The Comedies of Terence Part 28

THRA. Say, is she delighted with it?

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 Held himself much obliged, whate'er I did: Not so to others.

GNAT. Men of wit, like you, The glory, got by others' care and toil, Often transfer unto themselves.

THRA. You've hit it.

GNAT. The king then held you----

THRA. Certainly.

GNAT. Most dear.

THRA. Most near. He trusted his whole army to me, His counsels.----

GNAT. Wonderful!

THRA. And then whene'er Satiety of company, or hate Of business seiz'd him--when he would repose---- As if----you understand me.

GNAT. Perfectly.

When he would--in a manner--clear his stomach Of all uneasiness.

THRA. The very thing.

On such occasions he chose none but me.

GNAT. Hui! there's a king indeed! a king of taste!

THRA. One of a thousand.

GNAT. Of a million sure!

--If he could live with you. (_Aside._)

THRA. The courtiers all Began to envy me, and rail'd in secret: I car'd not; whence their spleen increas'd the more.

One in particular, who had the charge Of th' Indian elephants; who grew at last So very troublesome, "I prithee, Strato, Are you so savage, and so fierce, (says I,) Because you're governor of the wild beasts?"

GNAT. Oh, finely said! and shrewdly! excellent!

Too hard upon him!--what said he to't?

THRA. Nothing.

GNAT. And how the devil should he?

PAR. Gracious Heav'n!

The stupid c.o.xcomb!--and that rascal too! (_Aside._)

THRA. Aye! but the story of the Rhodian, Gnatho!

How smart I was upon him at a feast---- Did I ne'er tell you?

GNAT. Never: but pray do!

--I've heard it o'er and o'er a thousand times. (_Aside._)

THRA. We were by chance together at a feast---- This Rhodian, that I told you of and I.---- I, as it happen'd, had a wench: the spark Began to toy with her, and laugh at me.

"Why how now, Impudence! (said I,) are you A _hare_ yourself, and yet would hunt for _game_?"

GNAT. Ha! ha! ha!

THRA. What's the matter?

GNAT. Ha! ha! ha!

Witty! smart! excellent! incomparable!

Is it your own? I swear I thought 'twas old.

THRA. Why, did you ever hear it?

GNAT. Very often; And reckon'd admirable.

THRA. 'Tis my own.

GNAT. And yet 'twas pity to be so severe On a young fellow, and a gentleman.

PAR. Ah! devil take you! (_Aside._)

GNAT. What became of him?

THRA. It did for him. The company were all Ready to die with laughing:--in a word, They dreaded me.

GNAT. No wonder.

THRA. Harkye, Gnatho!

Thais, you know, suspects I love this girl.

Shall I acquit myself?

GNAT. On no account.

Rather increase her jealousy.

THRA. And why?

GNAT. Why?--do you ask?--as if you didn't know!---- Whene'er she mentions Phaedria, or whene'er She praises him, to vex you----