University of Virginia Library

Scen. 4.

Enter Phædria haling one of doores Dorus the Eunuch in Chæreas apparell.
Phæ.
Come out o' doores mischieuos roague; come out
what draw you backward? come foorth runaway
Ill purchased commoditie come foorth.

Dorus.
For Gods sake sir.

Phæ.
Marke how the Hangman
Wries his choppes a' toneside? sirra, what's the scope
Of this your coming backe? the misterie
Of this your changing cloathes? your answer sirrha?
If I had stay'd nere so little Pithias,
I had not found him there: he had prepar'd
Readie for packing.

Pyth.
Haue you got him then?

Phæ.
Got him? what else?

Pyth.
Vpon my faith that's well.

Doras.
I troth that's passing well.

Pyth.
Where is he?
Phæ askest?
Seest him not?

Pyth.
See pray? whom?

Phæ.
Why this.

Pyth.
What's he?

Phæ.
He that this day was brought you.

Pyth.
None of vs
Ere saw this fellow, till now Phædria.

Phæ.
Nere saw?

Pyth.
for Gods loue. (Phædria) did you
Thinke,
That this was brought.

Phæ.
Yes for I had no other.

Pyth.
Fie, there's betweene 'hem no comparison:
That was a faire and comely vizadgd youth.

Phæ.
You thought so then cause he had other cloathes on:
Those off, you thinke him now ill fauored.

Pyth.
Au' pray sir cease: as if the difference
Were small betweene 'hem? here to day was brought
(Phædria) a youth you would ha'longd to looke on:
This an old, creping, dreaming, dropsie, dotard,
Complexiond like a Weazell.

Phæ.
How, how this?
Chrochets? you make me scarse know what I do.
Sirrha come neare me did not I buy you?

Dorus.
Yes forsooth.

Pyth.
Now command him answer me.

Phæ.
Put foorth your question.

Pyth.
cam'st thou here to day?
You see he does denie it: but the other
Came to vs, hither brought by Parmeno,
Some sixteene yeares of age.

Phæ.
Resolue me this;
First, by what meanes got you the cloathes you weare?
Silent? monster of men, speakst not?

Dorus.
Chærea
Came home.

Pyth.
My brother?

Dorus.
Yes.

Phæ.
When?

Dor.
But this day.

Phæ.
How long since?

Dorus.
Euen now.

Phæ.
And
Who was with him?

Dorus., Parmeno, Phæ.
Hadst thou euer before seene him?

Dorus.
No, nor yet ere before had heard him named.

Phæ.
How then didst know him to haue bin my brother

Dorus.
Parmeno said so. He gaue me these cloathes.

Phæ.
Ime lost.

Dorus.
himselfe withall straight put on
Mine.

Pyth.
You thinke me now not drunke; nor that I haue li'd.
Tis now most cleare the poore Wench is deflour'd.

Phæ.
Fie beast, beleeu'st him?

Pyth.
What neede I
Beleeue him?
The matter selfe proclaimes it.

Phæ.
sirrha you,
Come hither (here you) yet a little nearer:
So, Tis well. Tell me againe, did Chærea
Take your cloathes.

Dorus.
Yes.

Phæ.
And put'hem on himselfe?

Dorus.
Yes

Phæ.
And was brought for you to Thais?

Dorus.
Yes sir.

Phæ.
Great Iupiter! oh wicked shamelesse fellow

Pyth.
Woes me, you scarce beleeue yet we are abu'sd.

Phæ.
Tis maile now, but thou credit's what he saies?
Ime at my wits end—Sirrha doost thou heare?
(Deni't being askd againe) can I no way
Worke a truth from thee? ha? didst see my brother?

Dorus.
Not I intruth.

Phæ.
No truth, I see, vnforc'd
Can be got from him. Come, come in with me.
Now say things straight denie 'hem? (begge of me.)

Dorus.
For Gods sake sir.

Phæ.
Will you get in?

Dorus
Hoy hey.

Phæ.
I know no meanes else how to shift away.
I stand in a faire case, if such a knaue
As thou, may thus befoole me at his pleasure.

(Exit. Phædria and Dorus.
Pyth.
I know sure as I lieue, 't was Parmeno
Complotted this.

Dorias.
Yes doubtlesse.

Pyth.
Ere I sleepe
Ile find a meane how to crie quittance with him.
But what thinkest best we should do, Dorias?

Dorias.
Touching the wench'd ye meane.

Pyth.
Yes, it't be best
To vtter or conceal't.

Dorias.
If you be wise,
Know ought, know nought, touching the Eunuch selfe,
Or her abuse: so shall you keepe from blame;
And do her a good turne. You may say onely,
Dorus is runne away.

Pyth.
Ile eene do so.

Enter Chremes.
Dorus.
But see I not Chremes yonder? Thais straight
Will be here with vs.

Pyth.
Wherefore thinke you so?

Dorias.
Because when I came thence, they grew to brall.

Pyth.
Beare in the iewels: Ile of him learne all.

Exit Dorias.
Chr.
I, I, assure as heauen, I was but plaid on.
The wine ore wrought me: yet while I was sitting
Me thought I was excedingly well temperd,
but rising found both feete and braines to faile

Pyth.
Chremes.

Chr.
Who's that? Oh Pythias how much Fairer.
Now seemst thou then erewhile.

Pyth.
You in good sooth
Are pleasanter by farre

Chr.
Tis true and old,
Spare wine and dainties, sportfull lusts growes cold.
Ist long, since Thais came?

Pyth.
Hath she alreadie
Then left the souldier?

Chr.
oh yes long ago.
And there has beene great falling out betweene 'hem:

Pyth.
Did she say nothing, you should follow her?

Chr.
Nothing, but at her parting winkd on me.

Pyth.
What, was not that sufficient Item man.

Chr.
I knew not that she meant so much, but that
The souldier helpd my dull concerning her;
Enter Thais.
For out o' doores he thrust me: see where she is
I maruell where it was, I ouer went her.