Are we to go now?THAIS 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.(Goes into the house with PYTHIAS, CHAEREA, and the SLAVE.)THRASO(to GNATHO.)I shall be off. Do you wait for her.PARMENO It is not a proper thing for a general to be walking in the street with a mistress.THRASO Why should I use many words with you? You are the very ape of your master.(Exit PARMENO.)GNATHO(laughing.)Ha, ha, ha! THRASO What are you laughing at?GNATHO At what you were mentioning just now; that saying, too, about the Rhodian, recurred to my mind. But Thais is coming out.THRASO You go before; take care that every thing is ready at home.GNATHO Very well.(Exit.)THAIS(Re-enter THAIS, with PYTHIAS and FEMALE ATTENDANTS.) Take care, Pythias, and be sure that if Chremes should happen to come,If Chremes should happen to come: This is the first allusion to the arrangement which ultimately causes the quarrel between Thais and the Captain. to beg him to wait; if that is not convenient, then to come again; if he can not do that, bring him to me.PYTHIAS I’ll do so.THAIS 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.THRASO Let us begone.THAIS(to her attendants.)You follow me.(Exeunt THAIS and THRASO, followed by the Attendants. PYTHIAS goes into the house.)

(Enter CHREMES.)CHREMES(to himself.)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,Had been offering a sacrifice: It was the custom to sacrifice before entering on affairs of importance. Thus, too, Jupiter, in the Amphitryon of Plautus, l. 938, speaks of offering sacrifice on his safe return. 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 besideme; 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.(Enter PYTHIAS from the house.)PYTHIAS O most charming, dear creature!CHREMES(apart.)I said there was a design upon me.PYTHIAS Thais entreated you most earnestly to come again to-morrow.CHREMES I’m going into the country.PYTHIAS Do, there’s a dear sir.CHREMES I can not, I tell you.PYTHIAS Then stay here at our house till she comes back.