Amphitryo, Asinaria, Aulularia, Bacchides, Captivi / Amphitryon, The Comedy of Asses, The Pot of Gold, The Two / Bacchises, The Captives

by Titus Maccius Plautus

[PERSONAE]	DRAMATIS PERSONAE
MERCVRIVS DEUS SOSIA SERVUS IVPPITER DEUS ALCVMENA MATRONA AMPHITRVO DUX BLEPHARO GUBERNATOR BROMIA ANCILLA	MERCURY, a god. SOSIA, slave of Amphitryon. JUPITER, a god. ALCMENA, wife of Amphitryon. AMPHITRYON, commander-in-chief of the Theban army. BLEPHARO, a pilot. BROMIA, maid to Alcmena.
Scaena Thebis.	Scene:—Thebes. A street before Amphitryon's house.

[PROLOGVS][3]	PROLOGUE
MERCVRIVS DEVS	SPOKEN BY THE GOD MERCURY
Ut vos in vostris voltis mercimoniis emundis vendundisque me laetum lucris adficere atque adiuvare in rebus omnibus et ut res rationesque vostrorum omnium bene me expedire voltis peregrique et domi bonoque atque amplo auctare perpetuo lucro quasque incepistis res quasque inceptabitis,	According as ye here assembled would have me prosper you and bring you luck in your buyings and in your sellings of goods, yea, and forward you in all things; and according as ye all would have me find your business affairs and speculations happy outcome in foreign lands and here at home, and crown your present and future undertakings with fine, fat profits for evermore;
et uti bonis vos vostrosque omnis nuntiis me adficere voltis, ea adferam, ea uti nuntiem 10 quae maxime in rem vostram communem sient— nam vos quidem id iam scitis concessum et datum mi esse ab dis aliis, nuntiis praesim et lucro—: haec ut me voltis adprobare adnitier,[4] (13) (15) ita huic facietis fabulae silentium itaque aequi et iusti his eritis omnes arbitri.	and according as ye would have me bring you and all yours glad news, reporting and announcing matters which most contribute to your common good (for ye doubtless are aware ere now that 'tis to me the other gods have yielded and granted plenipotence o'er messages and profits); according as ye would have me bless you in these things, then in such degree will ye (suddenly dropping his pomposity) keep still while we are acting this play and all be fair and square judges of the performance.
Nunc cuius iussu venio et quam ob rem venerim dicam simulque ipse eloquar nomen meum. Iovis iussu venio, nomen Mercurio est mihi. 20 pater huc me misit ad vos oratum meus, tam etsi, pro imperio vobis quod dictum foret, scibat facturos, quippe qui intellexerat vereri vos se et metuere, ita ut aequom est Iovem;	Now I will tell you who bade me come, and why I came, and likewise myself state my own name. Jupiter bade me come: my name is Mercury (pauses, evidently hoping he has made an impression). My father has sent me here to you to make a plea, yea, albeit he knew that whatever was told you in way of command you would do, inasmuch as he realized that you revere and dread him as men should Jupiter.
verum profecto hoc petere me precario a vobis iussit, leniter, dictis bonis. etenim ille, cuius huc iussu venio, Iuppiter non minus quam vostrum quivis formidat malum: humana matre natus, humano patre, mirari non est aequom, sibi si praetimet;	But the fact remains that he has bidden me make this request in suppliant wise, with gentle, kindly words. (confidentially) For you see, that Jupiter that "bade me come here" is just like any one of you in his horror of (rubbing his shoulders reflectively) trouble[A]: his mother being human, also his father, it should not seem strange if he does feel apprehensive regarding himself.
30 atque ego quoque etiam, qui Iovis sum filius, contagione mei patris metuo malum. propterea pace advenio et pacem ad vos affero[5]: iustam rem et facilem esse oratam a vobis volo, nam iusta ab iustis iustus sum orator datus.	Yes, and the same is true of me, the son of Jupiter: once my father has some trouble I am afraid I shall catch it, too. (rather pompously again) Wherefore I come in peace and peace do I bring to you. It is a just and trifling request I wish you to grant: for I am sent as a just pleader pleading with the just for what is just.
nam iniusta ab iustis impetrari non decet, iusta autem ab iniustis petere insipientia est; quippe illi iniqui ius ignorant neque tenent. nunc iam huc animum omnes quae loquar advortite. debetis velle quae velimus: meruimus 40 et ego et pater de vobis et re publica;	It would be unfitting, of course, for unjust favours to be obtained from the just, while looking for just treatment from the unjust is folly; for unfair folk of that sort neither know nor keep justice. Now then, pay attention all of you to what I am about to say. Our wishes should be yours: we deserve it of you, my father and I, of you and of your state.
nam quid ego memorem,—ut alios in tragoediis vidi, Neptunum Virtutem Victoriam Martem Bellonam, commemorare quae bona vobis fecissent,—quis bene factis meus pater, deorum regnator[6] architectust[7] omnibus?	Ah well, why should I—after the fashion of other gods, Neptune, Virtue, Victory, Mars, Bellona, whom I have seen in the tragedies recounting their goodness to you—rehearse the benefits that my father, ruler of the gods, hath builded up for all men?
sed mos numquam illi fuit patri meo,[8] ut exprobraret quod bonis faceret boni; gratum arbitratur esse id a vobis sibi meritoque vobis bona se facere quae facit.	It never was a habit of that sire of mine to twit good people with the good he did them; he considers you grateful to him for it and worthy of the good things he does for you.
50 Nunc quam rem oratum huc veni primum proloquar, post argumentum huius eloquar tragoediae. quid? contraxistis frontem, quia tragoediam dixi futuram hanc? deus sum, commutavero.	Now first as to the favour I have come to ask, and then you shall hear the argument of our tragedy. What? Frowning because I said this was to be a tragedy? I am a god: I'll transform it.
eandem hanc, si voltis, faciam ex tragoedia comoedia ut sit omnibus isdem vorsibus. utrum sit an non voltis? sed ego stultior, quasi nesciam vos velle, qui divos siem. teneo quid animi vostri super hac re siet: faciam ut commixta sit: sit tragicomoedia.	I'll convert this same play from tragedy to comedy, if you like, and never change a line. Do you wish me to do it, or not? But there! how stupid of me! As if I didn't know that you do wish it, when I'm a deity. I understand your feelings in the matter perfectly. I shall mix things up: let it be tragi-comedy.
60 nam me perpetuo facere ut sit comoedia, reges quo veniant et di, non par arbitror. quid igitur? quoniam his servos quoque partes habet, faciam sit, proinde ut dixi, tragicomoedia.	Of course it would never do for me to make it comedy out and out, with kings and gods on the boards. How about it, then? Well, in view of the fact that there is a slave part in it, I shall do just as I said and make it tragi-comedy.
nunc hoc me orare a vobis iussit Iuppiter, ut conquaestores singula in subsellia eant per totam caveam spectatoribus, si cui favitores delegates viderint, ut is in cavea pignus capiantur togae;	Now here is the favour Jove bade me ask of you: (with great solemnity) let inspectors go from seat to seat throughout the house, and should they discover claqueurs planted for the benefit of any party, let them take as security from all such in the house—their togas.
sive qui ambissint palmam histrionibus, 70 sive cuiquam artifici, si per scriptas litteras sive qui ipse ambissit seu per internuntium, sive adeo aediles perfidiose cui duint, sirempse legem iussit esse Iuppiter, quasi magistratum sibi alterive ambiverit.	Or if there be those who have solicited the palm for actors, or for any artist—whether by letter, or by personal solicitation, or through an intermediary—or further, if the aediles do bestow the said palm upon anyone unfairly, Jove doth decree that the selfsame law obtain as should the said party solicit guiltily, for himself or for another, public office.
virtute dixit vos victores vivere, non ambitione neque perfidia: qui minus eadem histrioni sit lex quae summo viro? virtute ambire oportet, non favitoribus. sat habet favitorum semper qui recte facit, 80 si illis fides est quibus est ea res in manu.	'Tis worth has won your wars for you, saith he, not solicitation or unfairness: why should not the same law hold for player as for noblest patriot? Worth, not hired support, should solicit victory. He who plays his part aright ever has support enough, if it so be that honour dwells in those whose concern it is to judge his acts.
hoc quoque etiam mihi pater in mandatis dedit, ut conquaestores fierent histrionibus: qui sibi mandasset delegati ut plauderent quive quo placeret alter fecisset minus, eius ornamenta et corium uti conciderent.	This injunction, too, did Jove lay upon me: that inspectors should be appointed for the actors, to the end that whosoever has enjoined claqueurs to clap himself, or whosoever has endeavoured to compass the failure of another, may have his player's costume cut to shreds, also his hide.
mirari nolim vos, quapropter Iuppiter nunc histriones curet; ne miremini: ipse hanc acturust Iuppiter comoediam. quid? admirati estis? quasi vero novom 90 nunc proferatur, Iovem facere histrioniam;	I would not have you wonder why Jove is now regardful of actors; do not so: he himself, Jove, will take part in this comedy. What? Surprised? As if it were actually a new departure, this, Jove's turning actor!
etiam, histriones anno cum in proscaemo hic Iovem invocarunt, venit, auxilio is fuit[9] (92) (94) hanc fabulam, inquam, hic Iuppiter hodie ipse aget, et ego una cum illo. nunc vos animum advortite, dum huius argumentum eloquar comoediae.	Why, just last year when the actors on this very stage called upon Jupiter, he came,[B] and helped them out. This play, then, Jove himself will act in to-day, and I along with him. Now give me your attention while I unfold the argument of our comedy.
Haec urbs est Thebae. in illisce habitat aedibus Amphitruo, natus Argis ex Argo patre, quicum Alcumena est nupta, Electri filia. 100 is nunc Amphitruo praefectust legionibus, nam cum Telobois bellum est Thebano poplo.	This city here is Thebes. In that house there (pointing) dwells Amphitryon, born in Argos, of an Argive father: and his wife is Alcmena, Electrus's daughter. At present this Amphitryon is at the head of the Theban army, the Thebans being at war with the Teloboians.
is prius quam hinc abut ipsemet in exercitum, gravidam Alcumenam uxorem fecit suam. nam ego vos novisse credo iam ut sit pater meus, quam liber harum rerum multarum siet quantusque amator sit quod complacitum est semel.	Before he himself left to join his troops, his wife, Alcmena, was with child by him. (apologetically) Now I think you know already what my father is like—how free he is apt to be in a good many cases of this sort and what an impetuous lover he is, once his fancy is taken.
is amare occepit Alcumenam clam virum usuramque eius corporis cepit sibi, et gravidam fecit is eam compressu suo. 110 nunc de Alcumena ut rem teneatis rectius, utrimque est gravida, et ex viro et ex summo Iove.	Well, Alcmena caught his fancy, without her husband knowing it, and he enjoyed her and got her with child. So now Alcmena, that you may see it quite clearly, is with child by both of them, by her husband and by almighty Jove.
et meus pater nunc intus hic cum illa cubat, et haec ob eam rem nox est facta longior, dum cum illa quacum volt voluptatem capit; sed ita adsimulavit se, quasi Amphitruo siet.	And my father is there inside this very moment with her in his arms, and it is on this account that the present night has been prolonged while he enjoys the society of his heart's delight. All this in the guise of Amphitryon, you understand.
