Has an ill omen delayed you, or does the weather keep you back, you who have not gone away to your troops, as you were lately speaking of?AMPHITRYONLately? How long since was this lately?ALCMENAYou are trying me; but very lately, just now.AMPHITRYONPrithee, how can that possibly be as you say?—but very lately, just now.ALCMENAWhy, what do you imagine? That I, on the other hand, shall trifle with you who are playing with me,in saying that you are now come for the first time, you who but just now went away from here?AMPHITRYONSurely she is talking deliriously.SOSIAStop a little while, until she has slept out this one sleep.AMPHITRYONIs she not dreaming with her eyes open?ALCMENAUpon my faith, for my part I really am awake, and awake I am relating that which has happened; for, but lately, before daybreak, I saw both him (pointing at SOSIA) and yourself.AMPHITRYONIn what place?ALCMENAHere, in the house where you yourself dwell.AMPHITRYONIt never was the fact.SOSIAWill you not hold your peace? What if the vessel brought us here from the harbour in our sleep?AMPHITRYONAre you, too, going to back her as well?SOSIA(aside to AMPHITRYON.)What do you wish to be done? Don’t you know, if you wish to oppose a raving Bacchanal, from a mad woman you’ll render her more mad—she’ll strike the oftenerStrike the oftener: This is said in allusion to the blows with the thyrsus, which the frantic female votaries of Bacchus inflicted upon all persons that they met.;if you humour her, after one blow you may overcome her?AMPHITRYONBut, by my troth, this thing is resolved upon, somehow to rate her who this day has been unwilling to greet me on my arrival home. SOSIAYou’ll only be irritating hornets.AMPHITRYONYou hold your tongue. Alcmena, I wish to ask you one thing.ALCMENAAsk me anything you please.AMPHITRYONIs it frenzy that has come upon you, or does pride overcome you?ALCMENAHow comes it into your mind, my husband, to ask me that?AMPHITRYONBecause formerly you used to greet me on my arrival, and to address me in such manner as those women who are virtuous are wont their husbands. On my arrival home I’ve found that you have got rid of that custom.ALCMENABy my faith, indeed, I assuredly did both greet you yesterday, upon your arrival, at that very instant, and at the same time I enquired if you had continued in health all along, my husband, and I took your hand and gave you a kiss.SOSIAWhat, did you welcome him yesterday?ALCMENAAnd you too, as well, Sosia.SOSIAAmphitryon, I did hope that she was about to bring you forth a son; but she isn’t gone with child.AMPHITRYONWhat then?