第1章

TranslatedbyA。R。Waller，M。A。 AmphitryonwasplayedforthefirsttimeinParis，attheTheatreduPalais-Royal，January13，1668。Itwassuccessfullyreceived，holdingtheboardsuntilthe18thofMarch，whenEasterintervened。 Afterthere-openingofthetheatre，itwasplayedhalfadozentimesmorethesameyear，andcontinuedtoplease。 Thefirsteditionwaspublishedin1668。 Note：ItisperhapshardlynecessarytoreferthereadertoAmphitryon，byPlautus，thecomedyuponwhichMoliere’scharmingplaywas，inthemain，based。Therenderingattemptedherecangivebutafaintreflectionoftheoriginal，forhardlyanycomedyofMoliere’slosesmoreintheprocessoftranslation。 AmphitryonAplaybyMolierePROLOGUE MERCURY，onacloud；NIGHT，inachariotdrawnbytwohorsesMERC。Wait！GentleNight；deigntostayawhile：Somehelpisneededfromyou。IhavetwowordstosaytoyoufromJupiter。 NIGHT。Ah！Ah！Itisyou，SeigneurMercury！Whowouldhavethoughtofyouhere，inthatposition？ MERC。Well，feelingtired，andnotbeingabletofulfilthedifferentdutiesJupiterorderedme，Iquietlysatdownonthiscloudtoawaityourcoming。 NIGHT。Youjest，Mercury：youdonotmeanit；doesitbecometheGodstosaytheyaretired？ MERC。AretheGodsmadeofiron？ NIGHT。No；butonemustalwayshaveacarefordivinedecorum。Therearecertainwordstheuseofwhichdebasesthissublimequality，anditismeetthattheseshouldbelefttomen，becausetheyareunworthy。 MERC。Youspeakatyourease，fairlady，fromaswiftlyrollingchariot，inwhich，likeadamefreefromcare；youaredrawnbytwofinehorseswhereveryoulike。Butitisnotthesamewithme。SuchismymiserablefatethatIcannotbearthepoetstoogreatagrudgefortheirgrossimpertinenceinhaving，byanunjustlaw，whichtheywishtoretaininforce，givenaseparateconveyancetoeachGod，forhisownuse，andleftmetogoonfoot：me，likeavillagemessenger，though，aseveryoneknows，IamthefamousmessengerofthesovereignoftheGods，ontheearthandintheheavens。Withoutanyexaggeration，Ineedmorethananyoneelsethemeansofbeingcarriedabout，becauseofallthedutiesheputsuponme。 NIGHT。Whatcanonedo？Thepoetsdowhatpleasesthem。Itisnottheonlystupiditywehavedetectedinthesegentlemen。Butsurelyyourirritationagainstthemiswrong，forthewingsatyourfeetareafriendlygiftoftheirs。 MERC。Yes；butdoesgoingmorequicklytireoneselfless？ NIGHT。Letusleavethematter，SeigneurMercury，andlearnwhatiswanted。 MERC。Jupiter，asIhavetoldyou，wishesthedarkaidofyourcloakforacertaingallantadventure，whichanewloveaffairhasfurnishedhim。Hiscustomisnotnewtoyou，Ibelieve：oftendoesheneglecttheheavensfortheearth；andyouarenotignorantthatthismasteroftheGodslovestotakeuponhimselftheguiseofmantowooearthlybeauties。Heknowsahundredingenioustrickstoentrapthemostobdurate。HehasfeltthedartsofAlcmene’seyes； and，whilstAmphitryon，herhusband，commandstheThebantroopsontheplainsofBoeotia，Jupiterhastakenhisform，andassuagedhispains，inthepossessionofthesweetestofpleasures。Theconditionofthecoupleispropitioustohisdesire：Hymenjoinedthemonlyafewdaysago；andtheyoungwarmthoftheirtenderlovesuggestedtoJupitertohaverecoursetothisfineartifice。Hisstratagemprovedsuccessfulinthiscase；butwithmanyacherishedobjectasimilardisguisewouldnotbeofanyuse：itisnotalwaysasuremeansofpleasing，toadopttheform，ofahusband。 NIGHT。IadmireJupiter，andIcannotimagineallthedisguiseswhichcomeintohishead。 MERC。Bythesemeanshewishestotasteallsortsofconditions： thatistheactofaGodwhoisnotafool。Howevermortalsmayregardhim，Ishouldthinkverymeanlyofhimifheneverquittedhisredoubtablemien，andwerealwaysintheheavens，standinguponhisdignity。Inmyopinion，thereisnothingmoreidioticthanalwaystobeimprisonedinone’sgrandeur；aboveall，aloftyrankbecomesveryinconvenientinthetransportsofamorousardour。 Jupiter，nodoubt，isaconnoisseurinpleasure，andheknowshowtodescendfromtheheightofhissupremeglory。Sothathecanenterintoeverythingthatpleaseshim，heentirelycastsasidehimself，andthenitisnolongerJupiterwhoappears。 NIGHT。Icouldoverlookseeinghimstepdownfromhissublimestagetothatofmen，sincehewishestoenterintoallthetransportswhichtheirnaturescansupply，andjoinintheirjests，if，inthechangeswhichtakehisfancy，hewouldconfinehimselftonature。 ButIdonotthinkitfittingtoseeJupiterasabull，aserpent，aswan，orwhatnot，anditdoesnotastonishmethatitissometimestalkedabout。 MERC。Letallthebusybodiestalk；suchchangeshavetheirowncharmsandsurpasspeople’sunderstanding。