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Enter THAIS from her house, followed by PYTHIAS.

THAIS
What! do you persist, hussy, in talking ambiguously to me? "I do know;" "I don't know;" "he has gone off;" "I have heard;" "I wasn't there." Don't you mean to tell me plainly, whatever it is? The girl in tears, with her garments torn, is mute; the Eunuch is off: for what reason? What has happened? Won't you speak?

PYTHIAS
Wretch that I am, what am I to say to you? They declare that he was not a Eunuch.

THAIS
What was he then?

PYTHIAS
That Chaerea.

THAIS
What Chaerea?

PYTHIAS
That stripling, the brother of Phaedria.

THAIS
What's that you say, you hag?

PYTHIAS
And I am satisfied of it.

THAIS
Pray, what business had he at my house? What brought him there?

PYTHIAS
I don't know; unless, as I suppose, he was in love with Pamphila.

THAIS
Alas! to my confusion, unhappy woman that I am, I'm undone, if what you tell me is true. Is it about this that the girl is crying?

PYTHIAS
I believe so.

THAIS
How say you, you arch-jade? Did I not warn you about this very thing, when I was going away from here?

PYTHIAS
What could I do? Just as you ordered, she was intrusted to his care only.

THAIS
Hussy, I've been intrusting the sheep to the wolf. I'm quite ashamed to have been imposed upon in this way. What sort of man was he?

PYTHIAS
Hush! hush! mistress, pray; we are all right. Here we have the very man.

THAIS
Where is he?

PYTHIAS
Why there, to the left. Don't you see?

THAIS
I see.

PYTHIAS
Order him to be seized as quickly as possible.

THAIS
What can we do to him, simpleton?

PYTHIAS
What do to him, do you ask? Pray, do look at him; if his face doesn't seem an impudent one.

THAIS
Not at all.

PYTHIAS
Besides, what effrontery he has.


Enter CHAEREA, in the EUNUCH'S dress, on the other side of the stage.

CHAEREA
to himself. At Antipho's,1 both of them, father and mother, just as if on purpose, were at home, so that I couldn't any way get in, but that they must have seen me. In the mean time, while I was standing before the door, a certain acquaintance of mine was coming full upon me. When I espied him, I took to my heels as fast as I could down a narrow unfrequented alley; thence again to another, and thence to another; thus have I been most dreadfully harassed with running about, that no one might recognize me. But isn't this Thais that I see? It is she. I'm at a stand. What shall I do? But what need I care? What can she do to me?

THAIS
to PYTHIAS. Let's accost him. To CHAEREA. Good Mister Dorus, welcome; tell me, have you been running away?

CHAEREA
Madam, I did so.

THAIS
Are you quite pleased with it?

CHAEREA
No.

THAIS
Do you fancy that you'll get off with impunity?

CHAEREA
Forgive this one fault; if I'm ever guilty of another, then kill me.

THAIS
Were you in fear of my severity?

CHAEREA
No.

THAIS
No? What then?

CHAEREA
pointing at PYTHIAS. I was afraid of her, lest she might be accusing me to you.

THAIS
What had you done?

CHAEREA
A mere trifle.

PYTHIAS
Come now, a trifle, you impudent fellow. Does this appear a trifle to you, to ravish a virgin, a citizen?

CHAEREA
I took her for my fellow-servant.

PYTHIAS
Fellow-servant? I can hardly restrain myself from flying at his hair. A miscreant! Even of his own free will he comes to make fun of us.

THAIS
to PYTHIAS. Won't you begone from here, you mad woman?

PYTHIAS
Why so? Really, I do believe I should be something in this hang-dog's debt, if I were to do so; especially as he owns that he is your servant.

THAIS
We'll pass that by. Chaerea, you have behaved unworthily of yourself; for if I am deserving in the highest degree of this affront, still it is unbecoming of you to be guilty of it. And, upon my faith, I do not know what method now to adopt about this girl: you have so confounded all my plans, that I can not possibly return her to her friends in such a manner as is befitting and as I had intended; in order that, by this means, I might, Chaerea, do a real service to myself.

CHAEREA
But now, from henceforth, I hope, Thais, that there will be lasting good-will between us. Many a time, from some affair of this kind and from a bad beginning, great friendships have sprung up. What if some Divinity has willed this?

THAIS
I'faith, for my own part I both take it in that view and wish to do so.

CHAEREA
Yes, prithee, do so. Be sure of this one thing, that I did not do it for the sake of affronting you, but in consequence of passion.

