Eunuchus; or, The Eunuch

Perseus Latin · Perseus Latin · 932 sections

2.3.325d
Do you ask me? Do you know Archidemides, my father’s kinsman and years’-mate?
2.3.327b
Why not?
2.3.327c
He, while I was in full pursuit of her, met me.
2.3.328
Unseasonably, upon my faith.
2.3.328b
Aye, unhappily, rather; for other ordinary matters are to be called unseasonable, Parmeno.
2.3.330
It would be safe for me to make oath that I have not seen him for fully these six or seven months, until just now, when I least wanted, and there was the least occasion. Come now! isn’t this like a fatality? What do you say?
2.3.333b
Extremely so.
2.3.334
At once he came running up to me, from a considerable distance,
2.3.335
stooping, palsied, hanging his lip, and wheezing. Halloo, Chaerea! halloo! said he; I’ve something to say to you. I stopped. Do you know what it is I want with you? said he. Say on, said I. To-morrow my cause comes on, said he. What then? Be sure and tell your father to remember and be my advocate in the morning.
2.3.340
In talking of this, an hour elapsed. I inquired if he wanted any thing else. That’s all, said he. I left him. When I looked in this direction for the damsel, she had that very instant turned this way down this street of ours.
2.3.343b
It’s a wonder if he doesn’t mean her who has just now been made a present of to Thais here.
2.3.344b
When I got here, she was nowhere to be seen.
2.3.345
Some attendants, I suppose, were accompanying the girl?
2.3.346
Yes; a Parasite, and a female servant.
2.3.346b
It’s the very same. (To CHAEREA.) It’s all over with you; make an end of it; you’ve said your last.
2.3.347b
You are thinking about something else.
2.3.348
Indeed I’m thinking of this same matter.
2.3.348b
Pray, tell me, do you know her, or did you see her?
2.3.349b
I did see, and I do know her, I am aware to what house she has been taken.
2.3.350
What, my dear Parmeno, do you know her,
2.3.350c
and are you aware where she is?
2.3.351
She has been brought here (pointing) to the house of Thais the Courtesan. She has been made a present to her.
2.3.352
What opulent person is it, to be presenting a gift so precious as this?
2.3.352b
The Captain Thraso, Phaedria’s rival.
2.3.353b
An unpleasant business for my brother, it should seem.
2.3.354
Aye, and if you did but know what present he is pitting against this present, you would say so still more.
2.3.355b
Troth now, what is it, pray?
2.3.355c
A Eunuch.
2.3.355d
What! that unsightly creature, pray, that he purchased yesterday, an old woman?
2.3.357
That very same.
2.3.357b
To a certainty, the gentleman will be bundled out of doors, together with his present; but I wasn’t aware that this Thais is our neighbor.
2.3.358b
It isn’t long since she came.
2.3.359
Unhappy wretch that I am! never to have seen her, even. Come now, just tell me,
2.3.360
is she as handsome as she is reported to be?
2.3.360b
Quite.
2.3.360c
But nothing in comparison with this damsel of mine?
2.3.360d
Another thing altogether.
2.3.361
Troth now, Parmeno, prithee do contrive for me to gain possession of her.
2.3.361b
I’ll do my best, and use all my endeavors; I’ll lend you my assistance. (Going.) Do you want any thing else with me?
2.3.362b
Where are you going now?
2.3.362c
Home; to take those slaves to Thais, as your brother ordered me.
2.3.364
Oh, lucky Eunuch that! really, to be sent as a present to that house!
2.3.365
Why so?
2.3.365b
Do you ask? He will always see at home a fellow-servant of consummate beauty, and be conversing with her; he will be in the same house with her; sometimes he will take his meals with her; sometimes sleep near her.
2.3.368
What now, if you yourself were to be this fortunate person?
2.3.368b
By what means, Parmeno? Tell me.
2.3.369b
Do you assume his dress.
2.3.369c
His dress! Well, what then?
2.3.370
I’ll take you there instead of him.
2.3.370b
I hear you.
2.3.370c
I’ll say that you are he.
2.3.370d
I understand you.
2.3.371