Nunc ne hunc ornatum vos meum admiremini, quod ego huc processi sic cum servili schema: veterem atque antiquam rem novam ad vos proferam, propterea ornatus in novom incessi modum.	Now don't be surprised at this get-up of mine and because I appear here in the character of a slave as I do: I am going to submit to you a new version of a worn and ancient tale, hence my appearance in a new get-up.
120 nam meus pater intus nunc est eccum Iuppiter; in Amphitruonis vertit sese imaginem omnesque eum esse censent servi qui vident: ita versipellem se facit quando lubet.	The point is, my father Jupiter is now inside there, mark you. He has turned himself into the very image of Amphitryon, and all the servants that see him believe that's who he is. See how he can change his skin when he likes!
ego servi sumpsi Sosiae mi imaginem, qui cum Amphitruone abiit hinc in exercitum, ut praeservire amanti meo possem patri atque ut ne, qui essem, familiares quaererent, versari crebro hic cum viderent me domi; nunc, cum esse credent servom et conservom suom, 130 haud quisquam quaeret qui siem aut quid venerim.	And as for me, I have assumed the form of Amphitryon's slave Sosia, who went away to the army with him, my idea being to subserve my amorous sire and not have the domestics ask who I am when they see me busy about the house here continually. As it is, when they think I am a servant and one of their own number, not a soul will ask me who I am or what I've come for.
Pater nunc intus suo animo morem gerit: cubat complexus cuius cupiens maxime est; quae illi ad legionem facta sunt memorat pater meus Alcumenae: illa illum censet virum suom esse, quae cum moecho est. ibi nunc meus pater memorat, legiones hostium ut fugaverit, quo pacto sit donis donatus plurimis.	So now my father is inside indulging his heart's desire as he lies there with his arms around the lady-love he particularly dotes on. He is telling Alcmena what happened during the campaign: and she all the time thinking him her husband when he's not. On he goes there with his stories of putting the legions of the foe to flight and being presented with prizes galore.
ea dona, quae illic Amphitruoni sunt data, abstulimus: facile meus pater quod volt facit. 140 nunc hodie Amphitruo veniet huc ab exercitu et servos, cuius ego hanc fero imaginem.	The prizes Amphitryon did receive there we stole—things my father fancies do come easy to him! Now Amphitryon will return from the army to-day, and the slave I am representing, too.
nunc internosse ut nos possitis facilius, ego has habebo usque in petaso pinnulas; tum meo patri autem torulus inerit aureus sub petaso: id signum Amphitruoni non erit. ea signa nemo horum familiarium videre poterit: verum vos videbitis.	To make it easier for you to tell us apart I shall always wear this little plume on my hat: yes, and as for my father he will have a little gold tassel hanging from his: Amphitryon will not have this mark. They are marks that none of the household here will be able to see, but you will.
sed Amphitruonis illic est servos Sosia: a portu illic nunc cum lanterna advenit. 150 abigam iam ego illum advenientem ab aedibus. adeste: erit operae pretium hic spectantibus Iovem et Mercurium facere histrioniam.	(looking down street) But there is Amphitryon's servant Sosia—just coming from the harbour with a lantern. I'll bustle him away from the house as soon as he gets here. Watch now! It will be worth your while to attend when Jove and Mercury take up the histrionic art. (steps aside)

[ACTVS I]	ACT I
	(Time, night.) enter Sosia, lantern in hand.
Sos.	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.	(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.
159-160 ita quasi incudem me miserum homines octo validi caedant: 161-162 ita peregre adveniens hospitio publicitus accipiar. 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.
170 ipse dominus dives, operis et laboris expers, quodcumque homini accidit libere, posse retur: (172) aequom esse putat, non reputat laboris quid sit[10] (174) ergo in servitute expetunt multa iniqua: 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.	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.	Sos.
180 Sum vero verna verbero: num numero mi in mentem fuit, 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.	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.	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.
190 quod multa Thebano poplo acerba obiecit funera, 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; 200 verum quasi adfuerim tamen simulabo atque audita eloquar. 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, 210 sese igitur summa vi virisque eorum oppidum oppugnassere.	(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, 220 dispertiti viri, dispertiti ordines, 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.
ostquam id actum est, tubae contra utrimque occanunt, onsonat terra, clamorem utrimque efferunt. mperator utrimque, hinc et illinc, Iovi 230 vota suscipere, utrimque hortari exercitum. 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.	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. 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; 240 animam omittunt prius quam loco demigrent: 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.	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.	Sos.
250 Perduelles penetrant se in fugam; ibi nostris animus additust: 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. 260 post ob virtutem ero Amphitruoni patera donata aurea est, 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.	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. 270 sed quid illuc est? caelum aspectat. observabo quam rem agat.	(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.	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.	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.	Sos.
Neque ego hac nocte longiorem me vidisse censeo, 280 nisi item unam, verberatus quam pependi perpetem; 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.	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.	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.	Mer.
Meus pater nunc pro huius verbis recte et sapienter facit, 290 qui complexus cum Alcumena cubat amans animo obsequens.	(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.	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.	Mer.
Nullust hoc metuculosus aeque.	(aside) Of all the pusillanimous rogues!
Sos.	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.	Mer.
Timet homo: deludam ego illum.	(aside) Our friend is scared: we'll have some sport with him.
Sos.	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.	Mer.
300 Clare advorsum fabulabor, ut his auscultet quae loquar; 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.	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.	Mer.
Em, nunciam ergo: sic volo.	(tightening his girdle) There, now then! 'Tis well.
Sos.	Sos.
Cingitur; certe expedit se.	(aside) Loins girded! He is surely getting ready for business.
Mer.	Mer.
Non feret quin vapulet.	He shall not escape a trouncing.
Sos.	Sos.
Quis homo?	(aside, anxiously) Who, who?
Mer.	Mer.
Quisquis homo huc profecto venerit, pugnos edet.	I tell ye, any man that comes this way shall eat fists.
Sos.	Sos.
310 Apage, non placet me hoc noctis esse: cenavi modo: 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.	Mer.
Haud malum huic est pondus pugno.	(examining his right fist) There's some weight in that fist.
Sos.	Sos.
Perii, pugnos ponderat.	(aside) I'm finished! He's a-weighing his fists!
Mer.	Mer.
Quid si ego illum tractim tangam, ut dormiat?	(sparring) What if I should stroke him softly into somnolence?
Sos.	Sos.
Servaveris, nam continuas has tris noctes pervigilavi.	(aside) You'd save my life: I haven't slept a wink for three nights running.
Mer.	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.	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.	Mer.
Exossatum os esse oportet quem probe percusseris.	The face that thou shalt smite in earnest is bound thereafter to be boneless.
Sos.	Sos.
Mirum ni hic me quasi murenam exossare cogitat. 320 ultro istunc qui exossat homines, perii, si me aspexerit.	(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.	Mer.
Olet homo quidam malo suo.	(sniffing the air) Ha! I smell somebody, and woe to him!
Sos.	Sos.
Ei, numnam ego obolui?	(aside) Oh, dear! It can't be he's got a whiff of me?
Mer.	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.	Sos.
Illi homo superstitiosust.	(aside) The fellow's got second sight.
Mer.	Mer.
Gestiunt pugni mihi.	My fists are rampant.
Sos.	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.	Mer.
Vox mi ad aures advolavit.	A voice hath flown unto my ear.
Sos.	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.	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.	Sos.
Non equidem ullum habeo iumentum.	(aside) Never a beast do I own, not I.
Mer.	Mer.
Onerandus est pugnis probe.	He needs a lusty load of buffets.
Sos.	Sos.
Lassus sum hercle, navi ut vectus huc sum: etiam nunc nauseo; 330 vix incedo inanis, ne ire posse cum onere existimes.	(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.	Mer.
Certe enim his nescio quis loquitur.	Yea, of a truth some one is talking here.
Sos.	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.	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.	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.	Mer.
Optume eccum incedit ad me.	Oho! Splendid! He moves this way.
Sos.	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, 340 qui possim videri huic fortis, a me ut abstineat manum.	(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.	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.	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.	Mer.
Servosne es an liber?	Art slave or free?
Sos.	Sos.
Utcumque animo conlibitum est meo.	Whichever I please.
Mer.	Mer.
Ain vero?	So? In sooth?
Sos.	Sos.
Aio enim vero.	Yes, so in sooth.
Mer.	Mer.
Verbero.	Thou whipped slave!
Sos.	Sos.
Mentiris nunc.	You lie: I'm none.
Mer.	Mer.
At iam faciam ut verum dixas dicere.	(advancing) But I shall soon make thee say 'tis true.
Sos.	Sos.
Quid eo est opus?	(shrinking back) Oh, what's the use of that?
Mer.	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.	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.	Mer.
Ego tibi istam hodie, sceleste, comprimam linguam.	I'll soon make thee hold thy tongue, miscreant!
Sos.	Sos.
Haud potes: bene pudiceque adservatur.	No chance, she's chaperoned in nice modest fashion.
Mer.	Mer.
Pergin argutarier? quid apud hasce aedis negoti est tibi?	Still at thy quips, eh? What business hast thou at this house?
Sos.	Sos.
350 Immo quid tibi est?	Well, and what have you?
Mer.	Mer.
Rex Creo vigiles nocturnos singulos semper locat.	King Creon posts separate sentries about here every night.
Sos.	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.	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.	Sos.
Hic inquam habito ego atque horunc servos sum.	Here's where I live, I tell you. This is my master's house.
Mer.	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.	Sos.
Quonam modo?	Exalted! How is that?
Mer.	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.	Sos.
Quin me esse huius familiai familiarem praedico.	I'm a member of the household here, I do avow.
Mer.	Mer.
360 Vide sis quam mox vapulare vis, nisi actutum hinc abis.	Kindly consider how soon you want a thrashing, unless you vanish instantly.
Sos.	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.	Mer.
Haecine tua domust?	Is this the house where you belong?
Sos.	Sos.
Ita inquam.	That's what I say.
Mer.	Mer.
Quis erus est igitur tibi?	Who is your master, then?
Sos.	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.	Mer.
Quid ais? quid nomen tibi est?	How say you? Your name!
Sos.	Sos.
Sosiam vocant Thebani, Davo prognatum patre.	Sosia the Thebans call me, Sosia, son of Davus.
Mer.	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.	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.	Mer.
