Scene + 

II + 

Paphnutius + 

I am bewildered in this town. I cannot find my way. Now I shut my eyes, and I am back in the desert. I can hear my children’s voices praising God. Good children, I know you are praying for me! I fear to speak. I fear to ask my way. O God, come to my help! I see some young men in the marketplace. They are coming this way. I will go up to them and ask where she is to be found. + 

The Young Men + 

That stranger seems to want to speak to us. + 

Young Man + 

Let us go and find out. + 

Paphnutius + 

Your pardon, gentlemen. Am I speaking to citizens of this town? + 

Young Man + 

You are. Can we do anything for you? + 

Paphnutius + 

My salutations! + 

Young Man + 

And ours, whether you are a native or a foreigner. + 

Paphnutius + 

I am a stranger. + 

Young Man + 

What brings you here? Have you come for pleasure, business, or learning? This is a great city for learning. Which is it? + 

Paphnutius + 

I cannot say. + 

Young Man + 

Why? + 

Paphnutius + 

That is my secret. + 

Young Man + 

It would be wiser to tell us your secret. It will be difficult for you, a stranger, to do your business here without the advice of us citizens. + 

Paphnutius + 

But if I tell you, you may try to hinder me from carrying out my plans. + 

Young Man + 

You can trust us. We are men of honour! + 

Paphnutius + 

I believe it. I will trust in your loyalty and tell you my secret. + 

Young Man + 

We are not traitors. No harm shall come to you. + 

Paphnutius + 

I am told that there lives in this town a woman who loves all who love her. She is kind to all men; she’ll not deny them anything. + 

Young Man + 

Stranger, you must tell us her name. There are many women of that kind in our city. Do you know her name? + 

Paphnutius + 

Yes, I know it. + 

Young Man + 

Who is she? + 

Paphnutius + 

Thais. + 

Young Man + 

Thais! She is the flame of this land! She sets all hearts on fire. + 

Paphnutius + 

They say she is beautiful. The most exquisite woman of her kind in the world! + 

Young Man + 

They have not deceived you. + 

Paphnutius + 

For her sake I have made a long and difficult journey. I have come here only to see her. + 

Young Man + 

Well, what should prevent you? You are young and handsome. + 

Paphnutius + 

Where does she live? + 

Young Man + 

Over there. Her house is quite near this place. + 

Paphnutius + 

That house? + 

Young Man + 

Yes, to the left of the statue. + 

Paphnutius + 

I will go there. + 

Young Man + 

If you like, we will come with you. + 

Paphnutius + 

I thank you for the courtesy, but I would rather go alone. + 

Young Man + 

We understand. Have you money in your purse, stranger? Thais loves a handsome face, but she loves a full purse more. + 

Paphnutius + 

Gentlemen, I am rich. I have a rare present to offer her. + 

Young Man + 

To our next meeting, then! Farewell. May Thais be kind! + 

Paphnutius + 

Farewell. + 