Amphitryon, or Jupiter in Disguise (541-572)

Just as you wish I’ll do.

From his intriguing, how very savage he does become!

Do you wish for anything else?

That when I am absent you will love me—me, who am yours, though absent.

Let’s go, Amphitryon; it’s already dawning.

Go you first, Sosia. (Exit MERCURY.) I’ll follow this instant. (To ALCMENA.) Is there anything you wish?

Yes; that you’ll come back speedily.

I will;

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,

that a Day of equal disparity may succeed the Night. I’ll go and follow Mercury.

Come, do you follow after me.

I’m following; I’m following close after you.

I think that you are the veriest rogue—

But for what reason?

Because that which neither is, nor ever was, nor will be, you declare to me.

Look at that; you are now acting according to

your usual fashion, to be putting no trust in your servants.

Why is it so? For what reason? Surely now, by the powers, I’ll cut out that villanous tongue of yours, you villain.

I am yours; do each thing just as it is agreable and as it pleases you.

Still you never can, by any method, hinder me from saying these things just as they took place here.

You consummate villain, do you dare tell me this, that you are now at home, who are here present?

I speak the truth.

A mishap shall the Gods send upon you, and I this day will send it as well.

That’s in your power, for I am your property.

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?

Undoubtedly, such as I say is the fact.

May Jupiter confound you!

What evil, master, have I been deemed deserving of in your service?

Do you ask me, you rogue, who are even making sport of me?

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.