Chapter IV: Act I: (Time, night.)

_Sos._

Qui me alter est audacior homo aut qui confidentior,
iuventutis mores qui sciam, qui hoc noctis solus ambulem?
quid faciam nunc, si tres viri me in carcerem compegerint?
inde cras quasi e promptaria cella depromar ad flagrum,
nec causam liceat dicere mihi, neque in ero quicquam auxili
nec quisquam sit quin me malo omnes esse dignum deputent.

ENTER _Sosia_, LANTERN IN HAND.

(_stopping and peering around timorously_) Who’s a bolder
man, a more audacious man than I am--know all about the
young bloods and their capers, I do, yet here I am strolling
around all alone at this time of night! (_seems to hear
something and jumps_) What if the police should lock me up
in jail? To-morrow I should be taken out of that preserve
closet and get served--to a rope’s end; and not a word would
they let me say for myself,[C] and not a bit of help could I
get from master, and there wouldn’t be a soul but what would
reckon I deserved a hiding.

[Footnote C: Being a slave]

ita quasi incudem me miserum homines octo validi caedant: 159-160
ita peregre adveniens hospitio publicitus accipiar. 161-162
haec eri immodestia
coegit, me qui hoc noctis a portu ingratiis excitavit.
nonne idem hoc luci me mittere potuit?

Those eight strong wardens would pound my poor
carcass just as if I was an anvil: that is how I should be
entertained on coming home from abroad--a public reception.
(_disgustedly_) It’s master’s impatience forced me into
this, routing me out from the harbour at this time of night,
against my will. Might have sent me on the same errand by
daylight, mightn’t he?

opulento homini hoc servitus dura est,
hoc magis miser est divitis servos
noctesque diesque assiduo satis superque est,
quod facto aut dicto adeost opus, quietus ne sis.

This is where it comes hard slaving it for a nabob, this is
where a plutocrat’s servant is worse off--night and day
there’s work enough and more for him, no end, always
something to be done, yes, or said, so that you can’t rest.

ipse dominus dives, operis et laboris expers, 170
quodcumque homini accidit libere, posse retur:
aequom esse putat, non reputat laboris quid sit[10] (172)
ergo in servitute expetunt multa iniqua: (174)
habendum et ferundum hoc onust cum labore.

And your plutocrat of a master, that never does a handsturn
of work himself, takes it for granted that any whim that
comes into a man’s head can be gratified: yes, he counts
that the fair thing, and never takes account of how much
the work is. Ah, I tell you, there’s a great deal of
injustice this slavery lets you in for: you’ve got to take
your load and carry it, and that is work.

_Mer._

Satius me queri illo modo servitutem:
hodie qui fuerim liber,
cum nunc potivit pater servitutis,
his qui verna natus est queritur.

(_aside_) It would be more in order for Mercury to do some
of this grumbling about menial station--was free this very
day, and now his father has made a slave of him. It’s this
fellow, a born drudge, that is grumbling.

_Sos._

Sum vero verna verbero: num numero mi in mentem fuit, 180
dis advenientem gratias pro meritis agere atque alloqui?
ne illi edepol si merito meo referre studeant gratiam,
aliquem hominem allegent qui mihi advenienti os occillet probe,
quoniam bene quae in me fecerunt ingrata ea habui atque inrita.

(_frightened again_) I need a drubbing, I do, drudge
that I am. I was not too quick, was I, to think of
addressing the gods and giving ’em due thanks on my arrival?
Oh Lord! if they took a notion to pay me back my dues,
they’d commission some one to mash my face for me in fine
shape on my arrival, now that I haven’t appreciated the good
turns they’ve done me and have let ’em go for nothing.
(_makes sure he is safe_)

_Mer._

Facit ille quod volgo haud solent, ut quid se sit dignum sciat.

(_aside_) Rather uncommon that,--his knowing what he
deserves to get.

_Sos._

Quod numquam opinatus fui neque alius quisquam civium
sibi eventurum, id contigit, ut salvi poteremur domi.
victores victis hostibus legiones reveniunt domum,
duello exstincto maximo atque internecatis hostibus.

What I never dreamed would happen nor anyone else on our
side, either, has happened, and here we are safe and sound.
(_magnificently_) Our legions come back victorious, our
foes vanquished, a mighty contest concluded and our enemies
massacred to a man.

quod multa Thebano poplo acerba obiecit funera, 190
id vi et virtute militum victum atque expugnatum oppidum est
imperio atque auspicio eri mei Amphitruonis maxime.
praeda atque agro adoriaque adfecit populares suos
regique Thebano Creoni regnum stabilivit suom.

The town that has brought an untimely death to many a
Theban citizen has been crushed and captured by the strength
and valour of our soldiery, aye, and chiefly under the
command and auspices of my own master, Amphitryon. He has
furnished forth his countrymen with booty and land and fame,
and fixed King Creon firm upon his Theban throne.

me a portu praemisit domum, ut haec nuntiem uxori suae,
ut gesserit rem publicam ductu imperio auspicio suo.
ea nunc meditabor quo modo illi dicam, cum illo advenero.
si dixero mendacium, solens meo more fecero.

(_subsiding_) As for me, he has sent me on ahead home from
the harbour to tell his wife the news: how the state was
served under the leadership, command, and auspices of--his
very own self. (_meditating_) Now let me think how I am to
tell her the tale when I get there. If I do work in a lie or
two, it won’t be anything extraordinary for me.

nam cum pugnabant maxume, ego tum fugiebam maxume;
verum quasi adfuerim tamen simulabo atque audita eloquar. 200
sed quo modo et verbis quibus me deceat fabularier,
prius ipse mecum etiam volo his meditari. sic hoc proloquar.

The fact is, it was just when they were doing their hardest
fighting that I was doing my hardest running. Oh well, I’ll
pretend I was there just the same, and recite what I heard
tell about it. But the neatest way to narrate my story--
and the words to use--I must practise a bit by myself
beforehand here.

Principio ut illo advenimus, ubi primum terram tetigimus,
continuo Amphitruo delegit viros primorum principes;
eos legat, Telobois iubet sententiam ut dicant suam;
si sine vi et sine hello velint rapta et raptores tradere,
si quae asportassent redderent, se exercitum extemplo domum
reducturum, abituros agro Argivos, pacem atque otium
dare illis; sin aliter sient animati neque dent quae petat,
sese igitur summa vi virisque eorum oppidum oppugnassere. 210

(_pauses_) Here’s how we’ll begin. (_lays lantern down and
addresses supposed Alcmena importantly_) First and foremost,
when we reached there, as soon as we had touched land,
straightway Amphitryon picks out the most illustrous of his
captains. These he sends forth as legates and bids convey
his terms to the Teloboians, to wit: should they wish,
without contention and without strife, to deliver up pillage
and pillagers and restore whatsoever they had carried off,
he himself would lead his army home forthwith and the
Argives would leave their land and grant them peace and
quietude; but were they otherwise disposed, and disinclined
to yield what he sought, he would thereupon with all the
force at his command make onslaught on their city.

