PYTH. Why so? Really, I do believe I should be something in this
hang-dog's debt, if I were to do so; especially as he owns that he is
your servant.

THAIS. We'll pass that by. Chaerea, you have behaved unworthily of
yourself; for if I am deserving in the highest degree of this affront,
still it is unbecoming of you to be guilty of it. And, upon my faith,
I do not know what method now to adopt about this girl: you have so
confounded all my plans, that I can not possibly return her to her
friends in such a manner as is befitting and as I had intended; in
order that, by this means, I might, Chaerea, do a real service to
myself.

CHAE. But now, from henceforth, I hope, Thais, that there will be
lasting good-will between us. Many a time, from some affair of this
kind and from a bad beginning, great friendships have sprung up. What
if some Divinity has willed this?

THAIS. I'faith, for my own part I both take it in that view and wish
{to do so}.

CHAE. Yes, prithee, do so. Be sure of this one thing, that I did not do
it for the sake of affronting you, but in consequence of passion.

THAIS. I understand, and, i'faith, for that reason do I now the more
readily forgive you. I am not, Chaerea, of a disposition so ungentle,
or so inexperienced, as not to know what is the power of love.

CHAE. So may the Deities kindly bless me, Thais; I am now smitten with
you as well.

PYTH. Then, i'faith, mistress, I foresee you must have a care of him.

CHAE. I would not dare--

PYTH. I won't trust you at all in any thing.

THAIS, (_to PYTHIAS._) Do have done.

CHAE. Now I entreat you that you will be my assistant in this affair.
I intrust and commit myself to your care; I take you, Thais, as my
protectress; I implore you; I shall die if I don't have her for my
wife.

THAIS. But if your father {should say} any thing--

CHAE. Oh, he'll consent, I'm quite sure of that, if she is only a
citizen.

THAIS. If you will wait a little, the brother himself of the young
woman will be here presently; he has gone to fetch the nurse, who
brought her up when a little child; you yourself, shall be present
Chaerea, at his recognition of her.

CHAE. I certainly will stay.

THAIS. In the mean time, until he comes, would you prefer that we
should wait for him in the house, rather than here before the door?

CHAE. Why yes, I should like it much.

PYTH. (_to THAIS._) Prithee, what are you going to do?

THAIS. Why, what's the matter?