THAIS
I understand, and, i'faith, for that reason do I now the more readily forgive you. I am not, Chaerea, of a disposition so ungentle, or so inexperienced, as not to know what is the power of love.

CHAEREA
So may the Deities kindly bless me, Thais; I am now smitten with you as well.

PYTHIAS
Then, i'faith, mistress, I foresee you must have a care of him.

CHAEREA
I would not dare----

PYTHIAS
I won't trust you at all in any thing.

THAIS
to PYTHIAS. Do have done.

CHAEREA
Now I entreat you that you will be my assistant in this affair. I intrust and commit myself to your care; I take you, Thais, as my protectress; I implore you; I shall die if I don't have her for my wife.

THAIS
But if your father should say any thing----

CHAEREA
Oh, he'll consent, I'm quite sure of that, if she is only a citizen.

THAIS
If you will wait a little, the brother himself of the young woman will be here presently; he has gone to fetch the nurse, who brought her up when a little child; you yourself, shall be present Chaerea, at his recognition of her.

CHAEREA
I certainly will stay.

THAIS
In the mean time, until he comes, would you prefer that we should wait for him in the house, rather than here before the door?

CHAEREA
Why yes, I should like it much.

PYTIH.
to THAIS. Prithee, what are you going to do?

THAIS
Why, what's the matter?

PYTHIAS
Do you ask? Do you think of admitting him after this into your house?

THAIS
Why not?

PYTHIAS
Trust my word for it, he'll be creating some new disturbance.

THAIS
O dear, prithee, do hold your tongue.

PYTHIAS
You seem to me to be far from sensible of his assurance.

CHAEREA
I'll not do any thing, Pythias.

PYTHIAS
Upon my faith, I don't believe you, Chaerea, except in case you are not trusted.

CHAEREA
Nay but, Pythias, do you be my keeper.

PYTHIAS
Upon my faith, I would neither venture to give any thing to you to keep, nor to keep you myself: away with you!

THAIS
Most opportunely the brother himself is coming.

CHAEREA
I'faith, I'm undone. Prithee, let's be gone in-doors, Thais. I don't want him to see me in the street with this dress on.

THAIS
For what reason, pray? Because you are ashamed?

CHAEREA
Just so.

PYTHIAS
Just so? But the young woman----

THAIS
Go first; I'll follow. You stay here, Pythias, that you may show Chremes in. THAIS and CHAEREA go into the house.


Enter CHREMES and SOPHRONA.

PYTHIAS
to herself. Well! what now can suggest itself to my mind? What, I wonder, in order that I may repay the favor to that villain who palmed this fellow off upon us?

CHREMES
Really, do bestir yourself more quickly, nurse.

SOPHRONA
I am bestirring.

CHREMES
So I see; but you don't stir forward.

PYTHIAS
to CHREMES. Have you yet shown the tokens to the nurse?

CHREMES
All of them.

PYTHIAS
Prithee, what does she say? Does she recognize them?

CHREMES
Yes, with a full recollection of them.

PYTHIAS
Upon my faith, you do bring good news; for I really wish well to this young woman. Go in-doors: my mistress has been for some time expecting you at home. CHREMES and SOPHRONA go into THAIS'S house. But look, yonder I espy that worthy fellow, Parmeno, coming: just see, for heaven's sake, how leisurely he moves along. I hope I have it in my power to torment him after my own fashion. I'll go in-doors, that I may know for certain about the discovery; afterward I'll come out, and give this villain a terrible fright. Goes into the house.


Enter PAIMENO.

PARMENO
to himself. I've just come back to see what Chaerea has been doing here. If he has managed the affair with dexterity, ye Gods, by our trust in you, how great and genuine applause will Parmeno obtain! For not to mention that a passion, full of difficulty and expense, with which he was smitten for a virgin, belonging to an extortionate courtesan, I've found means of satisfying for him, without molestation, without outlay, and without cost; then, this other point-that is really a thing that I consider my crowning merit, to have found out the way by which a young man may be enabled to learn the dispositions and manners of courtesans, so that by knowing them betimes, he may detest them ever after. PYTHIAS enters from the house unperceived. For while they are out of doors, nothing seems more cleanly, nothing more neat or more elegant; and when they dine with a gallant, they pick daintily about:2 to see the filth, the dirtiness, the neediness of these women; how sluttish they are when at home, and how greedy after victuals; in what a fashion they devour the black bread with yesterday's broth:--to know all this, is salvation to a young man.< Enter PYTHIAS from the house.

