 | The Eunuch |  |
Scen. 9.
Chæ.Oh louing countriemen, liues any man
More happie then my selfe? troth, I thinke none
The Gods haue shewne all their full might on me;
On whom so sodainely so many chances,
So many prosperous chances meete in one.
Par.
Why is he growne so merrie?
Chæ.
Oh my dearest,
107
Contriuer, finisher, of all my fortunes;
All my contentments. Knowest thou Parmeno
What ioy I am in? hearest thou my Pamphila
Is found to be free borne?
Par.
Yes, I haue heard so.
Chæ.
Made sure to me?
Par.
As God shall helpe me, I'm
Glad ont.
Gna.
do y' heare him what he saies?
Chæ.
I ioy beside
My brother Phædria's loue is now faire setled:
W'are made one house; Thais hath giu'n vp her selfe
Vnto my fathers kindnesse and protection:
Shee's now our owne.
Par.
Then she is all your brothers.
Chæ.
That's most certaine.
Par.
Then (that's other cause of ioy)
The souldier is cashierd hence.
Chæ.
now I prithee
Giue thou my brother notice of this newes,
Where ere he may be found; and speedily.
Par.
Ile seeke for him at home.
Thr.
Doost thou now Gnato
Make any doubt, but I am lost for euer?
Gna.
Sure I iudge so.
Chæ.
What should I first count on?
Whom chiefely praise? or him that counseld me
Or yet my selfe that venturd the performance?
Or shall I not yeeld fortune share of praise,
Which guided these things thus? Which in one day
Hath closed vp so many, so great things,
And all so timely orderd? or the easie
And pleasant disposition of my father?
Oh I beseech thee, gratious Iupiter.
Continue to vs this our happinesse
Enter Phædria.
Phæ.
Your faith good Gods! What things aboue beleefe
Hath our man told me? but where is my brother?
Chæ.
Here.
Phæ.
I am glad—
Chæ.
I well beleeue you, brother
There is none liuing more deseruing loue
Then this your Thais: she's a furtherer
To all our family
Phæ.
Why, how now brother,
Commendst thou her to me?
Thr.
I am vndone:
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Helpe Gnato at a pinch; my trust's in thee.
Gna.
What wold you haue me do?
Thr.
Win by intreatie,
By money. I may hold some place neere Thais.
Gna.
'Tis a hard taske.
Thr.
Come, I know thee Gnato.
If once thou vndertak'st a thing—worke this,
And name but what reward or gift thoult haue
And thou shalt hau't.
Gna.
Say you so?
Thr.
I, and will
Performe it.
Gna.
If I performe it, I require your house
Do euer open rest at my command,
Be you within or not: that though vnbidden
I still haue roome and welcome giuen me
Thra.
Here is my hand thou shalt.
Gna.
Then I will settle
To the attempt.
Phæ.
Whom heare I here? ô Thraso!
Thra.
God saue you.
Phæ.
Thou perhaps hear'st not the Newes?
Thra.
Yes, I know all.
Phæ.
Why do I see you then
Here in these quarters?
Thr.
Sir as resting onely
Vpon your loue.
Phæ.
Know'st thou not, what to rest on?
I tell thee souldier, if I here henceforward
Do take thee in this streete; th'art a dead man:
It will auaile you little then to say
You sought some man, or were to passe this way.
Gna.
Nay good sir this not fitteth.
Phæ.
I haue said it.
Gna.
I know you are not of such boistrous temper.
Phæ.
It shall so stand.
Gna.
Pray yet first giue me hearing
Of a few words; which when I shall haue said
As you do like it, grant it.
Phæ.
Well, let's heare.
Gna.
Thraso remoue your selfe a little of.
First I most earnestly request you both
Thus farre to credit me; that what herein
I do, is chiefely for my owne sake meant:
But if the same may likewise further you,
Twere simplenesse in you not to admit it.
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What ist?
Gna.
I thinke fit, you take vnto you
This riuall souldier.
Phæ.
How saist? take him to vs?
Gna.
Pray but consider this; you Phædria
Do surely loue your Thais companie,
And so fare well: little you haue to giue her,
And she of force must be supplied largely.
Now then to serue her turne, and spare your cost,
There's none can be more fitting, or more vsefull
Then is this souldier: first has where withall,
And then there's none more lauish: he's a foole
A prating babling foole, a dolt, a blocke,
will snore you out whole dayes, and nights together.
And for the feare that she may happe to loue him,
That's needelesse: you may pelt him out at pleasure:
Phæ.
What were we best to do?
Gna.
Then adde this too;
(Which I accompt a thing of greatest moment.)
None fares more richly, none more daintily.
Phæ.
Its mar'le but we haue neede at any hand
Of this same fellow.
Chæ.
That's my iudgement too.
Gna.
You take the right course. One thing more I beg,
I may be made one of your companie:
I haue beene long now rowling of this stone.
Phæ.
We admit thee.
Chæ.
Yes, and freely.
Gna.
Phædria,
And Phæria in requitall, twixt you both
I tender him to flout, and feede vpon.
Chæ.
We like it.
Phæ.
He deserues it.
Gna.
Thraso, now
You may draw neere at pleasure.
Thra.
Gnato, say
How stands my case?
Gna.
How? these men knew you not
After I told, hem your conditions,
Prais'd you according to your deeds and vertues;
I wonne my sute.
Thra.
It was well done, I thanke thee.
I neuer yet could come in any place
But all men doated on me.
Gna.
Said I not:
How gracefull was his tongue for eloquence?
Phæ.
Thou left'st out nothing. Passe we this way hence.
Exeunt all but Gnato.
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