Scene VI.

Enter Chærea, in the Eunuch's habit.

Chær. (looking about). Is any body here? - No, nobody. Does any follow me? - No, nobody. May I then let my ecstasy break forth! O Jupiter! 'tis now the very time, When I could suffer to be put to death, Lest not another transport like to this, Remain in life to come. - But is there not Some curious impertinent to come Across me now, and murder me with questions? - To ask, why I'm so flutter'd? why so joyful? Whither I'm going? whence I came? from whence I got this habit? what I'm looking after? Whether I'm in my senses? or stark mad?

Anti. I'll go myself, and do that kindness to him. Chærea, (advancing) what's all this flutter? what's this dress? What is't transports you? what d'ye want? art mad? Why do ye start at me? and why not speak?

Chær. O happy, happy day! - Save you, dear friend! There's not a man on earth I'd rather see This moment than yourself.

Anti. Come, tell me all!

Chær. Tell you! I will beseech you give me hearing. D'ye know my brother's mistress here?

Anti. I do: Thais, I think.

Chær. The same.

Anti. I recollect.

Chær. To-day a girl was sent a present to her. Why need I speak or praise her beauty now To you, that know me, and my taste so well? She set me all on fire.

Anti. Is she so handsome?

Chær. Most exquisite: Oh, had you but once seen her, You would pronounce her, I am confident, The first of womankind. - But in a word, I fell in love with her. - By great good luck There was at home an Eunuch, which my brother Had bought for Thais, but not yet sent thither. - I had a gentle hint from Parmeno, Which I seiz'd greedily.

Anti. And what was that?

Chær. Peace, and I'll tell you. - To change dresses with him, And order Parmeno to carry me Instead of him.

Anti. How? for an Eunuch, you?

Chær. E'en so.

Anti. What good could you derive from that?

Chær. What good! - why, see, and hear, and be with her I languish'd for, my Antipho! - was that An idle reason, or a trivial good? - To Thais I'm deliver'd; she receives me, And carries me with joy into her house; Commits the charming girl -

Anti. To whom? - to you?

Chær. To me.

Anti. In special hands, I must confess.

Chær. - Enjoins me to permit no man come near her; Nor to depart, myself, one instant from her; But in an inner chamber to remain Alone with her alone. I nod, and look Bashfully on the ground.

Anti. Poor simple soul!

Chær. I am bid forth, says she; and carries off All her maid-servants with her, save some few Raw novices, who straight prepar'd the bath. I bade them haste; and while it was preparing, In a retiring-room the Virgin sat; Viewing a picture, where the tale was drawn Of Jove's descending in a golden show'r To Danaë's bosom. - I beheld it too, And because he of old the like game play'd, I felt my mind exult the more within me, That Jove should change himself into a man, And steal in secret through a stranger-roof, With a mere woman to intrigue. - Great Jove, Who shakes the highest heav'ns with his thunder! And I, poor mortal man, not do the same! - I did it, and with all my heart I did it. - While thoughts, like these, possess'd my soul, they call'd The girl to bathe. She goes, bathes, then returns: Which done, the servants put her into bed. I stand to wait their orders. Up comes one, "Here, harkye, Dorus! take this fan and mark You cool her gently thus, while we go bathe. When we have bath'd, you, if you please, bathe too," I, with a sober air, receive the fan.

Anti. Then would I fain have seen your simple face! I should have been delighted to behold How like an ass you look'd, and held the fan.

Chær. Scarce had she spoke, when all rush'd out o' doors; Away they go to bathe; grow full of noise, As servants use, when masters are abroad. Meanwhile sleep seiz'd the virgin: I, by stealth, Peep'd through the fan-sticks thus; then looking round, And seeing all was safe, made fast the door.

Anti. What then?

Chær. What then, fool!

Anti. I confess.

Chær. D'ye think, Bless'd with an opportunity like this, So short, so wish'd for, yet so unexpected, I'd let it slip? No. Then I'd been, indeed, The thing I counterfeited.

Anti. Very true. But what's become of our club-supper?

Chær. Ready.

Anti. An honest fellow! where? at your own house?

Chær. At Freeman Discus's.

Anti. A great way off.

Chær. Then we must make more haste.

Anti. But change your dress.

Chær. Where can I change it? I'm distress'd. From home I must play truant, lest I meet my brother. My father too, perhaps, is come to town.

Anti. Come to my house then! that's the nearest place Where you may shift.

Chær. With all my heart! let's go! And at the same time, I'll consult with you How to enjoy this dear girl.

Anti. Be it so.