TranslatedbyA。R。Waller，M。A。
AmphitryonwasplayedforthefirsttimeinParis，attheTheatreduPalais-Royal，January13，1668。Itwassuccessfullyreceived，holdingtheboardsuntilthe18thofMarch，whenEasterintervened。
Afterthere-openingofthetheatre，itwasplayedhalfadozentimesmorethesameyear，andcontinuedtoplease。
Thefirsteditionwaspublishedin1668。
Note：ItisperhapshardlynecessarytoreferthereadertoAmphitryon，byPlautus，thecomedyuponwhichMoliere’scharmingplaywas，inthemain，based。Therenderingattemptedherecangivebutafaintreflectionoftheoriginal，forhardlyanycomedyofMoliere’slosesmoreintheprocessoftranslation。
AmphitryonAplaybyMolierePROLOGUE
MERCURY，onacloud；NIGHT，inachariotdrawnbytwohorsesMERC。Wait！GentleNight；deigntostayawhile：Somehelpisneededfromyou。IhavetwowordstosaytoyoufromJupiter。
NIGHT。Ah！Ah！Itisyou，SeigneurMercury！Whowouldhavethoughtofyouhere，inthatposition？
MERC。Well，feelingtired，andnotbeingabletofulfilthedifferentdutiesJupiterorderedme，Iquietlysatdownonthiscloudtoawaityourcoming。
NIGHT。Youjest，Mercury：youdonotmeanit；doesitbecometheGodstosaytheyaretired？
MERC。AretheGodsmadeofiron？
NIGHT。No；butonemustalwayshaveacarefordivinedecorum。Therearecertainwordstheuseofwhichdebasesthissublimequality，anditismeetthattheseshouldbelefttomen，becausetheyareunworthy。
MERC。Youspeakatyourease，fairlady，fromaswiftlyrollingchariot，inwhich，likeadamefreefromcare；youaredrawnbytwofinehorseswhereveryoulike。Butitisnotthesamewithme。SuchismymiserablefatethatIcannotbearthepoetstoogreatagrudgefortheirgrossimpertinenceinhaving，byanunjustlaw，whichtheywishtoretaininforce，givenaseparateconveyancetoeachGod，forhisownuse，andleftmetogoonfoot：me，likeavillagemessenger，though，aseveryoneknows，IamthefamousmessengerofthesovereignoftheGods，ontheearthandintheheavens。Withoutanyexaggeration，Ineedmorethananyoneelsethemeansofbeingcarriedabout，becauseofallthedutiesheputsuponme。
NIGHT。Whatcanonedo？Thepoetsdowhatpleasesthem。Itisnottheonlystupiditywehavedetectedinthesegentlemen。Butsurelyyourirritationagainstthemiswrong，forthewingsatyourfeetareafriendlygiftoftheirs。
MERC。Yes；butdoesgoingmorequicklytireoneselfless？
NIGHT。Letusleavethematter，SeigneurMercury，andlearnwhatiswanted。
MERC。Jupiter，asIhavetoldyou，wishesthedarkaidofyourcloakforacertaingallantadventure，whichanewloveaffairhasfurnishedhim。Hiscustomisnotnewtoyou，Ibelieve：oftendoesheneglecttheheavensfortheearth；andyouarenotignorantthatthismasteroftheGodslovestotakeuponhimselftheguiseofmantowooearthlybeauties。Heknowsahundredingenioustrickstoentrapthemostobdurate。HehasfeltthedartsofAlcmene’seyes；
and，whilstAmphitryon，herhusband，commandstheThebantroopsontheplainsofBoeotia，Jupiterhastakenhisform，andassuagedhispains，inthepossessionofthesweetestofpleasures。Theconditionofthecoupleispropitioustohisdesire：Hymenjoinedthemonlyafewdaysago；andtheyoungwarmthoftheirtenderlovesuggestedtoJupitertohaverecoursetothisfineartifice。Hisstratagemprovedsuccessfulinthiscase；butwithmanyacherishedobjectasimilardisguisewouldnotbeofanyuse：itisnotalwaysasuremeansofpleasing，toadopttheform，ofahusband。
