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207
(Enter PHAEDRIA and PARMENO.)
PHAEDRIA
Mind that those people are taken there, as I ordered.
Mind that those people are taken there, as I ordered.
PARMENO
I’ll do so.
I’ll do so.
PHAEDRIA
And carefully.
And carefully.
PARMENO
It shall be done.
It shall be done.
PHAEDRIA
And with all speed.
And with all speed.
PARMENO
It shall be done.
It shall be done.
PHAEDRIA
Have you had sufficient instructions?
Have you had sufficient instructions?
PARMENO
Dear me! to ask the question, as though it were a matter of difficulty.
I wish that you were able, Phaedria, to find any thing as easily as this present will be lost.
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Dear me! to ask the question, as though it were a matter of difficulty.
I wish that you were able, Phaedria, to find any thing as easily as this present will be lost.
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PHAEDRIA
Together with it, I myself am lost, which concerns me more nearly. Don’t bear this with such a feeling of vexation.
Together with it, I myself am lost, which concerns me more nearly. Don’t bear this with such a feeling of vexation.
PARMENO
By no means; on the contrary, I’ll see it done. But do you order any thing else?
By no means; on the contrary, I’ll see it done. But do you order any thing else?
PHAEDRIA
Set off my present with words, as far as you can; and so far as you are able, do drive away that rival of mine from her.
Set off my present with words, as far as you can; and so far as you are able, do drive away that rival of mine from her.
PARMENO
Pshaw! I should have kept that in mind, even if you hadn’t reminded me.
Pshaw! I should have kept that in mind, even if you hadn’t reminded me.
PHAEDRIA
I shall go into the country and remain there.
I shall go into the country and remain there.
PARMENO
I agree with you.
(Moves as if going.)
I agree with you.
PHAEDRIA
But hark you!
But hark you!
PARMENO
What is it you want?
What is it you want?
PHAEDRIA
Are you of opinion that I can muster resolution and hold out so as not to come back within the time?
Are you of opinion that I can muster resolution and hold out so as not to come back within the time?
PARMENO
What, you? Upon my faith, I don’t think so; for either you’ll be returning at once, or by-and-by, at night, want of sleep will be driving you hither.
What, you? Upon my faith, I don’t think so; for either you’ll be returning at once, or by-and-by, at night, want of sleep will be driving you hither.
PHAEDRIA
I’ll do some laborious work, that I may be continually fatigued, so as to sleep in spite of myself.
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I’ll do some laborious work, that I may be continually fatigued, so as to sleep in spite of myself.
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PARMENO
When wearied, you will be keeping awake; by this you will be making it worse.
When wearied, you will be keeping awake; by this you will be making it worse.
PHAEDRIA
Oh, you talk to no purpose, Parmeno: this softness of spirit, upon my faith, must be got rid of; I indulge myself too much. Could I not do without her, pray, if there were the necessity, even for a whole three days?
Oh, you talk to no purpose, Parmeno: this softness of spirit, upon my faith, must be got rid of; I indulge myself too much. Could I not do without her, pray, if there were the necessity, even for a whole three days?
PARMENO
Whew! an entire three days! Take care what you are about.
Whew! an entire three days! Take care what you are about.
PHAEDRIA
My mind is made up.
(Exit.)
My mind is made up.
PARMENO
(to himself.)
Good Gods! What a malady is this! That a man should become so changed through love, that you wouldn’t know him to be the same person! Not any one was there
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less inclined to folly than he, and no one more discreet or more temperate. But who is it that’s coming this way? Heyday! surely this is Gnatho, the Captain’s Parasite; he’s bringing along with him the damsel as a present to her. Heavens!
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How beautiful! No wonder if I make but a sorry figure here to-day with this decrepit Eunuch of mine. She surpasses Thais herself.
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(Stands aside.)
Good Gods! What a malady is this! That a man should become so changed through love, that you wouldn’t know him to be the same person! Not any one was there
1
less inclined to folly than he, and no one more discreet or more temperate. But who is it that’s coming this way? Heyday! surely this is Gnatho, the Captain’s Parasite; he’s bringing along with him the damsel as a present to her. Heavens!
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How beautiful! No wonder if I make but a sorry figure here to-day with this decrepit Eunuch of mine. She surpasses Thais herself.
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Eunuchus. Publius Terentius Afer (Terence). Henry Thomas Riley (Translator), George Colman (Translator). Ney York. 1874.
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