SCENE IV.

Re-enter Phædria, with Dorus the Eunuch, in Chærea’s clothes.

Phæd. Out, rascal, out!—What are you resty, Sirrah?

Out, thou vile bargain!

Dor. Dear Sir! (Crying.)

Phæd. See the wretch!

What a wry mouth he makes!—Come, what’s the meaning

Of your returning? and your change of dress?

What answer, Sirrah!—If I had delay’d

A minute longer, Pythias, I had miss’d him,

He was equipp’d so bravely for his flight.

Pyth. What, have you got the rogue?

Phæd. I warrant you.

Pyth. Well done! well done!

Dori. Aye, marry, very well.

Pyth. Where is he?

Phæd. Don’t you see him?

Pyth. See him? whom?

Phæd. This fellow, to be sure.

Pyth. This man! who is he?

Phæd. He that was carried to your house to-day.

Pyth. None of our people ever laid their eyes

Upon this fellow, Phædria!

Phæd. Never saw him?

Pyth. Why, did you think this fellow had been brought

To us?

Phæd. Yes, surely; for I had no other.

Pyth. Oh dear! this fellow’s not to be compar’d

To t’other.—He was elegant, and handsome.

Phæd. Aye, so he might appear a while ago,

Because he had gay clothes on: now he seems

Ugly, because he’s stripped.

Pyth. Nay, prithee, peace!

As if the diff’rence was so very small!——

The youth conducted to our house to-day,

’Twould do you good to cast your eyes on, Phædria:

This is a drowsy, wither’d, weasel-fac’d,

Old fellow.

Phæd. How?——you drive me to that pass,

That I scarce know what I have done myself.

—Did not I buy you, rascal? (To Dorus.)

Dor. Yes, Sir.

Pyth. Order him

To answer me.

Phæd. Well, question him.

Pyth. (to Dorus). Was you

Brought here to-day? (Shakes his head.) See there! Not he. It was

Another, a young lad, about sixteen,

Whom Parmeno brought with him.

Phæd. (to Dorus). Speak to me!

First tell me, whence had you that coat? What, dumb?

I’ll make you speak, you villain? (Beating him.)

Dor. Chærea came—— (Crying.)

Phæd. My brother?

Dor. Yes, Sir!

Phæd. When?

Dor. To-day.

Phæd. How long since?

Dor. Just now.

Phæd. With whom?

Dor. With Parmeno.

Phæd. Did you

Know him before?

Dor. No, Sir; nor e’er heard of him.

Phæd. How did you know he was my brother then?

Phæd. How did you know then that he was my brother?

Dor. Parmeno told me so; and Chærea

Gave me these clothes——

Phæd. Confusion! (Aside.)

Dor. Put on mine;

And then they both went out o’ doors together.

Pyth. Now, Sir, do you believe that I am sober?

Now do you think, I’ve told no lie? And now

Are you convinc’d the girl has been abus’d!

Phæd. Away, fool! d’ye believe what this wretch says?

Pyth. What signifies belief?—It speaks itself.

Phæd. (apart to Dorus). Come this way—hark ye!——further still.——Enough.

Tell me once more.——Did Chærea strip you?

Dor. Yes.

Phæd. And put your clothes on?

Dor. Yes, Sir!

Phæd. And was brought

In your stead hither?

Dor. Yes.

Phæd. Great Jupiter! (Pretending to be in a passion with him.)

What a most wicked scoundrel’s this?

Pyth. Alas!

Don’t you believe, then, we’ve been vilely us’d?

Phæd. No wonder if you credit what he says.

I don’t know what to do. (Aside.)—Here, harkye, Sirrah!

Deny it all again. (Apart to Dorus.)—What! can’t I beat

The truth out of you, rascal?—have you seen

My brother Chærea? (Aloud, and beating him.)

Dor. No, Sir! (Crying.)

Phæd. So! I see

He won’t confess without a beating.—This way! (Apart.) Now

He owns it; now denies it.—Ask my pardon! (Apart.)

Dor. Beseech you, Sir, forgive me!

Phæd. Get you gone. (Kicking him.)

Oh me! oh dear!

Exit, howling.

Phæd. (aside). I had no other way

To come off handsomely.—We’re all undone.

—D’ye think to play your tricks on me, you rascal?

Aloud, and Exit after Dorus.