University of Virginia Library

Act. 4.

Scen. 1.

Enter Dorias.
Dor.
So help me God, I somewhat doubt poore creature
By things I saw, least the inraged souldier
Should raise some broile; and do my Mistresse wrong.
For presently as soone as Chremes came
The late giu'n young maides brother; she requests
The souldier, he would cause him be cald in:
He grew in fume, but yet durst not deny her.
Shee further moues his inuitation
Vnto their banquet: (this my Mistresse did
To keepe him there; because as yet the time
Seru'd not to tell him things concern'd his sister.)
The souldier willd him sit; yet grumblingly.
He plac'd, my mistresse frames discourse to him:
The souldier thought a riuall had beene brought
Vnder his nose, and minding to crie quittance
Cal'd out, ho, one of you fetch Pamphila
To sing to vs; Thais cryes out, at no hand:
What her to a banquet? He would haue it so.
Hence grew the matter to a downe right braule:
My mistresse priuily tooke of her iewels,
And gaue 'hem me in secret to bring thence.
This is a certaine signe, whereby I know
Shee'l slip thence, when she spies fit time thereto

Manet Dorias.

Scen. 2.

Enter Phædria.
Phæ.
As I vpon my iourney passing was,
A thronging troupe of busie thoughts do presse
Into my mind; as oft it comes to passe
To men whose soules some trouble seised has:
And euery thing in the worse sence I guesse.
What neede much talke? while these dumpes me possesse
Vnheeded I was pass'd the towne I ment to,
And was gonne farre beyond it; when at last
Perceauing it I backe returned fast:
And being scarce come vnto the turne which went to
The towne, there staid; and in my minde thus cast,
Two whole dayes must I this place here be pent to
Alone without her? Why is that such a matter?
Tis nothing: Nothing? What, if not come at her
To touch her? must I yet be barr'd her sight?
If that be cross'd, is this to be lost quite?
To climbe the lowest, first step of loues lather
Were somewhat yet. But why in such affright
Enter Pythias.
Comes Pythias foorth? and why so hastily?

Manet Phædria.

Scen. 3.

Pyth.
VVretch that I am, wher shal I find this fellow?
Where this vngodly wicked fellow find?
That he should dare attempt a piece of worke
So monstrous, so audacious!

Phæ.
I am lost,
And doubt what this may meane.

Pyth.
Besides, yet further
The vilaine not alone defil'd the maid;
But rent the poore soules linnen, tore her haire.

Phæ.
How's this?

Pyth.
Whom if I now could light vpon,
How I would flie vpon th'eyes o'th' witch?

Phæ.
I cannot guesse what coile hath here befalne
Since my departure. Ile go to her. How now?
What is the matter? why such haste? Who is it
Pythias, thou lookst for thus.

Pyth.
Oh Phædria,
Whom seeke I? Sir I pray you get you hence
Where you deserue, with your conceited presents.

Phæ.
What may this meane?

Pyth.
Aske you? what fine Eunuch
Was that you sent? what stirre hath he here made vs?
H'has rauisht the young maide, the souldier
Bestowed vpon my Mistresse.

Phæ.
Ha! what this?

Pyth.
I am vndone.

Phæ.
Thou art drunke.

Pyth.
I would
To God that all that hate me, were as drunke as I am.

Dorias.
For Gods loue Pythias what strange happe was this?

Phæ.
Th'art mad. How could an Eunuch do such thing?

Pyth.
I know not what he was; but what h'has done.
The case it selfe doth shew The wench she weepes,
And when one askes her, dare not vtter why.
The honest fellow too's not to be found.
Beside I feare, hee's runne away with somewhat.

Phæ.
You make me wonder, where the lazie bones
Should haue conueid himselfe: vnlesse perhaps
He be retir'd backe to our house againe.

Pyth.
Pray, see if he be there.

Phæ.
You shall know straight.

Dorias.
I am to seeke, good God sweete Pythias
I haue not heard so strange an accident.

Pyth.
Yes, I had heard that they loued woman
Deerely, but could do nothing. And forgetfull beast
I neuer thought ont: else I had mewd him vp,
And nere h'trusted her vnto his keeping.

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.

Scen. 6.

Thais
I guesse he will be here straight, with intent
To take her from me; let him come on then:
But if he laie on little finger on her,
Ile claw his eyes out. I can so farre beare
His fopperies, and swolne bumbasted words
Whil'st that they be but words: come they to deedes once,
Ile ferrit him.

Chr.
I was here long since Thais.

Thais.
Oh Chremes, I lookd for you. Know you not
That all this brabble hath beene about you?

Chr.
Me? how? as if I broacht it?

Tha.
Yes because
While I do seeke to render to your hands
Your long lost sister, this insued thereon.

Chr.
Where's that my sister?

Tha.
Here at home with me.

Chr.
Ha!

Tha.
Why whats the matter? Shee 'has been
Brought vp
As fits her selfe and you.

Chr.
What ist you say?

Thais.
That which is truth: freely giue her you.
Demanding nothing at your hands for her.

Chr.
I giue and owe you Thais many thankes
As you haue well deserued.

Tha.
But beware
Chremes, you lose her not, ere you receiue her:
For this is she the souldier comes to get
By maine force from me. Pythias get you in,
And fetch the little cofer with the tokens.

Chr.
Do you see him comming Thais?

Pyth.
Mistresse queane?
Where is it?

Tha.
Ith'leatherne hamper: Makst thou no more haste

Chr.
What forces dooes he bring with him? oh me.

Exit Pythias.
Tha.
Are you afraid friend?

Chr.
A way, I afraid?
No man a liue lesse.

Tha.
I tis fit you be not.

