The Argvment.
A citizen
of Athens dwelling at Sunium a port-towne of Attica hauing two children, Chremes a Sonne, and Pamphila a daughter, had his daughter stolne away by Pyrats when she was of such tender age that she could onely tell her owne and parents names. After this the Athenian died. The Pyrats sold the child to a Merchant of Rhodes, who gaue her to a Strumpet which he loued. This Harlot had a daughter called Thais, somewhat elder then Pamphila: Which children she so brought vp together, that all men of Rhodes did repute them for Sisters. Thais in processe of time tooke to her mothers trade of life; and yeelding vp her selfe to a strangers deuotion, was by him caried to Athens; where he dying left her good means. He thus dead, she was taken vp by one Thraso a souldier: he also hauing a while accompanied her, had occasion of trauaile into Caria. Meane while
the mother of Thais died at Rhodes: Her goods fell to a brother, who (with them) exposed to sale the abouenamed Pamphila, iust vpon the time wherein the soldier passed that way. Her youth and beautie induced the souldier (ignorant of all passages) to buy her, as a fit gift to bestow on Thais at his returne to Athens. But she before that time (whores do not liue in expectation, nor vpon the meanes of one man onely) had intertaind the loue of one Phædria a young gentleman, sonne of an ancient Athenian Citizen. She also had by this time gained some inkling of the parentage of Pamphila, and that one Chremes a genteleman of Athens was in good likelihood naturall brother to the maiden: for better discouery whereof, she had had conference with him (aloofe off) touching the matter. The souldier returnes to Athens bringing Pamphila along with him, (her maiden-head is questiond by Terence, Act. 1. Sen. 2. in these words etiamne amplius? To auoid matter vnfitting for the grace of the Comedie, but she was (beyond any contrarie supposable coniecture) a maiden: for a child might fillip this souldier out of his courage; and foolerie was all the allurement he could vse to her) and being thus returned, he finds Phædria entred into Thais her bookes: out of which if he be not cleane wiped, Pamphila is not for her, as the souldier affirmeth. Trence hath set out this Thais as none of the
worst of that course of life; and withall of good discretion in her cariage. A Dilemma is now put vpon her; loue and consideration are the two hornes: she must venture the goring by one of them. Loue pleades first, and this is naturall to her bloud; and Phædria besides deserues it. I but hee may be tendered a wife; his appetite cloyd his father worke her displeasure. Resolute loue in spite of these premisses hath set downe the cōclusion On the other side a reputed sister, that sister hath good friends, those friends able to strengthen her vnsetled fortunes; if by her meanes the one be restored to the other: Thus pleades Consideration. Wisely therefore she keepes the middle way for barring Phædria her company for abrace of dayes (telling him why) she aimes to gull the souldier of the wench by this courtesie; and then to recall Phædria to his former contentment. Phædria assents, leaues the Citie, giues withall charge to Parmeno his fathers man, for bringing an Eunuch to Thais in his absence: Phædria gone, Thraso also sends Pamphila to her by Gnato a Parasite. In the passing of the maiden thither, Chærea a younger brother of Phædria spies her, falles in loue with her, dogges her, by accident looseth her, chafes with himself at it: then to Parmeno comming vpon him, discouers his mind and whereto caried. Parmeno informes him of an Eunuch by his brother Phædria sent, and by him forthwith to be conueied
to the very house where the maid abideth. So that by shifting cloathes with the Eunuch he may vndiscouered be brought to her; the Eunuch nor hee hauing euer before beene seene by Thais or any of her family Chærea followes the aduise, is brought thither, rauisheth the maiden. Much coyle hence ariseth, Pamphila at length being found to bee free-borne, Chærea marries her; Thais is taken into protection by the father of the two brothers. The Souldier for mirth and cost sparing is admitted among them, by Gnatoes perswasion, with the consent of Phædria.
