Amphitryon, or Jupiter in Disguise

Perseus Latin · Perseus Latin · 874 sections

1.1.410b
Indeed it really is so.
1.1.410c
Why, all that you have been saying just now, you have trumped up; I surely am Amphitryon’s Sosia. For in the night this ship of ours weighed anchor from the Persian port, and where king Pterelas reigned, the city we took by storm, and the legions of the Teleboans in fighting we took by arms,
1.1.415
and Amphitryon himself cut off the head of king Pterelas in battle.
1.1.416
I do not trust my own self, when I hear him affirm these things; certainly, he really does relate exactly the things that were done there. (Aloud.) But how say you? What spoil from the Teleboans was made a present to Amphitryon?
1.1.419
A golden goblet, from which king Pterelas used to drink.
1.1.420
He has said the truth. Where now is this goblet?
1.1.420b
’Tis in a casket, sealed with the seal of Amphitryon.
1.1.421b
Tell me, what is the seal?
1.1.422
The Sun rising with his chariot. Why are you on the catch for me, you villain?
1.1.423
He has overpowered me with his proofs. I must look out for another name. I don’t know from whence he witnessed these things. I’ll now entrap him finely;
1.1.425
for what I did alone by myself, and when not another person was present in the tent, that, he certainly will never be able this day to tell me. (Aloud.) If you are Sosia, when the armies were fighting most vigorously, what were you doing in the tent? If you tell me that, I’m vanquished.
1.1.429
There was a cask of wine; from it I filled an earthen pot .
1.1.429b
He has got upon the track.
1.1.430
That I drew full of pure wine, just as it was born from the mother grape.
1.1.431
It’s a wonder if this fellow wasn’t lying hid inside of that earthen pot. It is the fact, that there I did drink an earthen pot full of wine.
1.1.433
Well—do I now convince you by my proofs that you are not Sosia?
1.1.434
Do you deny that I am?
1.1.434b
Why should I not deny it, who am he myself?
1.1.435
By Jupiter I swear that I am he, and that I do not say false.
1.1.436
But by Mercury, I swear that Jupiter does not believe you; for I am sure that he will rather credit me without an oath than you with an oath.
1.1.438
Who am I, at all events, if I am not Sosia? I ask you that.
1.1.439
When I choose not to be Sosia, then do you be Sosia; now, since I am he, you’ll get a thrashing, if you are not off hence, you fellow without a name.
1.1.441
Upon my faith, for sure, when I examine him and recollect my own figure, just in such manner as I am (I’ve often looked in a glass):, he is exactly like me. He has the broad-brimmed hat and clothing just the same; he is as like me as I am myself. His leg, foot, stature, shorn head, eyes, nose, even his lips,
1.1.445
cheeks, chin, beard, neck—the whole of him. What need is there of words? If his back is marked with scars, than this likeness there is nothing more like. But when I reflect, really, I surely am the same person that I always was. My master I know, I know our I house; I am quite in my wits and senses. I’m not going to I obey this fellow in what he says; I’ll knock at the door.
1.1.450
Whither are you betaking yourself?
1.1.450b
Home.
1.1.450c
If now you were to ascend the chariot of Jove and fly away from here, then you could hardly be able to escape destruction.
1.1.452
Mayn’t I be allowed to deliver the message to my mistress that my master ordered me to give?
1.1.453
If you want to deliver any message to your own mistress; this mistress of mine I shall not allow you to approach. But if you provoke me, you’ll be just now taking hence your loins broken.
1.1.455
In preference, I’ll be off. (Aside.) Immortal Gods, I do beseech your mercy. Where did I lose myself? Where have I been transformed? Where have I parted with my figure? Or have I left myself behind there, if perchance I have forgotten it? For really this person has possession of all my figure, such as it formerly was. While living, that is done for me, which no one will ever do for me when dead.
1.1.460
I’ll go to the harbour, and I’ll tell my master these things as they have happened—unless even he as well shall not know me, which may Jupiter grant, so that this day, bald, with shaven crown, I may assume the cap of freedom.
1.2.463
Well and prosperously has this affair gone on for me; from the door have I removed the greatest obstacle,
1.2.465
so that it may be allowed my father to embrace her in security. When now he shall have reached his master, Amphitryon there, he will say that the servant Sosia has repulsed himself from the door here; and then the other will suppose that he is telling him a lie, and will not believe that he has come here as he had ordered him.
1.2.470
Both of them and the whole household of Amphitryon I will fill with mistakes and distraction, even until my father shall have had full enjoyment of her whom he loves; then at last all shall know what has been done. In the end Jupiter shall restore Alcmena
1.2.475
to the former affection of her husband. For Amphitryon will just now be beginning a quarrel with his wife, and will be accusing her of incontinence; then will my father change for her this strife into tranquillity. Now, inasmuch as yet I’ve said but little about Alcmena,
1.2.480
this day will she bring forth two sons, twins; the one will be born in the tenth month after he was begotten, the other in the seventh month; of these the one is the son of Amphitryon, the other of Jupiter. But of the younger son the father is the superior,
1.2.485
of the elder the inferior. (To the AUDIENCE.) Now do you comprehend this how it is? But for the sake of the honor of this Alcmena, my father will take care that it shall happen at one birth, so that in one travail she may complete her double pangs, and not be laid under suspicion of unchastity,
1.2.490
and that the clandestine connexion may remain concealed. Although, as I have said just now, Amphitryon shall still know all the matter in the end. What then? No one surely will impute it to Alcmena as a disgrace; for it does not seem that a God is acting justly
1.2.495
