Perde 5
PYTHIAS
Order him to be seized as quickly as possible.
835
THAIS
What can we do to him, simpleton?
PYTHIAS
What do to him, do you ask? Pray, do look at him; if his face doesn’t seem an impudent one.
THAIS
Not at all.This text appears on line 838 of the Latin.
PYTHIAS
Besides, what effrontery he has.
[Textpart 2]
At Antipho’s,At Antipho’s: Madame Decier here observes that Chaerea assigns very natural reasons for not having changed his dress; in which the art of Terence is evident, since the sequel of the Play makes it absolutely necessary that Chaerea should appear again before Thais in the habit which he wore while in the house. both of them, father and mother,
CHAEREA
just as if on purpose, were at home, so that I couldn’t any way get in, but that they must have seen me. In the mean time, while I was standing before the door, a certain acquaintance of mine was coming full upon me. When I espied him, I took to my heels as fast as I could down a narrow unfrequented alley; thence again
840
to another, and thence to another; thus have I been most dreadfully harassed with running about, that no one might recognize me. But isn’t this Thais that I see? It is she. I’m at a stand. What shall I do? But what need I care? What can she do to me?
845
THAIS
Let’s accost him. (To CHAEREA.) Good Mister Dorus, welcome; tell me,
have you been running away?
850
CHAEREA
Madam, I did so.
850
THAIS
Are you quite pleased with it?
850
THAIS
Do you fancy that you’ll get off with impunity?
CHAEREA
Forgive this one fault; if I’m ever guilty of another, then kill me.
THAIS
Were you in fear of my severity?
CHAEREA
I was afraid of her, lest she might be accusing me to you.
