THEAndria derives its name from Glycerium, theheroine of the play; who was from Andros. Upon her previous history turns the dnouement of the plot. Chremes and Phania were brothers, two Athenian citizens. Onoccasion of a voyage to Asia Chremes had left his only daughter Pasibula with Phania, who shortly afterwards followed his brother to Asia to escape from a war that was raging in Greece. He was overtaken by a storm, and shipwrecked, together with Pasibula, upon the island Andros. He there attached himself as a client to a citizen, who entertained him liberally, and upon his death, which occurred shortly after, adopted Pasibula and brought her up with his own daughter Chrysis, having changed her name to Glycerium. Chrysis upon the death of her father went to Athens with her reputed sister, and, after making shift foranhonest livelihood, atlast took up theprofession of a courtezan. At her house many young men congregated, and among others Pamphilus, the son of Simo, who there saw and fell inlove with Glycerium, and became her accepted lover, making her a promise of marriage, which was rendered more binding by the parting injunctions of Chrysis, who upon her deathbed commended Glycerium as a sacred trust to Pamphilus. Meanwhile Pamphilushas another affair onhis hands. For Chremes has had another daughter since the loss of Pasibula, and is very anxious that she should be well married to such anexcellent young man as Pamphilus, who, happily, while enjoying himself inhis own way, has gained a character which isthe admiration of every one. So Philumena and Pamphilusare betrothed by their parents, entirely without the knowledge of the bridegroom elect. All thistimeSimohas fully believed inhis son's excellence; but is undeceived by an event which takes placeatthe funeral of Chrysis, where Pamphilus shows something more than an ordinary solicitude fora young woman whom Simo ascertains to be the sister of Chrysis. The matter takes wind, and reaches the ears of Chremes, with the additional circumstance of Pamphilus' connexion with her, upon which he breaks off the match. This brings us to the point at which theaction of the play commences. Simo determines to tell Pamphilus that he is to be married to Philumena, hoping to place him inadilemma; for if he refused, then he could take him severely to task; if he consented, then Chremes might be gained over, and after all the match might take place. Accordingly he tells Pamphilus by the way intheForum that he is to be married that very day. Pamphilus returns home in amazement; but is met by Mysis, servant of Glycerium, who revives his old affectionfor her mistress. Davus meanwhile sifts the whole matter to the bottom; finds that the marriage isa pretence, and accordingly recommends Pamphilus to humour his father to the utmost, and express his entire readiness to marry as soon as he pleases. Atthe same time he is to keep up his intimacy with Glycerium, that Chremes may be as shy of his connexion as he is now. Meanwhile there isa by-plot at work. One Charinus, a friend of Pamphilus, who isinlove with Philumena, hears with dismay that she is to be married to his friend, and urges him to do all inhis power to deferthe marriage if possible. So affairs stand when Glyceriumis brought to bed of a son, Simo, who hears what is going on, imagining, and being confirmed by Davusinthe belief, that thisis merely anartifice of Glycerium and her friends to prevent Pamphilus' marriage. He accordingly again treats with Chremes onthe subject of the marriage of Pamphilus and Philumena, and extorts a reluctant consent. ThisplacesDavusina great strait; forPamphilus now reproaches him with his untoward advice, which has got him intothis mischief; and Charinus too is indignant to thelast degree atthe treachery of Pamphilus. As alast resource Davusplacesthe child before Simo's door, and contrives that Chremes shall hear its history from Mysis. This causes a fresh rupture between Chremes and Simo. Atthis moment there arrives a native of Andros, Crito, next of kin to Chrysis, who hascome to Athens to claim her property. He clears up the previous history of Glycerium, who is joyfully recognized as Chremes' daughter, and all partiesaremade happy; Simo being with some difficulty gained over to forgive past offences, and to receive his son and Davusinto favour again.