to permit his own offences and his own faultiness to fall upon a mortal. I’ll cut short my talk: the door makes a noise. See, the counterfeit Amphitryon is coming out of doors, and together with him Alcmena, the wife that he has taken the loan of.
1.3.499
Kindly fare you well, Alcmena; take care, as you are doing, of our common interest,
1.3.500
and pray be sparing of yourself; you see that now your months are completed. It’s necessary for me to go away from here; but the offspring that shall be born do you bring up .
1.3.502
What business is this, my husband, since you thus suddenly leave your home?
1.3.503b
By my troth, ’tis not that I am wearied of you or of my home; but when the chief commander is not with the army,
1.3.505
that is sooner done which ought not to be done than that which needs to be done.
1.3.506
This is a very clever counterfeit, who really is my own father. (To the AUDIENCE.) Do you observe him, how blandly he smoothes the lady over.
1.3.508
I’ faith, I find by experience how much you value your wife.
1.3.509
If there is no one among women whom I love so much, are you satisfied?
1.3.510
Verily, upon my faith, if Juno only knew that you were giving your attention to such matters, I’d warrant that you’d rather be Amphitryon than Jupiter.
1.3.512
I would rather that I should find it so by experience, than that it should be told me. You leave me before the spot in the bed where.you have been lying has well grown warm. Yesterday, in the middle of the night, you came, and now you are going away. Is this your pleasure?
1.3.515
I’ll approach, and address her, and play second fiddle to my father. (He approaches ALCMENA.) Never, upon my faith, do I believe that any mortal did so. distractedly love his wife as he distractedly dotes upon you.
1.3.518
Scoundrel!—don’t I know you of old? Won’t you be off out of my sight? What business have you in this matter, whip-knave? or why your muttering?
1.3.520
Whom this very instant, with this walking-stick, I’ll—
1.3.520b
Oh don’t.
1.3.520c
Only make a whisper.
1.3.521
My first attempt at playing second fiddle had almost come to an unfortunate conclusion.
1.3.522
But as to what you say, my wife, you ought not to be angry with me. I came away privately from the army: these moments I stole for you, that you the first might know from me the first, how I had managed the common interests.
1.3.525
All this have I related to you. If I had not loved you very much, I should not have done so.
1.3.526b
Isn’t he doing just as I said? In her alarm, he is smoothing her down.
1.3.527
That the army then mayn’t find it out, I must return there privately, lest they should say that I have preferred my wife before the common interests.
1.3.529
By your departure you set your wife in tears.
1.3.529b
Be quiet; don’t spoil your eyes: I’ll return very shortly.
1.3.530b
That very shortly is a long time.
1.3.531
I do not with pleasure leave you here, or go away from you.
1.3.531b
I am sensible of it; for, the night that you have come to me, on the same you go away.
1.3.532b
Why do you hold me? It is time to go: I wish to depart from the city before it dawns. Now, Alcmena, this goblet which has been given me there on account of my valour,
1.3.535
from which king Pterelas used to drink, he whom I slew with my own hand, the same I present to you.
1.3.536b
You do as you are wont in other things. By heavens, it is a noble gift; like him who gave the gift.
1.3.538
Aye, a noble gift; just like her to whom it has been given as a gift.
1.3.539
What, still going on? Can’t I, you scoundrel, make an end of you?
1.3.540
Amphitryon, there’s a dear, don’t be angry with Sosia on my account.
1.3.541
Just as you wish I’ll do.
1.3.541b
From his intriguing, how very savage he does become!
1.3.542
Do you wish for anything else?
1.3.542b
That when I am absent you will love me—me, who am yours, though absent.
1.3.543
Let’s go, Amphitryon; it’s already dawning.
1.3.543b
Go you first, Sosia. (Exit MERCURY.) I’ll follow this instant. (To ALCMENA.) Is there anything you wish?
1.3.544b
Yes; that you’ll come back speedily.
1.3.544c
I will;
1.3.545
and sooner than you expect will I be here therefore be of good heart. (ALCMENA goes into the house.) Now Night, thou who hast tarried for me, I permit these to give place to Day, that thou mayst shine upon mortals with a bright and brilliant light. And Night, as much as on this last thou wast too long, so much the shorter will I make the Day to be,
1.3.550
that a Day of equal disparity may succeed the Night. I’ll go and follow Mercury.
2.1.551
Come, do you follow after me.
2.1.551b
I’m following; I’m following close after you.
2.1.552
I think that you are the veriest rogue—
2.1.552b
But for what reason?
2.1.553
Because that which neither is, nor ever was, nor will be, you declare to me.
2.1.554b
Look at that; you are now acting according to
2.1.555
your usual fashion, to be putting no trust in your servants.
2.1.556
Why is it so? For what reason? Surely now, by the powers, I’ll cut out that villanous tongue of yours, you villain.
2.1.557b
I am yours; do each thing just as it is agreable and as it pleases you.
2.1.559
Still you never can, by any method, hinder me from saying these things just as they took place here.
2.1.561
You consummate villain, do you dare tell me this, that you are now at home, who are here present?
2.1.562b
I speak the truth.
2.1.563
A mishap shall the Gods send upon you, and I this day will send it as well.
2.1.564b
That’s in your power, for I am your property.
2.1.565
Do you dare, you whip-scoundrel, to play your tricks with me, your master? Do you dare affirm that which no person ever yet before this has seen, and which cannot possibly happen, for the same man to be in two places together at the same time?
2.1.569
Undoubtedly, such as I say is the fact.
2.1.569b
May Jupiter confound you!
2.1.570b
What evil, master, have I been deemed deserving of in your service?
2.1.571
Do you ask me, you rogue, who are even making sport of me?
2.1.572
With reason might you curse me, if it had not so happened. But I tell no lie, and I speak as the thing really did happen.

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