Amph. Nothing but the truth, and the whole truth; so help thee, cudgel!
Sos. That's a damned conclusion of a sentence: but, since it must be so—back and sides, at your own peril!—I set out from the port in an unlucky hour; the dusky canopy of night enveloping the hemisphere.—
Amph. [Strikes him.] Imprimis, for fustian:—now proceed.
Sos. I stand corrected: In plain prose then,—I went darkling, and whistling to keep myself from being afraid; mumbling curses betwixt my teeth, for being sent at such an unnatural time of night.
Amph. How, sirrah, cursing and swearing against your lord and master! take— [Going to strike.
Sos. Hold, sir—pray, consider if this be not unreasonable to strike me for telling the whole truth, when you commanded me: I'll fall into my old dog-trot of lying again, if this must come of plain dealing.
Amph. To avoid impertinences make an end of your journey, and come to the house;—what found you there, a god's name?
Sos. I came thither in no god's name at all, but in the devil's name; I found before the door a swinging fellow, with all my shapes and features, and accoutred also in my habit.
Amph. Who was that fellow?