At mentiris etiam: certo pedibus, non tunicis venis.	Ha, lying again! Thou dost clearly come with thy feet, not thy tunic.
Sos.	Sos.
Ita profecto.	(dryly) Naturally.
Mer.	Mer.
370 Nunc profecto vapula ob mendacium.	And naturally now get thrashed for fibbing. (advances)
Sos.	Sos.
Non edepol volo profecto.	(retreats) Oh dear, I object, naturally.
Mer.	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.	Sos.
Tuam fidem obsecro.	(squirming) Easy, easy, for Heaven's sake!
Mer.	Mer.
Tun te audes Sosiam esse dicere, qui ego sum?	Durst say that thou art Sosia when I am he?
Sos.	Sos.
Perii.	Murder! murder!
Mer.	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.	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.	Mer.
Etiam clamas, carnifex? loquere, quid venisti?	So? Bellowing, varlet? Speak up, why camest thou?
Sos.	Sos.
Ut esset quem tu pugnis caederes.	Just to give you some one to punch, sir.
Mer.	Mer.
Cuius es?	Whose are you?
Sos.	Sos.
Amphitruonis, inquam, Sosia.	Amphitryon's Sosia, I tell you.
Mer.	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.	Sos.
380 Ita di faciant, ut tu potius sis atque ego te ut verberem.	(in low tone) I wish to God you were, instead of me, and I was thumping you.
Mer.	Mer.
Etiam muttis?	Ha! Muttering, eh?
Sos.	Sos.
Iam tacebo.	I won't, I won't, sir!
Mer.	Mer.
Quis tibi erust?	Who is your master?
Sos.	Sos.
Quem tu voles.	Anyone you like, sir.
Mer.	Mer.
Quid igitur? qui nunc vocare?	Indeed? And your name now?
Sos.	Sos.
Nemo nisi quem iusseris.	Nothing but what you order, sir.
Mer.	Mer.
Amphitruonis te esse aiebas Sosiam.	You were saying you were Amphitryon's Sosia.
Sos.	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.	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.	Sos.
Utinam istuc pugni fecissent tui.	Oh, how I wish your fists had!
Mer.	Mer.
Ego sum Sosia ille quem tu dudum esse aiebas mihi.	I am that Sosia you claimed to be a while ago.
Sos.	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.	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.	Sos.
390 Non loquar nisi pace facta, quando pugnis plus vales.	I won't say it, not unless peace is made: your fists are too much for me.
Mer.	Mer.
Dic si quid vis, non nocebo.	Out with what you want: I shall not hurt you!
Sos.	Sos.
Tuae fide credo?	Can I take your word for that?
Mer.	Mer.
Meae.	You can.
Sos.	Sos.
Quid si falles?	What if you fool me?
Mer.	Mer.
Tum Mercurius Sosiae iratus siet.	(solemnly) Then may Sosia feel the wrath of Mercury!
Sos.	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.	Mer.
Etiam denuo?	(advancing) What? Again?
Sos.	Sos.
Pacem feci, foedus feci. vera dico.	(vigorously) I made peace—I struck a treaty! It's the truth.
Mer.	Mer.
Vapula.	Be thrashed to you!
Sos.	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.	Mer.
Tu me vivos hodie numquam facies quin sim Sosia.	You shall never live to make me anyone but Sosia, never.
Sos.	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.	Mer.
Hic homo sanus non est.	The man is crazy.
Sos.	Sos.
(402) Quod mihi praedicas vitium, id tibi est. 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.	Mer.
Quid, domum vostram?	What? Your house?
Sos.	Sos.
Ita enim vero.	Yes, just so.
Mer.	Mer.
410 Quin quae dixisti modo 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.	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.	Mer.
Pterela rex qui potitare solitus est patera aurea.	A golden bowl that King Pterelas was wont to drink from.
Sos.	Sos.
Elocutus est. ubi patera nunc est?	(aside) He's hit it! (aloud) Where is the bowl now?
Mer.	Mer.
420 Est in cistula; Amphitruonis obsignata signo est.	In a little chest, sealed with Amphitryon's signet.
Sos.	Sos.
Signi dic quid est?	What's on the signet, tell me that?
Mer.	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.	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.	Mer.
Cadus erat vini: inde implevi hirneam.	There was a cask of wine: I drew off a jugful.
Sos.	Sos.
Ingressust viam.	(aside) He's on the right track.
Mer.	Mer.
430 Eam ego, ut matre fuerat natum, vini eduxi meri.	Then I drained it, wine pure as it came from its mother.
Sos.	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.	Mer.
Quid nunc? vincon argumentis, te non esse Sosiam?	Well, have I convinced you that you are not Sosia?
Sos.	Sos.
Tu negas med esse?	You deny it, do you?
Mer.	Mer.
Quid ego ni negem, qui egomet siem?	Of course I deny it, being Sosia myself.
Sos.	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.	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.	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.	Mer.
Ubi ego Sosia nolim esse, tu esto sane Sosia; 440 nunc, quando ego sum, vapulabis, ni hinc abis, ignobilis.	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.	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.	Mer.
Quo agis te?	(blocking him off) Where now?
Sos.	Sos.
Domum.	Home.
Mer.	Mer.
450 Quadrigas si nunc inscendas Iovis 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.	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.	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.	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.	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.
470 erroris ambo ego illos et dementiae 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, 480 hodie illa pariet filios geminos duos	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) 491 quamquam, ut iam dudum dixi, resciscet tamen 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; 500 atque inperce quaeso: menses iam tibi esse actos vides. 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.	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.	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.
Alc.	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.	Mer.
510 Edepol ne illa si istis rebus te sciat operam dare 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.	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.	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.	Alc.
Ah noli.	(seizing his arm) Oh, please don't!
Iup.	Jup.
520 Muttito modo.	You just breathe a word now!
Mer.	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.	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.	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.	Alc.
530 Id actutum diu est.	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.	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.	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.	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.	Alc.
540 Noli amabo, Amphitruo, irasci Sosiae causa mea.	(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.	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.	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.	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.	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. 550 sed dies e nocte accedat. ibo et Mercurium sequar.	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]	ACT II
	(Half an hour has elapsed.) enter Amphitryon followed by Sosia. slaves with baggage in rear.
Amph.	Amph.
Age i tu secundum.	(to lagging Sosia) Here you! After me, come!
Sos.	Sos.
Sequor, subsequor te.	Coming, sir! Right at your heels.
Amph.	Amph.
Scelestissimum te arbitror.	It's my opinion you are a damned rascal.
Sos.	Sos.
Nam quam ob rem?	(hurt) Oh sir, why?
Amph.	Amph.
Quia id quod neque est neque fuit neque futurum est mihi praedicas.	(angrily) Because what you tell me is not so, never was so, never will be.
Sos.	Sos.
Eccere, iam tuatim facis tu, ut tuis nulla apud te fides sit.	See there now! Just like you—you can never trust your servants.
Amph.	Amph.
Quid est? quo modo? iam quidem hercle ego tibi istam scelestam, scelus, linguam abscidam.	(misunderstanding) What? How is that? Well, by heaven now, I'll cut out that villainous tongue for you, you villain!
Sos.	Sos.
Tuos sum, proinde ut commodumst et lubet quidque facias tamen quin loquar haec uti facta sunt hic, 560 numquam ullo modo me potes deterrere.	(stubbornly) I am yours, sir: so do anything that suits your convenience and taste. However, I shall tell everything just as it happened here, and you shall never frighten me out of that, never.
Amph.	Amph.
Scelestissime, audes mihi praedicare id, domi te esse nunc, qui hic ades?	You confounded rascal, do you dare tell me you are at home this very minute, when you are here with me?
Sos.	Sos.
Vera dico.	It is a fact, sir.
Amph.	Amph.
Malum quod tibi di dabunt, atque ego hodie dabo.	A fact you shall soon suffer for—the gods will see to that, and so will I.
Sos.	Sos.
Istuc tibist in manu, nam tuos sum.	That rests with you, sir: I am your man.
Amph.	Amph.
Tun me, verbero, audes erum ludificari? tunc id dicere audes, quod nemo umquam homo antehac vidit nec potest fieri, tempore uno homo idem duobus locis ut simul sit?	You dare make fun of me, scoundrel, your master? You dare tell me a thing no one ever saw before, an impossible thing—the same man in two places at one time?
Sos.	Sos.
Profecto, ut loquor res ita est.	Really, sir, it is just as I say.
Amph.	Amph.
Iuppiter te perdat.	Jove's curse on you!
Sos.	Sos.
570 Quid mali sum, ere, tua ex re promeritus?	What harm have I done you to be punished, sir?
Amph.	Amph.
Rogasne, improbe, etiam qui ludos facis me?	Harm? You reprobate! Still making a joke of me, are you?
Sos.	Sos.
Merito maledicas mihi, si id ita factum est.[16] verum haud mentior, resque uti facta dico.	You would have a right to call me names, if that was so. But I am not lying, sir: it happened just as I say.
Amph.	Amph.
Homo hic ebrius est, ut opinor.	The man is drunk, I do believe.
Sos.	Sos.
Utinam ita essem.	(heartily) Wish I was!
Amph.	Amph.
575 Optas quae facta.	(dryly) Your wish is already gratified.
Sos.	Sos.
Egone?	Is it?
Amph.	Amph.
Tu istic. ubi bibisti?	It is. Where did you get drink?
Sos.	Sos.
Nusquam equidem bibi.	I did not, not I, nowhere.
Amph.	Amph.
Quid hoc sit hominis?	(despairingly) What am I to make of the fellow?
Sos.	Sos.
576 Equidem decies dixi: 577 domi ego sum, inquam, ecquid audis? et apud te adsum Sosia idem. 578 satin hoc plane, satin diserte, ere, nunc videor tibi locutus esse?	I have told you how it is ten times over: I am at home, I say. Do you hear that? Yes, and I am here with you, the same Sosia. There sir, do you think that is putting it plainly enough, lucidly enough for you?
Amph.	Amph.
579 Vah, apage te a me.	(shoving him aside) Bah! Get away with you.
Sos.	Sos.
580 Quid est negoti?	What is the matter?
Amph.	Amph.
Pestis te tenet.	You have the plague.
Sos.	Sos.
Nam quor istuc dicis? equidem valeo el salvos sum recte, Amphitruo.	Why, what do you say that for? Really, sir, I feel well, I am all right.
Amph.	Amph.
583 At te ego faciam hodie proinde ac meritus es, 584a ut minus valeas et miser sis, 584b salvos domum si rediero: iam 585a sequere sis, erum qui ludificas 585b dictis delirantibus,	But I shall soon see you get your deserts: you will not feel so well, you will be wretched enough, once I get back home all right. Be so good as to follow me, you that make a butt of your master with your idiotic drivel.
qui quoniam erus quod imperavit neglexisti persequi, nunc venis etiam ultro inrisum dominum: quae neque fieri possunt neque fando umquam accepit quisquam profers, carnifex; quoius ego hodie in tergum faxo ista expetant mendacia.	Seeing you neglected to carry out your master's orders, you now have the effrontery to come and laugh at him, to boot,—with your tales of what can never happen, what no man ever heard of, you rapscallion. By heaven, those lies of yours shall fall on your own back, I promise you!