NIGHT。IadmireJupiter，andIcannotimagineallthedisguiseswhichcomeintohishead。
MERC。Bythesemeanshewishestotasteallsortsofconditions：
thatistheactofaGodwhoisnotafool。Howevermortalsmayregardhim，Ishouldthinkverymeanlyofhimifheneverquittedhisredoubtablemien，andwerealwaysintheheavens，standinguponhisdignity。Inmyopinion，thereisnothingmoreidioticthanalwaystobeimprisonedinone’sgrandeur；aboveall，aloftyrankbecomesveryinconvenientinthetransportsofamorousardour。
Jupiter，nodoubt，isaconnoisseurinpleasure，andheknowshowtodescendfromtheheightofhissupremeglory。Sothathecanenterintoeverythingthatpleaseshim，heentirelycastsasidehimself，andthenitisnolongerJupiterwhoappears。
NIGHT。Icouldoverlookseeinghimstepdownfromhissublimestagetothatofmen，sincehewishestoenterintoallthetransportswhichtheirnaturescansupply，andjoinintheirjests，if，inthechangeswhichtakehisfancy，hewouldconfinehimselftonature。
ButIdonotthinkitfittingtoseeJupiterasabull，aserpent，aswan，orwhatnot，anditdoesnotastonishmethatitissometimestalkedabout。
MERC。Letallthebusybodiestalk；suchchangeshavetheirowncharmsandsurpasspeople’sunderstanding。TheGodknowswhathedoesinthisaffairasineverythingelse：inthemovementsoftheirtenderpassions，animalsarenotsoloutishasonemightthink。
NIGHT。Letusreturntotheladywhosefavoursheenjoys。If，byhisstratagem，hispursuitissuccessful，whatmorecanhewish？WhatcanIdo？
MERC。Hewishesthatyouwouldslackenthepaceofyourhorses，tosatisfythepassionofhisamorousheart，andsomakeofadelightfulnightthelongestnightofall；thatyouwouldgivehimmoretimeforhistransports，andretardthebirthofdaysinceitwillhastenthereturnofhimwhoseplaceheoccupies。
NIGHT。ReallytheemploymentwhichthegreatJupiterreservesformeisaworthyone！Theserviceherequiresofmepassesunderaveryrespectablename。
MERC。Youaresomewhatold-fashionedforayounggoddess！Suchanemploymentisnotdebasingexceptamongpeopleofmeanbirth。Whenonehasthehappinessofbelongingtoloftyrank，whateveronedoesisalwaysrightandgood；thingschangetheirnamestosuitwhatonemaybe。
NIGHT。YouknowmoreaboutsuchmattersthanIdo；Iwilltrusttoyourenlightenedviewsandacceptthisemployment。
MERC。Come，come，now，MadamNight，alittlegently，Ibeseechyou。
Theworldgivesyouthereputationofnotbeingsoscrupulous。Inahundreddifferentclimesyouaremadetheconfidantofmanygallantadventures；and，ifImayspeakcandidly，wedonotoweeachotheranything。
NIGHT。Letusceasethesereproachesandremainwhatweare。Letusnotgivemencausetolaughbytellingeachotherthetruth。
MERC。Adieu。Iamgoingtheretoplaymypartinthisbusiness，promptlytostripmyselfoftheformofMercuryandtotakeinitsplacethefigureofAmphitryon’svalet。
NIGHT。Iamgoingtokeepstationinthishemispherewithmysombretrain。
MERC。Goodday，Night。
NIGHT。Adieu，Mercury。