PYTHIAS
apart, unseen by PARMENO. Upon my faith, you villain, I'll take vengeance upon you for these sayings and doings; so that you sha'n't make sport of us with impunity. Aloud, coming forward. O, by our trust in the Gods, what a disgraceful action! O hapless young man! O wicked Parmeno, to have brought him here!

PARMENO
What's the matter?

PYTHIAS
I do pity him; and so that I mightn't see it, wretched creature that I am, I hurried away out of doors. What a dreadful example they talk of making him!

PARMENO
O Jupiter! What is this tumult? Am I then undone? I'll accost her. What's all this, Pythias? What are you saying? An example made of whom?

PYTHIAS
Do you ask the question, you most audacious fellow? You've proved the ruin of the young man whom you brought hither for the Eunuch, while you were trying to put a trick upon us.

PARMENO
How so, or what has happened? Tell me.

PYTHIAS
I'll tell you: that young woman who was to-day made a present to Thais, are you aware that she is a citizen of this place, and that her brother is a person of very high rank?

PARMENO
I didn't know that.

PYTHIAS
But so she has been discovered to be; he, unfortunate youth, has ravished her. When the brother came to know of this being done, in a most towering rage, he----

PARMENO
Did what, pray?

PYTHIAS
First, bound him in a shocking manner.

PARMENO
Bound him?

PYTHIAS
And even though Thais entreated him that he wouldn't do so----

PARMENO
What is it you tell me?

PYTHIAS
Now he is threatening that he will also do that which is usually done to ravishers; a thing that I never saw done, nor wish to.

PARMENO
With what assurance does he dare perpetrate a crime so heinous?

PYTHIAS
How "so heinous?"

PARMENO
Is it not most heinous? Who ever saw any one taken up as a ravisher in a courtesan's house?

PYTHIAS
I don't know.

PARMENO
But that you mayn't be ignorant of this, Pythias, I tell you, and give you notice that he is my master's son.

PYTHIAS
How! Prithee, is it he?

PARMENO
Don't let Thais suffer any violence to be done to him. But why don't I go in myself?

PYTHIAS
Take care, Parmeno, what you are about, lest you both do him no good and come to harm yourself; for it is their notion, that whatever has happened, has originated in you.

PARMENO
What then, wretch that I am, shall I do, or how resolve? But look, I see the old gentleman returning from the country; shall I tell him or shall I not? By my troth, I will tell him; although I am certain that a heavy punishment is in readiness for me; but it's a matter of necessity, in order that he may rescue him.

PYTHIAS
You are wise. I'm going in-doors; do you relate to him every thing exactly as it happened. Goes into the house.


Enter LACHES.

LACHES
to himself. I have this advantage3 from my country-house being so near at hand; no weariness, either of country or of town, ever takes possession of me; when satiety begins to come on, I change my locality. But is not that our Parmeno? Surely it is he. Whom are you waiting for, Parmeno, before the door here?

PARMENO
pretends not to see him. Who is it Turning round. Oh, I'm glad that you have returned safe.

LACHES
Whom are you waiting for?

PARMENO
aside. I'm undone: my tongue cleaves to my mouth through fright.

LACHES
Why, what is it you are trembling about? Is all quite right? Tell me.

PARMENO
Master, in the first place, I would have you persuaded of what is the fact; whatever has happened in this affair has happened through no fault of mine.

LACHES
What is it?

PARMENO
Really you have reason to ask. I ought first to have told you the circumstances. Phaedria purchased a certain Eunuch, to make a present of to this woman here.

LACHES
To what woman?

PARMENO
To Thais.

LACHES
Bought? Good heavens, I'm undone! For how much?

PARMENO
Twenty minae.

LACHES
Done for, quite.

PARMENO
Then, Chaerea is in love with a certain music-girl here. Pointing to THAIS'S house.

LACHES
How! What? In love? Does he know already what a courtesan means? Is he come to town? One misfortune close upon another.

PARMENO
Master, don't look so at me; he didn't do these things by my encouragement.

LACHES
Leave off talking about yourself. If I live, you hang-dog, I'll---- But first give me an account of it, whatever it is.

PARMENO
He was taken to the house of Thais in place of the Eunuch.

LACHES
In place of the Eunuch?

PARMENO
Such is the fact. They have since apprehended him in the house as a ravisher, and bound him.

LACHES
Death!

PARMENO
Mark the assurance of courtesans.