Haec ubi Telobois ordine iterarunt quos praefecerat
Amphitruo, magnanimi viri freti virtute et viribus
superbe nimis ferociter legates nostros increpant,
respondent bello se et suos tutari posse, proinde uti
propere irent, de suis finibus exercitus deducerent.
haec ubi legati pertulere, Amphitruo castris ilico
producit omnem exercitum. Teloboae contra ex oppido
legiones educunt suas nimis pulcris armis praeditas.

When Amphitryon’s ambassadors had duly made this
proclamation to the Teloboians, they, doughty warriors,
confiding in their courage and glorying in their strength,
made right rough and haughty answer to our embassy, saying
that they could defend themselves and theirs by force of
arms, and that accordingly they should depart at once
and lead their troops out from the Teloboian borders. On
receiving this report from his legates, Amphitryon at once
led forth his whole army from camp. And from the city, too,
the Teloboians led out their legions in goodly panoply.

postquam utrimque exitum est maxima copia,
dispertiti viri, dispertiti ordines, 220
nos nostras more nostro et modo instruximus
legiones, item hostes contra legiones suas instruont.

After both sides had marched out in full force, troops
arrayed, and ranks arrayed, we drew up our legions according
to our usual method and manner: our foemen likewise draw up
their legions facing ours.

deinde utrique imperatores in medium exeunt,
extra turbam ordinum colloquontur simul.
convenit, victi utri sint eo proelio,
urbem agrum aras focos seque uti dederent.

Then forward into the centre of the field stride the
leaders of both hosts, and there out beyond the serried
lines they hold colloquy. This pact was made, that they
who were conquered in this battle should surrender city
and land, shrines, homes, and persons.

postquam id actum est, tubae contra utrimque occanunt,
consonat terra, clamorem utrimque efferunt.
imperator utrimque, hinc et illinc, Iovi
vota suscipere, utrimque hortari exercitum. 230

This done, the trumpets blared on either side; earth echoes;
on either side the battle cry is raised. The generals on
either side, both here and there, offer their vows to Jove,
and on either side cheer their warriors.

tum pro se quisque id quod quisque potest et valet
edit, ferro ferit, tela frangunt, boat
caelum fremitu virum, ex spiritu atque anhelitu
nebula constat, cadunt volnerum vi viri.

Then each man lays about him with his every ounce of
strength and strikes home with his blade: lances shiver:
the welkin rings with the roar of heroes: up from their
gasping, panting breath a cloud arises: men drop beneath
the weight of wounds.

Denique, ut voluimus, nostra superat manus:
hostes crebri cadunt, nostri contra ingruont vi[11] feroces.
sed[12] fugam in se tamen nemo convortitur
nec recedit loco quin statim rem gerat;
animam omittunt prius quam loco demigrent: 240
quisque ut steterat iacet optinetque ordinem.

At last, as we wished, our host prevails: the foemen fall in
heaps: on and on we press, fired by our might. Yet for all
that, none turns in flight nor yields an inch, but stands
his ground and hews away. They lose their lives sooner than
quit their post. As each had stood, so he lies, and keeps
the line unbroken.

hoc ubi Amphitruo erus conspicatust,
ilico equites iubet dextera inducere.
equites parent citi: ab dextera maximo
cum clamore involant impetu alacri,
foedant et proterunt hostium copias
iure iniustas.

When my lord Amphitryon noted this, he straightway ordered
that the cavalry on our right be led to the charge. Swift
they obey, and with terrific yells swooping down from the
right in mad career they mangle and trample underfoot the
forces of our foes and right our wrongs. (_wipes his brow
and meditates_)

_Mer._

Numquam etiam quicquam adhuc verborum est prolocutus perperam:
namque ego fui illi in re praesenti et meus, cum pugnatum est, pater.

(_aside_) Not a single, solitary word of fiction has he
uttered yet: for I was there myself while the battle was
actually going on, and my father too.

_Sos._

Perduelles penetrant se in fugam; ibi nostris animus additust: 250
vortentibus Telobois telis complebantur corpora,
ipsusque Amphitruo regem Pterelam sua obtruncavit manu.
haec illic est pugnata pugna usque a mani ad vesperum--
hoc adeo hoc commemini magis, quia illo die inpransus fui--
sed proelium id tandem diremit nox interventu suo.

(_gathering himself together_) Their warriors take to
flight; at this new courage animates our men. When the
Teloboians turn their backs we stick them full of spears,
and Amphitryon himself cut down King Pterelas with his own
hand. This fight was fought out all through the day there
from morn till eve. (_reflectively_) I remember this
point more distinctly because that noon I went without my
lunch. But darkness at last intervened and terminated the
engagement.

postridie in castra ex urbe ad nos veniunt flentes principes:
velatis manibus orant ignoscamus peccatum suom,
deduntque se, divina humanaque omnia, urbem et liberos
indicionem atque in arbitratum cuncti Thebano poplo.
post ob virtutem ero Amphitruoni patera donata aurea est, 260
qui Pterela potitare solitus est rex. haec sic dicam erae
nunc pergam eri imperium exequi et me domum capessere.

The following day their foremost men come tearfully from the
city to our camp, their hands veiled in suppliant wise, and
entreat us to pardon their transgression: and one and all
they surrender their persons, their entire possessions
sacred and profane, their city and their children to the
Theban people to have and to hold as they deem fit. Then,
for his valour, my lord Amphitryon was presented with a
golden bowl from which King Pterelas was wont to drink.
(_heaves deep sigh of relief_) This is how I will tell it
to the mistress. Now I’ll go finish up the job for master
and take myself home. (_picks up lantern_)

_Mer._

Attat, illic huc iturust. ibo ego illi obviam,
neque ego huc hominem hodie ad aedis has sinam umquam accedere;
quando imago est huius in me, certum est hominem eludere.
et enim vero quoniam formam cepi huius in med et statum,
decet et facta moresque huius habere me similes item,
itaque me malum esse oportet, callidum, astutum admodum
atque hunc, telo suo sibi, malitia a foribus pellere.
sed quid illuc est? caelum aspectat. observabo quam rem agat. 270

(_aside_) Oho! about to come this way! I’ll step up and
meet him. The fellow shall never reach this house at present:
I won’t have it. Now that I am his double I fully intend to
befool the fellow. And I say, considering I have taken on
his looks and dress, it is appropriate for me to ape his
ways and general conduct, too. I must be a sly rapscallion,
then, shifty as the deuce, yes, and drive him away from the
door with his own weapon, roguery. (_looking at Sosia who is
gaping at the stars_) What’s he at, though? Staring at the
sky! I must keep an eye on him.

