 | The Eunuch |  |
Scen. 2.
Chæ.As I but now to Antiphoes did come,
His father and his mother were at home;
As if't had beene so plotted so that in
I could not enter butt I must be seene.
Whil'st here about the doore a while I stay,
One that I knew came but into my way:
I him espying hastily betooke
Me to my heeles; and fled into a nooke
Was vnfrequented: so from place to place
Posted, till I to death nigh wearied was:
And this I did, least any should me know.
But is not this Thais, I see? tis she:
I sticke ith'mire; nor know I what to do.
But what care I? what dare she do to me?
Tha.
Let's to him. O, you are well met honest Dorus.
Tell me, didst runne away?
Chæ.
Mistresse I did.
Tha.
And was it well done, thinkst thou?
Chæ.
no forsooth.
Tha.
Thinkst to go with't scotfree so away?
Chæ.
Forgiue me but this one fault, if I euer
Commit the like againe, then kill me sor't.
Tha.
Didst feare my curstnesse?
Chæ.
No.
Tha.
What
Feardst thou then?
Chæ.
I feard your maid here would tell tales of me.
Tha.
What hadst thou done?
Chæ.
A trifle.
Pyth.
Impudence
A trifle? is't a trifle in thine eye
To take a freeborne maid, and rauish her?
Chæ.
I tooke her for my fellow seruant.
Pyth.
Fellow?
I scarce can hold my fingers from his cares.
Monster art come againe, to flout vs too?
99
Get you hence Bedlam.
Pyth.
Pray forsooth, why so?
I thinke I ow't the gallowes, if I do
As I do threaten; and the rather too,
Because he does confesse he's slaue to you.
Tha.
No more of this. Chærea you haue committed
An act farre vnbeseeming that faire port
Your selfe and friends here beare; say the scorne fitted
And to my course of life did iustly sorte:
Yet for your owne worth you should haue forborne.
Nor truely know I now what course to frame
Touching the maid; you haue disorderd so
All my proceedings, I cannot returne
Her to her friends, as I desird the same;
And as was fitting for the maid to goe:
So that both maid and friends I might haue made
Beholding to me, by the course I laid.
Chæ.
Thais, but now I hope hencefoorth I will grow
Fast loue betweene vs: oftentimes you know
From bad beginnings, slight occasion,
Great loue hath had its deriuation.
What, if some higher powers did thus decree?
Tha.
In such sense I do take it verily;
And so do wish't.
Chæ.
Pray one thing reckon right;
No purposd scorne, but loues imperiall mihght
Then swayd my passions.
Tha.
I beleeue 'twas so;
And truly therefore pardon you the rather:
I am not (Chærea) of such stubborne nature,
Nor so vnskild as loues power not to know.
Chæ.
So helpe me God as I now grow in loue
With you to Thais.
Pyth.
Then mistresse I perceaue
You ought to watch him.
Chæ.
O, I dare nor prooue.
Pyth.
Introth Ile trust thee for iust nothing.
Tha.
Leaue.
Chæ.
Thais, I do commend, commit my selfe
To your protection, begge your helpe herein;
Desire, beseech you'l stand my Patronesse.
100
Tha.
But if your father—
Chæ
Tsh, what? I know he will—
So she be knowne freeborne.
Chæ.
If you please stay
A little, the maides brother will be here;
He went to call the nurse that nur'st her young:
You may be by at her acknowledging.
Chæ.
Yes, I will stay.
Tha.
And in the meane time will You.
(Till he do come) we go into my house?
Tis better then at doore here waiting stand.
Chæ.
With all my heart.
Pyth.
Pray what d'ye meane to do?
Tha.
In what?
Pyth.
D'you aske? meane you for all this yet
To let him come againe into the house?
Tha.
Why not?
Pyth.
Take my word for't, h'le aduenture
Some second battrie.
Tha.
Prithee hold'thy chat.
Pyth.
Ha'you not had sufficient triall of him?
Chæ.
I will not, Pythias.
Pyth.
Ile not trust you, Chærea;
Vnlesse you be kept out.
Chæ.
But (Pythias)
Thy selfe shalt be my keeper.
Pyth.
Troth not I:
Ile neither trust thee with the custodie
Of any thing, not keepe thee yet my selfe.
Enter Chremes and Sophrona,
So get you hence.
Tha.
Her brother's fitly come.
Chæ.
I'm lost, pray let vs in. I would not (Thais)
He see me in this habite in the streete.
Tha.
Why, art asham'd?
Chæ.
Yes truth.
Pyth.
Yes truth? alacke!
A maiden batchelor I warrant you.
Tha.
Go in before, I follow. Pythias
Tarrie you here, to bring in Chremes with you.
Exeunt Chærea and Thais.
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