——S. Omnes nos gaudere hoc, Chreme,
Te credo credere.
In many of the old editions of our author, this passage is written omneis nos gaudere; this variation has a reference to the measure of the verse. I have seen one edition in which the line is written omnis nos gaudere.
Pam.—Oh! that is certain.
Simo.—I consent most joyfully.
P. Nempe.
S. Scilicet.
Some commentators interpret these words from Pamphilus and Simo, (Nempe and Scilicet,) as a hint to Chremes, respecting the dowry which they expected to receive with Glycera; and think that the actor who personates Simo ought to produce a bag of money, that he may “suit the action to the word.” An ingenious critic, speaking of this vague and fanciful conjecture, observes, as follows: “This, surely, is a precious refinement, worthy the genius of a true commentator. Madame Dacier, who entertains a just veneration for Donatus, doubts the authenticity of the observation, which is ascribed to him.” Certainly, if either of the words could be wrested to such a meaning, it must be Nempe, but Terence has represented Pamphilus as a character, so noble, generous, and high-spirited, that we cannot consistently suppose that he would suffer any mercenary considerations to delay for a single moment his acceptance of his beloved Glycera, when offered to him by her father.
[NOTE 208.]
Chremes.—Pamphilus, my daughter’s portion is ten talents.
A Table of the Money current in Greece.