_Sos._

Certe edepol, si quicquamst aliud quod credam aut certo sciam,
credo ego hac noctu Nocturnum obdormivisse ebrium.
nam neque se Septentriones quoquam in caelo commovent,
neque se Luna quoquam mutat atque uti exorta est semel,
nec Iugulae neque Vesperugo neque Vergiliae occidunt.
ita statim stant signa, neque nox quoquam concedit die.

My goodness, if there’s anything I can believe or know for
sure, I surely do believe old Nocturnus went to bed this
night in liquor. Why, the Great Bear hasn’t moved a step
anywhere in the sky, and the moon’s just as it was when it
first rose, and Orion’s Belt, and the Evening Star, and the
Pleiades aren’t setting, either. Yes, the constellations are
standing stock still, and no sign of day anywhere.

_Mer._

Perge, Nox, ut occepisti, gere patri morem meo:
optumo optume optumam operam das, datam pulchre locas.

(_aside_) Go on as you have begun, Night: oblige my
father: you’re doing splendidly in a splendid work for a
splendid deity: you’ll find it a fine investment.

_Sos._

Neque ego hac nocte longiorem me vidisse censeo,
nisi item unam, verberatus quam pependi perpetem; 280
eam quoque edepol etiam multo haec vicit longitudine.
credo edepol equidem dormire Solem, atque adpotum probe;
mira sunt nisi invitavit sese in cena plusculum.

I don’t think I ever did see a longer night--barring that
one when I got whipped and was left strung up till morning.
And goodness me, in length this one’s way ahead of even that
one. Gad, I certainly do believe old Sol’s asleep, asleep
and dead drunk. It’s a wonder if he hasn’t drunk his own
health a bit too much at dinner.

_Mer._

Ain vero, verbero? deos esse tui similis putas?
ego pol te istis tuis pro dictis et male factis, furcifer,
accipiam; modo sis veni huc: invenies infortunium.

(_aside_) So, you scoundrel? Think the gods are like
yourself, eh? By heaven, I’ll give you a reception to match
this talk and roguery of yours, you gallows-bird. Just you
be good enough to step this way, and you shall meet with a
mishap.

_Sos._

Ubi sunt isti scortatores, qui soli inviti cubant?
haec nox scita est exercendo scorto conducto male.

Where are those young blades that hate a lonely couch? Here
is your lovely night for gallivanting with an expensive lady.

_Mer._

Meus pater nunc pro huius verbis recte et sapienter facit,
qui complexus cum Alcumena cubat amans animo obsequens. 290

(_aside_) According to this chap, my father’s making good,
intelligent use of his time--loving to his heart’s content
with Alcmena in his fond embrace.

_Sos._

Ibo ut erus quod imperavit Alcumenae nuntiem.
sed quis hic est homo, quem ante aedis video hoc noctis? non placet.

Now for the message master told me to give mistress.
(_aside as he moves toward house and sees Mercury_)
But who’s that fellow in front of the house at this time
o’ night? (_halts, frightened_) I don’t like it.

_Mer._

Nullust hoc metuculosus aeque.

(_aside_) Of all the pusillanimous rogues!

_Sos._

Mi in mentem venit,
illic homo hoc de umero volt pallium detexere.

(_aside_) It looks to me as if this fellow wants to take my
cloak off for me.

_Mer._

Timet homo: deludam ego illum.

(_aside_) Our friend is scared: we’ll have some sport with
him.

_Sos._

Perii, dentes pruriunt;
certe advenientem hic me hospitio pugneo accepturus est.
credo misericors est: nunc propterea quod me meus erus
fecit ut vigilarem, hic pugnis faciet hodie ut dormiam.
oppido interii. obsecro hercle, quantus et quam validus est.

(_aside_) Oh Lord, my teeth do--itch! He’s going to give me
a welcome on my arrival, he surely is,--a fisty welcome!
He’s a kind-hearted soul, I do believe. Seeing how master’s
kept me awake all night, he’s going to up with his fists now
and put me to sleep. Oh, I’m dead entirely! For God’s sake
look at the size of him, and strong, heavens!

_Mer._

Clare advorsum fabulabor, ut his auscultet quae loquar; 300
igitur magis demum maiorem in sese concipiet metum,
agite, pugni, iam diu est quom ventri victum non datis:
iam pridem videtur factum, heri quod homines quattuor
in soporem collocastis nudos.

(_aside_) I’ll speak out aloud, so that he can hear what I
say, and then I warrant he’ll feel shakier still. (_loudly,
with melodramatic fierceness_) Fists, be up and doing! ’Tis
long since ye have made provision for my paunch. It seems an
age since yesterday when ye stripped stark four men and laid
them away in slumber.

_Sos._

Formido male,
ne ego hic nomen meum commutem et Quintus fiam e Sosia;
quattuor nudos sopori se dedisse hic autumat;
metuo ne numerum augeam illum.

(_aside_) Oh, but I’m awfully scared my name will be changed
here and now, from Sosia to Sosia the Fifth. Four men he’s
stripped already and sent to slumberland, so he says: I’m
afraid I’m going to swell that list.

_Mer._

Em, nunciam ergo: sic volo.

(_tightening his girdle_) There, now then! ’Tis well.

_Sos._

Cingitur; certe expedit se.

(_aside_) Loins girded! He is surely getting ready for
business.

_Mer._

Non feret quin vapulet.

He shall not escape a trouncing.

_Sos._

Quis homo?

(_aside, anxiously_) Who, who?

_Mer._

Quisquis homo huc profecto venerit, pugnos edet.

I tell ye, any man that comes this way shall eat fists.

_Sos._

Apage, non placet me hoc noctis esse: cenavi modo: 310
proin tu istam cenam largire, si sapis, esurientibus.

(_aside_) No you don’t! I don’t care about eating at this
time o’ night. It wasn’t long ago I dined. So if you’ve got
any sense, you just bestow that dinner on the hungry.

_Mer._

Haud malum huic est pondus pugno.

(_examining his right fist_) There’s some weight in that
fist.

_Sos._

Perii, pugnos ponderat.

(_aside_) I’m finished! He’s a-weighing his fists!

_Mer._

Quid si ego illum tractim tangam, ut dormiat?

(_sparring_) What if I should stroke him softly into
somnolence?

_Sos._

Servaveris,
nam contiuas has tris noctes pervigilavi.

(_aside_) You’d save my life: I haven’t slept a wink
for three nights running.

_Mer._
Pessumest,
facimus nequiter, ferire malam male discit manus;
alia forma esse oportet quem tu pugno legeris.

(_swinging heavily_) Downright sinful, this! This is a
shame! ’Tis wrong of my arm to learn really to jab a jaw!
(_to arm as he feels biceps_) Merely graze a man with
thy fist and his shape must needs be altered.

