Act the Second
Scene I
Phædria, Parmeno.
Phædria. Carry the slaves according to my order.
Par. I will.
Phæd. But diligently.
Par. Sir, I will.
Phæd. But soon.
Par. I will, Sir!
Phæd. Say, is it sufficient?
Par. Ah! what a question’s that? as if it were So difficult! I wish, Sir Phædria,
You could gain aught so easy, as lose these.
Phæd. I lose, what’s dearer yet, my comfort with them.
Repine not at my gifts.
Par. Not I: moreover
I will convey them straight. But have you any
Other commands?
Phæd. Oh yes: set off our presents
With words as handsome as you can: and drive,
As much as possible, that rival from her!
Par. Ah, Sir, I should, of course, remember that.
Phæd. I’ll to the country, and stay there.
Par. O, aye! (Ironically.)
Phæd. But hark you!
Par. Sir, your pleasure?
Phæd. Do you think
I can with constancy hold out, and not
Return before my time?
Par. Hold out? Not you.
Either you’ll straight return, or want of sleep
Will drive you forth at midnight.
Phæd. I will toil;
Either you’ll straight return, or soon at night
Your dreams will drive you out o’ doors.
Phæd. I’ll toil;
That, weary, I may sleep against my will.
Par. Weary you may be; but you’ll never sleep.
Phæd. Ah, Parmeno, you wrong me. I’ll cast out
This treacherous softness from my soul, nor thus
Indulge my passions. Yes, I could remain,
If need, without her even three whole days.
Par. Hui! three whole livelong days! consider, Sir.
Phæd. I am resolved.
Parmeno alone.
Heav’ns, what a strange disease is this! that love
Should so change men, that one can hardly swear
They are the same!—No mortal liv’d
Less weak, more grave, more temperate than he.
—But who comes yonder?—Gnatho, as I live;
The Captain’s parasite! and brings along
The Virgin for a present: oh rare wench!
How beautiful! I shall come off, I doubt,
But scurvily with my decrepit Eunuch.
This Girl surpasses ev’n Thais herself.