The Comedies of Terence Part 23

PHaeD. Or? no more.

THAIS. It shall not be: but you will grant me those.

PHaeD. Your will must be a law.

THAIS. Thanks, my sweet Phaedria!

PHaeD. I'll to the country: there consume myself For these two days: it must be so: we must Give way to Thais. See you, Parmeno, The slaves brought hither.

PAR. Sir, I will.

PHaeD. My Thais, For these two days farewell!

THAIS. Farewell, my Phaedria!

Would you aught else with me?

PHaeD. Aught else, my Thais?

Be with yon soldier present, as if absent: All night and day love me: still long for me: Dream, ponder still of me; wish, hope for me: Delight in me; be all in all with me; Give your whole heart, for mine's all yours, to me. (_Exeunt._

[Changes:

_Harper_ The truths I hear, I will conceal; whate'er Is false, or vain, or feign'd, I'll publish it.

_Colman 1768_ The truths I hear, I will conceal; but falsehood, Fiction, or gross pretence, shall out at once.]

_Harper_ PAR. Both these Are false, and shall go forth at large.

_Colman 1768_ PAR. These articles Are both rank falsehoods, and shall out.

PHaeD. I saw your story's drift.--"A little girl ...

That I to her relations might restore her----"

_Quotation marks supplied from 1768 edition.]

SCENE III.

_Manet THAIS._

Ah me! I fear that he believes me not, And judges of my heart from those of others.

I in my conscience know, that nothing false I have deliver'd, nor to my true heart Is any dearer than this Phaedria: And whatsoe'er in this affair I've done, For the girl's sake I've done: for I'm in hopes I know her brother, a right n.o.ble youth.

To-day I wait him, by his own appointment; Wherefore I'll in, and tarry for his coming.

ACT THE SECOND.

SCENE I.

_PHaeDRIA, PARMENO._

PHaeDRIA. Carry the slaves according to my order.

PAR. I will.

PHaeD. But diligently.

PAR. Sir, I will.

PHaeD. But soon.

PAR. I will, Sir!

PHaeD. Say, is it sufficient?

PAR. Ah! what a question's that? as if it were So difficult! I wish, Sir Phaedria, You could gain aught so easy, as lose these.

PHaeD. I lose, what's dearer yet, my comfort with them.

Repine not at my gifts.

PAR. Not I: moreover I will convey them straight. But have you any Other commands?

PHaeD. Oh yes: set off our presents With words as handsome as you can: and drive, As much as possible, that rival from her!

PAR. Ah, Sir, I should, of course, remember that.

PHaeD. I'll to the country, and stay there.

PAR. O, aye! (_Ironically._)

PHaeD. But hark you!

PAR. Sir, your pleasure?

PHaeD. Do you think I can with constancy hold out, and not Return before my time?

PAR. Hold out? Not you.

Either you'll straight return, or soon at night Your dreams will drive you out o' doors.

PHaeD. I'll toil; That, weary, I may sleep against my will.

PAR. Weary you may be; but you'll never sleep.

PHaeD. Ah, Parmeno, you wrong me. I'll cast out This treacherous softness from my soul, nor thus Indulge my pa.s.sions. Yes, I could remain, If need, without her even three whole days.

PAR. Hui! three whole livelong days! consider, Sir.

PHaeD. I am resolved.