_Sos._

Illic homo me interpolabit meumque os finget denuo.

(_aside_) That bully’s going to do me up and mould my face
all over again for me.

_Mer._

Exossatum os esse oportet quem probe percusseris.

The face that thou shalt smite in earnest is bound
thereafter to be boneless.

_Sos._

Mirum ni hic me quasi murenam exossare cogitat.
ultro istunc qui exossat homines, perii, si me aspexerit. 320

(_aside_) Sure enough he’s reckoning on boning me like
a lamprey. I--I object to these man-boners. It’s all up if
he catches sight of me.

_Mer._

Olet homo quidam malo suo.

(_sniffing the air_) Ha! I smell somebody, and woe to him!

_Sos._

Ei, numnam ego obolui?

(_aside_) Oh, dear! It can’t be he’s got a whiff of me?

_Mer._

Atque haud longe abesse oportet, verum longe hinc afuit.

Aye, and he must be near at hand, albeit he has been afar
from here.

_Sos._

Illi homo superstitiosust.

(_aside_) The fellow’s got second sight.

_Mer._

Gestiunt pugni mihi.

My fists are rampant.

_Sos._

Si in me exercituru’s, quaeso in parietem ut primum domes.

(_in low tone_) If you intend to put ’em through their
paces on me, for heaven’s sake break ’em in first on the
wall.

_Mer._

Vox mi ad aures advolavit.

A voice hath flown unto my ear.

_Sos._

Ne ego homo infelix fui,
qui non alas intervelli: volucrem vocem gestito.

(_aside_) There you are! I swear I am an unlucky devil
not to have clipped its wings, and me with such a bird-like
voice.

_Mer._

Illic homo a me sibi malam rem arcessit iumento suo.

Yon wight doth summon me to wallop his beast’s back for him.

_Sos._

Non equidem ullum habeo iumentum.

(_aside_) Never a beast do I own, not I.

_Mer._

Onerandus est pugnis probe.

He needs a lusty load of buffets.

_Sos._

Lassus sum hercle, navi ut vectus huc sum: etiam nunc nauseo;
vix incedo inanis, ne ire posse cum onere existimes. 330

(_in low tone_) Oh Lord! and me all done up with that
sea trip home! I’m seasick even now. It’s all I can do to
stump along empty handed, so don’t think I can travel with
a load.

_Mer._

Certe enim his nescio quis loquitur.

Yea, of a truth some one is talking here.

_Sos._

Salvos sum, non me videt:
nescioquem loqui autumat; mihi certo nomen Sosiaest.

(_in lower tone_) Saved! He doesn’t see me. It’s Some
one he says is talking: and my same is Sosia, I know that
for a fact.

_Mer._

Hinc enim mihi dextra vox auris, ut videtur, verberat.

Yes, a voice from the right here, as it seems, doth strike
my ear.

_Sos._

Metuo, vocis ne vicem hodie hic vapulem, quae hunc verberat.

(_aside_) I’m afraid he’ll soon pummel me instead of my
voice for its striking him. (_steps forward timidly_)

_Mer._

Optume eccum incedit ad me.

Oho! Splendid! He moves this way.

_Sos._

Timeo, totus torpeo.
non edepol nunc ubi terrarum sim scio, si quis roget,
neque miser me commovere possum prae formidine.
ilicet, mandata eri perierunt una et Sosia.
verum certum est confidenter hominem contra conloqui,
qui possim videri huic fortis, a me ut abstineat manum. 340

(_aside_) I’m scared, I’m simply stiff! Good gracious,
I don’t know where in the world I am, not if anyone asked
me. Oh dear, I can’t move a step for fear! This ends me!
Master’s orders are done for, and Sosia, too. But I’m
resolved--I’m going to speak right up to him boldly, so that
I can make him think I’m a dangerous character and let me
be. (_tries to swagger_)

_Mer._

Quo ambulas, tu qui Volcanum in cornu conclusum geris?

Whither dost stroll, thou who conveyest (_pointing to
lantern_) Vulcan pent within yon horn?

_Sos._

Quid id exquiris tu, qui pugnis os exossas hominibus?

What dost want to know for, thou who bonest folks’ faces for
’em with yon fists?

_Mer._

Servosne es an liber?

Art slave or free?

_Sos._
Utcumque animo conlibitum est meo.

Whichever I please.

_Mer._

Ain vero?

So? In sooth?

_Sos._

Aio enim vero.

Yes, so in sooth.

_Mer._

Verbero.

Thou whipped slave!

_Sos._

Mentiris nunc.

You lie: I’m none.

_Mer._

At iam faciam ut verum dixas dicere.

(_advancing_) But I shall soon make thee say ’tis true.

_Sos._

Quid eo est opus?

(_shrinking back_) Oh, what’s the use of that?

_Mer._

Possum scire, quo profectus, cuius sis aut quid veneris?

(_sternly_) May I be informed where thou art bound, who owns
thee, or why thou camest? (_halts_)

_Sos._

Huc eo, eri iussu, eius sum servos. numquid nunc es certior?

(_encouraged_) I’m bound for here--master’s orders--and I’m
his slave. Are you any wiser now?

_Mer._

Ego tibi istam hodie, sceleste, comprimam linguam.

I’ll soon make thee hold thy tongue, miscreant!

_Sos._

Haud potes:
bene pudiceque adservatur.

No chance, she’s chaperoned in nice modest fashion.

_Mer._

Pergin argutarier?
quid apud hasce aedis negoti est tibi?

Still at thy quips, eh? What business hast thou at this
house?

_Sos._

Immo quid tibi est? 350

Well, and what have you?

_Mer._

Rex Creo vigiles nocturnos singulos semper locat.

King Creon posts separate sentries about here every night.

_Sos._

Bene facit: quia nos eramus peregre, tutatust domi;
at nunc abi sane, advenisse familiares dicito.

(_in superior manner_) Much obliged. Seeing we were abroad,
he’s kept guard for us at home. But now you can be off: say
the family servants have got back.

_Mer._

Nescio quam tu familiaris sis: nisi actutum hinc abis,
familiaris accipiere faxo haud familiariter.

Thou a family servant, indeed! Unless thou dost disappear
instantly, I warrant ye I’ll welcome servants of the family
with strange familiarity.

_Sos._

Hic inquam habito ego atque horunc servos sum.

Here’s where I live, I tell you. This is my master’s house.

_Mer._

At scin quo modo?
faciam ego hodie te superbum, nisi hinc abis.

But knowest thou what? I’ll soon be making an exalted man of
thee, an’ thou decampest not.

_Sos._

Quonam modo?

Exalted! How is that?

_Mer._

Auferere, non abibis, si ego fustem sumpsero.

You shall be carried off on people’s shoulders--no walking--
once I take my club to you.

_Sos._

Quin me esse huius familiai familiarem praedico.

