The Comedies of Terence Part 39

THAIS. Where is he?

PYTH. Here, on the left; d'ye see him, ma'am?

THAIS. I see him.

PYTH. Let him be seiz'd immediately!

THAIS. And what Can we do to him, fool?

PYTH. Do to him, say you?

--See, what a saucy face the rogue has got!

Ha'nt he?--and then how settled an a.s.surance?

SCENE II.

_Enter CHaeREA._

CHaeR. At Antipho's, as if for spite, there were His father and his mother both at home, So that I could by no means enter, but They must have seen me. Meanwhile, as I stood Before the door, came by an old acquaintance, At sight of whom I flew, with all my speed, Into a narrow, unfrequented alley; And thence into another, and another, Frighten'd and flurried as I scampered on, Lest any one should know me.--But is that Thais? 'Tis she herself. I'm all aground.

What shall I do?--Pshaw! what have I to care?

What can she do to me?

THAIS. Let's up to him.

Oh, Dorus! good Sir, welcome!--And so, Sirrah, You ran away.

CHaeR. Yes, madam!

THAIS. And you think It was a clever trick?

CHaeR. No, madam!

THAIS. Can you Believe that you shall go unpunish'd for it?

CHaeR. Forgive me this one fault! If I commit Another, kill me!

THAIS. Do you dread my cruelty?

CHaeR. No, ma'am!

THAIS. What then?

CHaeR. I was afraid, lest She Accuse me to you. (_Pointing to PYTHIAS._)

THAIS. Upon what account?

CHaeR. A little matter.

PYTH. Rogue! a little matter?

Is it so little, think you, to abuse A virgin, and a citizen!

CHaeR. I thought She was my fellow-servant.

PYTH. Fellow-servant!

I can scarce hold from flying at his hair.

Monstrous! he's come to make his sport of us.

THAIS. Away! you rave.

PYTH. Why so? if I had done 't, I should have still been in the monster's debt; Particularly, as he owns himself Your servant.

THAIS. Well--no more of this.--Oh, Chaerea, You've done a deed unworthy of yourself: For granting I, perhaps, might well deserve This injury, it was not honorable In you to do it.--As I live, I know not What counsel to pursue about this girl; You've so destroy'd my measures, that I can't Restore her, without blus.h.i.+ng to her friends, Nor so deliver her, as I propos'd, To make them thank me for my kindness, Chaerea!

CHaeR. Henceforth, I hope, eternal peace shall be Betwixt us, Thais! Oft from things like these, And bad beginnings, warmest friends.h.i.+ps rise.

What if some G.o.d hath order'd this?

THAIS. Indeed, I'll so interpret it, and wish it so.

CHaeR. I prithee do!--and be a.s.sured of this, That naught I did in scorn, but all in love.

THAIS. I do believe it; and, on that account, More readily forgive you: for oh! Chaerea, I am not form'd of an ungentle nature, Nor am I now to learn the pow'r of love.

CHaeR. Now, Thais, by my life, I love thee too.

PYTH. Then, by my troth, you must take care of him.

CHaeR. I durst not----

PYTH. I don't mind a word you say.

THAIS. Have done!

CHaeR. But now, in this one circ.u.mstance, Let me beseech you to a.s.sist me! I Commit myself entirely to your care: Invoke you, as my patroness; implore you.

Perdition seize me, but I'll marry her!

THAIS. But if your father----

CHaeR. What of him? I know He'll soon consent, provided it appears That she's a citizen.

THAIS. If you will wait A little while, her brother will be here: He's gone to fetch the nurse that brought her up; And you shall witness the discovery.

CHaeR. I will remain then.

THAIS. But, in the mean time, Had you not rather wait within, than here Before the door?

CHaeR. Much rather.

PYTH. What the plague Are you about?