Sos.	Sos.
590 Amphitruo, miserrima istaec miseria est servo bono, apud erum qui vera loquitur, si id vi verum vincitur.	(plaintively) It is hard, sir, horribly hard, on a good servant that tells his master plain facts to have his facts confuted by a flogging.
Amph.	Amph.
Quo id, malum, pacto potest nam—mecum argumentis puta— fieri, nunc uti tu et hic sis et domi? id dici volo.	Curse it! How in the world is it possible—argue it out with me—for you to be here now, and at home, too? Tell me that, will you?
Sos.	Sos.
Sum profecto et hic et illic. hoc cuivis mirari licet, neque tibi istuc mirum[17] magis videtur quam mihi.	I am here and I am there, I positively am. I don't care who wonders at it: it is no more wonderful to you than it is to me, sir.
Amph.	Amph.
Quo modo?	How is that?
Sos.	Sos.
Nihilo, inquam, mirum magis tibi istuc quam mihi; neque, ita me di ament, credebam primo mihimet Sosiae, donec Sosia illic egomet fecit sibi uti crederem. ordine omne, uti quicque actum est, dum apud hostis sedimus, 600 edissertavit. tum formam una abstulit cum nomine. neque lac lactis magis est simile quam ille ego similest mei. nam ut dudum ante lucem a portu me praemisisti domum—	I say it is not a bit more wonderful to you than to me. So help me heaven, I didn't believe my own self, Sosia, at first, not till that other Sosia, myself, made me believe him. He reeled off every thing just as it happened while we were on the field there with the enemy; and besides, he had stolen my looks along with my name. One drop of milk is no more like another than that I is like me. Why, when you sent me ahead home from the harbour before dawn a while ago—
Amph.	Amph.
Quid igitur?	What then?
Sos.	Sos.
Prius multo ante aedis stabam quam illo adveneram.	I was standing in front of the house long before I got there.
Amph.	Amph.
Quas, malum, nugas? satin tu sanus es?	What confounded rubbish! Are you actually in your senses?
Sos.	Sos.
Sic sum ut vides.	You can see for yourself I am.
Amph.	Amph.
Huic homini nescio quid est mali mala obiectum manu, postquam a me abiit.	The fellow is bewitched somehow: the evil hand has been laid on him since he left me.
Sos.	Sos.
Fateor, nam sum obtusus pugnis pessume.	Right you are! Evil? The way I got beaten to jelly was damned evil.
Amph.	Amph.
Quis te verberavit?	Who was it beat you?
Sos.	Sos.
Egomet memet, qui nunc sum domi.	I beat myself—the I that is at home now.
Amph.	Amph.
Cave quicquam, nisi quod rogabo te, mihi responderis. omnium primum iste qui sit Sosia, hoc dici volo.	Mind now, not a word but what I ask you. In the first place, I wish to be informed who that Sosia is.
Sos.	Sos.
Tuos est servos.	Your own slave.
Amph.	Amph.
610 Mihi quidem uno te plus etiam est quam volo, neque postquam sum natus habui nisi te servom Sosiam.	As a matter of fact, I have one too many in you already, and never in my life did I own a slave named Sosia except yourself.
Sos.	Sos.
At ego nunc, Amphitruo, dico: Sosiam servom tuom praeter me alterum, inquam, adveniens faciam ut offendas domi, Davo prognatum patre eodem quo ego sum, forma, aetate item qua ego sum. quid opust verbis? geminus Sosia hic factust tibi.	Well sir, you mark my words now: I warrant you you will come upon a second servant Sosia of yours besides me when you reach home, yes sir, one whose father was Davus the same as mine, and who is just like me and just my age, too. Enough said, sir. Sosia has twinned here for you.
Amph.	Amph.
Nimia memoras mira. sed vidistin uxorem meam?	(impressed) Strange, very strange indeed! But did you see my wife?
Sos.	Sos.
Quin intro ire in aedis numquam licitum est.	Why, sir, never a foot was I allowed to put in the house.
Amph.	Amph.
Quis te prohibuit?	Who hindered you?
Sos.	Sos.
Sosia ille, quem iam dudum dico, is qui me contudit.	That Sosia I have been telling of all along, the one that smashed me up.
Amph.	Amph.
Quis istic Sosia est?	Who is that Sosia?
Amph.	Amph.
Ego, inquam. quotiens dicendum est tibi?	I am, I say. How many times do you need to be told?
Amph.	Amph.
Sed quid ais? num obdormivisti dudum?	(reflecting) But look here, you were not asleep a while ago, were you?
Sos.	Sos.
620 Nusquam gentium.	Not a bit of it, sir.
Amph.	Amph.
Ibi forte istum si vidisses quendam in somnis Sosiam—	Then perhaps, if you had seen that, well, that Sosia of yours in your dreams—
Sos.	Sos.
Non soleo ego somniculose eri imperia persequi. vigilans vidi, vigilans nunc te video, vigilans fabulor, vigilantem ille me iam dudum vigilans pugnis contudit.	I don't do my master's orders drowsily. Wide awake I was, eyes open; I am wide awake with 'em open on you now; I am wide awake telling my story; and I was wide awake when he hammered me a while back, yes, and (ruefully) he was wide awake.
Amph.	Amph.
Quis homo?	Who?
Sos.	Sos.
Sosia, inquam, ego ille. quaeso, nonne intellegis?	Sosia, I tell you, that me. Pray do not you understand?
Amph.	Amph.
Qui, malum, intellegere quisquam potis est? ita nugas blatis.	How the devil can any man understand? Such stuff and nonsense!
Sos.	Sos.
Verum actutum nosces, quom illum nosces servom Sosiam.	(significantly) Well, you will know what I mean very soon, once you know that servant Sosia.
Amph.	Amph.
Sequere hac igitur me, nam mi istuc primum exquisito est opus.[18] (628)	(going toward house) Come then, this way. This matter needs my investigation first of all. (stops to examine house from distance and talks with Sosia)

[II. 2.]	Scene 2
	enter Alcmenainto doorway.
Alc.	Alc.
633Satin parva res est voluptatum in vita atque in aetate agunda praequam quod molestum est?ita cuique comparatum est in aetate hominum; ita divis est placitum, voluptatem ut maeror comes consequatur: quin incommodi plus malique ilico adsit, boni si optigit quid.	Oh, are not the pleasures in life, in this daily round,trifling compared with the pains! It is our commonhuman lot, it is heaven's will, for sorrow to comefollowing after joy: yes, yes, and to have a larger share oftrouble and distress the moment something nice has happened.
nam ego id nunc experior domo atque ipsa de me scio, cui voluptas parumper datast, dum viri mei mihi potestas videndi fuit noctem unam modo; atque is repente abiit a me hinc ante lucem. sola hic mihi nunc videor,quia ille hinc abest quem ego amo praeter omnes.640 plus aegri ex abitu viri, quam ex adventu voluptatis cepi.	Ah, I am learning this now at first hand, learning it of myown experience—a few short hours of happiness, allowed tosee my husband for just one night; and then away he goes allof a sudden before daylight! It does seem so lonely herenow, when the one I love best is gone. I have felt moreunhappy at his going than happy at his coming.
sed hoc me beat saltem, quom perduellis vicit et domum laudis compos revenit: id solacio est. absit, dum modo laude parta domum recipiat se; feram et perferam usque abitum eius animo forti atque offirmato, id modo si mercedis datur mi, ut meus victor vir belli clueat. satis mi esse ducam. virtus praemium est optimum; virtus omnibus rebus anteit profecto: 650libertas salus vita res et parentes, patria et prognati tutantur, servantur: virtus omnia in sese habet, omnia adsunt bona quem penest virtus	But there isthus much to be thankful for, at least: he has beenvictorious and come home a hero—that is one comfort. He mayleave me, if only he returns to me with a glorious name: Iwill bear his going, yes, and keep on bearing it to the endfirmly and unflinchingly, only let me have the reward ofhearing my husband hailed conqueror. That is enough for me!Courage is the very best gift of all; courage stands beforeeverything, it does, it does! It is what maintains andpreserves our liberty, safety, life, and our homes andparents, our country and children. Courage comprises allthings: a man with courage has every blessing.
Amph.	Amph.
Edepol me uxori exoptatum credo adventurum domum, quae me amat, quam contra amo, praesertim re gesta bene, victis hostibus. quos nemo posse superari ratust, eos auspicio meo atque ductu primo coetu vicimus certe enim med illi expectatum optato venturum scio.	By Jove, my wife will certainly be delighted to have mehome—loving each other as we do! Especially now that wehave been successful, and the enemy, that every one thoughtinvincible, beaten, beaten at the first set-to under myauspices and leadership. Ah yes, my arrival willsurely be a very welcome event to her.
Sos.	Sos.
Quid? me non rere expectatum amicae venturum meae?	What? And don't you think mine is going to be welcome to mylady friend?
Alc.	Alc.
Meus vir hic quidem est.	(seeing them) Why, here is my husband!
Amph.	Amph.
Sequere hac tu me.	(to Sosia) Here you, this way! (goes on towardhouse)
Alc.	Alc.
660Nam quid ille revortitur, qui dudum properare se aibat? an ille me temptat sciens atque id se volt experiri, suom abitum ut desiderem? ecastor med haud invita se domum recipit suam.	(aside) What in the world is he back for so soonafter saying he must hurry off! Is he trying me on purpose,does he want to test how much I miss him when he goes? Blesshis heart, I have no objection to his coming home again!
Sos.	Sos.
Amphitruo, redire ad navem meliust nos.	(seeing her) We had better make for the ship oncemore, sir.
Amph.	Amph.
Qua gratia?	Why?
Sos.	Sos.
Quia domi daturus nemo est prandium advenientibus	No one at home is going to give the new arrivals abreakfast, that is why.
Amph.	Amph.
Qui tibi nunc istuc in mentemst?	And how does that thought happen to occur to you?
Sos.	Sos.
Quia enim sero advenimus.	Because we've come too late.
Amph.	Amph.
Qui?	How so?
Sos.	Sos.
Quia Alcumenam ante aedis stare saturam intellego.	(pointing) Well, there's mistress in front of thehouse, and she has a sort of well-fed look about her.
Amph.	Amph.
Gravidam ego illanc hic reliqui, quom abeo.	I had hopes when I went away, Sosia, of being made a father.
Sos.	Sos.
Ei perii miser.	Heaven help me!
Amph.	Amph.
Quid tibi est?	What is the matter?
Sos.	Sos.