Chr.
T'sh, I do doubt what man you take me for.

Tha.
No, but consider, he you are to deale with
Is a meere stranger, of lesse meanes, lesse knowne,
Lesse friended here then you.

Chr.
All this I know:
But yet tis follie to admit an euill
Which may be well preuented. I had rather,
We seeke a forchand to preuent a wrong,
Then to returne a suffered iniurie.
Do you get in; and then make fast your doores;
Whilst I haste ouer to the market place.
I will haue some assistants by, ith' tumult.

Tha.
Stay.

Chr.
Tis the safest course.

Tha.
Pray stay.

Chr.
Pray leaue.
Ile be here straight againe.

Tha.
Chremes this needes not,
Acquaint him onely that she is your sister,
Enter Pythias with a Coffer.
Which you a small girle lost; and now do know her:
Shew him the prouing tokens.

Pyth.
Here they are.

Tha.
Here take 'hem, if he offer violence,
Summon him to the law: conceaue you me?

Chr.
Yes very well.

Tha.
See you vtter it with courage.

Chr.
I warrant you.

Tha.
Pull vp your cloke there, to you.
Ime in a faire case: why, this man I make
My Champion, needes another him to backe.

Scen. 7.

Enter Traso, Gnato, Sanga, with three others.
Thra.
Brooke such a base affront? Ile die first, Gnato.
Simatio, Donax, and Syriscus follow:
The house Ile first dismantle—

Gna.
A right course.

Thra.
Take thence the maid my hostage—

Gna.
Very
Good.

Thra.
Make Thais feele my vengeance—

Gna.
Excellent.

Thra.
Donax come you here hither with your leauer,
Into the heart of my battalion:
Simatio fall you there on the left winge.
Wheele you about Syriscus to the right.
Draw out some more: where's Sanga the Centurion
With's band of the blacke guard.

Sang.
Here readie
Captaine.

Thra.
Where are thy armes drone? wilt thou enter sight
With thy moppe there? that thou hast brought it hither?

Sang.
sir I but know the courage of my Chieftaine,
Or souldiers furie, that the day would cost
Much bloudshed, brought it here to cleanse the gore.

Thra.
Where are the rest there?

San.
what (a murraine) rest?
Samnio alone keeps home, to looke to th'house.

Thra.
Do you rancke these, Ile march behind the Van.

Gna.
Note sirs his wisedome! hauing rank'd the rest,
Himselfe retireth to safe place for shelter.

Thr.
'Twas Pyrrhus vsuall practise.

Chr.
Thais, see you
What he intends? that sure's the safest way,
To locke vp doores.

Tha.
This fellow (I assure thee)
Thou deem'st a man of spirit is a gull;
A pure great goosecappe: nere make doubt of him.

Thra.
What thinks thou Gnato

Gna.
I could wish you had
A sling-stone here, to gall 'hem a loofe off:
They'ld straight forsake their Castle.

Thra.
But I see
Thais her selfe.

Gna.
Let's straight rush in vpon them.

Thra.
Forbeare: A discreete generall should cast
To winne his aymes by treatie, ere he put
The hazard vnto battell. How doost know
But she may do my biddings, vncompell'd?

Gna.
Oh you good Gods! what tis to be discreete?
I nere come to you, but I do depart
Much betterd in my iudgement.

Thra.
Thais, first
Answer me this, when I bestowd on you,
The maid, assure you not your companie
To me for certaine dayes.

Tha.
Well, what o' that?

Thra.
Askest thou what? that broughst before mine eyes
Thy louer? (what hast thou to do with him?)
And with him sneak'st from me?

Tha.
It was my pleasure.

Thra.
Restore now therefore Pamphila, vnlesse
You'l haue me force her from you.

Chr.
How, to thee
Restore her? or dar'st thou lay hands on her?
Thou? of all—

Gna.
Haue care good sir, you know not
What kinde of man you speake so grossely to.

Chr.
Will you get hence? know you how stands your case?
If you disturbe vs here, Ile giue you cause
To thinke vpon this time, this place, and me:
Whil'st you haue day to liue;

Gna.
I pittie you,
That seeke to make so great a man your foe.

Chr.
Ile cracke your crowne sir if you get not hence.

Gna.
How whelpe, what saist?

Thr.
Why what art thou?
What mean'st?
What bus'nesse hast thou with her?

Chr.
Thou shalt know
First I affirme the maiden is free borne.

Thr.
How?

Chr.
Free of Athens.

Thra.
Holda!

Chr.
And my sister.
I therefore now forwarne thee souldier,
Thou vse no force against her.

Thais,
Ile go
And fetch her Nurse Sophrona hither straight;
And shew her these remembrances.

Thra.
Doost thou
Forewarne me that I should not touch my owne?

Chr.
I say I do forewarne thee.

Gna.
Here you sir,
You haue good action of deceit against him.

Chr.
Said I enough?

Thra.
Say you so Thais too?

Exit Chremes.
Tha.
Seeke one to answer.

Thra.
What's our course
Now Gnato?

Exit Thais.
Gna.
Why let's retreat: sheel straight come after you,
Crouching and kneeling.

Thra.
Thinkst so?

Gna.
Nay
That's sure.
I am acquainted with these womens humors:
Sue, they are squeamish; if you keepe off, they sue.

Thra.
Thou deem'st aright.

Gna.
Shall I dismisse the Armie?

Thra.
I, when thou please.

Gna.
Sanga, as fits good souldiers,
Cast now your eyes backe on the household chimneis

Sang.
My minde was long ago among the platters

Gna.
Th'art carefull,

Thra.
All follow me this way in.

Exeunt all.