The Comedies of Terence Part 41

_PYTHIAS, PARMENO._

PYTH. (_behind_). 'Faith, Sirrah, I'll be handsomely revenged For all you've done and said. You shall not boast Your tricks on us without due punishment.

(_Aloud, coming forward._) Oh Heav'ns! oh dreadful deed! oh hapless youth!

Oh wicked Parmeno, that brought him here!

PAR. What now?

PYTH. It mov'd me so. I could not bear To see it: therefore I flew out o' doors.

What an example will they make of him!

PAR. Oh Jupiter! What tumult can this be?

Am I undone, or no?--I'll e'en inquire.

Pythias! (_going up._) What now? what is't you rave about?

Who's to be made this terrible example?

PYTH. Who? most audacious monster! while you meant To play your tricks on us, you have destroyed The youth whom you brought hither for the Eunuch.

PAR. How so? and what has happen'd? Prithee tell me!

PYTH. Tell you? D'ye know the virgin, that was sent To-day to Thais, is a citizen?

Her brother too a man of the first rank?

PAR. I did not know it.

PYTH. Aye, but so it seems.

The poor young spark abus'd the girl; a thing No sooner known, than he, the furious brother----

PAR. Did what?

PYTH. First bound him hand and foot----

PAR. How! bound him!

PYTH. And now, though Thais begged him not to do it----

PAR. How! what!

PYTH. Moreover threatens, he will serve him After the manner of adulterers; A thing I ne'er saw done, and ne'er desire.

PAR. How durst he offer at an act so monstrous?

PYTH. And why so monstrous?

PAR. Is it not most monstrous?

Who ever saw a young man seiz'd and bound For rapes and lewdness in a house of harlots?

PYTH. I don't know.

PAR. Aye; but you must all know this.

I tell you, and foretell you, that young spark Is my old master's son.

PYTH. Indeed, is he?

PAR. And let not Thais suffer any one To do him violence!--But why don't I Rush in myself?

PYTH. Ah! take care, Parmeno, What you're about; lest you do him no good, And hurt yourself: for they imagine you, Whatever has been done, the cause of all.

PAR. What shall I do then, wretch? what undertake?

--Oh! yonder's my old master, just return'd To town. Shall I tell him, or no?--I' faith I'll tell him, though I am well convinc'd it will Bring me into a sc.r.a.pe; a heavy one: And yet It must be done to help poor Chaerea.

PYTH. Right.

I'll in again; and you, in the mean while, Tell the old gentleman the whole affair. (_Exit._

[Changes:

_Harper_ Who ever saw a young man seiz'd and bound For rapes and lewdness in a house of harlots?

_Colman 1768_ Who ever saw a young man seiz'd by force, And punish'd for adultery in a brothel?

_Harper_ To do him violence!--But why don't I Rush in myself?

PYTH. Ah! take care, Parmeno _Colman 1768_ To do him any violence!--But why Don't I rush in myself?

PYTH. Ah! have a care

_Harper_ PAR. What shall I do then, wretch? what undertake?

--Oh! yonder's my old master, just return'd To town. Shall I tell him, or no?--I' faith I'll tell him, though I am well convinc'd it will Bring me into a sc.r.a.pe; a heavy one: And yet _Colman 1768_ PAR. What shall I do then? what resolve? Confusion!

--Oh! yonder's my old master, just return'd To town. Shall I tell _him_ of it, or no?

I'll tell him, tho' I am well convinc'd, the blame Will light on me, and heavily: And yet]

SCENE VI.

_Enter LACHES._

LACHES. I've this convenience from my neighb'ring villa; I'm never tir'd of country or of town.

For as disgust comes on, I change my place.

--But is not that our Parmeno? 'Tis he For certain.--Whom d'ye wait for, Parmeno, Before that door?

PAR. Who's that? Oh, Sir! you're welcome: I'm glad to see you safe return'd to town.

LACHES. Whom do you wait for?

PAR. I'm undone: my tongue Cleaves to my mouth through fear.

LACHES. Ha! what's the matter?

Why do you tremble so? Is all right? Speak!

PAR. First, Sir, I'd have you think, for so it is, Whatever has befall'n has not befall'n Through any fault of mine.

LACHES. What is't?