THAIS. Ah me! I fear lest Phaedria take offense And think I meant it other than I did, That he was not admitted yesterday. (_To herself, not seeing them._)
PHaeD. I tremble, Parmeno, and freeze with horror.
PAR. Be of good cheer! approach yon fire--she"ll warm you.
THAIS. Who"s there? my Phaedria? Why did you stand here?
Why not directly enter?
PAR. Not one word Of having shut him out!
THAIS. Why don"t you speak?
PHaeD. Because, forsooth, these doors will always fly Open to me, or that because I stand The first in your good graces. (_Ironically._)
THAIS. Nay, no more!
PHaeD. No more?--O Thais, Thais, would to Heaven Our loves were parallel, that things like these Might torture you, as this has tortur"d me: Or that your actions were indifferent to me!
THAIS. Grieve not, I beg, my love, my Phaedria!
Not that I lov"d another more, I did this.
But I by circ.u.mstance was forc"d to do it.
PAR. So then, it seems, for very love, poor soul, You shut the door in "s teeth.
THAIS. Ah Parmeno!
Is"t thus you deal with me? Go to!--But hear Why I did call you hither?
PHaeD. Be it so.
THAIS. But tell me first, can yon slave hold his peace?
PAM. I? oh most faithfully: But hark ye, madam!
On this condition do I bind my faith: The truths I hear, I will conceal; whate"er Is false, or vain, or feign"d, I"ll publish it.
I"m full of c.h.i.n.ks, and run through here and there: So if you claim my secrecy, speak truth.
THAIS. My mother was a Samian, liv"d at Rhodes.
PAR. This sleeps in silence. (_Archly._)
THAIS. There a certain merchant Made her a present of a little girl, Stol"n hence from Attica.
PHaeD. A citizen?
THAIS. I think so, but we can not tell for certain.
Her father"s and her mother"s name she told Herself; her country and the other marks Of her original, she neither knew, Nor, from her age, was "t possible she should.
The merchant added further, that the pirates, Of whom he bought her, let him understand, She had been stol"n from Sunium. My mother Gave her an education, brought her up In all respects as she had been her own; And she in gen"ral was suppos"d my sister.
I journeyed hither with the gentleman To whom alone I was connected then, The same who left me all I have.
PAR. Both these Are false, and shall go forth at large.
THAIS. Why so?
PAR. Because nor you with one could be content, Nor he alone enrich"d you; for my master Made good and large addition.
THAIS. I allow it, But let me hasten to the point I wish: Meantime the captain, who was then but young In his attachment to me, went to Caria.
I, in his absence, was address"d by you; Since when, full well you know, how very dear I"ve held you, and have trusted you with all My nearest counsels.
PHaeD. And yet Parmeno Will not be silent even here.
PAR. Oh, Sir, Is that a doubt?
THAIS. Nay, prithee now, attend!
My mother"s lately dead at Rhodes: her brother, Too much intent on wealth, no sooner saw This virgin, handsome, well-accomplish"d, skill"d In music, than, spurr"d on by hopes of gain, In public market he expos"d and sold her.
It so fell out, my soldier-spark was there, And bought her, all unknowing these events, To give to me: but soon as he return"d, And found how much I was attach"d to you, He feign"d excuses to keep back the girl; Pretending, were he thoroughly convinc"d That I would still prefer him to yourself, Nor fear"d that when I had receiv"d the girl, I would abandon him, he"d give her to me; But that he doubted. For my part, I think He is grown fond of her himself.
PHaeD. Is there Aught more between them?
THAIS. No; for I"ve inquir"d, And now, my Phaedria, there are sundry causes Wherefore I wish to win the virgin from him.
First, for she"s call"d my sister; and moreover, That I to her relations may restore her.
I"m a lone woman, have nor friend, nor kin: Wherefore, my Phaedria, I would raise up friends By some good turn:--And you, I prithee now, Help me to do it. Let him some few days Be my gallant in chief. What! no reply?
PHaeD. Abandon"d woman! Can I aught reply To deeds like these?
PAR. Oh excellent! well said!
He feels at length; Now, master, you"re a man.
PHaeD. I saw your story"s drift.--"A little girl Stol"n hence--My mother brought her up--was call"d My sister--I would fain obtain her from him, That I to her relations might restore her----"
All this preamble comes at last to this.
I am excluded, he"s admitted. Why?
But that you love him more than me, and fear Lest this young captive win your hero from you.
THAIS. Do I fear that?
PHaeD. Why, prithee now, what else?
Does he bring gifts alone? didst e"er perceive My bounty shut against you? Did I not, Because you told me you"d be glad to have An Ethiopian servant-maid, all else Omitted, seek one out? You said besides, You wish"d to have an Eunuch, "cause forsooth, They were for dames of quality; I found one: For both I yesterday paid twenty _minae_, Yet you contemn me--I forgot not these, And for these I"m despis"d.
THAIS. Why this, my Phaedria?
Though I would fain obtain the girl, and though I think by these means it might well be done; Yet, rather than make you my enemy, I"ll do as you command.
PHaeD. Oh, had you said Those words sincerely. "Rather than make you My enemy!"--Oh, could I think those words Came from your heart, what is "t I"d not endure!
PAR. Gone! conquer"d with one word! alas, how soon!
THAIS. Not speak sincerely? from my very soul?
What did you ever ask, although in sport, But you obtain"d it of me? yet I can"t Prevail on you to grant but two short days.
PHaeD. Well--for two days--so those two be not twenty.
THAIS. No in good faith but two, or----