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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;1 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 stone2 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 you3 to be eaten and drunk to the dregs. CHAEREA
Agreed. PHAEDRIA
He quite deserves it.4 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 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."
2 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.
3 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.
4 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."
The Comedies of Terence. Henry Thomas Riley. Ney York. Harper and Brothers. 1874.
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