University of Virginia Library

Scen. 3.

Enter Chremes.
Chr.
The more I do reuolue things in my minde
Still the more likely arguments I find
That Thais here aimes some shrewd tricke against me;
I see she workes on me so cunningly.
When first she sent for me (if any one
should then haue askt me the occasion
Of businesse twixt vs twaine, I knew no thing
To Answer) being come, with hammering
She fashiond out pretences of my stay:
She had performd religious rites that day
Vnto the gods, and would communicate
A Weightie secret to me: (I then straight
Grew iealous, all this was some cunning straine)
She sits downe by me; cause of talke doth frame
I seeming cold, her speech to this point came,
How long 'twas since my Parents had beene dead?
Long since I told her: then she questioned
If I had land at Sunium? and how farre
It lay from sea? this (I thinke) liketh her:
She hopes to worke it from me. at the last
She drew to this, if I had no young sister
From that place stolne a many yeares now past?
Who then was with her at the time we mist her?
What things she had about her? or if any
Could know her? why should she these questions moue?
vnlesse (as is the impudence of many)
She faine her selfe would that my sister prooue,
Of old so young hence lost? should she suruiue,
Her yeares at most reach not aboue sixteene;
Thais is elder then my selfe, I weene.
She crau'd me againe come to her: let her driue
The matter, and her business to some head;
Or leaue this sending: ile not be troubled,
To listen her third errand. Ho, within—

Enter Pythias to her Mistresses doore.
Pyth.
Who's that?

Chr.
One Chremes.

Pyth.
Oh fine little pleasant pate.

Chr.
I still affirme, I am laid for to be catcht.

Pyth.
Thais did earnestly request you would
Returne to morrow.

Chr.
I go into the Country.

Pyth.
Pray y'

Chr.
I say I cannot.

Pyth.
Then remaine here
A while till she come backe.

Chr.
No by no meanes.

Pyth.
Why my kind Chremes?

Chr.
Hence you harlotrie

Pyth.
If such be your determination,
I pray step ouer to her where she is.

Chre.
I care not if I do.

Pyth.
Dorias go straight
And leade this gentleman to his souldiers.

Pythias returnes into her Mistresses house. Dorias enters and go away with Chremes.