Scene III
Chremes alone.
In truth the more and more I think, the more
I am convinc’d that Thais means me ill:
So plain I see her arts to draw me in.
Ev’n when she first invited me, (and when
Had any ask’d, What business have you there?
The question would have stagger’d me,) she fram’d
Sev’ral excuses to detain me there.
Said she had made a sacrifice, and had
Affairs of consequence to settle with me.
—Oho! thought I immediately, I smell
A trick upon me!—down she sat, behav’d
Familiarly, and tried to beat about
For conversation. Being at a loss,
She ask’d, how long my parents had been dead?
—I told her, long time since:—on which she ask’d,
Whether I had a country-house at Sunium?
—And how far from the sea?—I half believe
She likes my villa, and would wheedle me
To give it her.—Her final questions were,
If I ne’er lost a little sister thence?
—Who was miss’d with her?—what she had when lost?
—If there was any body capable
Of recollecting her?—Why all these questions?
Unless perhaps she means,—a saucy baggage!—
To play the counterfeit, and feign herself
That sister, who was lost so long ago?
But she, if living, is about sixteen;
Not more: and Thais older than myself.
She sent beside to press me earnestly
To visit her again.—Or, let her say
What she would have; or, trouble me no more!
I’ll not return a third time.—Ho! who’s there?
Here am I! Chremes!
If any one could know her? Why should Thais
Demand all this, unless,—a saucy baggage!——
She means to play the counterfeit, and feign
Herself that sister?—but if she’s alive,
She is about sixteen, not more; Thais
Is elder than myself.—She sent beside
To beg I’d come again.—Or, let her say
What she would have; or, not be troublesome!
I’ll not return a third time.—Ho! who’s there?
Here am I! Chremes!