TheGodknowswhathedoesinthisaffairasineverythingelse：inthemovementsoftheirtenderpassions，animalsarenotsoloutishasonemightthink。 NIGHT。Letusreturntotheladywhosefavoursheenjoys。If，byhisstratagem，hispursuitissuccessful，whatmorecanhewish？WhatcanIdo？ MERC。Hewishesthatyouwouldslackenthepaceofyourhorses，tosatisfythepassionofhisamorousheart，andsomakeofadelightfulnightthelongestnightofall；thatyouwouldgivehimmoretimeforhistransports，andretardthebirthofdaysinceitwillhastenthereturnofhimwhoseplaceheoccupies。 NIGHT。ReallytheemploymentwhichthegreatJupiterreservesformeisaworthyone！Theserviceherequiresofmepassesunderaveryrespectablename。 MERC。Youaresomewhatold-fashionedforayounggoddess！Suchanemploymentisnotdebasingexceptamongpeopleofmeanbirth。Whenonehasthehappinessofbelongingtoloftyrank，whateveronedoesisalwaysrightandgood；thingschangetheirnamestosuitwhatonemaybe。 NIGHT。YouknowmoreaboutsuchmattersthanIdo；Iwilltrusttoyourenlightenedviewsandacceptthisemployment。 MERC。Come，come，now，MadamNight，alittlegently，Ibeseechyou。 Theworldgivesyouthereputationofnotbeingsoscrupulous。Inahundreddifferentclimesyouaremadetheconfidantofmanygallantadventures；and，ifImayspeakcandidly，wedonotoweeachotheranything。 NIGHT。Letusceasethesereproachesandremainwhatweare。Letusnotgivemencausetolaughbytellingeachotherthetruth。 MERC。Adieu。Iamgoingtheretoplaymypartinthisbusiness，promptlytostripmyselfoftheformofMercuryandtotakeinitsplacethefigureofAmphitryon’svalet。 NIGHT。Iamgoingtokeepstationinthishemispherewithmysombretrain。 MERC。Goodday，Night。 NIGHT。Adieu，Mercury。 （Mercurydescendsfromhiscloudtotheearth，andNightgoesawayinherchariot。） ENDOFTHEPROLOGUE。 ACTI SCENEI SOSIE Whogoesthere？Eh？Myfeargrowswitheverystep。Gentlemen，Iamafriendtoalltheworld。Ah！Whatunparalleledboldness，tobeoutatthishour！Mymasteriscrownedwithfame，butwhatavillainoustrickheplaysmehere！What？Ifhehadanyloveforhisneighbour，wouldhehavesentmeoutinsuchablacknight？Couldhenotjustaswellhavewaiteduntilitwasdaybeforesendingmetoannouncehisreturnandthedetailsofhisvictory？Towhatservitudearethydayssubjected，Sosie！Ourlotisfarmorehardwiththegreatthanwiththemean。Theyinsistthateverythinginnatureshouldbecompelledtosacrificeitselfforthem。Nightandday，hail，wind，peril，heat，cold，assoonastheyspeakwemustfly。Twentyyearsofassiduousservicedonotgainusanyconsiderationfromthem。Theleastlittlewhimdrawsdownuponustheiranger。 Notwithstandingthis，ourinfatuatedheartsclingtotheemptyhonourofremainingnearthem，contentedwiththefalseidea，whicheveryoneholds，thatwearehappy。Invainreasonbidsusretire； invainourspitesometimesconsentstothis；tobenearthemistoopowerfulaninfluenceonourzeal，andtheleastfavourofacaressingglanceimmediatelyre-engagesus。Butatlast，Iseeourhousethroughthedarkness，andmyfearvanishes。 Imustpreparesomethought-outspeechformymission。ImustgiveAlcmenewarlikedescriptionofthefiercecombatwhichputourenemiestoflight。ButhowthedeucecanIdothissinceIwasnotthere？Nevermind；letustalkofcutandthrust，asthoughIwereaneyewitness。Howmanypeopledescribebattlesfromwhichtheyremainedfaraway！Inordertoactmypartwithoutdiscredit，Iwillrehearseitalittle。 ThisisthechamberintowhichIamusheredasthemessenger：thislanternisAlcmene，towhomIhavetospeak。（Hesetshislanternonthegroundandsalutesit。）’Madam，Amphitryon，mymasterandyourhusband，……（Good！thatisafinebeginning！）whosemindiseverfullofyourcharms，haschosenmefromamongstalltobringtidingsofthesuccessofhisarms，andofhisdesiretobenearyou。’’Ah！ Really，mypoorSosie，Iamdelightedtoseeyoubackagain。’ ’Madam，youdometoomuchhonour：mylotisanenviableone。’（Wellanswered！） ’HowisAmphitryon？’’Madam，asamanofcourageshouldbe，whengloryleadshim。’（Verygood！Acapitalidea！）’Whenwillmyheartbecharmedandsatisfiedbyhisreturn？’’Assoonaspossible，assuredly，Madam，buthisheartdesiresaspeedierreturn。’（Ah！） ’Inwhatstatehasthewarlefthim？Whatsayshe？Whatdoeshe？ Easemyanxiety。’Hesayslessthanhedoes，Madam，andmakeshisenemiestremble。’（Plague！wheredoIgetallthesefinespeeches？） ’Whataretherebelsdoing？Tellme，whatistheircondition？’’Theycouldnotresistourefforts，Madam；wecutthemtopieces，puttheirchief，Pterelas，todeath，tookTelebosbyassault；andnowtheportringswithourprowess。’’Ah！Whatasuccess！YeGods！