（Mercurydescendsfromhiscloudtotheearth，andNightgoesawayinherchariot。）
ENDOFTHEPROLOGUE。
ACTI
SCENEI
SOSIE
Whogoesthere？Eh？Myfeargrowswitheverystep。Gentlemen，Iamafriendtoalltheworld。Ah！Whatunparalleledboldness，tobeoutatthishour！Mymasteriscrownedwithfame，butwhatavillainoustrickheplaysmehere！What？Ifhehadanyloveforhisneighbour，wouldhehavesentmeoutinsuchablacknight？Couldhenotjustaswellhavewaiteduntilitwasdaybeforesendingmetoannouncehisreturnandthedetailsofhisvictory？Towhatservitudearethydayssubjected，Sosie！Ourlotisfarmorehardwiththegreatthanwiththemean。Theyinsistthateverythinginnatureshouldbecompelledtosacrificeitselfforthem。Nightandday，hail，wind，peril，heat，cold，assoonastheyspeakwemustfly。Twentyyearsofassiduousservicedonotgainusanyconsiderationfromthem。Theleastlittlewhimdrawsdownuponustheiranger。
Notwithstandingthis，ourinfatuatedheartsclingtotheemptyhonourofremainingnearthem，contentedwiththefalseidea，whicheveryoneholds，thatwearehappy。Invainreasonbidsusretire；
invainourspitesometimesconsentstothis；tobenearthemistoopowerfulaninfluenceonourzeal，andtheleastfavourofacaressingglanceimmediatelyre-engagesus。Butatlast，Iseeourhousethroughthedarkness，andmyfearvanishes。
Imustpreparesomethought-outspeechformymission。ImustgiveAlcmenewarlikedescriptionofthefiercecombatwhichputourenemiestoflight。ButhowthedeucecanIdothissinceIwasnotthere？Nevermind；letustalkofcutandthrust，asthoughIwereaneyewitness。Howmanypeopledescribebattlesfromwhichtheyremainedfaraway！Inordertoactmypartwithoutdiscredit，Iwillrehearseitalittle。
ThisisthechamberintowhichIamusheredasthemessenger：thislanternisAlcmene，towhomIhavetospeak。（Hesetshislanternonthegroundandsalutesit。）’Madam，Amphitryon，mymasterandyourhusband，……（Good！thatisafinebeginning！）whosemindiseverfullofyourcharms，haschosenmefromamongstalltobringtidingsofthesuccessofhisarms，andofhisdesiretobenearyou。’’Ah！
Really，mypoorSosie，Iamdelightedtoseeyoubackagain。’
’Madam，youdometoomuchhonour：mylotisanenviableone。’（Wellanswered！）
’HowisAmphitryon？’’Madam，asamanofcourageshouldbe，whengloryleadshim。’（Verygood！Acapitalidea！）’Whenwillmyheartbecharmedandsatisfiedbyhisreturn？’’Assoonaspossible，assuredly，Madam，buthisheartdesiresaspeedierreturn。’（Ah！）
’Inwhatstatehasthewarlefthim？Whatsayshe？Whatdoeshe？
Easemyanxiety。’Hesayslessthanhedoes，Madam，andmakeshisenemiestremble。’（Plague！wheredoIgetallthesefinespeeches？）
’Whataretherebelsdoing？Tellme，whatistheircondition？’’Theycouldnotresistourefforts，Madam；wecutthemtopieces，puttheirchief，Pterelas，todeath，tookTelebosbyassault；andnowtheportringswithourprowess。’’Ah！Whatasuccess！YeGods！Whocouldeverhaveimaginedit？Tellme，Sosie，howithappened。’’I
