Eunuchus; or, The Eunuch (944-977)

I do pity him; and so that I mightn’t see it, wretched creature that I am, I hurried away out of doors.

What a dreadful example they talk of making him!

O Jupiter! What is this tumult? Am I then undone? I’ll accost her. What’s all this, Pythias? What are you saying? An example made of whom?

Do you ask the question, you most audacious fellow? You’ve proved the ruin of the young man whom you brought hither for the Eunuch, while you were trying to put a trick upon us.

How so, or what has happened? Tell me.

I’ll tell you: that young woman who was to-day made a present to Thais, are you aware that she is a citizen of this place, and that her brother is a person of very high rank?

I didn’t know that.

But so she has been discovered to be; he, unfortunate youth, has ravished her. When the brother came to know of this being done, in a most towering rage, he—

Did what, pray?

First, bound him in a shocking manner.

Bound him?

And even though Thais entreated him that he wouldn’t do so—

What is it you tell me?

Now he is threatening that he will also do that which is usually done to ravishers; a thing that I never saw done, nor wish to.

With what assurance does he dare perpetrate a crime so heinous?

How so heinous?

Is it not most heinous? Who ever saw any one taken up as a ravisher in a courtesan’s house?

I don’t know.

But that you mayn’t be ignorant of this, Pythias, I tell you, and give you notice that he is my master’s son.

How! Prithee, is it he?

Don’t let Thais suffer any violence to be done to him. But why don’t I go in myself?

Take care, Parmeno, what you are about, lest you both do him no good and come to harm yourself; for it is their notion,

that whatever has happened, has originated in you.

What then, wretch that I am, shall I do, or how resolve? But look, I see the old gentleman returning from the country; shall I tell him or shall I not? By my troth, I will tell him; although I am certain that a heavy punishment is in readiness for me; but it’s a matter of necessity, in order that he may rescue him.

You are wise. I’m going in-doors; do you relate to him every thing exactly as it happened.

I have this advantage[*] from my country-house being so near at hand; no weariness, either of country or of town, ever takes possession of me; when satiety begins to come on, I change my locality. But is not that our Parmeno? Surely it is he. Whom are you waiting for, Parmeno, before the door here?

Who is it (Turning round.) Oh, I’m glad that you have returned safe.

Whom are you waiting for?

I’m undone: my tongue cleaves to my mouth through fright.

Why, what is it you are trembling about? Is all quite right? Tell me.