PAR. I’m undone! Wretch that I am! what have I done? (_CHÆREA pushes him along._) Whither are you pushing me? You’ll throw me down presently. I entreat you, be quiet. CHÆ. Let’s be off. (_Pushes him._) PAR. Do you still persist? CHÆ. I am resolved upon it. PAR. Only take care that this isn’t too rash a project. CHÆ. Certainly it isn’t; let me alone for that. PAR. Aye, but I shall have to pay the penalty[60] for this? CHÆ. Pshaw! PAR. We shall be guilty of a disgraceful action. CHÆ. What, is it disgraceful[61] 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? 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. PAR. 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. CHÆE. I shall not do so. PAR. Do you order me, {then}? CHÆ. I order, charge, and command you; I will never disavow my authorizing you. PAR. Follow me; may the Gods prosper it! (_They go into the house of LACHES._) ACT THE THIRD. SCENE I. _Enter THRASO and GNATHO._ THRA. Did Thais really return me many thanks? GNA. Exceeding {thanks}. THRA. Was she delighted, say you? GNA. Not so much, indeed, at the present itself, as because it was given by you; really, in right earnest, she does exult at that. _Enter PARMENO unseen, from LACHES’ house._ PAR. (_apart._) 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. THRA. Undoubtedly it is the case with me, that every thing I do is a cause for thankfulness. GNA. Upon my faith, I’ve observed it. THRA. The most mighty King,[62] even, always used to give me especial thanks for whatever I did; but not so to others. GNA. 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. THRA. You’ve just hit it.[63] GNA. The king, then, kept you in his eye.[64] THRA. Just so. GNA. To enjoy your society. THRA. True; he intrusted {to me} all his army, all his state secrets. GNA. Astonishing! THRA. 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?[65] GNA. I know; just as though on occasion he would rid his mind of those anxieties. THRA. You have it. Then he used to take me aside as his only boon companion. GNA. Whew! You are telling of a King of refined taste. THRA. Aye, he is a person of that sort; a man of but very few acquaintanceships. GNA. (_aside._) Indeed, of none,[66] I fancy, if he’s on intimate terms with you.