The Comedies of Terence Part 35

DOR. Beseech you, Sir, forgive me!

PHaeD. Get you gone. (_Kicking him._) Oh me! oh dear! (_Exit, howling._

PHaeD. (_aside_). I had no other way To come off handsomely.--We're all undone.

--D'ye think to play your tricks on me, you rascal?

(_Aloud, and Exit after DORUS._

[Changes:

_Harper_ PHaeD. How did you know then that he was my brother?

_Colman 1768_ PHaeD. How did you know he was my brother then?]

SCENE V.

_Manent PYTHIAS and DORIAS._

PYTH. As sure as I'm alive, this is a trick Of Parmeno's.

DORI. No doubt on't.

PYTH. I'll devise Some means to-day to fit him for't.--But now What would you have me do?

DORI. About the girl!

PYTH. Aye; shall I tell; or keep the matter secret?

DORI. Troth, if you're wise you know not what you know, Nor of the Eunuch, nor the ravishment: So shall you clear yourself of all this trouble, And do a kindness to our mistress too.

Say nothing, but that Dorus is gone off.

PYTH. I'll do so.

DORI. Prithee is not Chremes yonder?

Thais will soon be here.

PYTH. How so?

DORI. Because When I came thence, a quarrel was abroach Among them.

PYTH. Carry in the jewels, Dorias.

Meanwhile I'll learn of Chremes what has happen'd.

(_Exit DORIAS._

SCENE VI.

_Enter CHREMES tipsy._

CHREM. So! so!--I'm in for't--and the wine I've drank Has made me reel again.--Yet while I sat, How sober I suppos'd myself!--But I No sooner rose, than neither foot, nor head, Knew their own business!

PYTH. Chremes!

CHREM. Who's that?--Ha!

Pythias!--How much more handsome you seem now, Than you appear'd a little while ago!

PYTH. I'm sure you seem a good deal merrier.

CHREM. I'faith it's an old saying, and a true one, "Ceres and Bacchus are warm friends of Venus."

--But, pray, has Thais been here long before me?

PYTH. Has she yet left the Captain's?

CHREM. Long time since: An age ago. They've had a b.l.o.o.d.y quarrel.

PYTH. Did not she bid you follow her?

CHREM. Not she: Only she made a sign to me at parting.

PYTH. Well, wasn't that enough?

CHREM. No, faith! I did not At all conceive her meaning, till the Captain Gave me the hint, and kick'd me out o' doors!

--But here she is! I wonder how it was, I overtook her!

[Changes:

_Harper_ CHREM. No, faith! I did not At all conceive her meaning, till the Captain _Colman 1768_ CHREM. No, faith! I never At all conceiv'd her meaning, till the Captain]

SCENE VII.

_Enter THAIS._

THAIS. I am apt to think, The Captain will soon follow me, to take The virgin from me: Well then, let him come!

But if he does but lay a finger on her, We'll tear his eyes out.--His impertinence.

And big words, while mere words, I can endure; But if he comes to action, woe be to him!

CHREM. Thais, I have been here some time.

THAIS. My Chremes!

The very man I wanted!--Do you know That you have been th' occasion of this quarrel?

And that this whole affair relates to you?

CHREM. To me! how so?

THAIS. Because, while I endeavor, And study to restore your sister to you, This and much more I've suffer'd.

CHREM. Where's my sister?

THAIS. Within, at my house.