Whocouldeverhaveimaginedit？Tellme，Sosie，howithappened。’’I will，gladly，Madam；and，withoutboasting，Icantellyou，withthegreatestaccuracy，thedetailsofthisvictory。Imagine，therefore，Madam，thatTelebosisonthisside。（Hemarkstheplacesonhishand，orontheground。）ItisacityreallyalmostaslargeasThebes。Theriveris，say，there。Here，ourpeopleencamped；andthatspacewasoccupiedbyourenemies。Onaheight，somewhereabouthere，wastheirinfantry；and，lowerdown，ontherightside，wastheircavalry。AfterhavingaddressedprayerstotheGods，andissuedalltheorders，thesignalwasgiven。Theenemy，thinkingtoturnourflank，dividedtheirhorsesoldiersintothreeplatoons； butwesoonchilledtheirwarmth，andyoushallseehow。Hereisourvanguardreadytobeginwork；there，werethearchersofourking，Creon；andhere，themainarmy（someonemakesaslightnoise），whichwasjustgoingto……Stay；themainbodyisafraid’；I thinkIhearsomenoise。 SCENEII MERCURY，SOSIE MERC。（UndertheformofSosie。）Underthismaskwhichresembleshim，Iwilldriveawaythebabblerfromhere。Hisunfortunatearrivalmaydisturbthepleasuresourloversaretastingtogether。 SOS。Myheartrevivesalittle；perhapsitwasnothing。Lestanythinguntowardshouldhappen，however，Iwillgointofinishtheconversation。 MERC。IshallpreventyourdoingthatunlessyouarestrongerthanMercury。 SOS。Thisnightseemstomeunusuallylong。BythetimeIhavebeenontheway，eithermymasterhastakeneveningformorning，orlovelyPhoebusslumberstoolonginbedthroughhavingtakentoomuchwine。 MERC。WithwhatirreverencethislubberspeaksoftheGods！Myarmshallsoonchastisethisinsolence；Ishallhaveafinegamewithhim，stealinghisnameaswellashislikeness。 SOS。Ah！uponmyword，Iwasright：Iamdonefor，miserablecreaturethatIam！Iseeamanbeforeourhousewhosemienbodesmenogood。Iwillsingalittletoshowsomesemblanceofassurance。 （Hesings；and，whenMercuryspeaks，hisvoiceweakens，littlebylittle。） MERC。Whatrascalisthis，whotakestheunwarrantablelicenceofsinginganddeafeningmelikethis？Doeshewishmetocurryhiscoatforhim？ SOS。Assuredlythatfellowdoesnotlikemusic。 MERC。Formorethanaweek，IhavenotfoundanyonewhosebonesI couldbreak；myarmwillloseitsstrengthinthisidleness。Imustlookoutforsomeone’sbacktogetmywindagain。 SOS。Whatthedeuceofafellowisthis？Myheartthrillswithclutchingfear。ButwhyshouldItremblethus？PerhapstherogueisasmuchafraidasIam，andtalksinthiswaytohidehisfearfrommeunderafeignedaudacity。Yes，yes，Iwillnotallowhimtothinkmeagoose。IfIamnotbold，Iwilltrytoappearso。Letmeseekcouragebyreason；heisalone，evenasIam；Iamstrong，Ihaveagoodmaster，andthereisourhouse。 MERC。Whogoesthere？ SOS。I。 MERC。Who，I？ SOS。I。Courage，Sosie！ MERC。Tellme，whatisyourcondition？ SOS。Tobeaman，andtospeak。 MERC。Areyouamaster，oraservant？ SOS。Asfancytakesme。 MERC。Whereareyougoing？ SOS。WhereIintendtogo。 MERC。Ah！Thisannoysme。 SOS。Iamravishedtohearit。 MERC。Byhookorbycrook，Imustdefinitelyknowallaboutyou，youwretch；whatyoudo，whenceyoucomebeforethedaybreaks，whereyouaregoing，andwhoyoumaybe。 SOS。Idogoodandillbyturns；Icomefromthere；Igothere；I belongtomymaster。 MERC。Youshowwit，andIseeyouthinktoplaythemanofimportanceformyedification。Ifeelinclinedtomakeyouracquaintancebyslappingyourface。 SOS。Mine？ MERC。Yours；andthereyougetit，sharp。（Mercurygiveshimaslap。） SOS。Ah！Ah！Thisisafinegame！ MERC。No；itisonlyalaughingmatter，areplytoyourquips。 SOS。Goodheavens！Friend，howyouswingoutyourarmwithoutanyonesayinganythingtoyou。 MERC。Thesearemylightestclouts，littleordinarysmacks。 SOS。IfIwereashastyasyou，weshouldhaveafineado。 MERC。Allthisisnothingasyet：itismerelytofilluptime；weshallsoonseesomethingelse；butletuscontinueourconversation。 SOS。Igiveupthegame。（Heturnstogoaway。） MERC。Whereareyougoing？ SOS。Whatdoesitmattertoyou？ MERC。Iwanttoknowwhereyouaregoing。 SOS。Iamgoingtoopenthatdoor。Whydoyoudetainme？ MERC。Ifyoudaretogonearit，Ishallraindownastormofblowsonyou。 SOS。What？Youwishtohindermefromenteringourownhousebythreats？ MERC。Whatdoyousay，yourhouse？ SOS。Yes，ourhouse。 MERC。O，thescoundrel！Youspeakofthathouse？ SOS。Certainly。IsnotAmphitryonthemasterofit？ MERC。Well！Whatdoesthatprove？ SOS。Iamhisvalet。 MERC。You？ SOS。I。 MERC。Hisvalet？ SOS。Unquestionably。 MERC。ValetofAmphitryon？ SOS。OfAmphitryonhimself。 MERC。Yournameis？ SOS。Sosie。 MERC。Eh？What？ SOS。Sosie。 MERC。Listen：doyourealisethatmyfistcanknockyouspinning？ SOS。Why？Whatfuryhasseizedyounow？ MERC。Tellme，whomadeyousorashastotakethenameofSosie？ SOS。Idonottakeit；Ihavealwaysborneit。 MERC。Owhatamonstrouslie！Whatconfoundedimpudence！YoudaretomaintainthatSosieisyourname？ SOS。Certainly；Imaintainit，forthegoodreasonthattheGodshavesoordereditbytheirsupremepower。Itisnotinmypowertosayno，andtobeanyoneelsethanmyself。 （Mercurybeatshim。）MERC。Athousandstripesoughttobetherewardofsuchaudacity。 SOS。Justice，citizens！Help！Ibeseechyou。 MERC。So，yougallows-bird，youyellout？ SOS。Youbeatmedownwithathousandblows，andyetdonotwishmetocryout？ MERC。Itisthusthatmyarm…… SOS。Theactionisunworthy。Yougloatovertheadvantagewhichmywantofcouragegivesyouoverme；thatisnotfairtreatment。Itismerebullyingtowishtoprofitbythepoltrooneryofthosewhomonemakestofeeltheweightofone’sarm。Tothrashamanwhodoesnotretaliateisnottheactofageneroussoul；andtoshowcourageagainstmenwhohavenonemeritscondemnation。 MERC。Well！AreyoustillSosie？Whatsayyou？ SOS。Yourblowshavenotmadeanymetamorphosisinme；allthechangethereisisthatinthematterIamSosiethrashed。 MERC。Still？Ahundredfreshblowsforthisfreshimpudence。 SOS。Havemercy，atrucetoyourblows。 MERC。Thenatrucetoyourinsolence。 SOS。Anythingthatpleasesyou；Iwillkeepsilence。Thedisputebetweenusistoounequal。 MERC。AreyoustillSosie？Say，villain！ SOS。Alas！Iamwhatyouwish；disposeofmylotexactlyasyouplease：yourarm’hasmadeyouthemasterofit。 MERC。IthinkyousaidyournamewasSosie？ SOS。True，untilnowIthoughtthematterwasclear；butyourrodhasmademeseethatIwasmistakeninthisaffair。 MERC。IamSosie：allThebesavowsit。Amphitryonhasneverhadotherthanme。 SOS。You，Sosie？ MERC。Yes，Sosie；andifanyonetrifleswithme，hemusttakecareofhimself。 SOS。Heavens！MustIthusrenouncemyself，andseemynamestolenbyanimpostor。HowluckyIamapoltroon！Or，bythedeath……！ MERC。Whatareyoumumblingbetweenyourteeth？ SOS。Nothing。But，inthenameoftheGods，givemeleavetospeakonemomentwithyou。 MERC。Speak。 SOS。Butpromiseme，Ibeseechyou，thatthereshallnotbeanymorestrokes。Letussignatruce。 MERC。Letthatpass；goon，Igrantyouthispoint。 SOS。Tellme，whoputthisfancyintoyourhead？Whatbenefitwillitbetoyoutotakemyname？Inshort，wereyouademon，couldyouhindermefrombeingmyself，frombeingSosie？ MERC。Whatisthis，youdare…… SOS。Ah！Gently：thereisatrucetoblows。 MERC。What！Gallows-bird，impostor，scoundrel…… SOS。Asforabuse，givemeasmuchasyouplease；itmakesbutaslightwoundanddoesnotbotherme。 MERC。YousayyouareSosie？ SOS。Yes。Someridiculoustale…… MERC。So，Ishallbreakourtruce，andtakebackmyword。 SOS。Ican’thelpit。Icannotannihilatemyselfforyou，andenduresoimprobableatale。IsitinyourpowertobewhatIam？CanI ceasetobemyself？Didanyoneeverhearofsuchathing？Andcanyougivethelietoahundredclearindications？DoIdream？DoI sleep？Ismymindtroubledbypowerfultransports？DoInotfeelI amawake？AmInotinmyrightsenses？Hasnotmymaster，Amphitryon，commandedmetocomeheretoAlcmenehiswife？AmInot，incommendinghispassiontoher，togiveheranaccountofhisdeedsagainstourenemies？HaveInotjustcomefromtheharbour？DoInotholdalanterninmyhand？HaveInotfoundyouinfrontofourhouse？DidInotspeaktoyouinaperfectlyfriendlymanner？Doyounotmakeuseofmypoltroonerytohindermefromenteringourhouse？Haveyounotventedyourrageuponmyback？Haveyounotshoweredblowsonme？Ah！Allthisisbuttootrue：wouldtoHeavenitwerelessreal！Ceasethereforetojeeratawretch’slot，andleavemetoacquitmyselfwheremydutycallsme。 MERC。Stop，ortheshorteststepbringsdownuponyourbackclatteringevidenceofmyjustanger。Allyouhavejustsaidismine，excepttheblows。ItisI，whomAmphitryonsenttoAlcmene； whohasjustarrivedfromthePersianport；I，whohavecometoannouncethevalourofhisarm，whichhasgainedusagloriousvictory，andslainthechiefofourenemies。Inshort，IamundoubtedlySosie，sonofDave，anhonestshepherd；brotherofArpage，whodiedinaforeignland；husbandofCleanthistheprude，whosetemperdrivesmewild；I，whoreceivedathousandcutsfromawhipatThebes，withouteversayinganythingaboutit；andwhowasoncepubliclybrandedonthebackforbeingtooworthyaman。 SOS。Heisright。IfhewerenotSosie，hecouldnotknowallhesays；allthisissoastoundingthatevenIbegintobelievehimalittle。Infact，nowIlookathim，Iseehehasmyfigure，looks，andmanners。Iwiltaskhimsomequestion，inordertoclearupthismystery。WhatdidAmphitryonobtainashisshareofalltheplundertakenfromourenemies？ MERC。Fivefinelargediamonds，beautifullysetinacluster，whichtheirchiefworeasararepieceofhandicraft。 SOS。Forwhomdoesheintendsorichapresent？ MERC。Forhiswife；heintendshertowearit。 SOS。Wherehaveyouputit，untilyoumeether？ MERC。Inacasketsealedwiththearmsofmymaster。 SOS。Hedoesnottellasinglelieatanyturn：Ibegintodoubtmyselfinearnest。HehasalreadycowedmeintobelievinghimtobeSosie；andhemightevenreasonmeintothinkinghimso。Yet，whenI touchmyself，andrecollect，itseemstomeIammyself。WherecanI findsomelightthatwillclearlymakemywayplain？WhatIhavedonealone，andwhatnoonehasseen，cannotbeknowntoanyoneelse：that，atleast，belongstome。Iwillastonishhimbythisquestion：itwillconfoundhim，andweshallsee。Whentheywereatclosequarters，whatwereyoudoinginourtents，whitheryourantohideyourselfaway？ MERC。OffahamSOS。Thatisit！ MERC。WhichIunearthed，Isooncuttwosucculentslices：theysuitedmenicely。Iaddedtothemawinewhichwasusuallykeptdark，and，gloatedoverthesightofitbeforeItastedit。SoI tookheartforourfighters。 SOS。Thisunparalleledproofendsmatterswellinhisfavour；and，unlesshewereinthebottle，thereisnothingtobesaid。Fromtheproofsyoushowme，IcannotdenythatyouareSosie：Iadmitit。 But，ifyouarehe，tellmewhomyouwishmetobe；forImustbesomeone。 MERC。WhenIshallnolongerbeSosie，youmaybehe，Iconsenttothat；butIpromiseyouitshallbethedeathofyouifyoutakeupsuchafancywhileIamhe。 SOS。Allthisconfusionturnsmeinsideout，forreasonisagainstwhatIsee。ButImustendthisbysomemeans；andtheshortestwayformeistogointhere。 MERC。Oh！Yougallows-bird，youwanttotastethestick。 SOS。Whatisthematter？GreatGods！Hemakestheblowsringagain； mybackwillacheforamonth。Iwillleavethisdevilofafellow，andreturntotheharbour。OjustHeavens，whatafineambassadorIhavebeen！ MERC。Atlast，Ihavemadehimfly；thistreatmenthaspaidhimoutformanyofhisdeeds。ButhereisJupiter，gallantlyescortinghisloverAlcmene。 SCENEIII JUPITER，ALCMENE，CLEANTHIS，MERCURY JUP。MydearAlcmene，forbidthetorch-bearerstocomenear。Theygivemedelightinenablingmetoseeyou；buttheymightbetraymybeinghere，andthiswerebestunrevealed。Restrainedbyalltheheavycareswithwhichthegloryofourarmsheldmebound，myhearthasstolenfromthedutiesofmypostthemomentsithasjustgiventoyourcharms。Thistheft，whichIhaveconsecratedtoyourbeauty，mightbeblamedbythepublicvoice；andtheonlywitnessIwant，isshewhocanthankmeforit。 ALC。Itakegreatinterest，Amphitryon，intheglorywhichyourillustriousexploitshavecastuponyou；thefameofyourvictorymovesmyhearttoitsdepths。ButwhenIseethatthisdisastroushonourkeepsmyloverawayfromme，suchismyheart’sfeelingthatIcannotforbeartothinkillofit，andtoregretthehighorderwhichmakesyougeneraloftheThebans。Itissweetafteravictorytoseetheglorytowhichone’sloverhasbeenraised；but，fromamongtheperilsattachedtothisglory，adeadlyblow，alas！maysoonfall。Withhowmanyfearsisone’sheartwoundedatthereportoftheleastskirmish！Inthehorrorofsuchathought，isthereanythingthatcanconsoleforthethreatenedstroke？Andwithwhateverlaurelsthevictormaybecrowned，whatevershareonemayhaveinthatsupremehonour，isitworthwhatitcostsatenderheart，whichtrembleseverymomentforitslover？ JUP。Idonotseeanythinginyoubutwhatinflamesmypassion； everythingshowsmeadeeplyenamouredheart；and，Iconfess，itisagreatdelighttofindsomuchloveinabelovedobject。But，ifI maydaresayso，onescrupleinthetendersentimentswhichyoushowmecausesmeanxiety；and，inordertoenjoyyouthemore，dearAlcmene，myheartwouldratherseeloveonly，andnotduty，inthefavourswhichIreceivefromyou；maytheyarisesolelyfromaffection，andhaverespecttomypersononly；letnotmyconditionasyourhusbandbethereasonforthem。 ALC。Yetitisinthatnamethattheardourwhichburnsmeholdstherighttoshowitself：Idonotunderstandthisnewscruplewhichtroublesyourheart。 JUP。TheloveandtendernesswhichIhaveforyoufarexceedsahusband’s；inthesesweetmoments，youdonotrealiseitsdelicacy； Youdonotunderstandthataheartdeeplyinlovestudiouslyattachesitselftoahundredlittletrifles，andisrestlessoverthemannerofbeinghappy。Inme，fairandcharmingAlcmene，youseealoverandahusband；but，tospeakfrankly，itistheloverthatappealstome；whennearyou，Ifeelthehusbandrestrainshim。Thislover，whoissupremelyjealousofyourlove，wishesyourhearttoabandonitselfsolelytohim：hispassiondoesnotwishanythingthehusbandgiveshim。