will，gladly，Madam；and，withoutboasting，Icantellyou，withthegreatestaccuracy，thedetailsofthisvictory。Imagine，therefore，Madam，thatTelebosisonthisside。（Hemarkstheplacesonhishand，orontheground。）ItisacityreallyalmostaslargeasThebes。Theriveris，say，there。Here，ourpeopleencamped；andthatspacewasoccupiedbyourenemies。Onaheight，somewhereabouthere，wastheirinfantry；and，lowerdown，ontherightside，wastheircavalry。AfterhavingaddressedprayerstotheGods，andissuedalltheorders，thesignalwasgiven。Theenemy，thinkingtoturnourflank，dividedtheirhorsesoldiersintothreeplatoons；
butwesoonchilledtheirwarmth，andyoushallseehow。Hereisourvanguardreadytobeginwork；there，werethearchersofourking，Creon；andhere，themainarmy（someonemakesaslightnoise），whichwasjustgoingto……Stay；themainbodyisafraid’；I
thinkIhearsomenoise。
SCENEII
MERCURY，SOSIE
MERC。（UndertheformofSosie。）Underthismaskwhichresembleshim，Iwilldriveawaythebabblerfromhere。Hisunfortunatearrivalmaydisturbthepleasuresourloversaretastingtogether。
SOS。Myheartrevivesalittle；perhapsitwasnothing。Lestanythinguntowardshouldhappen，however，Iwillgointofinishtheconversation。
MERC。IshallpreventyourdoingthatunlessyouarestrongerthanMercury。
SOS。Thisnightseemstomeunusuallylong。BythetimeIhavebeenontheway，eithermymasterhastakeneveningformorning，orlovelyPhoebusslumberstoolonginbedthroughhavingtakentoomuchwine。
MERC。WithwhatirreverencethislubberspeaksoftheGods！Myarmshallsoonchastisethisinsolence；Ishallhaveafinegamewithhim，stealinghisnameaswellashislikeness。
SOS。Ah！uponmyword，Iwasright：Iamdonefor，miserablecreaturethatIam！Iseeamanbeforeourhousewhosemienbodesmenogood。Iwillsingalittletoshowsomesemblanceofassurance。
（Hesings；and，whenMercuryspeaks，hisvoiceweakens，littlebylittle。）
MERC。Whatrascalisthis，whotakestheunwarrantablelicenceofsinginganddeafeningmelikethis？Doeshewishmetocurryhiscoatforhim？
SOS。Assuredlythatfellowdoesnotlikemusic。
MERC。Formorethanaweek，IhavenotfoundanyonewhosebonesI
couldbreak；myarmwillloseitsstrengthinthisidleness。Imustlookoutforsomeone’sbacktogetmywindagain。
SOS。Whatthedeuceofafellowisthis？Myheartthrillswithclutchingfear。ButwhyshouldItremblethus？PerhapstherogueisasmuchafraidasIam，andtalksinthiswaytohidehisfearfrommeunderafeignedaudacity。Yes，yes，Iwillnotallowhimtothinkmeagoose。IfIamnotbold，Iwilltrytoappearso。Letmeseekcouragebyreason；heisalone，evenasIam；Iamstrong，Ihaveagoodmaster，andthereisourhouse。
MERC。Whogoesthere？
SOS。I。
MERC。Who，I？
SOS。I。Courage，Sosie！
MERC。Tellme，whatisyourcondition？
SOS。Tobeaman，andtospeak。
MERC。Areyouamaster，oraservant？
SOS。Asfancytakesme。
MERC。Whereareyougoing？
SOS。WhereIintendtogo。
MERC。Ah！Thisannoysme。
SOS。Iamravishedtohearit。
MERC。Byhookorbycrook，Imustdefinitelyknowallaboutyou，youwretch；whatyoudo，whenceyoucomebeforethedaybreaks，whereyouaregoing，andwhoyoumaybe。
SOS。Idogoodandillbyturns；Icomefromthere；Igothere；I
belongtomymaster。
MERC。Youshowwit，andIseeyouthinktoplaythemanofimportanceformyedification。Ifeelinclinedtomakeyouracquaintancebyslappingyourface。
SOS。Mine？
MERC。Yours；andthereyougetit，sharp。（Mercurygiveshimaslap。）
SOS。Ah！Ah！Thisisafinegame！
