Eunuchus; or, The Eunuch (491-533d)

Are we to go now?

I’ll take these in-doors first (pointing to CHAEREA and the AETHIOPIAN), and at the same time I’ll order what I wish; after that I’ll return immediately.

I shall be off. Do you wait for her.

It is not a proper thing for a general to be walking in the street with a mistress.

Why should I use many words with you? You are the very ape of your master.

Ha, ha, ha!

What are you laughing at?

At what you were mentioning just now; that saying, too, about the Rhodian, recurred to my mind. But Thais is coming out.

You go before; take care that every thing is ready at home.

Very well.

Take care, Pythias,

and be sure that if Chremes should happen to come,[*] to beg him to wait; if that is not convenient, then to come again; if he can not do that, bring him to me.

I’ll do so.

Well, what else was I intending to say? O, do you take particular care of that young woman;

be sure that you keep at home.

Let us begone.

You follow me.

Why, really, the more and more I think of it, I shouldn’t be surprised if this Thais should be doing me some great mischief; so cunningly do I perceive myself beset by her. Even on the occasion when she first requested me to be fetched to her

(any one might ask me, What business had you with her? Really I don’t know.) When I came, she found an excuse for me to remain there; she said that she had been offering a sacrifice,[*] and that she was desirous to speak upon some important business with me. Even then I had a suspicion that all these things were being done for her artful purposes. She takes her place beside

me; pays every attention to me; seeks and opportunity of conversation. When the conversation flagged, she turned off to this point—how long since my father and mother died? I said that it was now a long time ago. Whether I had any country-house at Sunium, and how far from the sea? I suppose that this has taken her fancy, and she expects to get it away from me.

Then at last, whether any little sister of mine had been lost from there; whether any person was with her; what she had about her when she was lost; whether any one could recognize her. Why should she make these inquiries? Unless, perhaps, she pretends—so great is her assurance—that she herself is the same person that was formerly lost when a little girl.

But if she is alive, she is sixteen years old, not older; whereas Thais is somewhat older than I am. She has sent to press me earnestly to come. Either let her speak out what she wants, or not be troublesome; I assuredly shall not come a third time (knocking at the door of THAIS). Ho! there, ho! there! Is any one here?

It’s I, Chremes.

O most charming, dear creature!

I said there was a design upon me.

Thais entreated you most earnestly to come again to-morrow.

I’m going into the country.

Do, there’s a dear sir.

I can not, I tell you.

Then stay here at our house till she comes back.