Hewishestoobtainthewarmthofyourlovefromthefountain-head，andnottooweanythingtothebondsofwedlock，ortoadutywhichpallsandmakestheheartsad，forbythesethesweetnessofthemostcherishedfavoursisdailypoisoned。Thisidea，inshort，tosseshimtoandfro，andhewishes，inordertosatisfyhisscruples，thatyouwoulddifferentiatewheretheoccasionoffendshim，thehusbandtobeonlyforyourvirtue，andthelovertohavethewholeaffectionandtendernessofaheartknowntobefullofkindness。 ALC。Intruth，Amphitryon，youmustbejesting，totalkthus；I shouldbeafraidanyonewhoheardyouwouldthinkyouwerenotsane。 JUP。Thereismorereasoninthisdiscourse，Alcmene，thanyouthink。Butalongerstayherewouldrendermeguilty，andtimepressesformyreturntoport。Adieu。Thesterncallofdutytearsmeawayfromyouforatime；but，lovelyAlcmene，Ibeseechyouatleasttothinkoftheloverwhenyouseethehusband。 ALC。IdonotseparatewhattheGodsunite：bothhusbandandloverareveryprecioustome。 CLE。OHeaven！Howdelightfularethecaressesofanardentlycherishedhusband！Howfarmypoorhusbandisfromallthistenderness！ MERC。ImusttellNightshehasbuttofurlallhersails；theSunmaynowarisefromhisbedandputoutthestars。 SCENEIV CLEANTHIS，MERCURY（Mercuryturnstogoaway） CLE。So？Isitthusyouquitme？ MERC。Whatwouldyouhave？Doyouwishmenottodomyduty，andfollowinAmphitryon’sfootsteps？ CLE。Toseparatefrommesorudelyasthis，youvillain！ MERC。Itisafinesubjecttomakeafussabout！Wehavestillplentyoftimetolivetogether！ CLE。Buttogoinsuchachurlishmanner，withoutsayingasinglekindwordtocheerme！ MERC。WherethedeuceshallIdigupsillycompliments？Fifteenyearsofmarriedlifeexhaustnonsense；wesaidallwehadtosaytoeachotheralongtimeago。 CLE。LookatAmphitryon，yourascal；seehowhisardourburnsforAlcmene；andthenblushforthelittlepassionthatyoushowyourwife。 MERC。But，graciousme！Cleanthis，theyarestilllovers。Therecomesacertainagewhenallthispassesaway；whatsuitsthemwellintheseearlydayswouldlookridiculousinus，oldmarriedpeople。 Itwouldbeitfinesighttoseeusembracingeachother，andsayingsweetnothings！ CLE。Oh！Youperfidiouswretch，mustIgiveuphopethataheartsighsforme？ MERC。No，Ishouldbesorrytosaythat；butIhavetoolongabeardtodaretosigh；Ishouldmakeyoudieoflaughter。 CLE。Youbrute，doyoudeservethegoodfortuneofhavingavirtuouswomanforyourwife？ MERC。GoodHeavens！Youarebuttoovirtuous；thisfinevirtueisnotworthanythingtome。Donotbequitesohonestawoman，anddon’tbothermesomuch。 CLE。What？Doyoublamemeforbeingtoohonest？ MERC。Awoman’sgentlenessiswhatcharmsmemost：yourvirtuemakesaclatterthatneverceasestodeafenme。 CLE。Youcareforheartsfulloffalsetenderness，forthosewomenwiththelaudableandfinetalentofknowinghowtosmothertheirhusbandswithcaressesinordertomakethemobliviousoftheexistenceoflovers。 MERC。Well！ShallItellyouwhatIthink？Animaginaryevilconcernsfoolsonly；mydeviceshouldbe：’Lesshonourandmorepeace。’ CLE。Wouldyou，withoutanyrepugnance，suffermeopenlytoloveagallant？ MERC。Yes，ifIwerenolongerworriedbyyourtongue，andifitchangedyourtemperandyourgoings-on。Ipreferaconvenientvice，toafatiguingvirtue。Adieu，Cleanthis，mydearsoul；ImustfollowAmphitryon。（Hegoesaway。） CLEWhyhasnotmyheartsufficientresolutiontopunishthisinfamousscoundrel？Ah，howitmaddensme，now，thatIamanhonestwoman！ ENDOFTHEFIRSTACT ACTIlSCENEI AMPHITRYON，SOSIE AMPH。Comehere，yourascal，comehere。Doyouknow，MasterVillain，thatyourtalkissufficienttocausemetoknockyoudown，andthatmywrathwaitsonlyforasticktothrashyouasIintend？ SOS。Ifyoutakeitinthatway，Monsieur，Ihavenothingmoretosay；youwillbealwaysintheright。 AMPH。So？Youscoundrel，youwishtoimposeuponmeastruthstaleswhichIknowtobeextravagantlyfar-fetched？ SOS。No；Iamtheservant，andyouarethemaster；itshallnotbeotherwisethanyouwishit，Monsieur。 AMPH。Come，Iwillchokedowntheangerthatinflamesme，andhearallyouhavetosayaboutyourmission。ImustunravelthisconfusionbeforeIseemywife。Collectyoursenses，thinkwelloverwhatyousay，andanswereachquestionwordforword。 SOS。But，lestImakeamistake，tellme，Ibeseechyou，beforehand，inwhatwayitwouldpleaseyoutohavethisaffairhealed。ShallI speak，Monsieur，accordingtomyconscience，orasusualwhennearthegreat？ShallItellthetruthoruseacertaincomplaisance？ AMPH。No；Ionlywishyoutogivemeaperfectlyunvarnishedaccount。 SOS。Good。Thatisenough；leaveittome；youhave，buttointerrogateme。 AMPH。UpontheorderwhichIlatelygaveyou…… SOS。