CT THE SECOND.

SCENE I.

_Enter PHAEDRIA and PARMENO._

PHAED. Mind that those people are taken {there}, as I ordered.

PAR. I'll do {so}.

PHAED. And carefully.

PAR. It shall be done.

PHAED. And with all speed.

PAR. It shall be done.

PHAED. Have you had sufficient instructions?

PAR. Dear me! to ask the question, as though it were a matter of
difficulty. I wish that you were able, Phaedria, to find any thing as
easily as this present will be lost.

PHAED. Together with it, I {myself} am lost, which concerns me more
nearly. Don't bear this with such a feeling of vexation.

PAR. By no means; on the contrary, I'll see it done. But do you order
any thing else?

PHAED. Set off my present with words, as far as you can; and so far as
you are able, do drive away that rival {of mine} from her.

PAR. Pshaw! I should have kept that in mind, even if you hadn't
reminded me.

PHAED. I shall go into the country and remain there.

PAR. I agree with you. (_Moves as if going._)

PHAED. But hark you!

PAR. What is it you want?

PHAED. Are you of opinion that I can muster resolution and hold out so
as not to come back within the time?

PAR. What, you? Upon my faith, I don't think {so}; for either you'll
be returning at once, or by-and-by, at night, want of sleep will be
driving you hither.

PHAED. I'll do some {laborious} work, that I may be continually
fatigued, so as to sleep in spite of myself.

PAR. When wearied, you will be keeping awake; by this you will be
making it worse.

PHAED. Oh, you talk to no purpose, Parmeno: this softness of spirit,
upon my faith, must be got rid of; I indulge myself too much. Could I
not do without her, pray, if there were the necessity, even for a
whole three days?

PAR. Whew! an entire three days! Take care what you are about.

PHAED. My mind is made up. (_Exit._

SCENE II.

_PARMENO alone._

PAR. (_to himself._) Good Gods! What a malady is this! That a man
should become so changed through love, that you wouldn't know him to
be the same person! Not any one was there[41] less inclined to folly
than he, and no one more discreet {or} more temperate. But who is it
that's coming this way? Heyday! surely this is Gnatho, the Captain's
Parasite; he's bringing along with him the damsel as a present to her.
Heavens! How beautiful! No wonder if I make but a sorry figure here
to-day with this decrepit Eunuch of mine. She surpasses Thais herself.
(_Stands aside._