Publii Terentii Carthaginiensis Afris poëtae lepidissimi comoediae sex Anglo-Latinae in usum ludi-discipulorum, quo Feliciùs venustatem linguae Latinae ad sermonem quotidianum exercendum assequantur / a Carolo Hoole ... = Six comedies of that excellent poet Publius Terentius, an African of Carthage, in English and Latine : for the use of young scholars, that they may the more readily attain the purity of the Latine tongue for common discourse / by Charles Hoole ...

Actus V. Scen. 2.

Chaerea, Thais, Pythias.

Ch.

AT Antipho's house, both his mother and father Were at home, as if it had been for the nonce, so as I could By no means go in, but they must see me. In the mean time Whilst I was standing at the door, an acquaintance of mine [line 5] Came and met me; when he saw me, I betook me to my heels as fast as I could, Into a back corner where no body dwelt, and from that Into another, and thence into another; so I became most wretched In running away, for fear any body should know me. But is this Thais, which I see? it is she. I am at a stand. [line 10] What shall I do? what is it to me? what will she do to me?

Th.

Let us go to him. Good man Dorus, God save you: tell me, did you run away?

Ch.

Mistress, I did so.

Th.

Do you like that very well?

Ch.

No.

Th.

Did you think you should go scot-free?

Ch.

Forgive me this one fault, And if ever I do any more, I will give you leave to kill me.

Th.

[line 15] Was you afraid of my cruelty?

Ch.

No.

Th.

What then?

Ch.

I was afraid of this woman, lest she should accuse me unto you.

Th.

What had you done?

Ch.

A very small matter.

Th.

Ah you shameless fellow, a small matter? Do you think it A small matter to defile a maid that is a Citizen?

Ch.

[line 20] I took her to be my fellow-servant.

Py.

Your fellow-ser∣vant? I can scarce refrain my self But I must flie about his ears; the ugly knave besides Cometh voluntarily to mock us.

Th.

Can you be gone you mad girle?

Py.

Why forsooth Should I go hence? should I believe that rogue in any thing? especially When he confesseth himself to be your servant?

Th.

[line 25] Let us see these things pass: Chaerea, you have not done As it became you; For though I very well deserve to have This abuse, yet you was an unmeet person to do it. Neither indeed do I know what course to take About this maid; you have put me to such a non-plus, [line 30] That I cannot restore her to her friends,

So as it was fitting; and as I endeavoured, That I might gain my self thanks for a compleat benefit, Chaerea.

Ch.

But I hope there will be henceforward a continual amity Betwixt us, Thais; for oft times from some such thing as this is, [line 35] And from a bad beginning, great acquaintance Hath grown. What if some God would have it thus?

Th.

Truly I construe it in that sense, and wish it may be so.

Ch.

Nay, I pray you, understand this one thing, that I did not do it To abuse you, but out of love.

Th.

I know it. [line 40] And therefore indeed I the rather pardon you. I am not of so unkind a nature, Chaerea, Nor so unexperienced, that I should not be able to know, what love can do.

Ch.

Thais, I swear, I love you too.

Py.

Then, Mistress, I perceive you had need to take heed of this fellow.

Ch.

[line 45] I dare not be so bold.

Py.

I do not trust you any whit at all.

Th.

Give over.

Ch.

Thais, I commit and commend my self to your fidelity. Now I beseech you be my helper in this matter. I desire you to be my patroness, and I beseech you: I wish I were dead, if I do not marry her hereafter.

Th.

[line 50] Yet if you father.

Ch.

What! I am sure be will be willing, If so be she be but a Citizen.

Th.

Tarry here a little If you will; the maids brother will be here by and by: He went to fetch the nurse, which nursed her when she was a little one. Chaerea, you your self shall be by at the owning of her.

Ch.

[line 55] I will indeed tarry.

Th.

Will you, in the mean time whilst he come, That we tarry at home rather, than here before the door?

Ch.

Yes, I am heartily willing to it.

Py.

I pray you, what are you going to do?

Th.

For why?

Py.

Do you ask? Do you think to entertain this fellow Into the house hereafter?

Th.

Why not?

Py.

Take this on my word, 60. He will make some bustle again.

Th.

Tush, I pray thee, hold thy tongue.

Py.

You seem not to have observed his boldness.

Ch.

Pythias, I will no do so.

Py.

Truly, Chaetea, I do not trust you; Ʋnless it be in a thing not committed to you.

Ch.

But, Pythias, Do you look to me.

Py.

Truly I dare neither commit any thing to you [line 65] To keep, nor take charge of you. Away with you.

Th.

Her brother is here in good time.

Ch.

Truly I am undone, I pray you Let us go hence in adoors, Thais. I am loth he should see mee In the street with these clothes.

Th.

Why so, for sooth; is it because you are ashamed?

Ch.

That is the matter.

Py.

That is the matter? a maid I warrant you?

Th.

Go before, I will come after: [line 70] Pythias, do you stay there, that you may bring in Chremes.