MERC。No；itisonlyalaughingmatter，areplytoyourquips。
SOS。Goodheavens！Friend，howyouswingoutyourarmwithoutanyonesayinganythingtoyou。
MERC。Thesearemylightestclouts，littleordinarysmacks。
SOS。IfIwereashastyasyou，weshouldhaveafineado。
MERC。Allthisisnothingasyet：itismerelytofilluptime；weshallsoonseesomethingelse；butletuscontinueourconversation。
SOS。Igiveupthegame。（Heturnstogoaway。）
MERC。Whereareyougoing？
SOS。Whatdoesitmattertoyou？
MERC。Iwanttoknowwhereyouaregoing。
SOS。Iamgoingtoopenthatdoor。Whydoyoudetainme？
MERC。Ifyoudaretogonearit，Ishallraindownastormofblowsonyou。
SOS。What？Youwishtohindermefromenteringourownhousebythreats？
MERC。Whatdoyousay，yourhouse？
SOS。Yes，ourhouse。
MERC。O，thescoundrel！Youspeakofthathouse？
SOS。Certainly。IsnotAmphitryonthemasterofit？
MERC。Well！Whatdoesthatprove？
SOS。Iamhisvalet。
MERC。You？
SOS。I。
MERC。Hisvalet？
SOS。Unquestionably。
MERC。ValetofAmphitryon？
SOS。OfAmphitryonhimself。
MERC。Yournameis？
SOS。Sosie。
MERC。Eh？What？
SOS。Sosie。
MERC。Listen：doyourealisethatmyfistcanknockyouspinning？
SOS。Why？Whatfuryhasseizedyounow？
MERC。Tellme，whomadeyousorashastotakethenameofSosie？
SOS。Idonottakeit；Ihavealwaysborneit。
MERC。Owhatamonstrouslie！Whatconfoundedimpudence！YoudaretomaintainthatSosieisyourname？
SOS。Certainly；Imaintainit，forthegoodreasonthattheGodshavesoordereditbytheirsupremepower。Itisnotinmypowertosayno，andtobeanyoneelsethanmyself。
（Mercurybeatshim。）MERC。Athousandstripesoughttobetherewardofsuchaudacity。
SOS。Justice，citizens！Help！Ibeseechyou。
MERC。So，yougallows-bird，youyellout？
SOS。Youbeatmedownwithathousandblows，andyetdonotwishmetocryout？
MERC。Itisthusthatmyarm……
SOS。Theactionisunworthy。Yougloatovertheadvantagewhichmywantofcouragegivesyouoverme；thatisnotfairtreatment。Itismerebullyingtowishtoprofitbythepoltrooneryofthosewhomonemakestofeeltheweightofone’sarm。Tothrashamanwhodoesnotretaliateisnottheactofageneroussoul；andtoshowcourageagainstmenwhohavenonemeritscondemnation。
MERC。Well！AreyoustillSosie？Whatsayyou？
SOS。Yourblowshavenotmadeanymetamorphosisinme；allthechangethereisisthatinthematterIamSosiethrashed。
MERC。Still？Ahundredfreshblowsforthisfreshimpudence。
SOS。Havemercy，atrucetoyourblows。
MERC。Thenatrucetoyourinsolence。
SOS。Anythingthatpleasesyou；Iwillkeepsilence。Thedisputebetweenusistoounequal。
MERC。AreyoustillSosie？Say，villain！
SOS。Alas！Iamwhatyouwish；disposeofmylotexactlyasyouplease：yourarm’hasmadeyouthemasterofit。
MERC。IthinkyousaidyournamewasSosie？
SOS。True，untilnowIthoughtthematterwasclear；butyourrodhasmademeseethatIwasmistakeninthisaffair。
MERC。IamSosie：allThebesavowsit。Amphitryonhasneverhadotherthanme。
SOS。You，Sosie？
MERC。Yes，Sosie；andifanyonetrifleswithme，hemusttakecareofhimself。
SOS。Heavens！MustIthusrenouncemyself，andseemynamestolenbyanimpostor。HowluckyIamapoltroon！Or，bythedeath……！
MERC。Whatareyoumumblingbetweenyourteeth？
SOS。Nothing。But，inthenameoftheGods，givemeleavetospeakonemomentwithyou。