Ad aquam praebendam commodum adveni domum, 670decumo post mense, ut rationem te putare intellego	(disgustedly) I have got home exactly in time to drawthe water: it is the tenth month since, according as Ifollow your reckoning.
Amph.	Amph.
Bono animo es.	(laughing) Cheer up, cheer up!
Sos.	Sos.
Scin quam bono animo sim? si situlam cepero, numquam edepol tu mihi divini creduis post hunc diem, ni ego illi puteo, si occepso, animam omnem inter traxero.	Know how cheerful I am, do you, sir? Let me get hold of abucket, and by gad, don't ever trust my sacred oath again,if I do not drain that well of its last breath, once Ibegin.
Amph.	Amph.
Sequere hac me modo, alium ego isti rei allegabo, ne time.	Come now, this way with me. (moves toward houseagain) I will appoint some one else to that office,never fear.
Alc.	Alc.
Magis nunc me meum officium facere, si huic eam advorsum, arbitror.	(aside) I suppose it would be more duteous of me togo to meet him. (advances slowly)
Amph.	Amph.
Amphitruo uxorem salutat laetus speratam suam, quam omnium Thebis vir unam esse optimam diiudicat, quamque adeo cives Thebani vero rumiferant probam. valuistin usque? exspectatum advenio?	(with playful courtliness) Gladly does Amphitryongreet his darling wife, whom her husband judges to be theone best lady in all Thebes; yea, and justly do the citizensof Thebes bruit her virtue. (earnestly) Have you beenwell all this time? Are you glad to see me?
Sos.	Sos.
Haud vidi magis. 680exspectatum eum salutat magis haud quicquam quam canem.	(aside) Glad? None more so! Welcomes him about aswarmly as she would a dog!
Amph.	Amph.
Et quom te[19]gravidam et quom te pulchre plenam aspicio, gaudeo.	Ah, it is splendid to see your condition, dear, and to seeyou getting on so finely.
Alc.	Alc.
Obsecro ecastor, quid tu me deridiculi gratia sic salutas atque appellas, quasi dudum non videris quasique nunc primum recipias te domum huc exhostibus?[20](684)	Good gracious! Why are you making fun of me with all thesegreetings and salutations, as if you had not seen me alittle while ago and were just this moment back from thewar?
Amph.	Amph.
(686)Immo equidem te nisi nunc hodie nusquam vidi gentium.	(surprised) Why, why, but I have not seen you—no,nowhere at all except this very instant.
Alc.	Alc.
Cur negas?	What makes you deny it?
Amph.	Amph.
Quia vera didici dicere.	Because I have learned to tell the truth.
Alc.	Alc.
Haud aequom facit qui quod didicit id dediscit. an periclitamini quid animi habeam? sed quid huc vos revortimini tam cito? 690an te auspicium commoratum est an tempestas continet qui non abiisti ad legiones, ita uti dudum dixeras?	It is not a good plan to learn a thing and then unlearn it.Or is this a test of my feelings? But why are you returningso quickly? Were you delayed by bad omens, or is it theweather detains you, that you have not gone away to thearmy, as you spoke of doing a little while ago?
Amph.	Amph.
Dudum? quam dudum istuc factum est?	A little while ago? How little a while ago was that?
Alc.	Alc.
Temptas. iam dudum, modo.	Tease! Oh, quite a little while ago—just now.
Amph.	Amph.
Qui istuc potis est fieri, quaeso, ut dicis: iam dudum, modo?	For heaven's sake, how can those statements agree—"quite alittle while ago" and "just now"?
Alc.	Alc.
Quid enim censes? te ut deludam contra lusorem meum, qui nunc primum te advenisse dicas, modo qui hinc abieris.	Well, how do you suppose? I am merely trying to make game ofyou for a change, after your making game of me by sayingthis is your first appearance here, when you just now leftus.
Amph.	Amph.
Haec quidem deliramenta loquitur.	(to Sosia) Upon my soul, she is raving!
Sos.	Sos.
Paulisper mane, dum edormiscat unum somnum.	Wait a while till she has slept out just one sleep.
Amph.	Amph.
Quaene vigilans somniat?	What, awake and dreaming?
Alc.	Alc.
Equidem ecastor vigilo, et vigilans id quod factum est fabulor. nam dudum ante lucem et istunc et te vidi.	(indignantly) To be sure I am awake, and awake as Irelate what happened. Why, just a little while ago beforedawn I saw that man and you, both.
Amph.	Amph.
Quo in loco?	Where was this?
Alc.	Alc.
Hic in aedibus ubi tu habitas.	Here in your very own house, sir.
Amph.	Amph.
Numquam factum est.	Impossible!
Sos.	Sos.
700Non taces? quid si e portu navis huc nos dormientis detulit?	Hush, sir, hush! What if the ship carried us here from theharbour in our sleep?
Amph.	Amph.
Etiam tu quoque adsentaris huic?	Ha! you are siding with her too, are you?
Sos.	Sos.
Quid vis fieri? non tu scis? Bacchae bacchanti si velis advorsarier, ex insana insaniorem facies, feriet saepius; si obsequare, una resolvas plaga.	(wisely) Well, what do you want? Don't youunderstand? You but cross a Bacchante when the Bacchicfrenzy fills her, and you'll make the crazy thing crazierstill and she'll hit you all the more: humour her, andshe'll call it quits after one blow.
Amph.	Amph.
At pol qui certa res hanc est obiurgare, quae me hodie advenientem domum noluerit salutare.	Humour her? By the Lord, it will be bad humour, that'ssure,—arriving home to-day and she unwilling to give me adecent welcome!
Sos.	Sos.
Inritabis crabrones.	You'll be poking up a hornet's nest.
Amph.	Amph.
Tace. Alcumena, unum rogare te volo.	Silence! (to Alcmena, sternly) Alcmena, there issomething I wish to ask you.
Alc.	Alc.
Quid vis roga.	Anything you please.
Amph.	Amph.
Num tibi aut stultitia accessit aut superat superbia?	Are you obsessed by some foolish notion, or is this priderunning away with you?
Alc.	Alc.
710Qui istuc in mentemst tibi ex me, mi vir, percontarier?	What makes it enter your head to ask me such a question, myhusband?
Amph.	Amph.
Quia salutare advenientem me solebas antidhac, appellare, itidem ut pudicae suos viros quae sunt solent. eo more expertem te factam adveniens offendi domi.	Because till to-day you used to welcome me on myarrival and greet me as modest wives generally dotheir husbands. Yet here I come home to find you havedropped the habit.
Alc.	Alc.
Ecastor equidem te certo heri advenientem ilico, et salutavi et valuissesne usque exquisivi simul, mi vir, et manum prehendi et osculum tetuli tibi.	Why mercy me, when you came home yesterday I certainly didwelcome you the moment you appeared, and asked you in thesame breath if you had been well all the time, and seizedyour hand and gave you a kiss.
Sos.	Sos.
Tun heri hunc salutavisti?	Welcomed him yesterday, did you?
Alc.	Alc.
Et te quoque etiam, Sosia.	Yes, and you, too, Sosia.
Sos.	Sos.
Amphitruo, speravi ego istam tibi parituram filium; verum non est puero gravida.	Sir, I hoped she was going to bear you a son; but it's nochild she's got.
Amph.	Amph.
Quid igitur?	What, then?
Sos.	Sos.
Insania.	A crazy streak.
Alc.	Alc.
720Equidem sana sum et deos quaeso, ut salva pariam filium. verum tu malum magnum habebis, si his suom officium facit: ob istuc omen, ominator, capies quod te condecet.	(angrily) Indeed I have not, and I pray heaven I maysafely bear a son. But you, sir, shall have an ample supplyof aches and pains, if your master here does his duty! Youshall be well rewarded for that omen, Sir Omener.
Sos.	Sos.
Enim vero praegnati oportet et malum et malum dari, ut quod obrodat sit, animo si male esse occeperit.	Really now, ma'am, it's a lady in your condition ought tohave aches and pains, yes, and an apple supply, too, so asto have something to chew on in case she gets to feelingseedy.
Amph.	Amph.
Tu me heri hic vidisti?	You saw me here yesterday?
Alc.	Alc.
Ego, inquam, si vis decies dicere.	Yes, I,—if you must be told ten times over.
Amph.	Amph.
In somnis fortasse?	In your sleep, perhaps?
Alc.	Alc.
Immo vigilans vigilantem.	No, no, awake,—and you were awake, too.
Amph.	Amph.
Ei misero mihi.	Oh, this is terrible, terrible!
Sos.	Sos.
Quid tibi est?	What ails you?
Amph.	Amph.
Delirat uxor.
Sos.	Sos.
Atra bili percita est. nulla res tam delirantis homines concinnat cito.	Bilious attack, sir, black bile. There's nothing sets 'emraving so soon.
Amph.	Amph.
Ubi primum tibi sensisti, mulier, impliciscier?	When did you first feel it coming on, woman?
Alc.	Alc.
Equidem ecastor sana et salva sum.	Goodness me! I'm perfectly sane and sound.
Amph.	Amph.
730Quor igitur praedicas, te heri me vidisse, qui hac noctu in portum advecti sumus? ibi cenavi atque ibi quievi in navi noctem perpetem, neque meum pedem huc intuli etiam in aedis, ut cum exercitu hinc profectus sum ad Teloboas hostis eosque ut vicimus.	Then why are you declaring you saw me yesterday, when wereached port last night? I took dinner there and spent thewhole livelong night there on board my ship, and I have notset foot in this house from the time I and my troops startedon our campaign against the Teloboians and conquered them.
Alc.	Alc.
Immo mecum cenavisti et mecum cubuisti.	The idea! You had dinner with me and went to bed with me.
Amph.	Amph.
Quid est?	What?
Alc.	Alc.
Vera dico.	I tell you the truth, sir.
Amph.	Amph.
Non de hac quidem hercle re; de aliis nescio.	Good God! Not in that, anyhow: about other matters I can'tsay.
Alc.	Alc.
Primulo diluculo abiisti ad legiones.	And at the very break of day you went away to the army.
Amph.	Amph.
Quo modo?	How's that?
Sos.	Sos.
Recte dicit, ut commeminit: somnium narrat tibi. sed, mulier, postquam experrecta es, te prodigiali Iovi 740aut mola salsa hodie aut ture comprecatam oportuit.	Quite straight, sir, as far as her memory goes: she's givingyou her dream. But I say, ma'am, this morning after you wokeup you ought to have taken some salted cakes, or incense,and prayed to Jove—he has charge of prodigies.
Alc.	Alc.
Vae capiti tuo.	Oh confound you, sir!
Sos.	Sos.
Tua istuc refert—si curaveris.	(innocently) That would do you good, ma'am—if youwould see to it.
Alc.	Alc.
Iterum iam hic in me inclementer dicit, atque id sine malo.	There he is, rude to me again, and not suffering for it!
Amph.	Amph.
