THAIS. You cannot guess? You do not know why I have built this fire?
LOVERS. We are amazed. We wonder greatly what is the meaning of it and of your strange looks.
THAIS. You would like me to tell you, evil lovers?
LOVERS. Stop, Thais! What are you doing? Are you mad?
THAIS. I am not mad. For the first time I am sane, and I rejoice!
LOVERS. To waste these pounds of gold, and all the other treasure! Oh, Thais, you have lost your senses! These are beautiful things, precious things, and you burn them!
THAIS. All these things I have extorted from you as the price of shameful deeds. I burn them to destroy all hope in you that I shall ever again turn to your love. And now I leave you.
LOVERS. Wait, Thais. Oh wait a little, and tell us what has changed you!
THAIS. I will not stay. I will not tell you anything. To talk with you has become loathsome.
LOVERS. What have we done to deserve this scorn and contempt? Can you accuse us of being unfaithful? What wrong have we done? We have always sought to satisfy your desires. And now you show us this bitter hatred! Unjust woman, what have we done?
THAIS. Leave me, or let me leave you. Do not touch me. You can tear my garments, but you shall not touch me.
LOVERS. Cruel Thais, speak to us! Before you go, speak to us!
THAIS. I have sinned with you. But now is the end of sin, and all our wild pleasures are ended.
LOVERS. Thais, do not leave us! Thais, where are you going?
THAIS. Where none of you will ever see me again!
LOVERS. What monstrous thing is this? Thais, glory of our land, is changed! Thais, our delight, who loved riches and power and luxury—Thais, who gave herself up to pleasure day and night, has destroyed past remedy gold and gems that had no price! What monstrous thing is this? Thais, the very flower of love, insults her lovers and scorns their gifts. Thais, whose boast it was that whoever loved her should enjoy her love! What monstrous thing is this? Thais! Thais! this is a thing not to be believed.
THAIS. Paphnutius, my father, I am ready now to obey you, command what you will.
PAPHNUTIUS. Thais, I have been uneasy during your absence. I feared you had been caught in the world’s snare. I feared you would not return.
THAIS. You need not have been afraid. The world does not tempt me now. My possessions are ashes. I have publicly renounced my lovers.
