Perde 3
[Textpart 2]
(Aside.) They hold their tongues; they praise him sufficiently thereby. (To THAIS.) Make trial of him in literature, try him in exercises,In exercises: Reference will be found made to the palaestrae, or places of exercise, in the Notes to the Translation of Plautus. and in music; I’ll warrant him well skilled in what it becomes a gentleman to know.
475
THRASO
That Eunuch, if occasion served,If occasion served: The Aposiopesis in this line is very aptly introduced, on account of the presence of the female; but it admirably illustrates the abominable turpitude of the speaker, and perhaps in a somewhat more decent manner than that in which Plautus attributes a similar tendency to his Braggart Captain, l. 1111. even in my sober senses, I—
PARMENO
And he who has sent these things makes no request that
you will live for him alone, and that for his own sake others may be excluded; he neither tells of battles nor shows his scars, nor does he restrict you as (looking at THRASO) a certain person does; but when it is not inconvenient, whenever you think fit, whenever you have the time, he is satisfied to be admitted.
480
THRASO
It appears that this is the servant of some beggarly, wretched master.
485
GNATHO
Why, faith, no person, I’m quite sure of that, could possibly put up with him, who had the means to get another.
PARMENO
You hold your tongue—a fellow whom I consider beneath all men of the very lowest grade: for when you can bring yourself to flatter that fellow (pointing at THRASO),
I do believe you could pick your victuals out of the very flames.Out of the very flames: This was a proverb expressive of the lowest degree of meanness and infamy. When they burned the bodies of the dead, it was the custom of the ancients to throw meat and various articles of food upon the funeral pile, and it was considered the greatest possible affront to tell a person that he was capable of snatching these things out of the flames.
490
THAIS
I’ll take these in-doors first (pointing to CHAEREA and the AETHIOPIAN), and at the same time I’ll order what I wish; after that I’ll return immediately.
THRASO
I shall be off. Do you wait for her.
PARMENO
It is not a proper thing for a general to be walking in the street with a mistress.
THRASO
Why should I use many words with you? You are the very ape of your master.
495
THRASO
What are you laughing at?
GNATHO
At what you were mentioning just now; that saying, too, about the Rhodian, recurred to my mind. But Thais is coming out.
THRASO
You go before; take care that every thing is ready at home.
THAIS
Take care, Pythias,
and be sure that if Chremes should happen to come,If Chremes should happen to come: This is the first allusion to the arrangement which ultimately causes the quarrel between Thais and the Captain. to beg him to wait; if that is not convenient, then to come again; if he can not do that, bring him to me.
500
