 | The Eunuch |  |
204
SCENE X.
Enter PHÆDRIA.Phæ.
Oh heavenly powers!
What wond'rous things has Parmeno just told me!
But where's my brother?
Chær.
Here he is.
Phæd.
I'm happy.
Chær.
I dare believe you are; and trust me, brother,
Nought can be worthier of your love than Thais:
Our family are all much bounden to her.
Phæd.
So! you'd need sing her praise to me!
Thraso.
Confusion!
As my hope dies, my love increases. Gnatho,
Your help! my expectation's all in you.
Gnat.
What would you have me do?
Thraso.
Accomplish this;
By pray'r, by purchase, that I still may have
Some little share in Thais.
Gnat.
A hard task!
Thraso.
Do but incline to do't, you can, I know.
Effect it, and demand whatever gift,
Whate'er reward you please, it shall be your's.
205
Indeed?
Thraso.
Indeed.
Gnat.
If I accomplish this,
I claim, that you agree to throw your doors,
Present or absent, always open to me;
A welcome uninvited guest for ever.
Thraso.
I pawn my honour as the pledge.
Gnat.
I'll try.
Phæd.
What voice is that? Oh, Thraso!
Thraso.
Gentlemen,
Good day!
Phæd.
Perhaps you're not acquainted yet,
With what has happen'd here?
Thraso.
I am.
Phæd.
Why then
Do I behold you in these territories?
Thraso.
Depending on—
Phæd.
Depend on nought but this!
Captain, I give you warning, if, henceforth,
I ever find you in this street, although
You tell me, “I was looking for another,
“I was but passing through,” expect no quarter.
Gnat.
Oh fie! that is not handsome.
Phæd.
I have said it.
206
You cannot be so rude.
Phæd.
It shall be so.
Gnat.
First grant me a short hearing: if you like
What I propose, agree to 't.
Phæd.
Let us hear!
Gnat.
Do you retire a moment, Thraso! [Thraso retires.]
First,
I must beseech you both, most firmly think,
That I, whate'er I do in this affair,
For my own sake I do it: But if that
Likewise advantage you, not to agree
In you were folly.
Phæd.
What is't, you propose?
Gnat.
I think you should admit the Captain, as
Your rival.
Phæd.
How? admit him?
Gnat.
Nay consider!
Phædria, you live at a high rate with Her,
Revel, and feast, and stick at no expence.
Yet what you give's but little, and you know
'Tis needful Thais should receive much more.
Now to supply your love without your cost,
A fitter person, one more form'd, can't be
Than Thraso is: First, he has wherewithal
To give, and gives most largely: A fool too,
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Nor can you fear she'll e'er grow fond of him;
And you may drive him hence whene'er you please.
Phæd.
What shall we do?
[to Chærea.
Gnat.
Moreover this; the which
I hold no trifle, no man entertains
More nobly or more freely.
Phæd.
I begin
To think we've need of such a fool.
Chær.
And I.
Gnat.
Well judg'd! and let me beg one favour more;
Admit me of your family!—I have
Roll'd this stone long enough.
Phæd.
We do admit you.
Chær.
With all our hearts.
Gnat.
And you, sirs, in return,
Shall pledge me in the Captain; eat him; drink him:
And laugh at him.
Chær.
A bargain!
Phæd.
'Tis his due.
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Thraso, whene'er you please, approach!
Thraso.
Pray now,
How stands the case?
Gnat.
Alas! they knew you not:
But when I drew your character, and prais'd
Your worth, according to your deeds and virtues,
I gain'd my point.
Thraso.
'Tis well: I'm much oblig'd;
I ne'er was any where, in all my life,
But all folks lov'd me dearly.
Gnat.
Did not I
Say, he had all the Attick Elegance?
Phæd.
He is the very character you drew.
Gnat.
Retire then.—Ye, [to the audience.]
farewell, and clap your hands!
I cannot think that this play, excellent as it is in almost all other respects, concludes consistently with the manners of Gentlemen: there is a meanness in Phædria and Chærea consenting to take Thraso into their society with a view of fleecing him, which the Poet should have avoided.
Cooke.The consent of Laches to the continuance of his Son's connection with Thais is also so repugnant to modern manners, that Fontaine found himself obliged to change that circumstance in his imitation of this Comedy.
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