>LACH.
Is there any other calamity or misfortune besides, that you have not told me of?

PARMENO
That's all.

LACHES
Do I delay rushing in here? Runs into the house of THAIS.

PARMENO
to himself. There's no doubt but that I shall have a heavy punishment for this affair, only that I was obliged to act thus. I'm glad of this, that some mischief will befall these women here through my agency, for the old man has, for a long time, been on the look-out for some occasion4 to do them a bad turn; at last he has found it.


Enter PYTHIAS from the house of THAIS, laughing.

PYTHIAS
to herself, on entering. Never, upon my faith, for a long time past, has any thing happened to me that I could have better liked to happen, than the old gentleman just now, full of his mistake, coming into our house. I had the joke all to myself, as I knew5 what it was he feared.

PARMENO
apart. Why, what's all this?

PYTHIAS
Now I'm come out to meet with Parmeno. But, prithee, where is he? Looking around.

PARMENO
apart. She's looking for me.

PYTHIAS
And there he is, I see; I'll go up to him.

PARMENO
What's the matter, simpleton? What do you mean? What are you laughing about? Still going on?

PYTHIAS
laughing. I'm dying; I'm wretchedly tired with laughing at you.

PARMENO
Why so?

PYTHIAS
Do you ask? Upon my faith, I never did see, nor shall see, a more silly fellow. Oh dear, I can not well express what amusement you've afforded in-doors. And still I formerly took you to be a clever and shrewd person. Why, was there any need for you instantly to believe what I told you? Or were you not content with the crime, which by your advice the young man had been guilty of, without betraying the poor fellow to his father as well? Why, what do you suppose his feelings must have been at the moment when his father saw him clothed in that dress? Well, do you now understand that you are done for? Laughing.

PARMENO
Hah! what is it you say, you hussy? Have you been telling me lies? What, laughing still? Does it appear so delightful to you, you jade, to be making fools of us?

PYTHIAS
laughing. Very much so.

PARMENO
Yes, indeed, if you can do it with impunity.

PYTHIAS
Exactly so.

PARMENO
By heavens, I'll repay you!

PYTHIAS
I believe you; but, perhaps, that which you are threatening, Parmeno, will need a future day; you'll be trussed up directly, for rendering a silly young man remarkable for disgraceful conduct, and then betraying him to his father; they'll both be making an example of you. Laughing.

PARMENO
I'm done for!

PYTHIAS
This reward has been found you in return for that present of yours;6 I'm off. Goes into the house.

PARMENO
to himself. Wretch that I am; just like a rat, this day I've come to destruction through betrayal of myself.7


Enter THRASO and GNATHO.

GNATHO
to THRASO. Well now? With what hope, or what design, are we come hither? What do you intend to do, Thraso?

THRASO
What, I? To surrender myself to Thais, and do what she bids me.

GNATHO
What is it you say?

THRASO
Why any the less so, than Hercules served Omphale.8

GNATHO
The precedent pleases me. Aside. I only wish I may see your head stroked down with a slipper;9 but her door makes a noise.

THRASO
Confusion! Why, what mischiefs this? I never saw this person before; why, I wonder, is he rushing out in such a hurry? They stand aside.


Enter CHAEREA from the house of THAIS, on the other side of the stage.

CHAEREA
to himself, aloud. O fellow-townsmen, is there any one alive more fortunate than me this day? Not any one, upon my faith: for clearly in me have the Gods manifested all their power, on whom, thus suddenly, so many blessings are bestowed.

PARMENO
apart. Why is he thus overjoyed?

CHAEREA
seeing PARMENO, and running up to him. O my dear Parmeno, the contriver, the beginner, the perfecter of all my delights, do you know what are my transports? Are you aware that my Pamphila has been discovered to be a citizen?

PARMENO
I have heard so.

CHAEREA
Do you know that she is betrothed to me?

PARMENO
So may the Gods bless me, happily done.

GNATHO
apart to THRASO. Do you hear what he says?

CHAEREA
And then, besides, I am delighted that my brother's mistress is secured to him; the family is united. Thais has committed herself to the patronage of my father;10 she has put herself under our care and protection.

PARMENO
Thais, then, is wholly your brother's.

CHAEREA
Of course.

PARMENO
Then this is another reason for us to rejoice, that the Captain will be beaten out of doors.

CHAEREA
Wherever my brother is, do you take care that he hears this as soon as possible.

PARMENO
I'll go look for him at home. Goes into the house of LACHES.