MERC。Speak。
SOS。Butpromiseme，Ibeseechyou，thatthereshallnotbeanymorestrokes。Letussignatruce。
MERC。Letthatpass；goon，Igrantyouthispoint。
SOS。Tellme，whoputthisfancyintoyourhead？Whatbenefitwillitbetoyoutotakemyname？Inshort，wereyouademon，couldyouhindermefrombeingmyself，frombeingSosie？
MERC。Whatisthis，youdare……
SOS。Ah！Gently：thereisatrucetoblows。
MERC。What！Gallows-bird，impostor，scoundrel……
SOS。Asforabuse，givemeasmuchasyouplease；itmakesbutaslightwoundanddoesnotbotherme。
MERC。YousayyouareSosie？
SOS。Yes。Someridiculoustale……
MERC。So，Ishallbreakourtruce，andtakebackmyword。
SOS。Ican’thelpit。Icannotannihilatemyselfforyou，andenduresoimprobableatale。IsitinyourpowertobewhatIam？CanI
ceasetobemyself？Didanyoneeverhearofsuchathing？Andcanyougivethelietoahundredclearindications？DoIdream？DoI
sleep？Ismymindtroubledbypowerfultransports？DoInotfeelI
amawake？AmInotinmyrightsenses？Hasnotmymaster，Amphitryon，commandedmetocomeheretoAlcmenehiswife？AmInot，incommendinghispassiontoher，togiveheranaccountofhisdeedsagainstourenemies？HaveInotjustcomefromtheharbour？DoInotholdalanterninmyhand？HaveInotfoundyouinfrontofourhouse？DidInotspeaktoyouinaperfectlyfriendlymanner？Doyounotmakeuseofmypoltroonerytohindermefromenteringourhouse？Haveyounotventedyourrageuponmyback？Haveyounotshoweredblowsonme？Ah！Allthisisbuttootrue：wouldtoHeavenitwerelessreal！Ceasethereforetojeeratawretch’slot，andleavemetoacquitmyselfwheremydutycallsme。
MERC。Stop，ortheshorteststepbringsdownuponyourbackclatteringevidenceofmyjustanger。Allyouhavejustsaidismine，excepttheblows。ItisI，whomAmphitryonsenttoAlcmene；
whohasjustarrivedfromthePersianport；I，whohavecometoannouncethevalourofhisarm，whichhasgainedusagloriousvictory，andslainthechiefofourenemies。Inshort，IamundoubtedlySosie，sonofDave，anhonestshepherd；brotherofArpage，whodiedinaforeignland；husbandofCleanthistheprude，whosetemperdrivesmewild；I，whoreceivedathousandcutsfromawhipatThebes，withouteversayinganythingaboutit；andwhowasoncepubliclybrandedonthebackforbeingtooworthyaman。
SOS。Heisright。IfhewerenotSosie，hecouldnotknowallhesays；allthisissoastoundingthatevenIbegintobelievehimalittle。Infact，nowIlookathim，Iseehehasmyfigure，looks，andmanners。Iwiltaskhimsomequestion，inordertoclearupthismystery。WhatdidAmphitryonobtainashisshareofalltheplundertakenfromourenemies？
MERC。Fivefinelargediamonds，beautifullysetinacluster，whichtheirchiefworeasararepieceofhandicraft。
SOS。Forwhomdoesheintendsorichapresent？
MERC。Forhiswife；heintendshertowearit。
SOS。Wherehaveyouputit，untilyoumeether？
MERC。Inacasketsealedwiththearmsofmymaster。
SOS。Hedoesnottellasinglelieatanyturn：Ibegintodoubtmyselfinearnest。HehasalreadycowedmeintobelievinghimtobeSosie；andhemightevenreasonmeintothinkinghimso。Yet，whenI
touchmyself，andrecollect，itseemstomeIammyself。WherecanI