You may enjoy those advantages which you just now said lie would enjoy; you may take your meals together with her, be in company with her, touch her, dally with her, and sleep by her side; as not one of these women is acquainted with you, nor yet knows who you are. Besides, you are of an age and figure that you may easily pass for a eunuch.
2.3.375
You speak to the purpose; I never knew better counsel given. Well, let’s go in at once; dress me up, take me away, lead me to her, as fast as you can.
2.3.377
What do you mean? Really, I was only joking.
2.3.377b
You talk nonsense.
2.3.377c
I’m undone! Wretch that I am! what have I done? (CHAEREA pushes him along.) Whither are you pushing me? You’ll throw me down presently. I entreat you, be quiet.
2.3.379
Let’s be off.
2.3.379b
Do you still persist?
2.3.379c
I am resolved upon it.
2.3.379d
Only take care that this isn’t too rash a project.
2.3.380
Certainly it isn’t; let me alone for that.
2.3.380b
Aye, but I shall have to pay the penalty for this?
2.3.380c
Pshaw!
2.3.381
We shall be guilty of a disgraceful action.
2.3.381b
What, is it disgraceful to be taken to the house of a Courtesan, and to return the compliment upon those tormentors who treat us and our youthful age so scornfully, and who are always tormenting us in every way;—to dupe them just as we are duped by them?
2.3.385
Or is it right and proper that in preference my father should be wheedled out of his money by deceitful pretexts? Those who knew of this would blame me; while all would think the other a meritorious act.
2.3.387
What’s to be done in such case? If you are determined to do it, you must do it: but don’t you by-and-by be throwing the blame upon me.
2.3.388b
I shall not do so.
2.3.388c
Do you order me, then?
2.3.388d
I order, charge, and command you; I will never disavow my authorizing you.
2.3.389b
Follow me; may the Gods prosper it!
3.1.390
Did Thais really return me many thanks?
3.1.391
Exceeding thanks.
3.1.391b
Was she delighted, say you?
3.1.391c
Not so much, indeed, at the present itself, as because it was given by you; really, in right earnest, she does exult at that.
3.1.393b
I’ve come here to be on the look-out, that when there is an opportunity I may take the presents. But see, here’s the Captain.
3.1.394b
Undoubtedly it is the case with me
3.1.395
, that every thing I do is a cause for thankfulness.
3.1.396
Upon my faith, I’ve observed it.
3.1.396b
The most mighty King, even, always used to give me especial thanks for whatever I did; but not so to others.
3.1.398
He who has the wit that you have, often by his words appropriates to himself the glory that has been achieved by the labor of others.
3.1.400b
You’ve just hit it.
3.1.400c
The king, then, kept you in his eye.
3.1.400d
Just so.
3.1.401
To enjoy your society.
3.1.401b
True; he intrusted to me all his army, all his state secrets.
3.1.402b
Astonishing!
3.1.402c
Then if, on any occasion, a surfeit of society, or a dislike of business, came upon him, when he was desirous to take some recreation; just as though—you understand?
3.1.404b
I know;
3.1.405
just as though on occasion he would rid his mind of those anxieties.
3.1.405b
You have it. Then he used to take me aside as his only boon companion.
3.1.406b
Whew! You are telling of a King of refined taste.
3.1.407b
Aye, he is a person of that sort; a man of but very few acquaintanceships.
3.1.408b
Indeed, of none, I fancy, if he’s on intimate terms with you.
3.1.409b
All the people envied me,
3.1.410
and attacked me privately. I don’t care one straw. They envied me dreadfully; but one in particular, whom the King had appointed over the Indian elephants. Once, when he became particularly troublesome, Prithee, Strato, said I, are you so fierce because you hold command over the wild beasts?
3.1.415
Cleverly said, upon my faith, and shrewdly. Astounding! You did give the fellow a home thrust. What said he?
3.1.416b
Dumfounded, instantaneously.
3.1.417
How could he be otherwise?

Perseus Latin. CTS URN phi0134.phi003.perseus-eng2. Via the Perseus Digital Library / Open Greek and Latin TEI corpora. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source.