sister--I would fain obtain her from him,
That I to her relations might restore her----"
All this preamble comes at last to this.
I am excluded, he's admitted. Why?
But that you love him more than me, and fear
Lest this young captive win your hero from you.

THAIS. Do I fear that?

PHAED. Why, prithee now, what else?
Does he bring gifts alone? didst e'er perceive
My bounty shut against you? Did I not,
Because you told me you'd be glad to have
An Ethiopian servant-maid, all else
Omitted, seek one out? You said besides,
You wish'd to have an Eunuch, 'cause forsooth,
They were for dames of quality; I found one:
For both I yesterday paid twenty _minae_,
Yet you contemn me--I forgot not these,
And for these I'm despis'd.

THAIS. Why this, my Phaedria?
Though I would fain obtain the girl, and though
I think by these means it might well be done;
Yet, rather than make you my enemy,
I'll do as you command.

PHAED. Oh, had you said
Those words sincerely. "Rather than make you
My enemy!"--Oh, could I think those words
Came from your heart, what is 't I'd not endure!

PAR. Gone! conquer'd with one word! alas, how soon!

THAIS. Not speak sincerely? from my very soul?
What did you ever ask, although in sport,
But you obtain'd it of me? yet I can't
Prevail on you to grant but two short days.

PHAED. Well--for two days--so those two be not twenty.

THAIS. No in good faith but two, or----

PHAED. Or? no more.

THAIS. It shall not be: but you will grant me those.

PHAED. Your will must be a law.

THAIS. Thanks, my sweet Phaedria!

PHAED. I'll to the country: there consume myself
For these two days: it must be so: we must
Give way to Thais. See you, Parmeno,
The slaves brought hither.

PAR. Sir, I will.

PHAED. My Thais,
For these two days farewell!

THAIS. Farewell, my Phaedria!
Would you aught else with me?

PHAED. Aught else, my Thais?
Be with yon soldier present, as if absent:
All night and day love me: still long for me:
Dream, ponder still of me; wish, hope for me:
Delight in me; be all in all with me;
Give your whole heart, for mine's all yours, to me. (_Exeunt._

[Changes:

_Harper_
The truths I hear, I will conceal; whate'er
Is false, or vain, or feign'd, I'll publish it.
_Colman 1768_
The truths I hear, I will conceal; but falsehood,
Fiction, or gross pretence, shall out at once.]

_Harper_
PAR. Both these
Are false, and shall go forth at large.
_Col