Amphitryon, or Jupiter in Disguise

Perseus Latin · Perseus Latin · 874 sections

1.1.323b
My fists are longing.
1.1.324
If you are going to exercise them upon me, I beg that you’ll first cool them down against the wall.
1.1.325
A voice has come flying to my ears.
1.1.325b
Unlucky fellow, for sure, was I, who didn’t clip its wings. I’ve got a voice with wings, it seems.
1.1.327
This fellow is demanding of me for himself a heavy punishment for his beast’s back.
1.1.328
As for me, I’ve got no beast’s back.
1.1.328b
He must be well loaded with my fists.
1.1.329
I’ faith, I’m fatigued, coming from board ship, when I was brought hither; even now I’m sea-sick.
1.1.330
Without a burden, I can hardly creep along, so don’t think that with a load I can go.
1.1.331
Why, surely, somebody is speaking here.
1.1.331b
I’m all right, he doesn’t see me; he thinks it’s Somebody speaking: Sosia is certainly my name.
1.1.333
But here, from the right-hand side, the voice, as it seems, strikes upon my ear.
1.1.334
I’m afraid that I shall be getting a thrashing here this day, in place of my voice, that’s striking him.
1.1.335
Here he is—he’s coming towards me, most opportunely.
1.1.335b
I’m terrified—I’m numbed all over. Upon my faith, I don’t know where in the world I now am, if any one should ask me; and to my misfortune, I cannot move myself for fright. It’s all up with me; the orders of his master and Sosia are lost together. But I’m determined boldly to address this fellow to his face,
1.1.340
so that I may be able to appear valiant to him; that he may keep his hands off me.
1.1.341
Where are you going, you that are carrying Vulcan enclosed in your horn?
1.1.342
Why do you make that enquiry, you who are boning men’s heads with your fists?
1.1.343
Are you slave or free man?
1.1.343b
Just as it suits my inclination.
1.1.344
Do you really say so?
1.1.344b
I really do say so.
1.1.344c
Whip-scoundrel!
1.1.344d
Now you are telling a lie.
1.1.345
But I’ll soon make you own that I’m telling the truth.
1.1.345b
What necessity is there for it?
1.1.346
Can I know whence you have set out, whose you are, or why you are come?
1.1.347
This way I’m going, and I’m the servant of my master. Are you any the wiser now?
1.1.348
I’ll this day make you be holding that foul tongue of yours.
1.1.348b
You can’t; it is kept pure and becomingly.
1.1.349b
Do you persist in chattering?
1.1.350
What business now have you at this house?
1.1.350b
Aye, and what business have you?
1.1.351
King Creon always sets a watch every night.
1.1.352
He does right; because we were abroad, he has been protecting our house. But however, do go in now, and say that some of the family servants have arrived.
1.1.354
How far you are one of the family servants I don’t know. But unless you are off from here this instant,
1.1.355
family servant as you are, I’ll make you to be received in no familiar style.
1.1.356
Here, I say, I live, and of these people I am the servant.
1.1.356b
But do you understand how it is? Unless you are off, I’ll make you to be exalted this day.
1.1.357b
In what way, pray?
1.1.358
You shall be carried off, you shan’t walk away, if I take up a stick.
1.1.359
But I declare that I am one of the domestics of this family.
1.1.360
Consider, will you, how soon you want a drubbing, unless you are off from here this instant.
1.1.361
Do you want, as I arrive from foreign parts, to drive me from my home?
1.1.362
Is this your home?
1.1.362b
It is so, I say.
1.1.362c
Who is your master, then?
1.1.363
Amphitryon, who is now the general of the Theban forces, to whom Alcmena is married.
1.1.364b
How say you? What’s your name?
1.1.365
The Thebans call me Sosia, the son of my father Davus.
1.1.366
Assuredly, at your peril have you come here this day, with your trumped-up lies, your patched-up knaveries, you essence of effrontery.
1.1.368
Why no, it’s rather with garments patched-up that I’m arrived here, not with knaveries.
1.1.369
Why, you are lying again; you come with your feet, surely, and not with your garments.
1.1.370
Yes, certainly.
1.1.370b
Then certainly take that for your lie.
1.1.371
By my troth, I certainly don’t wish for it of course.
1.1.371b
But by my faith, you certainly shall have it of course, whether you wish or not: for, in fact, this is certainly my determination, and it is not at your own option.
1.1.373
Mercy, I entreat of you.
1.1.373b
Do you dare to say that you are Sosia, when I myself am he?
1.1.374b
I’m being murdered.
1.1.374c
Why, you are crying out for a trifle as yet, compared with what it will be.
1.1.375
Whose are you now?
1.1.375b
Your own; for with your fists you have laid hands on me. Help, help, citizens of Thebes.
1.1.376b
What, still bawling, you scoundrel? Speak—what have you come for?
1.1.377b
For there to be somebody for you to belabour with your fists.
1.1.378
Whose are you?
1.1.378b
Amphitryon’s Sosia, I tell you.
1.1.378c
For this reason then you shall be beaten the more, because you prate thus idly; I am Sosia, not you.
1.1.380
I wish the Gods would have it so, that you were he in preference, and that I were thrashing you.
1.1.381
What, muttering still?
1.1.381b
I’ll hold my tongue then.
1.1.381c
Who is your master?
1.1.381d
Whoever you like.
1.1.382
How then? What’s your name now?
1.1.382b
Nothing but what you shall command.
1.1.383
You said that you were Amphitryon’s Sosia.
1.1.383b
I made a mistake; but this I meant to say, that I was Amphitryon’s associate .
1.1.385
Why, I was sure that we had no servant called Sosia except myself. Your senses are forsaking you.
1.1.386b
I wish that those fists of yours had done so.
1.1.387
I am that Sosia, whom you were just now telling me that you are.
1.1.388
I pray that I may be allowed to discourse with you in quietness, so as not to be beaten.
1.1.389
Well then, let there be a truce for a short time, if you want to say anything.
1.1.390
I’ll not speak unless peace is concluded, since you are the stronger with your fists.
1.1.391
If you wish to say anything, speak; I’ll not hurt you.
1.1.391b
Am I to trust in your word?
1.1.391c
Yes, in my word.
1.1.392
What, if you deceive me?
1.1.392b
Why, then may Mercury be angry with Sosia .
1.1.393
Then give attention: now I’m at liberty to say in freedom anything I please. I am Sosia, servant of Amphitryon.
1.1.394b
What, again?
1.1.395
I have concluded the peace, ratified the treaty—I speak the truth.
1.1.395b
Take that, then.
1.1.396
As you please, and what you please, pray do, since you are the stronger with your fists. But whatever you shall do, still, upon my faith, I really shall not be silent about that.
1.1.398
So long as you live, you shall never make me to be any other than Sosia at this moment.
1.1.399
I’ faith, you certainly shall never make me to be any other person than my own self;
1.1.400
and besides myself we have no other servant of the name of Sosia—myself, who went hence on the expedition together with Amphitryon.
1.1.402
This fellow is not in his senses.
1.1.402b
The malady that you impute to me, you have that same yourself. How, the plague, am I not Sosia, the servant of Amphitryon? Has not our ship, which brought me, arrived here this night from the Persian port?
1.1.405
Has not my master sent me here? Am I not now standing before our house? Have I not a lantern in my hand? Am I not talking? Am I not wide awake? Has not this fellow been thumping me with his fists? By my troth , he has been doing so; for even now, to my pain, my cheeks are tingling. Why, then, do I hesitate? Or why don’t I go in-doors into our house?
1.1.410
How—your house?

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