I’m a member of the household here, I do avow.

_Mer._

Vide sis quam mox vapulare vis, nisi actutum hinc abis. 360

Kindly consider how soon you want a thrashing, unless you
vanish instantly.

_Sos._

Tun domo prohibere peregre me advenientem postulas?

So you want to forbid me the house when I’m getting back
from foreign parts, you?

_Mer._

Haecine tua domust?

Is this the house where you belong?

_Sos._

Ita inquam.

That’s what I say.

_Mer._

Quis erus est igitur tibi?

Who is your master, then?

_Sos._
Amphitruo, qui nunc praefectust Thebanis legionibus,
quicum nupta est Alcumena.

Amphitryon, now in command of the Theban army, and his wife
is Alcmena.

_Mer._

Quid ais? quid nomen tibi est?

How say you? Your name!

_Sos._

Sosiam vocant Thebani, Davo prognatum patre.

Sosia the Thebans call me, Sosia, son of Davus.

_Mer._

Ne tu istic hodie malo tuo compositis mendaciis
advenisti, audaciai columen, consutis dolis.

Ah! ’twas an evil hour for thee, when thou camest here,
thou pinnacle of impudence, with thy premeditated lies and
patched-up fabrications.

_Sos._

Immo equidem tunicis consutis huc advenio, non dolis.

You’re wrong, I vow: I’ve come with my tunic patched up,
not my fabrications.

_Mer._

At mentiris etiam: certo pedibus, non tunicis venis.

Ha, lying again! Thou dost clearly come with thy feet, not
thy tunic.

_Sos._

Ita profecto.

(_dryly_) Naturally.

_Mer._

Nunc profecto vapula ob mendacium. 370

And naturally now get thrashed for fibbing.
(_advances_)

_Sos._

Non edepol volo profecto.

(_retreats_) Oh dear, I object, naturally.

_Mer._

At pol profecto ingratiis.
hoc quidem profecto certum est, non est arbitrarium.

Oh well, naturally that is immaterial. My “naturally,”
at least, is a cold hard fact, no matter of opinion.
(_beats him_)

_Sos._

Tuam fidem obsecro.

(_squirming_) Easy, easy, for Heaven’s sake!

_Mer._

Tun te audes Sosiam esse dicere,
qui ego sum?

Durst say that thou art Sosia when I am he?

_Sos._

Perii.

Murder! murder!

_Mer._

Parum etiam, praeut futurum est, praedicas.
quoius nunc es?

(_continuing to beat him_) Murder? A mere nothing compared
with what is coming. Whose are you now?

_Sos._

Tuos, nam pugnis usu fecisti tuom.
pro fidem, Thebani cives.

Yours! Your fists have got a title to me by limitation.
Help, Thebans, help!

_Mer._

Etiam clamas, carnifex?
loquere, quid venisti?

So? Bellowing, varlet? Speak up, why camest thou?

_Sos._

Ut esset quem tu pugnis caederes.

Just to give you some one to punch, sir.

_Mer._

Cuius es?

Whose are you?

_Sos._

Amphitruonis, inquam, Sosia.

Amphitryon’s Sosia, I tell you.

_Mer._

Ergo istoc magis,
quia vaniloquo’s, vapulabis: ego sum, non tu, Sosia.

Well then, you shall be pummelled the more for talking
nonsense. You Sosia! I am he myself.

_Sos._

Ita di faciant, ut tu potius sis atque ego te ut verberem. 380

(_in low tone_) I wish to God you were, instead of me, and I
was thumping you.

_Mer._

Etiam muttis?

Ha! Muttering, eh?

_Sos._

Iam tacebo.

I won’t, I won’t, sir!

_Mer._

Quis tibi erust?

Who is your master?

_Sos._

Quem tu voles.

Anyone you like, sir.

_Mer._

Quid igitur? qui nunc vocare?

Indeed? And your name now?

_Sos._

Nemo nisi quem iusseris.

Nothing but what you order, sir.

_Mer._

Amphitruonis te esse aiebas Sosiam.

You were saying you were Amphitryon’s Sosia.

_Sos._

Peccaveram.
nam Amphitruonis[13] socium ne me esse volui dicere.

All a mistake, sir; “Amphitryon’s associate” I meant, sir,
really I did.

_Mer._

Sciebam equidem nullum esse nobis nisi me servom Sosiam.
fugit te ratio.

Ah, I knew quite well there was no servant Sosia at our
place except me. You made a slip.

_Sos._

Utinam istuc pugni fecissent tui.

Oh, how I wish your fists had!

_Mer._

Ego sum Sosia ille quem tu dudum esse aiebas mihi.

I am that Sosia you claimed to be a while ago.

_Sos._

Obsecro ut per pacem liceat te alloqui, ut ne vapulem.

For heaven’s sake, sir, let me have a word with you in peace
without getting pummelled.

_Mer._

Immo indutiae parumper fiant, si quid vis loqui.

No peace--but I consent to a short armistice, if you have
anything to say.

_Sos._

Non loquar nisi pace facta, quando pugnis plus vales. 390

I won’t say it, not unless peace is made: your fists are too
much for me.

_Mer._

Dic si quid vis, non nocebo.

Out with what you want: I shall not hurt you!

_Sos._

Tuae fide credo?

Can I take your word for that?

_Mer._

Meae.

You can.

_Sos._

Quid si falles?

What if you fool me?

_Mer._

Tum Mercurius Sosiae iratus siet.

(_solemnly_) Then may Sosia feel the wrath of Mercury!

_Sos._

Animum advorte. nunc licet mihi libere quidvis loqui.
Amphitruonis ego sum servos Sosia.

Listen here, sir. Now I’m free to come out plain with
anything. I am Amphitryon’s Sosia, I am.

_Mer._

Etiam denuo?

(_advancing_) What? Again?

_Sos._

Pacem feci, foedus feci. vera dico.

(_vigorously_) I made peace--I struck a treaty! It’s
the truth.

_Mer._

Vapula.

Be thrashed to you!

_Sos._

Ut libet quid tibi libet fac, quoniam pugnis plus vales;
verum, utut es facturus, hoc quidem hercle haud reticebo tamen.

Suit yourself, do what suits you, seeing your fists are too
much for me. (_doggedly_) But just the same, no matter what
you do, I won’t keep that back, by gad, not that.

_Mer._

Tu me vivos hodie numquam facies quin sim Sosia.

You shall never live to make me anyone but Sosia, never.

_Sos._

Certe edepol tu me alienabis numquam quin noster siem;
nec nobis praeter med alius quisquam est servos Sosia.[14] 400

And by thunder, you shall never do me out of being our
family’s servant. No sir, and I’m the only servant Sosia we
have.

_Mer._

Hic homo sanus non est.

The man is crazy.

