The Comedies of Terence Part 31

CHRE. I am going Into the country.

PYTH. Nay, now prithee come?

CHRE. I can't, I tell you.

PYTH. Walk in, then, and stay Till she returns herself.

CHRE. Not I.

PYTH. And why, Dear Chremes?

CHRE. Go, and hang yourself!

PYTH. Well, Sir, Since you're so positive, shall I entreat you To go to her?

CHRE. I will.

PYTH. Here, Dorias! (_A maid-servant enters._) Conduct this gentleman to Captain Thraso's.

(_PYTHIAS re-enters.--CHREMES goes out another way with DORIAS._)

[Changes:

_Harper_ CHRE. Go, and hang yourself!

_Colman 1768_ CHRE. Off, you saucy s.l.u.t!]

SCENE V.

_ANTIPHO alone._

But yesterday a knot of us young fellows a.s.sembled at Piraeus, and agreed To club together for a feast to-day.

Chaerea had charge of all; the rings were given, And time and place appointed.--The time's past; No entertainment's at the place; and Chaerea Is nowhere to be found.--I can't tell what To think on't.--Yet the rest of my companions Have all commission'd me to seek him out.

I'll see if he's at home;--but who comes here From Thais?--Is it he, or no?--'Tis he.---- --What manner of man's here?--what habit's that?

--What mischief has the rogue been at? I'm all Astonishment, and can not guess.--But I'll Withdraw a while, and try to find it out. (_Retires._)

[Changes:

_Harper_ Is nowhere to be found.--I can't tell what To think on't.--Yet the rest of my companions Have all commission'd me to seek him out.

_Colman 1768_ Is no where to be met with.--For my part, I'm quite to seek in this; and what to say, Or guess, I know not.--Yet the company Have all commission'd me to find him out.

_Harper_ --What mischief has the rogue been at? I'm all Astonishment, and can not guess.--But I'll Withdraw a while, and try to find it out.

_Colman 1768_ --What mischief is the meaning of all this?

I'm all astonishment, and can not guess.

But I'll withdraw a while, and try to learn.]

SCENE VI.

_Enter CHaeREA, in the Eunuch's habit._

CHaeR. (_looking about_). Is any body here?--No, n.o.body.

Does any follow me?--No, n.o.body.

May I then let my ecstasy break forth!

O Jupiter! 'tis now the very time, When I could suffer to be put to death, Lest not another transport like to this, Remain in life to come.--But is there not Some curious impertinent to come Across me now, and murder me with questions?

--To ask, why I'm so flutter'd? why so joyful?

Whither I'm going? whence I came? and where I got this habit? what I'm looking after?

Whether I'm in my senses? or stark mad?

ANTI. I'll go myself, and do that kindness to him.

Chaerea, (_advancing_,) what's all this flutter? what's this dress?

What is't transports you? what d'ye want? art mad?

Why do ye start at me? and why not speak?

CHaeR. O happy, happy day!--Save you, dear friend!

There's not a man on earth I'd rather see This moment than yourself.

ANTI. Come, tell me all!

CHaeR. Tell you! I will beseech you give me hearing.

D'ye know my brother's mistress here?

ANTI. Yes: Thais, Or I'm deceiv'd.

CHaeR. The same.

ANTI. I do remember.

CHaeR. To-day a girl was sent a present to her.

Why need I speak or praise her beauty now To you, that know me, and my taste so well?

She set me all on fire.

ANTI. Is she so handsome?

CHaeR. Most exquisite: Oh, had you but once seen her, You would p.r.o.nounce her, I am confident, The first of womankind.--But to be brief, I fell in love with her.--By great good luck There was at home an Eunuch, which my brother Had bought for Thais, but not yet sent thither.

--I had a gentle hint from Parmeno, Which I seiz'd greedily.

ANTI. And what was that?

CHaeR. Peace, and I'll tell you.--To change dresses with him, And order Parmeno to carry me Instead of him.

ANTI. How? for an Eunuch, you?

CHaeR. E'en so.

ANTI. What good could you derive from that?

CHaeR. What good!--why, see, and hear, and be with her I languish'd for, my Antipho!--was that An idle reason, or a trivial good?

--To Thais I'm deliver'd; she receives me, And carries me with joy into her house; Commits the charming girl----