Perde 3
[Textpart 1]
I’m sorry though that it was said to a thoughtless young man, and one of respectability.
PARMENO
May the Gods confound you!
430
GNATHO
Pray, what did he do?
430
THRASO
Quite disconcerted. All who were present were dying with laughter; in short, they were all quite afraid of me.
430
GNATHO
[Not without reason.
THRASO
But hark you, had I best clear myself of this to Thais, as to her suspicion that I’m fond of this girl?
on the contrary, rather increase her jealousy.
435
GNATHO
Do you ask me? Don’t you see, if on any occasion she makes mention of Phaedria or commends him, to provoke you—
435
GNATHO
That such may not be the case, this method is the only remedy. When she speaks of Phaedria, do you instantly mention Pamphila.
If at any time she says, Let’s invite Phaedria to make one, do you say, Let’s ask Pamphila to sing. If she praises his good looks, do you, on the other hand, praise hers. In short, do you return like for like, which will mortify her.
440
THRASO
If, indeed, she loved me,If, indeed, she loved me: Colman has the following Note upon this passage: I am at a loss to determine whether it was in order to show the absurdity of the Captain or from inadvertence in the Poet, that Terence here makes Thraso and Gnatho speak in contradiction to the idea of Thais’s wonderful veneration for Thraso, with which they opened the Scene. this might be of some use, Gnatho.
445
GNATHO
Since she is impatient for and loves that which you give her, she already loves you; as it is, then, it is an easy matter for her to feel vexed. She will be always afraid lest the presents which she herself is now getting, you may on some occasion be taking elsewhere.
THRASO
Well said; that never came into my mind.
450
GNATHO
Nonsense. You never thought about it; else how much more readily would you yourself have hit upon it, Thraso!
[Textpart 2]
I thought I just now heard the Captain’s voice. And look, here he is. Welcome, my dear Thraso.
my sweet one, how are you? How much do you love me in return for that music girl?
455
