s
usually done to ravishers; a thing that I never saw done, nor wish to.

PAR. With what assurance does he dare {perpetrate} a crime so heinous?

PYTH. How "so heinous?"

PAR. Is it not most heinous? Who ever saw any one taken up as a
ravisher in a courtesan's house?

PYTH. I don't know.

PAR. But that you mayn't be ignorant of this, Pythias, I tell you,
{and} give you notice that he is my master's son.

PYTH. How! Prithee, is it he?

PAR. Don't let Thais suffer any violence to be done to him. But why
don't I go in myself?

PYTH. Take care, Parmeno, what you are about, lest you both do him no
good and come to harm yourself; for it is their notion, that whatever
has happened, has originated in you.

PAR. What then, wretch that I am, shall I do, or how resolve? But
look, I see the old gentleman returning from the country; shall I tell
him or shall I not? By my troth, I will tell him; although I am
certain that a heavy punishment is in readiness for me; but it's a
matter of necessity, in order that he may rescue him.

PYTH. You are wise. I'm going in-doors; do you relate to him every
thing exactly as it happened. (_Goes into the house._)

SCENE VI.

_Enter LACHES._

LACH. (_to himself._) I have this advantage[104] from my country-house
being so near at hand; no weariness, either of country or of town,
ever takes possession of me; when satiety begins to come on, I change
my locality. But is not that our Parmeno? Surely it is he. Whom are
you waiting for, Parmeno, before the door here?

PAR. (_pretends not to see him._) Who is it? (_Turning round._) Oh,
I'm glad that you have returned safe.

LACH. Whom are you waiting for?

PAR. (_aside._) I'm undone: my tongue cleaves {to my mouth} through
fright.

LACH. Why, what is it you are trembling about? Is all quite right?
Tell me.

PAR. Master, in the first place, I would have you persuaded of what is
the fact; whatever has happened in this affair has happened through no
fault of mine.

LACH. What {is it}?

PAR. Really you have reason to ask. I ought first to have told you the
circumstances. Phaedria purchased a certain Eunuch, to make a present
of to this woman here.

LACH. To what woman?

PAR. To Thais.

LACH. Bought? Good heavens, I'm undone! For how much?

PAR. Twenty minae.

LACH. Done for, quite.

PAR. Then, Chaerea is in love with a certain music-girl here.
(_Pointing to THAIS'S house._)

LACH. How! What? In love? Does he know alre