Perde 1
[Textpart 2]
or because I’m the highest in your favor?
90
THAIS
Pass those matters by.
90
PHAEDRIA
How pass them by? O Thais, Thais, I wish that I had equal affection with yourself, and that it were in like degree, that either this might distress you in the same way that it distresses me, or that I might be indifferent at this being done by you.
THAIS
Prithee, don’t torment yourself, my life, my Phaedria. Upon my faith, I did it, not because I love or esteem any person more than you; but the case was such that it was necessary to be done.
95
PARMENO
I suppose that, poor thing, you shut him out of doors, for love, according to the usual practice.
THAIS
Is it thus you act, Parmeno? Well, well. (To PHAEDRIA.) But listen—the reason for which
I desired you to be sent for hither—
100
THAIS
First tell me this; can this fellow possibly hold his tongue?
100
PARMENO
What, I? Perfectly well. But, hark you, upon these conditions I pledge my word to you; the truth that I hear, I’m silent upon, and retain it most faithfully; but if I hear what’s false and without foundation, it’s out at once;
I’m full of chinks, and leak in every direction. Therefore, if you wish it to be kept secret, speak the truth.
105
THAIS
My mother was a Samian; she lived at Rhodes—
PARMENO
That may be kept a secret.
THAIS
There, at that period, a certain merchant made present to my mother of a little girl,
who had been stolen away from Attica here.
110
PARMENO
What, a citizen?
110
THAIS
I think so; we do not know for certain: she herself used to mention her mother’s and her father’s name; her country and other tokens she didn’t know, nor, by reason of her age, was she able. The merchant added this: that he had heard from the kidnappers
110
that she had been carried off from Sunium.From Sunium: This was a town situate near a lofty Promontory of that name in Attica. It was famous for a fair which was held there. Sunium’s rocky brow is mentioned by Byron in the song of the Greek Captive in the third Canto of Don Juan. When my mother received her, she began carefully to teach her every thing, and to bring her up, just as though she had been her own daughter. Most persons supposed that she was my sister.
115
Thence I came hither with that stranger, with whom alone at that period I was connected; he left me all which I now possess—
PARMENO
Both these things are false; out it goes.
