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 Phaedria, or whene'er
She praises him, to vex you----

THRA. I perceive.

GNAT. To hinder that, you've only this resource.
When she names Phaedria, name you Pamphila.
If she should say, "come! let's have Phaedria
To dinner with us!"--"aye, and Pamphila
To sing to us!"--if she praise Phaedria'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!

[Changes:

_Harper_
GNAT. Not so much with the gift itself, as that
By you 'twas given: but therein she triumphs.
_Enter PARMENO behind._
PAR. I'm come to look about me, and observe
A proper opportunity to bring
My presents. But behold the Captain!
THRA. 'Tis
Something, I know not how, peculiar to me,
That all I do 's agreeable.
GNAT. In truth
I have observ'd it.
THRA. E'en the King always
_Colman 1768_
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? [with question mark]
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

_Harper_