Isetforthunderskiesveiledinblackcrape，swearingbitterlyagainstyouforthiswretchedmartyrdom，andcursingtwentytimestheorderofwhichyouspeak。 AMPH。Whatdoyoumean，youvillain？ SOS。Youhaveonlytospeak，Monsieur，andIshalllie，ifyoudesireit。 AMPH。Thatishowavaletshowshiszealforus。Nevermind。Whathappenedtoyouontheway？ SOS。IhadamortalfrightattheleastthingImet。 AMPH。Poltroon！ SOS。Naturehashercapricesinformingus；shegivesusdifferinginclinations；somefindathousanddelightsinexposingthemselves； Ifindthemintakingcareofmyself。 AMPH。Whenyouarrivedatthehouse……？ SOS。WhenIreachedthedoor，Iwishedtorehearsetomyselfforashorttime，inwhattoneandinwhatmannerIshouldgiveagloriousaccountofthebattle。 AMPH。Whatfollowed？ SOS。Someonecametoannoyandtroubleme。 AMPH。Whowashe？ SOS。Sosie；anotherI，jealousofyourorders，whomyousenttoAlcmenefromtheport，andwhohasasfullknowledgeofoursecretsasIwhoamspeakingtoyou。 AMPH。Whatnonsense！ SOS。No，Monsieur，itisthesimpletruth：thisIwasatyourhousesoonerthanI；and，Isweartoyou，IwastherebeforeIhadarrived。 AMPH。Pray，wheredoesallthiscursednonsensecomefrom？Isitadream？Isitdrunkenness？Mind-wandering？Orasorryjoke？ SOS。No，itisthethingasitis，andbynomeansanidletale。I amamanofhonour，Igiveyoumyword，andyoumustpleasebelieveit。Itellyou，believingIwasbutoneSosie，Ifoundmyselftwoatyourhouse；andofthesetwoI’s，piquedwithjealousy，oneisatthehouse，andtheotheriswithyou；theIwhoishere，tiredout，foundtheotherIfresh，jollyandactive，havingnootheranxietythantofightandbreakbones。 AMPH。IconfessImustbeofaveryplacidtemper，verypeaceable，verygentle，topermitavalettoentertainmewithsuchnonsense！ SOS。Ifyoubecomeangry，nomoreconferencebetweenus：youknowallwillbeoveratonce。 AMPH。No；Iwilllistentoyouwithoutbeingcarriedaway；I promisedit。Buttellmeingoodearnest，isthereanyshadowoflikelihoodinthisnewmysterywhichyouhavejusttoldme？ SOS。No；youareright，themattermustappeartoeveryonepastcredit。Itisafactpastunderstanding，anextravagant，ridiculous，far-fetchedtale：itshockscommonsense；butitisnonethelessafact。 AMPH。Howcananyonebelieveit，unlesshehastakenleaveofhissenses？ SOS。Imyselfdidnotbelieveitwithoutextremedifficulty：I thoughtIwaslosingmysenseswhenIsawmyselftwo，and，foralongtime，Itreatedmyotherselfasanimpostor：buthecompelledmeintheendtorecognisemyself；IsawitwasI，withoutanytrickery；fromheadtofootheislikeme-handsome，anobleair，wellbuilt，charmingmanners；infact，twopeasdonotresembleeachothermore；wereitnotthathishandsarealittletooheavy，I shouldbeperfectlysatisfied。 AMPH。Ihadneedexhortmyselftopatience！Butdidyounotintheendgointothehouse？ SOS。Good，goin！Ah！Inwhatfashion？HaveIneverwishedtolistentoreason？DidInotforbidmyselftoenterourdoor？ AMPH。Inwhatway？ SOS。Withastick，mybackstillachesfromit。 AMPH。Youhavebeenthrashed？ SOS。Truly。 AMPH。Andbywhom？ SOS。Myself。 AMPH。Youhavethrashedyourself？ SOS。Yes，I；nottheIwhoishere，buttheIfromthehouse，whowhackssoundly。 AMPH。Heavenconfoundyoufortalkingtomelikethis！ SOS。Iamnotjoking；theIwhomIhavejustmethasgreatadvantagesovertheIwhospeakstoyou。Hehasastrongarmandgreatcourage；Ihavehadproofsofboth；thisdevilofanIhaslickedmesoundly；heisafellowwhocandowonders。 AMPH。Letus，ceasethis。Haveyouseenmywife？ SOS。No。 AMPH。Whynot？ SOS。Forasufficientlystrongreason。 AMPH。Whohinderedyou，scoundrel？Explainyourself。 SOS。MustIrepeatthesamethingtwentytimes？I，Itellyou，thisIwhoismorerobustthanI，thisIwhotookpossessionofthedoorbyforce，thisIwhomademeslopeoff，thisIwhowishestobetheonlyI，thisIwhoisjealousofmyself，thisvaliantI，whoseangermadeitselfknowntothispoltroonofanI，infact，thisIwhoisatourhouse，thisIwhohasshownhimselftobemymaster，thisI whohasrackedmewithpain。 AMPH。Hisbrainmustbeaddledbyhavinghadtoomuchtodrinkthismorning。 SOS。MayIbehangedifIhavehadanythingtodrinkbutwater：I takemyoathonit。 AMPH。Thenyoursensesmusthavebeenfastasleep：somesillydreamhasshownyouallthesefairytalesandconfusedmysterieswhichyouwishmetotakefortruths。 SOS。Thatisjustasfarawayfromthetruth。Ihavenotslept，andIdonotevenfeelinclinedthatway。Iamspeakingtoyouwide- awake；Iwaswideawakethismorning，uponmylife！AndtheotherSosiewasalsowide-awake，whenhedrubbedmesowell。 AMPH。Followme；Iorderyoutobesilent。