Tace tu. tu dic: egone abs te abii hinc hodie cum diluculo?	(to Sosia) Keep still, you! (to Alcmena) Andyou—I left you this morning at daybreak, did I?
Alc.	Alc.
Quis igitur nisi vos narravit mi, illi ut fuerit proelium?	Why, who else but you two told me how the battle there went?
Amph.	Amph.
An etiam id tu scis?	You don't mean to say you know about that?
Alc.	Alc.
Quippe qui ex te audivi, ut urbem maximam expugnavisses regemque Pterelam tute occideris.	Naturally, since I heard from your own lips how you tookthat great city and killed King Pterelas yourself.
Amph.	Amph.
Egone istuc dixi?	I told you that, I?
Alc.	Alc.
Tute istic, etiam adstante hoc Sosia.	Yes, you yourself,—with Sosia here standing by,too.
Amph.	Amph.
Audivistin tu me narrare haec hodie?	(to Sosia) Have you ever heard me say a word of this?
Sos.	Sos.
Ubi ego audiverim?	Heard you? Where?
Amph.	Amph.
Hanc roga.	(sullenly) Ask her.
Sos.	Sos.
Me quidem praesente numquam factum est, quod sciam.	You never did so far as I know, leastways with me at hand.
Alc.	Alc.
Mirum quin te adversus dicat.	(ironically) It is strange he declines to contradicthis own master.
Amph.	Amph.
750Sosia, age me huc aspice.	Sosia, here! Look me in the eye.
Sos.	Sos.
Specto.	(obeying) Very good, sir.
Amph.	Amph.
Vera volo loqui te, nolo adsentari mihi. audivistin tu hodie me illi dicere ea quae illa autumat?	What I want from you is the truth, no obsequiousness. Didyou ever hear me utter a syllable of what she says?
Sos.	Sos.
Quaeso edepol, num tu quoque etiam insanis, quom id me interrogas, qui ipsus equidem nunc primum istanc tecum conspicio simul?	Well, upon my word, I should like to ask if you are notcrazy yourself, asking me a question like that—and I justthis minute setting eyes on her for the first time alongwith you?
Amph.	Amph.
Quid nunc, mulier? audin illum?	What now, madam? Do you hear him?
Alc.	Alc.
Ego vero, ac falsum dicere.	To be sure I do—telling lies.
Amph.	Amph.
Neque tu illi neque mihi viro ipsi credis?	You won't believe him, or me, your own husband, either?
Alc.	Alc.
Eo fit quia mihi plurimum credo et scio istaec facta proinde ut proloquor.	That is only because I believe myself most of all, and Iknow everything occurred just as I tell you.
Amph.	Amph.
Tun me heri advenisse dicis?	And you say that I arrived yesterday?
Alc.	Alc.
Tun te abiisse hodie hinc negas?	And you deny that you left to-day?
Amph.	Amph.
Nego enim vero, et me advenire nunc primum aio ad te domum.	Deny it? Of course I do. And I say I'm just now coming hometo you for the first time.
Alc.	Alc.
760Obsecro, etiamne hoc negabis, te auream pateram mihi dedisse dono hodie, qua te illi donatum esse dixeras?	And will you deny this, too, pray,—that you gave me thegolden bowl to-day that was presented to you there, as yousaid?
Amph.	Amph.
Neque edepol dedi neque dixi; verum ita animatus fui itaque nunc sum, ut ea te patera donem. sed quis istuc tibi dixit?	By heaven! I neither gave it nor said it. But I did intendto make you a gift of that bowl, and do still. Who told youof that, though?
Alc.	Alc.
Ego equidem ex te audivi et ex tua accepi manu pateram.	Why, I heard about it from your own lips and received thebowl from your own hand.
Amph.	Amph.
Mane, mane, obsecro te. nimis demiror, Sosia, qui illaec illic me donatum esse aurea patera sciat, nisi tu dudum hanc convenisti et narravisti haec omnia.	One moment, please, one moment! (turning to Sosia) Itis very extraordinary. Sosia, how she knows I was presentedwith a golden bowl there, unless you met her a while agoyourself and told her the whole story.
Sos.	Sos.
Neque edepol ego dixi neque istam vidi nisi tecum simul.	By gad, sir, I never told her, no, nor saw her, except herewith you.
Amph.	Amph.
Quid hoc sit hominis?	(helplessly) What sort of a creature have I got here?
Alc.	Alc.
Vin proferri pateram?	Would you like to have the bowl brought?
Amph.	Amph.
Proferri volo.	Indeed I should.
Alc.	Alc.
770Fiat heus tu, Thessala, intus pateram proferto foras, qua hodie meus vir donavit me.	Very well. (calling to maid within) Ho, there!Thessala, bring out the bowl my husband gave me to day.
Amph.	Amph.
Secede huc tu, Sosia, enim vero illud praeter alia mira miror maxime, si haec habet pateram illam.	Sosia! Come over here. (they withdraw somewhat) Uponmy soul, it will be the most astounding of all theseastounding circumstances, if she has that.
Sos.	Sos.
An etiam credis id, quae in hac cistellula tuo signo obsignata fertur?	Do you really believe that, sir, when I've got it in thislittle chest here, sealed with your own signet?
Amph.	Amph.
Salvom signum est?	Is the seal intact?
Sos.	Sos.
Inspice.	(showing chest) Look and see.
Amph.	Amph.
Recte, ita est ut obsignavi.	(doing so) It is all right—just as I sealed it.
Sos.	Sos.
Quaeso, quin tu istanc iubes pro cerrita circumferri?	For heaven's sake, why don't you have her treated forlunacy?
Amph.	Amph.
Edepol qui facto est opus; nam haec quidem edepol larvarum plenast.	By Jove, so I should! Why, bless my soul, she's full of evilspirits! enter Thessala with bowl.
Alc.	Alc.
Quid verbis opust? em tibi pateram, eccam.	Are you satisfied, sir? There! Your bowl, see!
Amph.	Amph.
Cedo mi.	(dumbfounded) Give it here!
Alc.	Alc.
Age aspice huc sis nunciam tu qui quae facta infitiare, quem ego iam hic convincam palam estne haec patera qua donatu's illi?	Come now, be so good as to look at it, you that do a thingand then disown it. I shall refute you plainly, sir, hereand now. Is this the bowl which they presented to you there,or not?
Amph.	Amph.
Summe Iuppiter, quid ego video? haec ea est profecto patera. perii, Sosia.	(taking it) Jove almighty! What do I see? Theselfsame bowl, it is, it is! This is frightful, Sosia!
Sos.	Sos.
Aut pol haec praestigiatrix multo mulier maxima est aut pateram hic inesse oportet.	By gad, she's either the greatest enchantress alive, easily,or the bowl must be inside here. (pointing to chest)
Amph.	Amph.
Agedum, exsolve cistulam.	Come, come, unfasten the chest!
Sos.	Sos.
Quid ego istam exsolvam? obsignatast recte, res gesta est bene: tu peperisti Amphitruonem, ego alium peperi Sosiam; nunc si patera pateram peperit, omnes congeminavimus.	Unfasten it? Why? It's sealed all right, everything isshipshape. You have spawned another Amphitryon; I havespawned another Sosia; now if the bowl has spawned anotherbowl, we've all doubled.
Amph.	Amph.
Certum est aperire atque inspicere.	I'm resolved: it must be opened and inspected.
Sos.	Sos.
Vide sis signi quid siet, ne posterius in me culpam conferas.	You please take a look at the seal, sir, so that you won'tblame me later.
Amph.	Amph.
Aperi modo; nam haec quidem nos delirantis facere dictis postulat.	(looking) Yes, yes, open up! Why, the woman is benton driving us mad with her talk.
Alc.	Alc.
Unde haec igitur est nisi abs te quae mihi dono data est?	Where did this come from, then, if not as a presentfrom you?
Amph.	Amph.
Opus mi est istuc exquisito.	(curtly) This matter needs my investigation.
Sos.	Sos.
Iuppiter, pro Iuppiter.	(busy with chest) By Jove! Oh, by Jove!
Amph.	Amph.
Quid tibi est?	(excited) What is it?
Sos.	Sos.
Hic patera nulla in cistulast.	There's no bowl in the chest here at all!
Amph.	Amph.
Quid ego audio?	What's that you say?
Sos.	Sos.
Id quod verumst.	It's the honest truth.
Amph.	Amph.
At cum cruciatu iam, nisi apparet, tuo.	But your skin shall soon pay for it, if it's not forthcoming.
Alc.	Alc.
Haec quidem apparet.	This one is forthcoming, at any rate.
Amph.	Amph.
Quis igitur tibi dedit?	(roughly) Who gave it you, then?
Alc.	Alc.
Qui me rogat.	(calmly) My questioner.
Sos.	Sos.
Me captas, quia tute ab navi clanculum huc alia via praecucurristi, atque hinc pateram tute exemisti atque eam huic dedisti, post hanc rursum obsignasti clanculum.	(to Amphitryon) Trying to catch me! The fact is youran on ahead from the ship yourself by another road on thesly, and took the bowl out yourself, and gave it to her, andthen sealed up the chest again on the sly.
Amph.	Amph.
Ei mihi, iam tu quoque huius adiuvas insaniam? an heri nos advenisse huc?	Oh, ye gods! So now you are abetting her delusions, too!(to Alcmena, with forced calmness) We came hereyesterday, you say?
Alc.	Alc.
Aio, adveniensque ilico 800me salutavisti, et ego te, et osculum tetuli tibi.	Yes, and the moment you arrived you greeted me, and I you,and I gave you a kiss.
Sos.	Sos.
Iam illud non placet principium de osculo.	Now I don't like that, that beginning with a kiss!
Amph.	Amph.
Perge exsequi.	Go on, go on!
Alc.	Alc.
Lavisti.	Then you bathed.
Amph.	Amph.
Quid postquam lavi?	And after bathing?
Alc.	Alc.
Accubuisti.	You took your place on the dining couch.
Sos.	Sos.
Euge optime, nunc exquire.	Bravo, sir! Great work! Now get to the bottom of it.
Amph.	Amph.
Ne interpella. perge porro dicere.	(to Sosia) No interruptions! (to Alcmena)Go on with your story.
Alc.	Alc.
Cena adposita est, cenavisti mecum, ego accubui simul.	Dinner was served: we dined together: I took my place on thecouch, too.
Amph.	Amph.
In eodem lecto?	The same couch?
Alc.	Alc.
In eodem.	Surely.
Sos.	Sos.
Ei, non placet convivium.	Oho! This banqueting looks bad!
Amph.	Amph.
Sine modo argumenta dicat. quid postquam cenavimus?	(to Sosia) That will do. Let her state her case.(to Alcmena) What after we dined?
Alc.	Alc.
Te dormitare aibas, mensa ablata est. cubitum hinc abiimus.	You said you were sleepy: the table was removed: we went offto bed.
