 | The Eunuch |  |
SCENE IV.
Re-enter PHÆDRIA, with DORUS the Eunuch, in Chærea's cloaths.Phæd.
Out, rascal, out!—What are you resty, sirrah?
Out, thou vile bargain!
Dor.
Dear sir!
[crying.
Phæd.
See the wretch!
What a wry mouth he makes!—Come, what's the meaning
Of your returning? and your change of dress?
What answer, sirrah?—If I had delay'd
A minute longer, Pythias, I had miss'd him,
He was equipp'd so bravely for his flight.
Pyth.
What, have you got the rogue?
Phæd.
I warrant you.
Pyth.
Well done! well done!
Dori.
Ay, marry, very well.
Pyth.
Where is he?
Phæd.
Don't you see him?
Pyth.
See him? whom?
Phæd.
This fellow, to be sure.
169
This man! who is he?
Phæd.
He that was carried to your house to-day.
Pyth.
None of our people ever laid their eyes
Upon this fellow, Phædria!
Phæd.
Never saw him?
Pyth.
Why, did you think this fellow had been brought
To us?
Phæd.
Yes, surely; for I had no other.
Pyth.
Oh dear! this fellow's not to be compar'd
To t'other.—He was elegant, and handsome.
Phæd.
Ay, so he might appear awhile ago,
Because he had gay cloaths on: now he seems
Ugly, because he's stript.
Pyth.
Nay, prithee, peace!
As if the diff'rence was so very small!—
The youth conducted to our house to-day,
'Twould do you good to cast your eyes on, Phædria:
This is a drousy, wither'd, weazel-fac'd,
Old fellow.
Phæd.
How?—you drive me to that pass,
170
—Did not I buy you, rascal?
[to Dorus.
Dor.
Yes, sir.
Pyth.
Order him,
To answer me.
Phæd.
Well, question him.
Pyth.
to Dorus.]
Was You
Brought here to-day? [shakes his head.]
See there! Not He. It was
Another, a young lad, about sixteen,
Whom Parmeno brought with him.
Phæd.
to Dorus.]
Speak to Me!
First tell me, whence had you that coat? What, dumb?
I'll make you speak, you villain!
[beating him.
Dor.
Chærea came—
[crying.
Phæd.
My brother?
Dor.
Yes, sir!
Phæd.
When?
Dor.
To-day.
Phæd.
How long since?
Dor.
Just now.
Phæd.
With whom?
Dor.
With Parmeno.
Phæd.
Did you,
Know him before?
Dor.
No, Sir; nor e'er heard of him.
171
How did you know then that he was my brother?
Dor.
Parmeno told me so; and Chærea
Gave me these cloaths—
Phæd.
Confusion!
[aside.
Dor.
Put on mine;
And then they both went out o'doors together.
Pyth.
Now, sir, do you believe that I am sober?
Now do you think, I've told no lie? And now
Are you convinc'd the Girl has been abus'd!
Phæd.
Away, fool! d'ye believe what this wretch says?
Pyth.
What signifies belief?—It speaks itself.
Phæd.
apart to Dorus.]
Come this way—hark ye!—further still.—Enough.
Tell me once more.—Did Chærea strip you?
Dor.
Yes.
Phæd.
And put your cloaths on?
Dor.
Yes, sir!
Phæd.
And was brought
In your stead hither?
Dor.
Yes.
Phæd.
Great Jupiter!
[pretending to be in a passion with him.
What a most wicked scoundrel's this?
Pyth.
Alas!
Don't you believe, then, we've been vilely us'd?
172
No wonder if you credit what he says?
I don't know what to do. [aside.]
—Here, harkye, sirrah!
Deny it all again. [apart to Dorus.]
—What! can't I beat
The truth out of you, rascal?—have you seen
My brother Chærea?
[aloud and beating him.
Dor.
No, sir!
[crying.
Phæd.
So! I see
He won't confess without a beating.—This way! [apart.]
Now
He owns it; now denies it.—Ask my pardon!
[apart.
Dor.
Beseech you, sir, forgive me!
Phæd.
Get you gone,
[kicking him.
Dor.
Oh me! oh dear!
[Exit bowling.
Phæd.
aside.
I had no other way
To come off handsomely.—We're all undone.
—D'ye think to play your tricks on me, you rascal?
[Aloud, and Exit after Dorus.
Menander's words, as preserved by Donatus, are these, αυτος εστι Γαλεωτης γερων, which he charges Terence with having misunderstood. Γαλη, he says is a Weazle, and Γαλεωτης a Lizard. But Terence is very likely to have made Pythias express her dislike of the Eunuch, by comparing him to a Weazle, whose skin has much of the tawny in it. As to the passage from Menander, there is nothing of the colour of the animal expressed in it. A Lizard being a thin animal, Menander probably intended a similitude in the Jankness. Γαλεωτης γερων may therefore be construed a thin, half-starv'd fellow. Cooke.
| The Eunuch | |