The Comedies of Terence Part 29

THRA. I perceive.

GNAT. To hinder that, you've only this resource.

When she names Phaedria, name you Pamphila.

If she should say, "come! let's have Phaedria To dinner with us!"--"aye, and Pamphila To sing to us!"--if she praise Phaedria's person, Praise you the girl's! so give her t.i.t for tat, And gall her in her turn.

THRA. Suppose she lov'd me, This might avail me, Gnatho!

GNAT. While she loves The presents which you give, expecting more, So long she loves you; and so long you may Have pow'r to vex her. She will always fear To make you angry, lest some other reap The harvest, which she now enjoys alone.

THRA. You're right: and yet I never thought of it.

GNAT. Ridiculous! because you did not turn Your thoughts that way; or with how much more ease Would you have hit on this device yourself!

[Changes:

_Harper_ GNAT. Not so much with the gift itself, as that By you 'twas given: but therein she triumphs.

_Enter PARMENO behind._ PAR. I'm come to look about me, and observe A proper opportunity to bring My presents. But behold the Captain!

THRA. 'Tis Something, I know not how, peculiar to me, That all I do 's agreeable.

GNAT. In truth I have observ'd it.

THRA. E'en the King always _Colman 1768_ GNAT. Not for the present's sake so much, as that From you it was presented: But therein She truly triumphs.

_Enter PARMENO behind._ PAR. I'm upon the watch, To mark a proper opportunity To bring my presents. But behold the Captain? [with question mark]

THRA. It is, indeed, something, I know not how, Peculiar to me, do whate'er I please, It will appear agreeable.

GNAT. In truth I always have observ'd it.

THRA. Ev'n the King

_Harper_ THRA. One of a thousand.

GNAT. Of a million sure!

--If he could live with you.

_Colman 1768_ THRA. No general man, I promise you.

GNAT. Oh no!

He must have been particular indeed, If he convers'd with You.

If she should say, "come! let's have Phaedria ...

_quotation marks in this speech supplied from 1768 edition_]

SCENE II.

_Enter THAIS and PYTHIAS._

THAIS. I thought I heard the Captain's voice: and see!

Good-day, my Thraso!

THRA. Oh my Thais, welcome!

How does my sweeting?--are you fond of me For sending you that music-girl?

PAR. Oh brave!

He sets out n.o.bly!

THAIS. For your worth I love you.

GNAT. Come, let's to supper? why do you delay?

PAR. Mark t'other! he's a chip of the old block.

THAIS. I'm ready when you please.

PAR. I'll up to her, And seem as if but now come forth.--Ha! Thais, Where are you gadding?

THAIS. Well met, Parmeno!

I was just going----

PAR. Whither?

THAIS. Don't you see The Captain?

PAR. Yes, I see him--to my sorrow.

The presents from my master wait your pleasure.

THRA. Why do we stop thus? wherefore go not hence?

(_Angrily._)

PAR. Beseech you, Captain, let us, with your leave, Produce our presents, treat, and parley with her!

THRA. Fine gifts, I warrant you, compar'd with mine!

PAR. They'll answer for themselves--Holo, there! order The slaves, I told you, to come forth.--Here, this way!

_Enter a BLACK GIRL._

Do you stand forward!--This girl, ma'am, comes quite From Ethiopia.

THRA. Worth about three Minae.

GNAT. Scarce.

PAR. Ho! where are you, Dorus?--Oh, come hither!

_Enter CHaeREA in the Eunuch's habit._

An Eunuch, Madam! of a lib'ral air, And in his prime!

THAIS. Now as I live, he's handsome!

PAR. What say you, Gnatho? Is he despicable?

Or, Captain, what say you?--Dumb?--Praise sufficient; Try him in letters, exercises, music: In all the arts, a gentleman should know, I'll warrant him accomplish'd.

THRA. Troth, that Eunuch Is well enough.