The Comedies of Terence Part 32

ANTI. To whom?----to you?

CHaeR. To me.

ANTI. In special hands, I must confess.

CHaeR. --Enjoins me to permit no man come near her; Nor to depart, myself, one instant from her; But in an inner chamber to remain Alone with her alone. I nod, and look Bashfully on the ground.

ANTI. Poor simple soul!

CHaeR. I am bid forth, says she; and carries off All her maid-servants with her, save some few Raw novices, who straight prepar'd the bath.

I bade them haste; and while it was preparing, In a retiring-room the Virgin sat; Viewing a picture, where the tale was drawn Of Jove's descending in a golden show'r To Danae's bosom.----I beheld it too, And because he of old the like game play'd, I felt my mind exult the more within me, That Jove should change himself into a man, And steal in secret through a stranger-roof, With a mere woman to intrigue.--Great Jove, Who shakes the highest heav'ns with his thunder!

And I, poor mortal man, not do the same!---- I did it, and with all my heart I did it.

--While thoughts, like these, possess'd my soul, they call'd The girl to bathe. She goes, bathes, then returns: Which done, the servants put her into bed.

I stand to wait their orders. Up comes one, "Here, harkye, Dorus! take this fan and mark You cool her gently thus, while we go bathe.

When we have bath'd, you, if you please, bathe too,"

I, with a sober air, receive the fan.

ANTI. Then would I fain have seen your simple face!

I should have been delighted to behold How like an a.s.s you look'd, and held the fan.

CHaeR. Scarce had she spoke, when all rush'd out o' doors; Away they go to bathe; grow full of noise, As servants use, when masters are abroad.

Meanwhile sleep seiz'd the virgin: I, by stealth, Peep'd through the fan-sticks thus; then looking round, And seeing all was safe, made fast the door.

ANTI. What then?

CHaeR. What then, fool!

ANTI. I confess.

CHaeR. D'ye think, Bless'd with an opportunity like this, So short, so wish'd for, yet so unexpected, I'd let it slip? No. Then I'd been, indeed, The thing I counterfeited.

ANTI. Very true.

But what's become of our club-supper?

CHaeR. Ready.

ANTI. An honest fellow! where? at your own house?

CHaeR. At Freeman Discus's.

ANTI. A great way off.

CHaeR. Then we must make more haste.

ANTI. But change your dress.

CHaeR. Where can I change it? I'm distress'd. From home I must play truant, lest I meet my brother.

My father too, perhaps, is come to town.

ANTI. Come then to my house! that's the nearest place Where you may s.h.i.+ft.

CHaeR. With all my heart! let's go!

And at the same time, I'll consult with you How to enjoy this dear girl.

ANTI. Be it so.

[Changes:

_Harper_ Whither I'm going? whence I came? and where _Colman 1768_ Whither I'm going? from whence I came? and where

_Harper_ ANTI. Yes: Thais, Or I'm deceiv'd.

CHaeR. The same.

ANTI. I do remember.

_Colman 1768_ ANTI. I do: Thais, I think.

CHaeR. The same.

ANTI. I recollect.

_Harper_ The first of womankind.--But to be brief _Colman 1768_ The first of womankind.--But in a word

To Danae's bosom.

_Harper edition misprints "Danae's"_

"Here, harkye, Dorus! take this fan ...

_quotation marks in this speech supplied from 1768 edition_

_Harper_ ANTI. Come then to my house! that's the nearest place _Colman 1768_ ANTI. Come to my house then! that's the nearest place]

ACT THE FOURTH.

SCENE I.

_Enter DORIAS, with a Casket._

DORIAS.

Now, as I hope for mercy, I'm afraid, From what I've seen, lest yonder swaggerer Make some disturbance, or do violence To Thais. For as soon as Chremes came, (The youth that's brother to the virgin,) she Beseech'd of Thraso he might be admitted.

This piqu'd him; yet he durst not well refuse.

She, fearing Chremes should not be detain'd, Till she had time and opportunity To tell him all she wish'd about his sister, Urg'd Thraso more and more to ask him in.

The Captain coldly asks him; down he sat; And Thais enter'd into chat with him.

The Captain, fancying a rival brought Before his face, resolv'd to vex her too: "Here, boy," said he, "let Pamphila be call'd To entertain us!"--"Pamphila!" cries Thais; "She at a banquet?--No it must not be."---- Thraso insisting on't, a broil ensued: On which my mistress slyly slipping off Her jewels, gave them me to bear away; Which is, I know, a certain sign, she will, As soon as possible, sneak off herself. _Exit._)

[Changes:

_all quotation marks isupplied from 1768 edition_