But look (pointing), I see Thais there herself.GNATHO How soon are we to fall to?THRASO Hold (holding him back); it behooves a prudent person to make trial of every thing before arms. How do you know but that she may do what I bid her without compulsion?GNATHO Ye Gods, by our trust in you,what a thing it is to be wise! I never come near you but what I go away from you the wiser.THRASO Thais, in the first place, answer me this. When I presented you that girl, did you not say that you would give yourself up to me alone for some days to come?THAIS Well, what then?THRASO Do you ask the question? You, who have been and brought your lover under my very eyes?What business had you with him?With him, too, you clandestinely betook yourself away from me.THAIS I chose to do so.THRASO Then give me back Pamphila; unless you had rather she were taken away by force.CHREMES Give her back to you, or you lay hands upon her? Of all the—GNATHO Ha! What are you about? Hold your tongue.THRASO What do you mean? Am I not to touch my own?CHREMES Your own, indeed, you gallows-bird!You gallows-bird: Furcifer; literally, bearer of the furca. GNATHO(to CHREMES.)Have a care, if you please. You don’t know what kind of man you are abusing now.CHREMES(to GNATHO.)Won’t you be off from here? Do you know how matters stand with you? If you cause any disturbance here to-day,I’ll make you remember the place, and day, and me too, for the rest of your life.GNATHO I pity you, who are making so great a man as this your enemy.CHREMES I’ll break your head this instant if you are not off.GNATHO Do you really say so, puppy? Is it that you are at?THRASO(to CHREMES.)What fellow are you? What do you mean? What business have you with her?CHREMES I’ll let you know: in the first place, I assert that she is a freeborn woman.THRASO(starting.)Ha!CHREMES A citizen of Attica.THRASO Whew!CHREMES My own sister.THRASO Brazen face!CHREMES Now, therefore, Captain, I give you warning; don’t you use any violence toward her. Thais, I’m going to Sophrona, the nurse, that I may bring her here and show her these tokens.