 | The Eunuch |  |
SCENE II.
Enter THAIS, and PYTHIAS.Thais.
I thought I heard the Captain's voice: and see!
Good-day, my Thraso!
Thra.
Oh my Thais, welcome!
How does my sweeting?—are you fond of me
For sending you that musick-girl?
Par.
Oh brave!
He sets out nobly!
Thais.
For your worth I love you.
Gnat.
Come, let's to supper! why do you delay?
Par.
Mark t'other! he's a chip of the old block.
Thais.
I'm ready when you please.
Par.
I'll up to her,
And seem as if but now come forth.—Ha! Thais,
Where are you gadding?
Well met, Parmeno!
I was just going—
Par.
Whither?
Thais.
Don't you see
The Captain?
Par.
Yes, I see him—to my sorrow.
The presents from my master wait your pleasure.
Thra.
Why do we stop thus? wherefore go not hence?
[angrily.
Par.
Beseech you, Captain, let us, with your leave,
Produce our presents, treat, and parley with her!
Thra.
Fine gifts, I warrant you, compar'd with mine!
Par.
They'll answer for themselves.—Holo, there! order
The slaves, I told you, to come forth.—Here, this way!
Enter a Black Girl.
Do You stand forward!—This girl, ma'am, comes quite
From Æthiopia.
Thra.
Worth about three Minæ.
Gnat.
Scarce.
Par.
Ho! where are you, Dorus?—oh, come hither!
Enter Chærea in the Eunuch's habit.
An Eunuch, Madam!—of a lib'ral air,
Thais.
Now as I live, he's handsome!
Par.
What say You, Gnatho? Is he despicable?
Or, Captain, what say You?—Dumb?—Praise sufficient!
Try him in letters, exercises, musick:
In all the arts, a gentleman should know,
I'll warrant him accomplish'd.
Thra.
Troth, that Eunuch
Is well enough.
Par.
And he, who sends these presents,
Requires you not to live for him alone,
And for his sake to shut out all mankind:
Nor does he tell his battles, shew his wounds,
Or shackle your free will, as some folks do.
[looking at Thraso.
But when 'twill not be troublesome, or when
You've leisure, in due season, he's content
If then he is admitted.
Thra.
This poor fellow
Seems to belong to a poor wretched master.
Gnat.
Beyond all doubt; for who that could obtain
Another, would endure a slave like this?
Peace, wretch, that art below the meanest slave!
You, that could bring your mind so very low,
As to cry Ay and No at yon fool's bidding,
I'm sure, might get your bread out o' the fire.
Thra.
Why don't we go?
[impatiently.
Thais.
Let me but carry in
These first, and give some orders in the house,
And I'll attend you.
[Exit with Chærea, and the Æthiopian.
Thra.
I'll depart from hence.
Gnatho, wait you for her!
Par.
It ill beseems
The dignity of a renown'd commander,
T'escort his mistress in the street.
Thra.
Away,
Slave! you're beneath my notice—like your master.
[Exit Par.
Gnat.
Ha! ha! ha! ha!
Thra.
What moves your laughter?
Gnat.
That
You said just now: and then the Rhodian came
Across my mind.—But Thais comes.
Thra.
Go, run,
Gnat.
It shall be done.
[Exit.
Thais.
[entering with Pythias]
Take care now, Pythias,
Great care, if Chremes come, to press him stay;
Or, if that's inconvenient, to return:
If that's impossible, then bring him to me!
Pyth.
I'll do so.
Thais.
Hold! what else had I to say?
Take care, be sure, of yonder virgin! see,
You keep at home!
Thra.
Let's go!
Thais.
Girls, follow me!
[Exit, attended by Servants and Thraso.
Several persons of the play are concerned in this scene, and yet, by the art and excellence of the Poet, there arises no confusion of dialogue; each speech being admirably adapted to the character to which it is appropriated. Donatus.
Ex homine hunc natum dicas. There has been much dispute about the meaning of these words. The old familiar expression, which I have made use of, is, I think, agreeable to the obvious and natural meaning of them. That Dryden understood them in this sense is evident from the following passage.
“In the New Comedy of the Græcians, the Poets sought indeed to express the παθος, as in their Tragedies the παθος of mankind. But this contained only the general characters of men and manners; that is, one old man or father, one lover, one courtezan, so like another as if the first of them had begot the rest of every sort. Ex homine hunc natum dicas.
Essay of Dramatick Poesie.From the following passage in Twelfth Night, concerning the disguise of Viola, one might be almost tempted to imagine that Shakespeare had the Eunuch of Terence in his eye.
Conceal me what I am, and be my aidFor such disguise as haply shall become
The form of my intent. I'll serve this Duke;
Thou shalt present me as an Eunuch to him:
It may be worth thy pains; for I can sing,
And speak to him in many sorts of musick,
That will allow me very worth his service.
| The Eunuch | |