_Sos._

Quod mihi praedicas vitium, id tibi est. (402)
quid, malum, non sum ego servos Amphitruonis Sosia?
nonne hac noctu nostra navis huc ex portu Persico
venit, quae me advexit? nonne me huc erus misit meus?

Crazy? You’re putting your own complaint off on to me.
(_half to himself_) See here, dash it, an’t I Amphitryon’s
servant Sosia? Didn’t our ship arrive this night from Port
Persicus, and I on it? Didn’t my own master send me here?

nonne ego nunc sto ante aedes nostras? non mi est lanterna in manu?
non loquor, non vigilo? nonne hic homo modo me pugnis contudit?
fecit hercle, nam etiam misero nunc mihi malae dolent.
quid igitur ego dubito, aut cur non intro eo in nostram domum?

An’t I standing in front of our own house this minute?
Haven’t I got a lantern in my hand? An’t I talking? An’t
I awake? Didn’t this chap just give me a bruising? Lord,
but he did! Why, my poor jaws ache even now. What am I
hesitating for, then? Or why don’t I go inside our house?

_Mer._

Quid, domum vostram?

What? Your house?

_Sos._

Ita enim vero.

Yes, just so.

_Mer._
Quin quae dixisti modo 410
omnia ementitu’s: equidem Sosia Amphitruonis sum.
nam noctu hac soluta est navis nostra e portu Persico,
et ubi Pterela rex regnavit oppidum expugnavimus.
et legiones Teloboarum vi pugnando cepimus,
et ipsus Amphitruo optruncavit regem Pterelam in proelio.

You lie, I tell you: your every word has been a lie. I am
Amphitryon’s Sosia, beyond dispute. Why, this very night we
unmoored and left Port Persicus; and we have seized the city
where King Pterelas held sway; and we subdued the legions of
the Teloboians by our sturdy onslaught; and Amphitryon
himself slew King Pterelas on the field of battle.

_Sos._

Egomet mihi non credo, cum illaec autumare illum audio;
hic quidem certe quae illic sunt res gestae memorat memoriter.
sed quid ais? quid Amphitruoni doni a Telobois datum est?

(_aside_) I can’t believe my own ears when I hear that
fellow going on so. My word, he certainly does reel our
doings there all off pat. (_aloud_) But I say--what was
Amphitryon presented with from the Teloboian spoils?

_Mer._

Pterela rex qui potitare solitus est patera aurea.

A golden bowl that King Pterelas was wont to drink from.

_Sos._

Elocutus est. ubi patera nunc est?

(_aside_) He’s hit it! (_aloud_) Where is the bowl now?

_Mer._

Est in cistula; 420
Amphitruonis obsignata signo est.

In a little chest, sealed with Amphitryon’s signet.

_Sos._

Signi dic quid est?

What’s on the signet, tell me that?

_Mer._

Cum quadrigis Sol exoriens. quid me captas, carnufex?

Sol rising in a four horse chariot. (_blustering_) Why this
attempt to catch me, caitiff?

_Sos._

Argumentis vicit, aliud nomen quaerundum est mihi.
nescio unde haec hic spectavit. iam ego hunc decipiam probe;
nam quod egomet solus feci, nec quisquam alius affuit,
in tabernaclo, id quidem hodie numquam poterit dicere.
si tu Sosia es, legiones cum pugnabant maxume,
quid in tabernaclo fecisti? victus sum, si dixeris.

(_aside_) This evidence settles me. I’ve got to find me
a new name. I don’t understand where he saw all this from.
(_reflecting_) Ah, now I’ll trick him in good style. Yes,
something I did when I was all alone, and not another soul
there, in the tent,--he’ll never be able to tell me about
that, anyway. (_aloud_) Well, if you’re Sosia, what did you
do in the tent when the soldiers were in the thick of the
fight? Answer me that and I give in.

_Mer._

Cadus erat vini: inde implevi hirneam.

There was a cask of wine: I drew off a jugful.

_Sos._

Ingressust viam.

(_aside_) He’s on the right track.

_Mer._

Eam ego, ut matre fuerat natum, vini eduxi meri. 430

Then I drained it, wine pure as it came from its mother.

_Sos._

Factum est illud, ut ego illic vini hirneam ebiberim meri.
mira sunt nisi latuit intus illic in illac hirnea.

(_aside_) That’s a fact--I did drink off a jug of wine,
neat. Most probably the fellow was hiding in that same jug!

_Mer._

Quid nunc? vincon argumentis, te non esse Sosiam?

Well, have I convinced you that you are not Sosia?

_Sos._

Tu negas med esse?

You deny it, do you?

_Mer._

Quid ego ni negem, qui egomet siem?

Of course I deny it, being Sosia myself.

_Sos._

Per Iovem iuro med esse neque me falsum dicere.

No, I am,--I swear it by Jupiter, and swear I’m not lying,
too!

_Mer._

At ego per Mercurium iuro, tibi Iovem non credere;
nam iniurato scio plus credet mihi quam iurato tibi.

But I swear by Mercury that Jupiter disbelieves you. Why,
man, he will take my bare word against your solemn oath, no
doubt about it.

_Sos._

Quis ego sum saltem, si non sum Sosia? te interrogo.

For mercy’s sake who am I, if I’m not Sosia? I ask you that.

_Mer._

Ubi ego Sosia nolim esse, tu esto sane Sosia;
nunc, quando ego sum, vapulabis, ni hinc abis, ignobilis. 440

When I do not wish to be Sosia, be Sosia yourself, by all
means. Now that I am he, you either pack, or take a
thrashing, you unknown riff raff.

_Sos._

Certe edepol, quom illum contemplo et formam cognosco meam,
quem ad modum ego sum--saepe in speculum inspexi--nimis similest mei;
itidem habet petasum ac vestitum: tam consimilest atque ego;
sura, pes, statura, tonsus, oculi, nasum vel labra,
malae, mentum, barba, collus: totus. quid verbis opust?

(_aside, looking him over carefully_) Upon my soul, now I
look him over, and consider my own looks, my own appearance--
I’ve peeped in a mirror many a time--he is precious like
me. Has on a travelling hat, yes, and clothes the same
as mine. He’s as like me as I am myself! Same leg--foot--
height--haircut--eyes--nose--lips, even--jaw-- chin--beard--
neck--everything. Well--well, well, well!

si tergum cicatricosum, nihil hoc similist similius.
sed quom cogito, equidem certo idem sum qui semper fui.
novi erum, novi aedis nostras; sane sapio et sentio.
non ego illi obtempero quod loquitur, pultabo foris.

If he’s got a backful of whip scars, you couldn’t find a
liker likeness anywhere. (_pause_) But--when I think it
over--I’m positive I’m the same man I always was, of course
I am. (_with growing conviction_) I know master, I know our
house. I’m sane and sound, I’ve got my senses. I won’t take
any notice of what he says, not I. I’ll knock at the door
(_moves toward Amphitryon’s house_)

_Mer._

Quo agis te?

