Scene IX

Enter Chærea at another part of the stage.

Chær. Lives there, my countrymen, a happier man

To-day than I?—Not one.—For on my head

The gods have plainly emptied all their store,

On whom they’ve pour’d a flood of bliss at once.

Par. What’s he so pleas’d at?

Chær. (seeing him.) Oh my Parmeno

Inventor, undertaker, perfecter

Of all my pleasures, know’st thou my good fortunes?

Know’st thou my Pamphila’s a citizen?

Par. I’ve heard so.

Chær. Know’st thou she’s betroth’d my wife?

Par. Good news, by heaven!

Par. Oh brave, by Heav’n!

Gnat. Hear you what he says? (To Thraso.)

Chær. Then I rejoice, my brother Phædria’s love

Is quietly secur’d to him forever:

We’re now one family: and Thais has

Found favor with my father, and resign’d

Herself to us for patronage and care.

Par. She’s then entirely Phædria’s!

Chær. Aye, entirely.

Par. Another cause of joy: the Captain routed!

Chær. See, Parmeno, my brother (wheresoe’er

He be) know this, as soon as possible!

Par. I’ll see if he’s at home.

Exit.

Thraso. Hast any doubt,

Gnatho, but I’m entirely ruin’d?

Gnat. None at all.

Chær. What shall I mention first? whom praise the most!

Him that advis’d this action? or myself

That durst to undertake it?—or extol

Fortune, the governess of all, who deign’d,

Events so many, of such moment too,

So happily to close within one day?

Or shall I praise my father’s frank good-humor,

And gay festivity?——Oh, Jupiter,

Make but these blessings permanent!

Make but these blessings sure!