findsomelightthatwillclearlymakemywayplain？WhatIhavedonealone，andwhatnoonehasseen，cannotbeknowntoanyoneelse：that，atleast，belongstome。Iwillastonishhimbythisquestion：itwillconfoundhim，andweshallsee。Whentheywereatclosequarters，whatwereyoudoinginourtents，whitheryourantohideyourselfaway？
MERC。OffahamSOS。Thatisit！
MERC。WhichIunearthed，Isooncuttwosucculentslices：theysuitedmenicely。Iaddedtothemawinewhichwasusuallykeptdark，and，gloatedoverthesightofitbeforeItastedit。SoI
tookheartforourfighters。
SOS。Thisunparalleledproofendsmatterswellinhisfavour；and，unlesshewereinthebottle，thereisnothingtobesaid。Fromtheproofsyoushowme，IcannotdenythatyouareSosie：Iadmitit。
But，ifyouarehe，tellmewhomyouwishmetobe；forImustbesomeone。
MERC。WhenIshallnolongerbeSosie，youmaybehe，Iconsenttothat；butIpromiseyouitshallbethedeathofyouifyoutakeupsuchafancywhileIamhe。
SOS。Allthisconfusionturnsmeinsideout，forreasonisagainstwhatIsee。ButImustendthisbysomemeans；andtheshortestwayformeistogointhere。
MERC。Oh！Yougallows-bird，youwanttotastethestick。
SOS。Whatisthematter？GreatGods！Hemakestheblowsringagain；
mybackwillacheforamonth。Iwillleavethisdevilofafellow，andreturntotheharbour。OjustHeavens，whatafineambassadorIhavebeen！
MERC。Atlast，Ihavemadehimfly；thistreatmenthaspaidhimoutformanyofhisdeeds。ButhereisJupiter，gallantlyescortinghisloverAlcmene。
SCENEIII
JUPITER，ALCMENE，CLEANTHIS，MERCURY
JUP。MydearAlcmene，forbidthetorch-bearerstocomenear。Theygivemedelightinenablingmetoseeyou；buttheymightbetraymybeinghere，andthiswerebestunrevealed。Restrainedbyalltheheavycareswithwhichthegloryofourarmsheldmebound，myhearthasstolenfromthedutiesofmypostthemomentsithasjustgiventoyourcharms。Thistheft，whichIhaveconsecratedtoyourbeauty，mightbeblamedbythepublicvoice；andtheonlywitnessIwant，isshewhocanthankmeforit。
ALC。Itakegreatinterest，Amphitryon，intheglorywhichyourillustriousexploitshavecastuponyou；thefameofyourvictorymovesmyhearttoitsdepths。ButwhenIseethatthisdisastroushonourkeepsmyloverawayfromme，suchismyheart’sfeelingthatIcannotforbeartothinkillofit，andtoregretthehighorderwhichmakesyougeneraloftheThebans。Itissweetafteravictorytoseetheglorytowhichone’sloverhasbeenraised；but，fromamongtheperilsattachedtothisglory，adeadlyblow，alas！maysoonfall。Withhowmanyfearsisone’sheartwoundedatthereportoftheleastskirmish！Inthehorrorofsuchathought，isthereanythingthatcanconsoleforthethreatenedstroke？Andwithwhateverlaurelsthevictormaybecrowned，whatevershareonemayhaveinthatsupremehonour，isitworthwhatitcostsatenderheart，whichtrembleseverymomentforitslover？
JUP。Idonotseeanythinginyoubutwhatinflamesmypassion；
everythingshowsmeadeeplyenamouredheart；and，Iconfess，itisagreatdelighttofindsomuchloveinabelovedobject。But，ifI
maydaresayso，onescrupleinthetendersentimentswhichyoushowmecausesmeanxiety；and，inordertoenjoyyouthemore，dearAlcmene，myheartwouldratherseeloveonly，andnotduty，inthefavourswhichIreceivefromyou；maytheyarisesolelyfromaffection，andhaverespecttomypersononly；letnotmyconditionasyourhusbandbethereasonforthem。
