The Comedies of Terence Part 26

PAR. How so?

CHaeR. How so! d'ye know one Archidemides, My father's kinsman, and about his age?

PAR. Full well.

CHaeR. As I was in pursuit of her He met me.

PAR. Rather inconveniently.

CHaeR. Oh most unhappily! for other ills May be told, Parmeno!--I could swear too, For six, nay seven months, I had not seen him, Till now, when least I wish'd and most would shun it.

Is not this monstrous? Eh!

PAR. Oh! very monstrous.

CHaeR. Soon as from far he saw me, instantly, Bent, trembling, drop-jaw'd, gasping, out of breath, He hobbled up to me.--"Holo! ho! Chaerea!"---- I stopp'd.--"D'ye know what I want with you?"--"What?"

--"I have a cause to-morrow."--"Well! what then?"---- --"Fail not to tell your father, he remember To go up with me, as an advocate."---- His prating took some time. "Aught else?" said I.

"Nothing," said he:--Away flew I, and saw The girl that instant turn into this street.

PAR. Sure he must mean the virgin, just now brought To Thais for a present.

CHaeR. Soon as I Came hither, she was out of sight.

PAR. Had she Any attendants?

CHaeR. Yes; a parasite, With a maid-servant.

PAR. 'Tis the very same; Away! have done! all's over.

CHaeR. What d'ye mean?

PAR. The girl I mean.

CHaeR. D'ye know then who she is?

Tell me!--or have you seen her?

PAR. Yes, I've seen her; I know her; and can tell you where she is.

CHaeR. How! my dear Parmeno, d'ye know her?

PAR. Yes.

CHaeR. And where she is, d'ye know?

PAR. Yes,--there she is; (_Pointing._) Carried to Madam Thais for a present.

CHaeR. What monarch could bestow a gift so precious?

PAR. The mighty Captain Thraso, Phaedria's rival.

CHaeR. Alas, poor brother!

PAR. Aye, and if you knew The gift he sends to be compar'd with this, You'd cry alas, indeed!

CHaeR. What is his gift?

PAR. An Eunuch.

CHaeR. What! that old and ugly slave That he bought yesterday?

PAR. The very same.

CHaeR. Why, surely, he'll be trundled out o' doors He and his gift together--I ne'er knew Till now that Thais was our neighbor.

PAR. She Has not been long so.

CHaeR. Ev'ry way unlucky: Ne'er to have seen her neither:--Prithee, tell me, Is she so handsome, as she's said to be?

PAR. Yes, faith!

CHaeR. But nothing to compare to mine.

PAR. Oh, quite another thing.

CHaeR. But Parmeno!

Contrive that I may have her.

PAR. Well, I will.

Depend on my a.s.sistance:--have you any Further commands? (_As if going._)

CHaeR. Where are you going?

PAR. Home; To bring according to your brother's order, The slaves to Thais.

CHaeR. Oh, that happy Eunuch!

To be convey'd into that house!

PAR. Why so?

CHaeR. Why so? why, he shall have that charming girl His fellow-servant, see her, speak with her, Be with her in the same house all day long, And sometimes eat, and sometimes sleep by her.

PAR. And what if you should be so happy?

CHaeR. How?

Tell me, dear Parmeno!

PAR. a.s.sume his dress.

CHaeR. His dress! what then?