(_blocking him off_) Where now?

_Sos._

Domum.

Home.

_Mer._

Quadrigas si nunc inscendas Iovis 450
atque hinc fugias, ita vix poteris effugere infortunium.

(_advancing_) And shouldst thou climb into Jupiter’s four
horse chariot and seek to flee, e’en so thou canst hardly
fly misfortune.

_Sos._

Nonne erae meae nuntiare quod erus meus iussit licet?

I can tell my own mistress what my own master ordered me to
tell her, can’t I?

_Mer._

Tuae si quid vis nuntiare: hanc nostram adire non sinam.
nam si me inritassis, hodie lumbifragium hinc auferes.

Thy own mistress, aye,--whatever likes thee: but never shalt
thou approach ours here. Yea, provoke me, and thou draggest
hence a shipwreck of a man. (_advancing_)

_Sos._

Abeo potius. di immortales, obsecro vostram fidem,
ubi ego perii? ubi immutatus sum? ubi ego formam perdidi?
an egomet me illic reliqui, si forte oblitus fui?
nam hic quidem omnem imaginem meam, quae antehac fuerat, possidet.

(_retreating_) Don’t, don’t,--I’ll be off! (_aside_) Ye
immortal gods! For heaven’s sake, where did I lose myself?
Where was I transformed? Where did I drop my shape? I didn’t
leave myself behind at the harbour, did I, if I did happen
to forget it? For, my word, this fellow has got hold of my
complete image, mine that was!

vivo fit quod numquam quisquam mortuo faciet mihi.
ibo ad portum atque haec uti sunt facta ero dicam meo; 460
nisi etiam is quoque me ignorabit; quod ille faxit Iuppiter,
ut ego hodie raso capite calvos capiam pilleum.

Here I am alive and folks carry my image--more than anyone
will ever do when I’m dead. I’ll go down to the harbour and
tell my master all about these goings on--that is unless
he doesn’t know me, too,--and I hope to Jupiter he won’t,
so that I may shave my hair off this very day and stick
my bald head in a freeman’s cap. [EXIT _Sosia._

I. 2.

Scene 2.

_Mer._

Bene prospere hoc hodie operis processit mihi:
amovi a foribus maximam molestiam,
patri ut liceret tuto illam amplexarier.
iam ille illuc ad erum cum Amphitruonem advenerit,
narrabit servom hinc sese a foribus Sosiam
amovisse; ille adeo illum mentiri sibi
credet, neque credet huc profectum, ut iusserat.

Well, my little affair has progressed finely, famously.
I have sent a confounded nuisance to the right-about from
the door and given my father a chance to embrace the lady
there in safety. Now when our friend gets back there to his
master, Amphitryon, he’ll tell his tale how it was servant
Sosia that packed him off. Yes, and then Amphitryon will
think he is lying, and never came here as he ordered.

erroris ambo ego illos et dementiae 470
complebo atque omnem Amphitruonis familiam,
adeo usque, satietatem dum capiet pater
illius quam amat. igitur demum omnes scient
quae facta. denique Alcumenam Iuppiter
rediget antiquam coniugi in concordiam.

I’ll muddle up the pair of them, bedevil them completely,
and Amphitryon’s whole household, too, and keep it up till
my father has his fill of her whom he loves: then all shall
know the truth, but not before. And finally Jupiter will
renew the former harmony between Alcmena and her spouse.

nam Amphitruo actutum uxori turbas conciet
atque insimulabit eam probri; tum meus pater
eam seditionem illi in tranquillum conferet.
nunc de Alcumena dudum quod dixi minus,
hodie illa pariet filios geminos duos 480

For you see, Amphitryon, will be raging at his wife shortly,
and accusing her of playing him false: then my father will
step in and quell the riot. Now about Alcmena--something I
left unsaid a while ago--now she shall bring forth twin
sons,

alter decumo post mense nascetur puer
quam seminatust, alter mense septumo;
eorum Amphitruonis alter est, alter Iovis:
verum minori puero maior est pater,
minor maiori. iamne hoc scitis quid siet?

one being a ten months’ boy, the other a seven. One is
Amphitryon’s child, the other Jove’s: the younger boy,
however, has the greater father, and vice versa. You see
how it is now, do you?

sed Alcumenae huius honoris gratia
pater curavit uno ut fetu fieret,
uno ut labore absolvat aerumnas duas[15]. (488)
quamquam, ut iam dudum dixi, resciscet tamen 49l
Amphitruo rem omnem. quid igitur? nemo id probro
profecto ducet Alcumenae; nam deum
non par videtur facere, delictum suom
suamque ut culpam expetere in mortalem ut sinat.

But out of consideration for Alcmena here, my father has
provided that there shall be only one parturition: he
intends to make one labour suffice for two. But Amphitryon,
though, as I told you some time since, will be informed of
the whole affair. But what of that? Certainly no one will
hold Alcmena guilty: no, no, it would seem highly unbecoming
for a god to let a mortal take the consequences of his
misdeeds and his indiscretions.

orationem comprimam: crepuit foris.
Amphitruo subditivos eccum exit foras
cum Alcumena uxore usuraria.

(_listening_) Enough of this: there goes the door. Ah, the
counterfeit Amphitryon comes out with his borrowed wife,
Alcmena! (_steps aside_)

I. 3.

Scene 3.

ENTER _Jupiter_ AND _Alcmena_ FROM THE HOUSE.

_Iup._
_Jup._

Bene vale, Alcumena, cura rem communem, quod facis;
atque inperce quaeso: menses iam tibi esse actos vides. 500
mihi necesse est ire hinc; verum quod erit natum tollito.

Good-bye and God bless you, my dear. Continue to look out
for our common interests, and do be sure not to overdo: you
are near your time now, you know. I am obliged to leave
you--but don’t expose the child.

_Alc._

Quid istuc est, mi vir, negoti, quod tu tam subito domo abeas?

(_plaintively_) Why, my husband, what is it takes you away
so suddenly?

_Iup._
_Jup._

Edepol haud quod tui me neque domi distaedeat;
sed ubi summus imperator non adest ad exercitum,
citius quod non facto est usus fit quam quod facto est opus.

No weariness of you and home, I swear to that. But when the
commander-in-chief is not with his army, things are much
more liable to go wrong than right.

_Mer._

Nimis hic scitust sycophanta, qui quidem meus sit pater.
observatote eum, quam blande muliori palpabitur.

(_aside_) Ah, he’s a sly old dodger--does me[D] credit,
my father does! Notice how suavely he’ll smooth her down.

[Footnote D: Mercury was the patron god of roguery.]

_Alc._

Ecastor te experior quanti facias uxorem tuam.

(_pouting_) Oh yes, I’m learning how much you think of your
wife.

