PAR. (_apart._) It’s the very same. (_To CHÆREA._) It’s all over with you; make an end of it; you’ve said your last.[56] CHÆ. You are thinking about something else. PAR. Indeed I’m thinking of this same matter. CHÆ. Pray, tell me, do you know her, or did you see her? PAR. I did see, {and} I do know her; I am aware to what house she has been taken. CHÆ. What, my {dear} Parmeno, do you know her, and are you aware where she is? PAR. She has been brought here (_pointing_) to the house of Thais the Courtesan.[57] She has been made a present to her. CHÆ. What opulent person is it, to be presenting a gift so precious as this? PAR. The Captain Thraso, Phædria’s rival. CHÆ. An unpleasant business for my brother, it should seem. PAR. Aye, and if you did but know what present he is pitting against this present, you would say so still more. CHÆ. Troth now, what is it, pray? PAR. A Eunuch.[58] CHÆ. What! that unsightly creature, pray, that he purchased yesterday, an old woman? PAR. That very same. CHÆ. 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. PAR. It isn’t long {since she came}. CHÆ. Unhappy wretch that I am! never to have seen her, even. Come now, just tell me, is she as handsome as she is reported to be?[59] PAR. Quite. CHÆ. But nothing in comparison with this damsel of mine? PAR. Another thing altogether. CHÆ. Troth now, Parmeno, prithee do contrive for me to gain possession of her. PAR. 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? CHÆ. Where are you going now? PAR. Home; to take those slaves to Thais, as your brother ordered me. CHÆ. Oh, lucky Eunuch that! really, to be sent as a present to that house! PAR. Why so? CHÆ. Do you ask? Ho will always see at home a fellow-servant of consummate beauty, {and} he conversing with her; he will be in the same house with her; sometimes he will take his meals with her; sometimes sleep near her. PAR. What now, if you yourself were to be this fortunate person? CHÆ. By what means, Parmeno? Tell me. PAR. Do you assume his dress. CHÆ. His dress! Well, what then? PAR. I’ll take you there instead of him. CHÆ. (_musing._) I hear {you}. PAR. I’ll say that you are he. CHÆ. I understand {you}. PAR. You may enjoy those advantages which you just now said he {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. CHÆ. 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. PAR. What do you mean? Really, I was only joking. CHÆ. You talk nonsense.