Act I, Scene II

Enter THAIS from her house.

THAIS (to herself, not seeing them.) Ah wretched me! I fear lest Phædria should take it amiss or otherwise than I intended it, that he was not admitted yesterday.

PHÆD. (aside to PARMENO.) I’m trembling and shivering all over, Parmeno, at the sight of her.

PAR. (apart.) Be of good heart; only approach this fire, you’ll soon be warmer than you need.

THAIS (turning round.) Who is it that’s speaking here? What, are you here, my Phædria? Why are you standing here! Why didn’t you come into the house at once?

PAR. (whispering to PHÆDRIA.) But not a word about shutting you out!

THAIS. Why are you silent?

PHÆD. Of course, it’s because this door is always open to me, or because I’m the highest in your favor?

THAIS. Pass those matters by.

PHÆD. How pass them by? O Thais, Thais, I wish that I had equal affection with yourself, and that it were in like degree, that either this, might distress you in the same way that it distresses me, or that I might be indifferent at this being done by you.

THAIS. Prithee, don’t torment yourself, my life, my Phædria. Upon my faith, I did it, not because I love or esteem any person more than you; but the case was such that it was necessary to be done.

PAR. (ironically.) I suppose that, poor thing, you shut him out of doors, for love, according to the usual practice.

THAIS. Is it thus you act, Parmeno? Well, well. (To PHÆDRIA.) But listen-- the reason for which I desired you to be sent for hither--

PHÆD. Go on.

THAIS. First tell me this; can this fellow possibly hold his tongue? (pointing to PARMENO.)

PAR. What, I? Perfectly well. But, hark you, upon these conditions I pledge my word to you; the truth that I hear, I’m silent upon, and retain it most faithfully; but if I hear what’s false and without foundation, it’s out at once; I’m full of chinks, and leak in every direction. Therefore, if you wish it to be kept secret, speak the truth.

THAIS. My mother was a Samian; she lived at Rhodes--

PAR. That may be kept a secret.

THAIS. There, at that period, a certain merchant made present to my mother of a little girl, who had been stolen away from Attica here.

PAR. What, a citizen?

THAIS. I think so; we do not know for certain: she herself used to mention her mother’s and her father’s name; her country and other tokens she didn’t know, nor, by reason of her age, was she able. The merchant added this: that he had heard from the kidnappers that she had been carried off from Sunium. When my mother received her, she began carefully to teach her every thing, and to bring her up, just as though she had been her own daughter. Most persons supposed that she was my sister. Thence I came hither with that stranger, with whom alone at that period I was connected; he left me all which I now possess--

PAR. Both these things are false; out it goes.

THAIS. How so?

PAR. Because you were neither content with one, nor was he the only one to make you presents; for he likewise (pointing to PHÆDRIA) brought a pretty considerable share to you.

THAIS. Such is the fact; but do allow me to arrive at the point I wish. In the mean time, the Captain, who had begun to take a fancy to me, set out to Caria; since when, in the interval, I became acquainted with you. You yourself are aware how very dear I have held you; and how I confess to you all my nearest counsels.

PHÆD. Nor will Parmeno be silent about that.

PAR. O, is that a matter of doubt?

THAIS. Attend; I entreat you. My mother died there recently; her brother is somewhat greedy after wealth. When he saw that this damsel was of beauteous form and understood music, hoping for a good price, he forthwith put her up for sale, and sold her. By good fortune this friend of mine was present; he bought her as a gift to me, not knowing or suspecting any thing of all this. He returned; but when he perceived that I had formed a connection with you as well, he feigned excuses on purpose that he might not give her; he said that if he could feel confidence that he should be preferred to yourself by me, so as not to apprehend that, when I had received her, I should forsake him, then he was ready to give her to me; but that he did fear this. But, so far as I can conjecture, he has set his affections upon the girl.

PHÆD. Any thing beyond that?

THAIS. Nothing; for I have made inquiry. Now, my Phædria, there are many reasons why I could wish to get her away from him. In the first place, because she was called my sister; moreover, that I may restore and deliver her to her friends. I am a lone woman; I have no one here, neither acquaintance nor relative; wherefore, Phædria, I am desirous by my good offices to secure friends. Prithee, do aid me in this, in order that it may be the more easily effected. Do allow him for the few next days to have the preference with me. Do you make no answer?

PHÆD. Most vile woman! Can I make you any answer after such behavior as this?

PAR. Well done, my master, I commend you; (aside) he’s galled at last. (To PHÆDRIA.) You show yourself a man.

PHÆD. I was not aware what you were aiming at; “she was carried away from here, when a little child; my mother brought her up as though her own; she was called my sister; I wish to get her away, that I may restore her to her friends.” The meaning is, that all these expressions, in fine, now amount to this, that I am shut out, he is admitted. For what reason? Except that you love him more than me: and now you are afraid of her who has been brought hither, lest she should win him, such as he is, from yourself.

THAIS. I, afraid of that?

PHÆD. What else, then, gives you concern? Let me know. Is he the only person who makes presents? Have you found my bounty shut against you? Did I not, when you told me that you wished for a servant-maid from Æthiopia, setting all other matters aside, go and seek for one? Then you said that you wanted a Eunuch, because ladies of quality alone make use of them; I found you one. I yesterday paid twenty minæ for them both. Though slighted by you, I still kept these things in mind; as a reward for so doing, I am despised by you.

THAIS. Phædria, what does this mean? Although I wish to get her away, and think that by these means it could most probably be effected; still, rather than make an enemy of you, I’ll do as you request me.

PHÆD. I only wish that you used that expression from your heart and truthfully, “rather than make an enemy of you.” If I could believe that this was said sincerely, I could put up with any thing.

PAR. (aside.) He staggers; how instantaneously is he vanquished by a single expression!

THAIS. I, wretched woman, not speak from my heart? What, pray, did you ever ask of me in jest, but that you carried your point? I am unable to obtain even this of you, that you would grant me only two days.

PHÆD. If, indeed, it is but two days; but don’t let these days become twenty.

THAIS. Assuredly not more than two days, or--

PHÆD. “Or?” I won’t have it.

THAIS. It shall not be; only do allow me to obtain this of you.

PHÆD. Of course that which you desire must be done.

THAIS. I love you as you deserve; you act obligingly.

PHÆD. (to PARMENO.) I shall go into the country; there I shall worry myself for the next two days: I’m resolved to do so; Thais must be humored. Do you, Parmeno, take care that they are brought hither.

PAR. Certainly.

PHÆD. For the next two days then, Thais, adieu.

THAIS. And the same to you, my Phædria; do you desire aught else?

PHÆD. What should I desire? That, present with the Captain, you may be as if absent; that night and day you may love me; may feel my absence; may dream of me; may be impatient for me; may think about me; may hope for me; may centre your delight in me; may be all in all with me; in fine, if you will, be my very life, as I am yours.

(Exeunt PHÆDRIA and PARMENO.