Amph.	Amph.
Ubi tu cubuisti?	Where did you sleep?
Alc.	Alc.
In eodem lecto tecum una in cubiculo.	Why, with you, in our room.
Amph.	Amph.
Perdidisti.	Oh, my God!
Sos.	Sos.
Quid tibi est?	What ails you?
Amph.	Amph.
Haec me modo ad mortem dedit.	She has killed me, killed me!
Alc.	Alc.
Quid iam, amabo?	Why, my dear man, what do you mean?
Amph.	Amph.
Ne me appella.	(furiously) Don't speak to me!
Sos.	Sos.
Quid tibi est?	What ails you?
Amph.	Amph.
810Perii miser, quia pudicitiae huius vitium me hinc absente est additum.	Oh, God help me! She's been seduced while I was gone!
Alc.	Alc.
Obsecro ecastor, cur istuc, mi vir, ex ted audio?	Good heavens! For mercy's sake how can you say such a thing,my dear husband?
Amph.	Amph.
Vir ego tuos sim? ne me appella, falsa, falso nomine.	Am I your husband? Oh, you false wretch, none of your falsenames for me!
Sos.	Sos.
Haeret haec res, si quidem haec iam mulier facta est ex viro.	Here's a pretty mess, if he is turned into a woman and isnot her husband!
Alc.	Alc.
Quid ego feci, qua istaec propter dicta dicantur mihi?	What have I done to be talked to like that?
Amph.	Amph.
Tute edictas facta tua, ex me quaeris quid deliqueris.	You have recounted your doings yourself—and you ask me whatthe harm is!
Alc.	Alc.
Quid ego tibi deliqui, si, cum nupta sum, tecum fui?	Pray tell me what I have done in being with you, the man Imarried?
Amph.	Amph.
Tun mecum fueris? quid illac impudente audacius? saltem, tute si pudoris egeas, sumas mutuom.	You with me? Of all brazen shamelessness! You might at leastborrow some sense of decency, if you have none of your own!
Alc.	Alc.
820Istuc facinus, quod tu insimulas, nostro generi non decet. tu si me inpudicitiai captas, capere non potes.	Such behaviour as you accuse me of does not become membersof my family, sir. Angle for me if you wish, you cannotcatch me in such unspeakable conduct.
Amph.	Amph.
Pro di immortales, cognoscin tu me saltem, Sosia?	Great God! You know me, anyhow, Sosia, don't you?
Sos.	Sos.
Propemodum.	Well, rather!
Amph.	Amph.
Cenavin ego heri in navi in portu Persico?	Didn't I dine yesterday on shipboard at Port Persicus?
Alc.	Alc.
Mihi quoque adsunt testes, qui illud quod ego dicam adsentiant.	Yes, and I too have witnesses to corroborate what I say.
Sos.	Sos.
Nescio quid istuc negoti dicam, nisi si quispiam est Amphitruo alius, qui forte ted hinc absenti tamen tuam rem curet teque absente hic munus fungatur tuom. nam quod de illo subditivo Sosia mirum nimis, certe de istoc Amphitruone iam alterum mirum est magis.	I can't puzzle it out, sir, unless there's some otherAmphitryon to manage your business, no matter if you areaway, and to do your job for you when you have gone. I tellyou what, that sham Sosia was monstrous surprising, but thissecond Amphitryon is certainly more so.
Amph.	Amph.
830Nescio quis praestigiator hanc frustratur mulierem.	Some magician or other has bedevilled the woman!
Alc.	Alc.
Per supremi regis regnum iuro et matrem familias Iunonem, quam me vereri et metuere est par maxume, ut mi extra unum te mortalis nemo corpus corpore contigit, quo me impudicam faceret.	(slowly and impressively) I swear by the kingdom ofthe King on high and by Juno, the matron goddess I mostshould reverence and fear—so may she bless me as no mortalman, save you only, has taken me to him as a wife.
Amph.	Amph.
Vera istaec velim.	Ah, I wish it was the truth!
Alc.	Alc.
Vera dico, sed nequiquam, quoniam non vis credere.	It is the truth, but what of that, when you refuse tobelieve me!
Amph.	Amph.
Mulier es, audacter iuras.	You're a woman; you swear boldly.
Alc.	Alc.
Quae non deliquit, decet audacem esse, confidenter pro se et proterve loqui.	A woman who has done nothing wrong ought to be bold, yes,and self confident and forward in her own defence.
Amph.	Amph.
Satis audacter.	Bold, with a vengeance!
Alc.	Alc.
Ut pudicam decet.	As innocence should be.
Amph.	Amph.
Enim verbis proba's.[21]	Yes, you're immaculate as far as talk goes.
Alc.	Alc.
Non ego illam mihi dotem duco esse, quae dos dicitur, 840sed pudicitiam et pudorem et sedatum cupidinem, deum metum, parentum amorem et cognatum concordiam, tibi morigera atque ut munifica sim bonis, prosim probis.	(quietly) Personally I do not feel that my dowry isthat which people call a dowry, but purity and honour andself control, fear of God, love of parents, and affectionfor my family, and being a dutiful wife to you, sir, lavishof loving-kindness and helpful through honest service.
Sos.	Sos.
Ne ista edepol, si haec vera loquitur, examussim est optima.	My word! She's a regular pattern of perfection, if she'stelling the truth.
Amph.	Amph.
Delenitus sum profecto ita, ut me qui sim nesciam.	Upon my soul, I have been so bewitched I don't know who Iam!
Sos.	Sos.
Amphitruo es profecto, cave sis ne tu te usu perduis: ita nunc homines immutantur, postquam peregre advenimus.	You're Amphitryon right enough, sir—but just look out youdon't lose your title to yourself by limitation, the wayfolks are getting changed about these days since we cameback from abroad.
Amph.	Amph.
Mulier, istam rem inquisitam certum est non amittere.	(to Alcmena, sternly) This matter shall not escapeinvestigation, madam, I am resolved on that.
Alc.	Alc.
Edepol me libente facies.	Dear me, sir, do investigate, and welcome!
Amph.	Amph.
Quid ais? responde mihi. quid si adduco tuom cognatum huc ab navi Naucratem, 850qui mecum una vectust una navi, atque is si denegat facta quae tu facta dicis, quid tibi aequom est fieri? numquid causam dicis, quin te hoc multem matrimionio?	See here, answer me this—what if I bring your own relative,Naucrates, over from the ship? He made the voyaage with meon the same vessel—now if he denies that I did as you saywhat do you deserve? Have you any reason to give that Ishould not divorce you?
Alc.	Alc.
Si deliqui, nulla causa est.	None, if I have done wrong.
Amph.	Amph.
Convenit. tu, Sosia, duc hos intro. ego huc ab navi mecum adducam Naucratem.	Agreed! (turning to Sosia) Sosia, take these fellowsin. (pointing to slaves with luggage) I will bringNaucrates here from the ship. (Sosia sends slavesinside) [exit Amphitryon.
Sos.	Sos.
Nunc quidem praeter nos nemo est. dic mihi verum serio: ecquis alius Sosia intust, qui mei similis siet?	(to Alcmena, confidentially) Now then, ma'am, noone's here besides us. (elaborately makes sure of it)Do be serious and tell me the truth—is there another Sosiainside who's just like me?
Alc.	Alc.
Abin hinc a me dignus domino servos?	(indignantly) Will you leave my sight, sir—you slaveworthy of your master!
Sos.	Sos.
Abeo, si iubes.	Sure, ma'am, if you say so. [exit into house.
Alc.	Alc.
Nimis ecastor facinus mirum est, qui illi conlibitum siet meo viro sic me insimulare falso facinus tam malum. 860quicquid est, iam ex Naucrate cognato id cognoscam meo.	Merciful heavens! It's simply unintelligible, how my husbandcould think fit to accuse me of such atrocious conductwithout the slightest cause. Well, whatever it is, I shallsoon know about it from Naucrates, one of my own family. [exit into house.

[ACTVS III]	ACT III
Iup.	Jup.
Ego sum ille Amphitruo, cui est servos Sosia. idem Mercurius qui fit, quando commodumst, in superiore qui habito cenaculo, qui interdum fio Iuppiter, quando lubet; huc autem quom extemplo adventum adporto, ilico Amphitruo fio et vestitum immuto meum.	(in jocular, self-satisfied tone) I am that Amphitryon who has a servant Sosia, which same turns into Mercury on occasion, I being the Amphitryon who lodge in the upper attic (pointing heavenward) and become Jupiter at times, when the humour seizes me. As soon as I wend my way into these parts, however, on the spot I am Amphitryon and change my clothes.
nunc huc honoris vostri venio gratia, ne hanc incohatam transigam comoediam; simul Alcumenae, quam vir insontem probri 870 Amphitruo accusat, veni ut auxilium feram: nam mea sit culpa, quod egomet contraxerim, si id Alcumenae innocenti expetat.	I now appear out of regard for you, so as not to terminate this inchoate comedy. At the same time I am here to help out Alcmena, poor innocent, denounced as disloyal by her lord, Amphitryon. For it would be sinful of me, if the storm I have brewed should descend on the head of guileless Alcmena.
nunc Amphitruonem memet, ut occepi semel, esse adsimulabo, atque in horum familiam frustrationem hodie iniciam maxumam; post igitur demum faciam res fiat palam atque Alcumenae in tempore auxilium feram faciamque ut uno fetu et quod gravida est viro et me quod gravidast pariat sine doloribus. 880 Mercurium iussi me continue consequi, si quid vellem imperare. nunc hanc adloquar.	I will pretend for the present to be Amphitryon myself, as I have already, and thoroughly confound this family to-day, Then, after that, I will eventually clear matters up, yes, and aid Alcmena in due season, contriving that she give birth at one time to both the children she carries, her husband's and my own, without a pang. Mercury has his orders to attend me closely, in case I have commands to give. Now for a word with the lady.

[III. 2.]	Scene 2
	enter Alcmena from house.
Alc.	Alc.
Durare nequeo in aedibus. ita me probri, stupri, dedecoris a viro argutam meo! ea quae sunt facta infecta ut reddat clamitat. quae neque sunt facta neque ego in me admisi arguit; atque id me susque deque esse habituram putat.	I can't stand staying in the house! To be branded so with shame, disloyalty, disgrace, by my own husband! How he clamours to make facts no facts! And what never happened, things I never, never did, he accuses me of, and thinks I'll consider it quite immaterial.
non edepol faciam, neque me perpetiar probri falso insimulatam, quin ego illum aut deseram aut satis faciat mi ille atque adiuret insuper, 890 nolle esse dicta quae in me insontem protulit.	Good gracious, but I won't! I won't endure such an awful, unjustified accusation: I will leave him, or he must apologize, one or the other, yes, and swear he is sorry, too, for the things he has said to an innocent woman.
Iup.	Jup.
