Part 30 (2/2)

Order the slaves, I told you, to come forth.

_Enter a BLACK GIRL._ This way! do you stand forward!--This girl, ma'am, Comes quite from aethiopia.

THRA. Worth three Minae.

_Harper_ THAIS. Let me but carry in _Colman 1768_ THAIS. Let me but introduce

_Harper_ THRA. What moves your laughter?

GNAT. That You said just now: and then the Rhodian came _Colman 1768_ THRA. What moves your laughter, Gnatho?

GNAT. Your speech but now: and then the Rhodian came]

SCENE III.

_CHREMES alone._

In truth the more and more I think, the more I am convinc'd that Thais means me ill: So plain I see her arts to draw me in.

Ev'n when she first invited me, (and when Had any ask'd, _What business have you there?_ The question would have stagger'd me,) she fram'd Sev'ral excuses to detain me there.

Said she had made a sacrifice, and had Affairs of consequence to settle with me.

--Oho! thought I immediately, I smell A trick upon me!--down she sat, behav'd Familiarly, and tried to beat about For conversation. Being at a loss, She ask'd, how long my parents had been dead?

--I told her, long time since:--on which she ask'd, Whether I had a country-house at Sunium?

--And how far from the sea?--I half believe She likes my villa, and would wheedle me To give it her.--Her final questions were, If I ne'er lost a little sister thence?

--Who was miss'd with her?--what she had when lost?

If any one could know her? Why should Thais Demand all this, unless,--a saucy baggage!---- She means to play the counterfeit, and feign Herself that sister?--but if she's alive, She is about sixteen, not more; Thais Is elder than myself.--She sent beside To beg I'd come again.--Or, let her say What she would have; or, not be troublesome!

I'll not return a third time.--Ho! who's there?

Here am I! Chremes!

[Changes:

_Harper_ If any one could know her? Why should Thais Demand all this, unless,--a saucy baggage!---- She means to play the counterfeit, and feign Herself that sister?--but if she's alive, She is about sixteen, not more; Thais Is elder than myself.--She sent beside To beg I'd come again.--Or, let her say What she would have; or, not be troublesome!

_Colman 1768_ --If there was any body capable Of recollecting her?--Why all these questions?

Unless perhaps she means,--a saucy baggage!-- To play the counterfeit, and feign herself That sister, who was lost so long ago?

But she, if living, is about sixteen; Not more: and Thais older than myself.

She sent beside to press me earnestly To visit her again.--Or, let her say What she would have; or, trouble me no more!]

SCENE IV.

_Enter PYTHIAS._

PYTH. Oh, sweet, charming, Sir!

CHRE. A coaxing hussy!

PYTH. Thais begs and prays You'd come again to-morrow.

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