Youtiremybraintoomuch；Imustbeanout-and-outfooltohavethepatiencetolistentothenonsenseavalethastosay。 SOS。Alltalkisnonsensethatcomesfromamanwhoisunknown。Ifagreatmanweretosayit，itwouldbeexquisitelanguage。 AMPH。Letusgoinwithoutwaitinganylonger。ButherecomesAlcmeneclothedinallhercharms。Doubtlessshedoesnotexpectmesosoon，andmyarrivalwillsurpriseher。 SCENEII ALCMENE，CLEANTHIS，AMPHITRYON，SOSIE ALC。Come，Cleanthis，letusattendtheGods，paythemourhomageformyhusband’ssake，andthankthemfortheglorioussuccess，ofwhichThebes，byhisarm，reapstheadvantage。OyeGods！ AMPH。HeavengrantthatvictoriousAmphitryonmaybemetwithrenewedpleasurebyhiswife：thatthisdaymaybefavourabletomypassion，andrestoreyoutomewiththesameheart：mayIagainfindasmuchloveasmyheartbringstoyou！ ALC。Ah！Haveyoureturnedsosoon。 AMPH。Really，yougivemebutasorryproofofyourlove；this，’Ah！ haveyoureturnedsosoon？’isscarcelythelanguageaheartreallyinflamedwithlovewoulduseonsuchanoccasionasthis。IdaredtoflattermyselfIhadremainedawayfromyoutoolong。Theexpectationofanardentlylongedforreturnmakeseachmomentseemofgreatlength；theabsenceofwhatwelove，howeverbriefitmaybe，isalwaystoolong。 ALC。Idonotsee…… AMPH。No，Alcmene，timeismeasuredinsuchcasesbyone’simpatience；youcountthemomentsofabsenceasonewhodoesnotlove。Whenwereallylove，theslightestseparationkillsus；theonewhomwelovetoseeneverreturnstoosoon。IconfessthattheloveIbearyouhascausetocomplainofyourreception；Iexpecteddifferentexpressionsofjoyandtendernessfromyourheart。 ALC。Icannotunderstandonwhatyoufoundthewordsyouhavejustuttered；ifyoucomplainofme，uponmywordIdonotknowwhatwouldsatisfyyou。IthinkIshowedasufficientlytenderjoylastnight，atyourhappyreturn；myheartrespondedbyeverymeansyoucouldwishtotheclaimsofyouraffection。 AMPH。Inwhatway？ ALC。DidInotclearlyshowthesuddentransportsofaperfectjoy？ Couldaheart’sfeelingsbebetterexpressedatthereturnofahusbandwhoistenderlyloved？ AMPH。Whatdoyousay？ ALC。Thatevenyouraffectionshowedaninconceivablejoyatmyreception；andthat，asyouleftmeatbreakofday，Idonotseethatmysurpriseatthissuddenreturnissoguilty。 AMPH。Didyou，inadreamlastnight，Alcmene，anticipateinideatherealityofmyhastenedreturn；andhaving，perhaps，treatedmekindlyinyoursleep，doesyourheartthinkithasfullyacquitteditselfofitsdutytomypassion？ ALC。Hassomemalignantvapourinyourmind，Amphitryon，cloudedthetruthoflastnight’sreturn？DoesyourheartpretendtotakeawayfrommethecreditofallthegentleaffectionIshowedyouinmytenderwelcome？ AMPH。Thisvapouryouattributetomeseemstomesomewhatstrange。 ALC。Itisinreturnforthedreamwhichyouattributetome。 AMPH。Unlessitisbecauseofadream，whatyouhavejustnowtoldmeisentirelyinexcusable。 ALC。Unlessitisavapourwhichtroublesyourmind，whatIhaveheardfromyoucannotbejustified。 AMPH。Letusleavethisvapourforamoment，Alcmene。 ALC。Letusleavethisdreamforamoment，Amphitryon。 AMPH。Onecannotjestonthesubjectinquestionwithoutbeingcarriedtoofar。 ALC。Undoubtedly；and，asasureproofofit，Ibegintofeelsomewhatuneasy。 AMPH。IsitthusyouwishtotrytomakeamendsforthewelcomeofwhichIcomplain？ ALC。Doyoudesiretotrytoamuseyourselfbythisfeint？ AMPH。ForHeaven’s，sake，Ibeseechyou，Alcmene！Letusceasethis，andtalkseriously。 ALC。Youcarryyouramusementtoofar，Amphitryon：lettherebeanendtothisraillery。 AMPH。DoyoureallydaremaintaintomyfacethatIwasseenherebeforethishour？ ALC。Haveyoureallytheassurancetodenythatyoucamehereearlyyesterdayevening？ AMPH。I！Icameyesterday？ ALC。Certainly；andyouwentawayagainbeforedawn。 AMPH。Heavens！Waseversuchadebateasthisheardbefore？Whowouldnotbeastonishedatallthis？Sosie？ SOS。Sheneedssixgrainsofhellebore，Monsieur；herbrainisturned。 AMPH。Alcmene，inthenameofalltheGods，thisdiscoursewillhaveastrangeending！Recollectyoursensesalittlebetter，andthinkwhatyousay。 ALC。Iamindeedthinkingseriously；allinthehousesawyourarrival。Iamignorantwhatmotivemakesyouactthus；but，ifthethingwereinneedofproof，ifitweretruethatsuchathingcouldbeforgotten，fromwhom，butfromyou，couldIhaveheardthenewsofthelatestofallyourbattles，andofthefivediamondswornbyPterelas，whowasplungedintoeternalnightbythestrengthofyourarm？Couldonewishforsurertestimony？ AMPH。What？IhavealreadygivenyoutheclusterofdiamondswhichI hadformyshare，andintendedforyou？ ALC。Assuredly。Itisnotdifficulttoconvinceyouthoroughlyonthatpoint。