Faciundum est mi illud, fieri quod illaec postulat, si me illam amantem ad sese studeam recipere, quando ego quod feci, id factum Amphitruoni offuit atque illi dudum meus amor negotium insonti exhibuit, nunc autem insonti mihi illius ira in hanc et male dicta expetent.	(aside, dryly) Hm! It's incumbent upon me to meet her demands, if I wish the loving creature to take me into her good graces again. Since my doings offended Amphitryon, and this love affair of mine lately occasioned his guiltless self some consternation, it is turn about now, and my guiltless self has to suffer for the scorn and contumely he heaped on her.
Alc.	Alc.
Sed eccum video qui me miseram arguit stupri, dedecoris.	(aside, seeing him) Ah, there he is—the man that charges his wretched wife with disloyalty and shame!
Iup.	Jup.
Te volo, uxor, conloqui. quo te avortisti?[22]	I wish to speak with you, my dear. (circling her as she turns her back on him) Turned away? Where to?
Alc.	Alc.
Ita ingenium meumst: 900 inimicos semper osa sum optuerier.	It is natural I should, sir: I always loathed looking at enemies.
Iup.	Jup.
Heia autem inimicos?	Oh, I say now! Enemies?
Alc.	Alc.
Sic est, vera praedico; nisi etiam hoc falso dici insimulaturus es.	Yes, enemies: and that's the truth of it—unless you intend to term this a lie, too.
Iup.	Jup.
Nimis iracunda es.	(trying to fondle her) You're too irritable.
Alc.	Alc.
Potin ut abstineas manum? nam certo, si sis sanus aut sapias satis, quam tu impudicam esse arbitrere et praedices, cum ea tu sermonem nec ioco nec serio tibi habeas, nisi sis stultior stultissimo.	(pulling away) Can't you keep your hands off? Why surely, sir, if you were sane or had a particle of sense about you, when you think your wife is immodest and tell her so yourself, you wouldn't hold any conversation with her at all in jest or earnest, unless you were the silliest of silly men.
Iup.	Jup.
Si dixi, nihilo magis es, neque ego esse arbitror, et id huc revorti uti me purgarem tibi. 910 nam numquam quicquam meo animo fuit aegrius, quam postquam audivi ted esse iratam mihi. cur dixisti? inquies. ego expediam tibi.	My saying so doesn't make you so any the more, And I don't think you so, either; and I've come back to set myself right with you. For I never did feel sicker at heart about anything than after I heard you were provoked with me. "Why did you say it?" you'll ask. I'll clear up that point for you.
non edepol quo te esse impudicam crederem; verum periclitatus sum animum tuom, quid faceres et quo pacto id ferre induceres. equidem ioco illa dixeram dudum tibi, ridiculi causa. vel hunc rogato Sosiam.	Bless your heart, it wasn't because I believed you were immodest. I was just testing your feelings to see what you'd do and how you'd take it. (forcing a laugh) Really it was all a joke, what I said just now, merely a bit of fun. Why, you can ask Sosia here. (pointing to house)
Alc.	Alc.
Quin huc adducis meum cognatum Naucratem, testem quem dudum te adducturum dixeras, te huc non venisse?	(coldly) Why do you not bring my relative Naucrates, as you just now said you would, to prove you had not been here?
Iup.	Jup.
920 Si quid dictum est per iocum, non aequom est id te serio praevortier.	If something is said in joke, it's not fair to take it in earnest.
Alc.	Alc.
Ego illud scio quam doluerit cordi meo.	I know one thing—that joke of yours cut me to the heart, sir.
Iup.	Jup.
Per dexteram tuam te, Alcumena, oro obsecro. da mihi hanc veniam, ignosce, irata ne sies.	(seizing her hand) I beg and beseech you, Alcmena, by this right hand of yours, do forgive me for it; pardon me: don't be angry!
Alc.	Alc.
Ego istaec feci verba virtute irrita; nunc, quando factis me impudicis abstini, ab impudicis dictis avorti volo. valeas, tibi habeas res tuas, reddas meas. iuben mi ire comites	Your charges are refuted by my honest life; now, sir, having been guiltless of gross behaviour, I will not be subjected to gross language. Good bye. Keep your own things and return me mine. Will you older my attendants to follow me? (turns to go)
Iup.	Jup.
Sanan es?	Are you in your senses?
Alc.	Alc.
Si non iubes, ibo egomet; comitem mihi Pudicitiam duxero.[23] 930	If you decline to do so, I will go with my woman's honour as my only escort. (walks away)
Iup.	Jup.
Mane. arbitratu tuo ius iurandum dabo, me meam pudicam esse uxorem arbitrarier. id ego si fallo, tum te, summe Iuppiter, quaeso, Amphitruoni ut semper iratus sies.	(holding her) Wait, wait! I'll swear to it—at your dictation—that I believe my wife is virtuous. If I deceive you in this, then, Jove almighty, I invoke thy curse upon Amphitryon for evermore.
Alc.	Alc.
A, propitius sit potius.	(hurriedly) Oh no! His blessing, his blessing!
Iup.	Jup.
Confido fore; nam ius iurandum verum te advorsum dedi. iam nunc irata non es?	I trust to have it, for it is a reliable oath I have given you. (drawing her close) Now you're not angry, are you?
Alc.	Alc.
Non sum.	(submitting) No.
Iup.	Jup.
Bene facis. nam in hominum aetate multa eveniunt huius modi: capiunt voluptates, capiunt rursum miserias; 940 irae interveniunt, redeunt rursum in gratiam. verum irae si quae forte eveniunt huius modi inter eos, rursum si reventum in gratiam est, bis tanto amici sunt inter se quam prius.	(caressing her) That's a good girl. Why, life is full of incidents of this sort. Human beings lay hold on pleasures and then again on pains. Quarrels come between them, and then they are reconciled again. But if any such quarrel as this does happen to arise between them, then when it blows over they are twice as fond of one another as they were before.
Alc.	Alc.
Primum cavisse oportuit ne diceres, verum eadem si isdem purgas mi, patiunda sunt.	You should have been careful not to say such a thing in the first place; but if you apologize so nicely for hurting me so, I can't complain.
Iup.	Jup.
Iube vero vasa pura adornari mihi, ut quae apud legionem vota vovi. si domum rediissem salvos, ea ego exsolvam omnia.	Well, well, then, have the sacrificial vessel prepared for me so that I can pay all the vows I vowed for a safe return home when I was in the field.
Alc.	Alc.
Ego istuc curabo.	I will attend to that.
Iup.	Jup.
Evocate huc Sosiam; 950 gubernatorem, qui in mea navi fuit Blepharonem arcessat, qui nobiscum prandeat is adeo[24] inpransus ludificabitur, cum ego Amphitruonem collo hinc obstricto traham.	(to maids in doorway) Call Sosia out. I want him to invite Blepharo, the pilot aboard my ship, to lunch with us. (exeunt maids) (aside) As a matter of fact, friend Blepharo will be left unlunched and looking foolish when I turn Amphitryon out neck and crop.
Alc.	Alc.
Mirum quid solus secum secreto ille agat. atque aperiuntur aedis. exit Sosia.	(aside) I wonder what he's talking about all to himself! Ah, there goes the door! Sosia's coming out.

[III. 3.]	Scene 3.
	enter Sosia.
Sos.	Sos.
Amphitruo, assum. si quid opus est, impera, imperium exequar.	Present, sir. If anything's needed, order away and I'll fulfil orders.
Iup.	Jup.
Sosia, optume advenis.	Sosia, you are the very man I want.
Sos.	Sos.
Iam pax est inter vos duos? nam quia vos tranquillos video, gaudeo et volup est mihi. atque ita servom par videtur frugi sese instituere 960 proinde eri ut sint, ipse item sit; voltum e voltu comparet tristis sit, si eri sint tristes; hilarus sit, si gaudeant sed age responde: iam vos rediistis in concordiam?	Is there peace between you two now, sir? I tell you what, it's a pleasure, it's a joy, to see you looking peaceful. Yes, and to my way of thinking, an honest servant ought to stick to this principle: be like what his betters are, model his expression on theirs, be in the dumps if they are in the dumps, and jolly if they are happy. But come, sir, answer me. Have you made friends again now, eh?
Iup.	Jup.
Derides, qui scis haec dudum me dixisse per iocum.	(reprovingly) Mocker! What I said a while ago was all in fun, and you know it.
Sos.	Sos.
An id ioco dixisti? equidem serio ac vero ratus.	In fun, was it? Upon my soul, I thought it was the solemn truth.
Iup.	Jup.
Habui expurigationem; facta pax est.	I have explained: peace is made.
Sos.	Sos.
Optume est.	That's grand, sir.
Iup.	Jup.
Ego rem divinam intus faciam, vota quae sunt.	I will make those offerings I vowed, inside.
Sos.	Sos.
Censeo.	Very good, sir.
Iup.	Jup.
Tu gubernatorem a navi huc evoca verbis meis Blepharonem, qui re divina facta mecum prandeat.	As for you, convey my invitation to Pilot Blepharo to come over from the ship and lunch with me after the sacrifice is done.
Sos.	Sos.
Iam hic ero, cum illic censebis esse me.	I'll be here by the time you think I'm there, sir.
Iup.	Jup.
Actutum huc redi.	Yes, hurry back home. [exit Sosia.
Alc.	Alc.
970 Numquid vis, quin abeam iam intro, ut apparentur quibus opust?	Is there anything else, or shall I go in now and see to the things you'll need?
Iup.	Jup.
I sane, et quantum potest parata fac sint omnia.	Do, by all means, and get everything ready as quickly as you can.
Alc.	Alc.
Quin venis quando vis intro? faxo haud quicquam sit morae.	Come in as soon as you wish. I'll make sure there's nothing to delay you.
Iup.	Jup.
Recte loquere et proinde diligentem ut uxorem decet. iam hisce ambo, et servos et era, frustra sunt duo, qui me Amphitruonem rentur esse: errant probe. nunc tu divine huc fac adsis Sosia— audis quae dico, tam etsi praesens non ades— fac Amphitruonem advenientem ab aedibus ut abigas; quovis pacto fac commentus sis.	(tenderly) That's the way for an attentive wife to talk. [exit Alcmena. There we are! Both of 'em fooled, servant and mistress, took in thinking me Amphitryon. A sad mistake! Hark ye, Sosia the divine, appear! You hear what I say, even though absent in the flesh. Drive Amphitryon away from the house when he arrives—any device you please.
980 volo deludi illunc, dum cum hac usuraria uxore nunc mihi morigero. haec curata sint fac sis, proinde adeo ut velle med intellegis, atque ut ministres mihi, mihi cum sacruficem.	He must be hoodwinked while I proceed to divert myself with my wife on loan. Kindly see that this is managed precisely as you know I wish it to be, and do me service while I am sacrificing to myself. [exit Jupiter.