THRASO
apart to GNATHO. Do you at all doubt, Gnatho, but that I am now ruined everlastingly?

GNATHO
to THRASO. Without doubt, I do think so.

CHAEREA
to himself. What am I to make mention of first, or commend in especial? Him who gave me the advice to do so, or myself, who ventured to undertake it? Or ought I to extol fortune, who has been my guide, and has so opportunely crowded into a single day events so numerous, so important; or my father's kindness and indulgence Oh Jupiter, I entreat you, do preserve these blessings unto us! Enter PHAEDRIA from the house of LACHES.

PHAEDRIA
to himself. Ye Gods, by our trust in you, what incredible things has Parmeno just related to me! But where is my brother?

CHAEREA
stepping forward. Here he is.

PHAEDRIA
I'm overjoyed.

CHAEREA
I quite believe you. There is no one, brother, more worthy to be loved than this Thais of yours: so much is she a benefactress to all our family.

PHAEDRIA
Whew! are you commending her too to me?

THRASO
apart. I'm undone; the less the hope I have, the more I am in love. Prithee, Gnatho, my hope is in you.

GNATHO
apart. What do you wish me to do?

THRASO
apart. Bring this about, by entreaties or with money, that I may at least share Thais's favors in some degree.

GNATHO
apart. It's a hard task.

THRASO
apart. If you set your mind on any thing, I know you well. If you manage this, ask me for any present you like as your reward; you shall have what you ask.

GNATHO
apart. Is it so?

THRASO
apart. It shall be so.

GNATHO
apart. If I manage this, I ask that your house, whether you are present or absent, may be open to me; that, without invitation, there may always be a place for me.

THRASO
apart. I pledge my honor that it shall be so.

GNATHO
apart. I'll set about it then.

PHAEDRIA
Who is it I hear so close at hand? Turning round. O Thraso----

THRASO
coming forward. Save you both----

PHAEDRIA
Perhaps you are not aware what has taken place here.

THRASO
I am quite aware.

PHAEDRIA
Why, then, do I see you in this neighborhood?

THRASO
Depending on your kindness.

PHAEDRIA
Do you know what sort of dependence you have? Captain, I give you notice, if ever I catch you in this street again, even if you should say to me, "I was looking for another person, I was on my road this way," you are undone.

GNATHO
Come, come, that's not handsome.

PHAEDRIA
I've said it.

GNATHO
I didn't know you gave yourself such airs.

PHAEDRIA
So it shall be.

GNATHO
First hear a few words from me; and when I have said the thing, if you approve of it, do it.

PHAEDRIA
Let's hear.

GNATHO
Do you step a little that way, Thraso. THRASO stands aside. In the firs place, I wish you both implicitly to believe me in this, that whatever I do in this matter, I do it entirely for my own sake; but if the same thing is of advantage to yourselves, it would be folly for you not to do it.

PHAEDRIA
What is it?

GNATHO
I'm of opinion that the Captain, your rival, should be received among you.

PHAEDRIA
starting. Hah!

CHAEREA
Be received?

GNATHO
to PHAEDRIA. Only consider. I'faith, Phaedria, at the free rate you are living with her, and indeed very freely you are living, you have but little to give; and it's necessary for Thais to receive a good deal. That all this may be supplied for your amour and not at your own expense, there is not an individual better suited or more fitted for your purpose than the Captain. In the first place, he both.has got enough to give, and no one does give more profusely. He is a fool, a dolt, a blockhead; night and day he snores away; and you need not fear that the lady will fall in love with him; you may easily have him discarded whenever you please.

CHAEREA
to PHAEDRIA. What shall we do?

GNATHO
And this besides, which I deem to be of even greater importance,--not a single person entertains in better style or more bountifully.

CHAEREA
It's a wonder if this sort of man can not be made use of in some way or other.

PHAEDRIA
I think so too.

GNATHO
You act properly. One thing I have still to beg of you,--that you'll receive me into your fraternity; I've been rolling that stone11 for a considerable time past.

PHAEDRIA
We admit you.

CHAEREA
And with all my heart.

GNATHO
Then I, in return for this, Phaedria, and you, Chaerea, make him over to you12 to be eaten and drunk to the dregs.

CHAEREA
Agreed.

PHAEDRIA
He quite deserves it.13

GNATHO
calling to THRASO. Thraso, whenever you please, step this way.

THRASO
Prithee, how goes it?