_Iup._
_Jup._

Satin habes, si feminarum nulla est quam aeque diligam?

(_fondly_) Isn’t it enough that you’re the dearest woman in
the world to me? (_embraces her_)

_Mer._

Edepol ne illa si istis rebus te sciat operam dare 510
ego faxim ted Amphitruonem esse malis, quam Iovem.

(_aside_) Now, now, sir! Just let the lady up yonder
(_pointing thumb heavenward_) learn of your performances
here, and I’ll guarantee you’d rather be Amphitryon than
Jove.

_Alc._

Experiri istuc mavellem me quam mi memorarier.
prius abis quam lectus ubi cubuisti concaluit locus.
heri venisti media nocte, nunc abis. hocin placet?

Actions speak louder than words. Here you are leaving me
before your place on the couch had time to get warm. You
came last night at midnight, and now you are going. Does
that seem right?

_Mer._

Accedam atque hanc appellabo et subparasitabor patri.
numquam edepol quemquam mortalem credo ego uxorem suam
sic ecflictim amare, proinde ut hic te ecflictim deperit.

(_aside_) I’ll go slip a word in and play henchman to my
father. (_to Alcmena, stepping up_) Lord, ma’am, I don’t
believe there’s a mortal man alive loves his own wife
(_glancing slyly at Jupiter_) so madly as the mad way he
dotes on you.

_Iup._
_Jup._

Carnufex, non ego te novi? abin e conspectu meo?
quid tibi hanc curatio est rem, verbero, aut muttitio?
quon ego iam hoc scipione--

(_angrily_) You rascal, don’t I know you? Out of my sight,
will you! What business have you to interfere with this
matter, or to breathe a word about it, you scamp? I’ll take
my cane this instant and--

_Alc._

Ah noli.

(_seizing his arm_) Oh, please don’t!

_Iup._
_Jup._

Muttito modo. 520

You just breathe a word now!

_Mer._

Nequiter paene expedivit prima parasitatio.

(_aside dryly_) The henchman’s first try at henching pretty
nearly came to grief.

_Iup._
_Jup._

Verum quod tu dicis, mea uxor, non te mi irasci decet.
clanculum abii a legione: operam hanc subrupui tibi,
ex me primo ut prima scires, rem ut gessissem publicam.
ea tibi omnia enarravi. nisi te amarem plurimum,
non facerem.

But as to what you say, precious,--you oughtn’t to be cross
with me. It was on the sly that I left my troops: this is a
stolen treat, stolen for your sake, so that your first news
of how I served my country might come first from me. And now
I have told you the whole story. I wouldn’t have done such a
thing, if I hadn’t loved you with all my heart.

_Mer._

Facitne ut dixi? timidam palpo percutit.

(_aside_) Doing as I said, eh? Stroking her down, patting
her back, poor thing.

_Iup._
_Jup._

Nunc, ne legio persentiscat, clam illuc redeundum est mihi,
ne me uxorem praevertisse dicant prae re publica.

Now I must slip back, so that my men may not get wind of
this and say I put my wife ahead of the public welfare.

_Alc._

Lacrimantem ex abitu concinnas tu tuam uxorem.

(_tearfully_) And make your own wife cry at your leaving her!

_Iup._
_Jup._

Tace,
ne corrumpe oculos, redibo actutum.

(_affectionately_) Hush! Don’t spoil your eyes: I shall be
back soon.

_Alc._

Id actutum diu est. 530

That “soon” is a long, long time.

_Iup._
_Jup._

Non ego te hic lubens relinquo neque abeo abs te.

It’s not that I like to leave you here and go away.

_Alc._

Sentio,
nam qua nocte ad me venisti, eadem abis.

So I perceive--going away the same night you came to me!
(_clings to him_)

_Iup._
_Jup._

Cur me tenes?
tempus est: exire ex urbe prius quam lucescat volo.
nunc tibi hanc pateram, quae dono mi illi ob virtutem data est,
Pterela rex qui potitavit, quem ego mea occidi manu,
Alcumena, tibi condono.

Why do you hold me? It is time: I wish to get out of the
city before daybreak. (_producing a golden bowl_) Here is
the bowl they presented me for bravery on the field--the one
King Pterelas used to drink from, whom I killed with my own
hand--take it as a gift from me, Alcmena.

_Alc._

Facis ut alias res soles.
ecastor condignum donum, qualest qui donum dedit.

(_taking bowl eagerly_) That _is_ so like you! Oh, your gift
just matches the giver!

_Mer._

Immo sic: condignum donum, qualest cui dono datumst.

Oh no, not the giver--that gift matches the getter.

_Iup._
_Jup._

Pergin autem? nonne ego possum, furcifer, te perdere?

(_savagely_) So? At it again? Is there no choking you off,
you jailbird? No? (_advances with upraised cane_)

_Alc._

Noli amabo, Amphitruo, irasci Sosiae causa mea. 540

(_holding him back_) Please, Amphitryon, don’t be angry with
Sosia on my account.

_Iup._
_Jup._

Faciam ita ut vis.

(_halting_) Anything you please.

_Mer._

Ex amore hic admodum quam saevos est.

(_aside_) Love has made an out-and-out savage of him.

_Iup._
_Jup._

Numquid vis?

(_kissing Alcmena and turning to go_) Nothing else, then?

_Alc._

Ut quom absim me ames, me tuam te absente tamen.

This,--even though I am not near you, love me still, your
own true wife, absent or not.

_Mer._

Eamus, Amphitruo. lucescit hoc iam.

Let’s go, sir; it is getting light already.

_Iup._
_Jup._

Abi prae, Sosia,
Iam ego sequar. numquid vis?

Go ahead, Sosia; I shall be with you in a moment.
[EXIT _Mercury._
(_kisses Alcmena again and turns to go_) Nothing further?

_Alc._

Etiam: ut actutum advenias.

Yes, yes--do come back soon.

_Iup._
_Jup._

Licet,
prius tua opinione hic adero: bonum animum habe.
nunc te, nox, quae me mansisti, mitto uti cedas die,
ut mortalis inlucescat luce clara et candida.
atque quanto, nox, fuisti longior hac proxuma,
tanto brevior dies ut fiat faciam, ut aeque disparet.
sed dies e nocte accedat. ibo et Mercurium sequar. 550

Indeed I will: I shall be here sooner than you think. Come,
come, cheer up! (_embraces her and moves away_)
[EXIT _Alcmena_ INTO HOUSE, SADLY.
Now, Night, who hast tarried for me, I dismiss thee: give
place to Day, that he may shine upon mortals in radiance and
splendour. And Night, since thou wert longer than the last,
I shall make the day so much the shorter, that there may be
fair adjustment. But let day issue forth from night. Now to
follow after Mercury. [EXIT _Jupiter._

ACTVS II