folk about.
Why should he careful be for such a lout?
Better to quash his crudities than follow
So bad a master; let him cease to holloa.
And now attend and listen to the play,
Whilst I, uninterrupted, say my say;
Nor rack my legs and lungs upon the stage,
As running slave, or old man in a rage,
Or greedy parasite or sycophant
Or pander merchantman; but rather grant
Remission from such labours unto me.
For they who now indite the comedy
Demand my aid when they have somewhat dry;
If volatile to volatiles they fly.^[2]
But this is declamation pure—its zest
Lies in its moral—let me do my best.
I am not overweening, but I fain
Am your applauses and your praise to gain.
Then make me an example, so that they,
Who work to please you, on a future day
May find a beaten track and trodden way.

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1. A cut at the Amphitryon of Plautus, where Mercury, as Sosia, comes dashing on—"Give place, make room," &c."—Act III. sc. 4. The slave would have been flogged for so doing.
2. The stataria or motoria fabula, stationary or mobile acting: the first to the old men, the second to the slaves.