Phad. AND what then shall I do"? not go? not
When she herself invites me? or were't best
Fashion my mind no longer to endure
These harlots' impudence ?-Shut out! recall'd!
Shall I return? No, not if she implore me.
Par. Oh brave! oh excellent! if you maintain it!
But if you try, and can't go thro' with spirit,
And finding you can't bear it, uninvited,
Your peace unmade, all of your own accord,
You conie and swear you love, and can't endure it,
Good night! all's over! ruin'd and undone!
She'll jilt you, when she sees you in her pow'r.
Phæd. You then, in time consider and advise!
Par. Master! the thing which hath not in itself
Or measure or advice, advice can't rule.
In love are all these ills: suspicions, quarrels,
Wrongs, reconcilements, war, and peace again :
Things thus uncertain, if by reason's rules
You'd certain make, it were as wise a task
To try with reason to run mad 14. And now
What you in anger meditate-I her?
That him?---that me?---that would not---pardon me !1s
I would die rather: No! she shall perceive
How much I am a man.---Big words like these,
She in good faith with one false tiny drop,
Which, after grievous rubbing, from her eyes
Can scarce perforce be squeez'd, shall overcome.
Nay, she shall swear, 'twas you in fault, not she;
You too shall own th' offence, and pray for pardon.
Phæd. Oh monstrous ! monstrous! Now indeed I see
How false she is, and what a wretch I am!
Spite of myself I love; and knowing, feeling,
With open eyes run on to my destruction;
And what to do I know not.
Par. What to do?
What should you do, sir, but redeem yourself
As cheaply as you can ?-at easy rates
If possible---if not---at any rate---
And never vex yourself.
Phad. Is that your counsel ?
Par. Ay, if you're wise; and do not add to love
More troubles than it has, and those it has
Bear bravely! But she comes, our ruin comes;
For she, like storms of hail on fields of corn,
Beats down our hopes, and carries all before her.
Thais. Ah me! I fear lest Phædria take offence,
And think I meant it other than I did,
That he was not admitted yesterday.
[to herself; not seeing them.
Phæd. I tremble, Parmeno, and freeze with horror.
Par. Be of good cheer! approach yon fire---she'll
Thais. Who's there? My Phædria? Why did you
Why not directly enter?
Par. Not one word
Of having shut him out!
Thais. Why don't you speak?
Phæd. Because, forsooth, these doors will always fly Open to me, or that because I stand
The first in your good graces.
Thais. Nay, no more!
Phæd. No more ?---O Thais, Thais, would to
Our loves were parallel, that things like these
Might torture you, as this has tortur'd me;
Or that your actions were indifferent to me!
Thais. Grieve not, I beg, my love, my Phædria!
Not that I lov'd another more, I did this;
But I by circumstance was forc'd to do it.
Par. So then, it seems, for very love, poor soul,
You shut the door in's teeth.
Thais. Ah, Parmeno!
Is't thus you deal with me? Go to!---But hear
Why I did call you hither.
Phæd. Be it so.
Thais. But tell me first, can yon slave hold his
Par. I oh most faithfully: But hark ye, madam!
On this condition do I bind my faith:
The truths I hear, I will conceal; but falsehood,
Fiction, or gross pretence, shall out at once.
I'm full of chinks, and run through here and there:
So if you claim my secresy, speak truth.
Thais. My mother was a Samian, liv'd at Rhodes".
Par. This sleeps in silence.
Thais. There a certain merchant
Made her a present of a little girl,
Stol'n hence from Attica.
Phæd. A citizen?
Thais. I think so, but we cannot tell for certain :
Her father's and her mother's name she told
Herself; her country, and the other marks
Of her original, she neither knew,
Nor from her age, was't possible she should.
The merchant added further, that the pirates,
Of whom he bought her, let him understand,
She had been stol'n from Sunium 18. My mother
Gave her an education, brought her up.
In all respects as she had been her own;
And she in gen❜ral was suppos'd my sister.
I journied hither with the gentleman
To whom alone I was connected then,
The same who left me all I have.
Par. These articles
Are both rank falsehoods, and shall out.
Par. Because nor you with one could be content,
Nor he alone enrich'd you; for my master
Made good and large addition.
Thais. I allow it.
But let me hasten to the point I wish.
Meantime the Captain, who was then but young
In his attachment to me, went to Caria".
1, in his absence", was address'd by you;
Since when, full well you know, how very dear
I've held you, and have trusted you with all
My nearest counsels.
Phæd. And yet Parmeno
Will not be silent even here.
Par. Oh, sir,
Is that a doubt!
Thais. Nay, prithee now, attend!.
My mother's lately dead at Rhodes: her brother,
Too much intent on wealth, no sooner saw
This virgin, handsome, well-accomplish'd, skill'd
In musick, than, spurr'd on by hopes of gain,
In public market he expos'd and sold her.
It so fell out, my soldier-spark was there,
And bought her, all unknowing these events;
To give to me: But soon as he return'd,
And found how much I was attach'd to you,
He feign'd excuses to keep back the girl; .
Pretending, were he thoroughly convinc'd
That I would still prefer him to yourself,
Nor fear'd that when I had receiv'd the girl,
I would abandon him, he'd give her to me;
But that he doubted. For my part, I think
He is grown fond of her himself.
Phæd. Is there
Aught more between them?
Thais. No; for I've enquir'd:
And now, my Phædria, there are sundry causes
|