Scene I.

Enter Thraso and Gnatho .

Thraso. And Thais then returns me many thanks?

Gnat. Ten thousand.

Thra. Say, is she delighted with it?

Gnat. Not for the present's sake so much, as that From you it was presented: But therein She truly triumphs.

Enter Parmeno behind.

Par. I'm upon the watch, To mark a proper opportunity To bring my presents. But behold the Captain!

Thra. It is, indeed, something, I know not how, Peculiar to me, do whate'er I please, It will appear agreeable.

Gnat. In truth I always have observ'd it.

Thra. Ev'n the King Held himself much obliged, whate'er I did: Not so to others.

Gnat. Men of wit, like you, The glory, got by others' care and toil, Often transfer unto themselves.

Thra. You've hit it.

Gnat. The king then held you -

Thra. Certainly.

Gnat. Most dear.

Thra. Most near. He trusted his whole army to me, His counsels. -

Gnat. Wonderful!

Thra. And then whene'er Satiety of company, or hate Of business seiz'd him - when he would repose - As if - you understand me.

Gnat. Perfectly. When he would - in a manner - clear his stomach Of all uneasiness.

Thra. The very thing. On such occasions he chose none but me.

Gnat. Hui! there's a king indeed! a king of taste!

Thra. No general man, I promise you.

Gnat. Oh no! He must have been particular indeed, If he convers'd with You.

Thra. The courtiers all Began to envy me, and rail'd in secret: I car'd not; whence their spleen increas'd the more. One in particular, who had the charge Of th' Indian elephants; who grew at last So very troublesome, "I prithee, Strato, Are you so savage, and so fierce, (says I,) Because you're governor of the wild beasts?"

Gnat. Oh, finely said! and shrewdly! excellent! Too hard upon him! - what said he to't?

Thra. Nothing.

Gnat. And how the devil should he?

Par. Gracious Heav'n! The stupid coxcomb! - and that rascal too! (Aside.)

Thra. Aye! but the story of the Rhodian, Gnatho! How smart I was upon him at a feast - Did I ne'er tell you?

Gnat. Never: but pray do! - I've heard it o'er and o'er a thousand times. (Aside.)

Thra. We were by chance together at a feast - This Rhodian, that I told you of and I. - I, as it happen'd, had a wench: the spark Began to toy with her, and laugh at me. "Why how now, Impudence! (said I,) are you A hare yourself, and yet would hunt for game?"

Gnat. Ha! ha! ha!

Thra. What's the matter?

Gnat. Ha! ha! ha! Witty! smart! excellent! incomparable! Is it your own? I swear I thought 'twas old.

Thra. Why, did you ever hear it?

Gnat. Very often; And reckon'd admirable.

Thra. 'Tis my own.

Gnat. And yet 'twas pity to be so severe On a young fellow, and a gentleman.

Par. Ah! devil take you! (Aside.)

Gnat. What became of him?

Thra. It did for him. The company were all Ready to die with laughing:- in a word, They dreaded me.

Gnat. No wonder.

Thra. Harkye, Gnatho! Thais, you know, suspects I love this girl. Shall I acquit myself?

Gnat. On no account. Rather increase her jealousy.

Thra. And why?

Gnat. Why? - do you ask? - as if you didn't know! - Whene'er she mentions Phædria, or whene'er She praises him, to vex you -

Thra. I perceive.

Gnat. To hinder that, you've only this resource. When she names Phædria, name you Pamphila. If she should say, "come! let's have Phædria To dinner with us!" - "aye, and Pamphila To sing to us!" - if she praise Phædria's person, Praise you the girl's! so give her tit for tat, And gall her in her turn.

Thra. Suppose she lov'd me, This might avail me, Gnatho!

Gnat. While she loves The presents which you give, expecting more, So long she loves you; and so long you may Have pow'r to vex her. She will always fear To make you angry, lest some other reap The harvest, which she now enjoys alone.

Thra. You're right: and yet I never thought of it.

Gnat. Ridiculous! because you did not turn Your thoughts that way; or with how much more ease Would you have hit on this device yourself!