Come, come, that’s not handsome. PHAEDRIA I’ve said it. GNATHO I didn’t know you gave yourself such airs. PHAEDRIA So it shall be. GNATHO First hear a few words from me; and when I have said the thing, if you approve of it, do it. PHAEDRIA Let’s hear. GNATHO Do you step a little that way, Thraso. (THRASO stands aside.) In the first place, I wish you both implicitly to believe me in this, that whatever I do in this matter, I do it entirely for my own sake; but if the same thing is of advantage to yourselves, it would be folly for you not to do it. PHAEDRIA What is it? GNATHO I’m of opinion that the Captain, your rival, should be received among you. PHAEDRIA (starting.) Hah! CHAEREA Be received? GNATHO (to PHAEDRIA.) Only consider. I’faith, Phaedria, at the free rate you are living with her, and indeed very freely you are living, you have but little to give; and it’s necessary for Thais to receive a good deal. That all this may be supplied for your amour and not at your own expense, there is not an individual better suited or more fitted for your purpose than the Captain. In the first place, he both.has got enough to give, and no one does give more profusely. He is a fool, a dolt, a blockhead; night and day he snores away; and you need not fear that the lady will fall in love with him; you may easily have him discarded whenever you please. CHAEREA (to PHAEDRIA.) What shall we do? GNATHO And this besides, which I deem to be of even greater importance,—not a single person entertains in better style or more bountifully. CHAEREA It’s a wonder if this sort of man can not be made use of in some way or other. PHAEDRIA I think so too. GNATHO You act properly. One thing I have still to beg of you,—that you’ll receive me into your fraternity; I’ve been rolling that stone Been rolling that stone : Donatus thinks that he alludes to the story of Sisyphus, who, in the Infernal Regions, was condemned eternally to roll a stone up a hill, which, on arriving at the summit, immediately fell to the bottom. for a considerable time past. PHAEDRIA We admit you. CHAEREA And with all my heart. GNATHO Then I, in return for this, Phaedria, and you, Chaerea, make him over to you Make him over to you. Vobis propino. The word propino was properly applied to the act of tasting a cup of wine, and then handing it to another; he means that he has had his taste of the Captain, and is now ready to hand him over to them. to be eaten and drunk to the dregs. CHAEREA Agreed. PHAEDRIA He quite deserves it. He quite deserves it. Cooke has the following appropriate remark: I can not think that this Play, excellent as it is in almost all other respects, concludes consistently with the manners of gentlemen; there is a meanness in Phaedria and Chaerea consenting to take Thraso into their society, with a view of fleecing him, which the Poet should have avoided. GNATHO (calling to THRASO.) Thraso, whenever you please, step this way. THRASO Prithee, how goes it? GNATHO How? Why, these people didn’t know you; after I had discovered to them your qualities, and had praised you as your actions and your virtues deserved, I prevailed upon them. THRASO You have managed well; I give you my best thanks. Besides, I never was any where but what all were extremely fond of me. GNATHO (to PHAEDRIA and CHAEREA.) Didn’t I tell you that he was a master of the Attic elegance?