GNATHO
How? Why, these people didn't know you; after I had discovered to them your qualities, and had praised you as your actions and your virtues deserved, I prevailed upon them.

THRASO
You have managed well; I give you my best thanks. Besides, I never was any where but what all were extremely fond of me.

GNATHO
to PHAEDRIA and CHAEREA. Didn't I tell you that he was a master of the Attic elegance?

PHAEDRIA
He is no other than you mentioned. Pointing to his FATHER'S house. Walk this way. To the AUDIENCE. Fare you well, and grant us your applause.

1 At Antipho's: Madame Decier here observes that Chaerea assigns very natural reasons for not having changed his dress; in which the art of Terence is evident, since the sequel of the Play makes it absolutely necessary that Chaerea should appear again before Thais in the habit which he wore while in the house.

2 Pick daintily about: He seems here to reprehend the same practice against which Ovid warns his fair readers, in his Art of Love, B. iii. l. 75. He says, "Do not first take food at home," when about to go to an entertainment. Westerhovius seems to think that "ligurio" means, not to "pick daintily," but "to be fond of good eating;" and refers to the Bacchides of Plautus as portraying courtesans of the "ligurient" kind, and finds another specimen in Bacchis in: the Heautontimorumenos.

3 This advantage: Donatus here observes that the Poet introduces Laches, as he has Parmeno just before, in a state of perfect tranquillity, that their sudden change of feeling may be the more diverting to the Audience.

4 For some occasion: We learn from Donatus that Menander was more explicit concerning the resentment of Laches against Thais, on account of her having corrupted Phaedria.

5 As I knew: She enjoyed it the more, knowing that the old man had nothing to fear, as he had just heard the fiction which she had imparted to Parmeno. Donatus observes that the terror of Laches accounts for his sudden consent to the union of Chaerea with Pamphila; for though he could not settle the matter any other way with credit, he was glad to find that his son had made an unequal match rather than endangered his life. Colman, however, observes with considerable justice: "I think Chaerea apologizes still better for this arrangement in the Scene with Thais at the opening of this Act, where he says that he is confident of obtaining his father's consent, provided Pamphila proves to be a citizen; and, indeed, the match between them is rather a reparation of an injury done to her than a degradation of himself."

6 In return for that present of yours: By the present she means Chaerea in the disguise of the Eunuch.

7 Through betrayal of myself: Which betrays itself by its own squeaking.

8 Hercules served Omphale: He alludes to the story of Omphale, Queen of Lydia, and Hercules. Being violently in love with her, the hero laid aside his club and boar's skin, and in the habit of a woman plied the spindle and distaff with her maids. See a curious story of Omphale, Hercules, and Faunus, in the Fasti of Ovid, B. ii. l. 305. As to the reappearance of Thraso here, Colman has the following remarks: "Thraso, says Donatus, is brought back again in order to be admitted to some share in the good graces of Thais, that he may not be made unhappy at the end of the Play; but surely it is an essential part of the poetical justice of Comedy to expose coxcombs to ridicule and to punish them, though without any shocking severity, for their follies."

9 With a slipper: He doubtless alludes to the treatment of Hercules by Omphale; and, according to Lucian, there was a story that Omphale used to beat him with her slipper or sandal. On that article of dress, see the Notes to the Trinummus of Plautus, 1. 252.

10 To the patronage of my father: It was the custom at Athens for strangers, such as Thais was, to put themselves under the protection (in clientelam) of some wealthy citizen, who, as their patron, was bound to protect them against injury. An exactly parallel case to the present is found in the Miles Gloriosus of Plautus, 1. 799, where the wealthy Periplecomenus says, "Habeo, eccillam, meam clientam, meretricem adolescentulam." "Why, look, I have one, a dependent of mine, a courtesan, a very young woman."

11 Been rolling that stone: Donatus thinks that he alludes to the story of Sisyphus, who, in the Infernal Regions, was condemned eternally to roll a stone up a hill, which, on arriving at the summit, immediately fell to the bottom.

12 Make him over to you)--Ver. 1086.. "Vobis propino." The word "propino" was properly applied to the act of tasting a cup of wine, and then handing it to another; he means that he has had his taste of the Captain, and is now ready to hand him over to them.

13 He quite deserves it)--Ver 1087. Cooke has the following appropriate remark: "I can not think that this Play, excellent as it is in almost all other respects, concludes consistently with the manners of gentlemen; there is a meanness in Phaedria and Chaerea consenting to take Thraso into their society, with a view of fleecing him, which the Poet should have avoided."

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