You would be proving my salvation; for I’ve been watching most confoundedly these three nights running Three nights running : He alludes to the length of the night, which was prolonged by Jupiter for the purpose of his intrigue. According to other writers, it was on the occasion when Hercules was begotten, seven months before this period, that three nights were made into one. . MERCURY My hand refuses to learn to strike his cheek; it cannot do a disgraceful action. Hand of mine, of a changed form must he become whom you smite with this fist. SOSIA (aside.) This fellow will be furbishing me up, and be moulding my face anew. MERCURY (to his fist.) The man that you hit full, his face must surely be boned. SOSIA (aside.) It’s a wonder if this fellow isn’t thinking of boning me just like a lamprey. Away with a fellow that bones people! If he sees me, I’m a dead man. MERCURY Some fellow is stinking to his destruction. SOSIA (aside.) Woe to me! Is it I that stink? MERCURY And he cannot be very far off; but he has been a long way off from here. SOSIA (aside.) This person’s a wizard This person’s a wizard : We must remember that this is supposed to take place in the dark; and Sosia says that the man must surely be a wizard to guess that another person is so near him, and that he has been abroad till just now. . MERCURY My fists are longing. SOSIA (aside.) If you are going to exercise them upon me, I beg that you’ll first cool them down against the wall. MERCURY A voice has come flying to my ears. SOSIA (aside.) Unlucky fellow, for sure, was I, who didn’t clip its wings. I’ve got a voice with wings, it seems. MERCURY This fellow is demanding of me for himself a heavy punishment for his beast’s back His beast’s back : Jumento suo. Literally, on his beast of burden. . SOSIA (aside.) As for me, I’ve got no beast’s back. MERCURY He must be well loaded with my fists. SOSIA (aside.) I’ faith, I’m fatigued, coming from board ship, when I was brought hither; even now I’m sea-sick. Without a burden, I can hardly creep along, so don’t think that with a load I can go. MERCURY Why, surely, somebody Somebody : Nescio quis. Literally, I know not who. For the sake of the joke, he pretends to think that this is the name of some one mentioned by Mercury; and says that as he is not that person, he is all right. is speaking here. SOSIA (aside.) I’m all right, he doesn’t see me; he thinks it’s Somebody speaking: Sosia is certainly my name. MERCURY But here, from the right-hand side, the voice, as it seems, strikes upon my ear. SOSIA (aside.) I’m afraid that I shall be getting a thrashing here this day, in place of my voice, that’s striking him. (Moves.) MERCURY Here he is—he’s coming towards me, most opportunely. SOSIA (aside.) 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, so that I may be able to appear valiant to him; that he may keep his hands off me. (Advances towards the door.) MERCURY (accosting him.) Where are you going, you that are carrying Vulcan enclosed in your horn Vulcan enclosed in your horn : Volcanum in cornu. Literally, Vulcan in your horn; alluding to the horn lantern which Sosia is carrying. ? SOSIA Why do you make that enquiry, you who are boning men’s heads with your fists? MERCURY Are you slave or free man? SOSIA Just as it suits my inclination.