THAIS, (_as she comes out._) I thought I just now heard the Captain's
voice. And look, here he is. Welcome, my {dear} Thraso.

THRA. O my Thais, my sweet one, how are you? How much do you love me
in return for that music girl?

PAR. (_apart._) How polite! What a beginning he has made on meeting
her!

THAIS. Very much, as you deserve.

GNA. Let's go to dinner then. (_To THRASO._) What do you stand {here}
for?

PAR. (_apart._) Then there's the other one: you would declare that he
was born for his belly's sake.

THRA. When you please; I sha'n't delay.

PAR. (_apart._) I'll accost them, and pretend as though I had just
come out. (_He comes forward._) Are you going any where, Thais?

THAIS. Ha! Parmeno; well done; {just} going out for the day.

PAR. Where?

THAIS, (_aside, pointing at THRASO._) Why! don't you see him?

PAR. (_aside._) I see him, and I'm sorry for it. (_Aloud._) Phaedria's
presents are ready for you when you please.

THRA. (_impatiently._) Why are we to stand {here}? Why don't we be
off?

PAR. (_to THRASO._) Troth now, pray, do let us, with your leave,
present to her the things we intend, {and} accost and speak to her.

THRA. (_ironically._) Very fine presents, I suppose, or {at least}
equal to mine.

PAR. The fact will prove itself. (_Goes to the door of LACHES' house
and calls._) Ho there! bid those people come out of doors at once, as
I ordered.

_Enter from the house a BLACK GIRL._

PAR. Do you step forward this way, (_To THAIS._) She comes all the way
from AEthiopia.

THRA. (_contemptuously._) Here are some three minae in value.

GNA. Hardly so much.

PAR. Where are you, Dorus? Step this way.

_Enter CHAEREA from the house, dressed like the EUNUCH._

PAR. There's a Eunuch for you-- of what a genteel appearance! of what
a prime age!

THAIS. God bless me, he's handsome.

PAR. What say you, Gnatho? Do you see any thing to find fault with?
And what {say} you, Thraso? (_Aside._) They hold their tongues; they
praise him sufficiently {thereby}. (_To THAIS._) Make trial of him in
literature, try him in exercises,[70] and in music; I'll warrant him
well skilled in what it becomes a gentleman to know.

THRA. That Eunuch, if occasion served,[71] even in my sober senses,
I--

PAR. And he who has sent these things makes no request that you will
live for him alone, and that for his own sake others may be excluded;
he neither tells of battles nor shows his scars, nor does he re