ALC。Yetitisinthatnamethattheardourwhichburnsmeholdstherighttoshowitself：Idonotunderstandthisnewscruplewhichtroublesyourheart。
JUP。TheloveandtendernesswhichIhaveforyoufarexceedsahusband’s；inthesesweetmoments，youdonotrealiseitsdelicacy；
Youdonotunderstandthataheartdeeplyinlovestudiouslyattachesitselftoahundredlittletrifles，andisrestlessoverthemannerofbeinghappy。Inme，fairandcharmingAlcmene，youseealoverandahusband；but，tospeakfrankly，itistheloverthatappealstome；whennearyou，Ifeelthehusbandrestrainshim。Thislover，whoissupremelyjealousofyourlove，wishesyourhearttoabandonitselfsolelytohim：hispassiondoesnotwishanythingthehusbandgiveshim。Hewishestoobtainthewarmthofyourlovefromthefountain-head，andnottooweanythingtothebondsofwedlock，ortoadutywhichpallsandmakestheheartsad，forbythesethesweetnessofthemostcherishedfavoursisdailypoisoned。Thisidea，inshort，tosseshimtoandfro，andhewishes，inordertosatisfyhisscruples，thatyouwoulddifferentiatewheretheoccasionoffendshim，thehusbandtobeonlyforyourvirtue，andthelovertohavethewholeaffectionandtendernessofaheartknowntobefullofkindness。
ALC。Intruth，Amphitryon，youmustbejesting，totalkthus；I
shouldbeafraidanyonewhoheardyouwouldthinkyouwerenotsane。
JUP。Thereismorereasoninthisdiscourse，Alcmene，thanyouthink。Butalongerstayherewouldrendermeguilty，andtimepressesformyreturntoport。Adieu。Thesterncallofdutytearsmeawayfromyouforatime；but，lovelyAlcmene，Ibeseechyouatleasttothinkoftheloverwhenyouseethehusband。
ALC。IdonotseparatewhattheGodsunite：bothhusbandandloverareveryprecioustome。
CLE。OHeaven！Howdelightfularethecaressesofanardentlycherishedhusband！Howfarmypoorhusbandisfromallthistenderness！
MERC。ImusttellNightshehasbuttofurlallhersails；theSunmaynowarisefromhisbedandputoutthestars。
SCENEIV
CLEANTHIS，MERCURY（Mercuryturnstogoaway）
CLE。So？Isitthusyouquitme？
MERC。Whatwouldyouhave？Doyouwishmenottodomyduty，andfollowinAmphitryon’sfootsteps？
CLE。Toseparatefrommesorudelyasthis，youvillain！
MERC。Itisafinesubjecttomakeafussabout！Wehavestillplentyoftimetolivetogether！
CLE。Buttogoinsuchachurlishmanner，withoutsayingasinglekindwordtocheerme！
MERC。WherethedeuceshallIdigupsillycompliments？Fifteenyearsofmarriedlifeexhaustnonsense；wesaidallwehadtosaytoeachotheralongtimeago。
CLE。LookatAmphitryon，yourascal；seehowhisardourburnsforAlcmene；andthenblushforthelittlepassionthatyoushowyourwife。
MERC。But，graciousme！Cleanthis，theyarestilllovers。Therecomesacertainagewhenallthispassesaway；whatsuitsthemwellintheseearlydayswouldlookridiculousinus，oldmarriedpeople。
Itwouldbeitfinesighttoseeusembracingeachother，andsayingsweetnothings！
CLE。Oh！Youperfidiouswretch，mustIgiveuphopethataheartsighsforme？
MERC。No，Ishouldbesorrytosaythat；butIhavetoolongabeardtodaretosigh；Ishouldmakeyoudieoflaughter。
CLE。Youbrute，doyoudeservethegoodfortuneofhavingavirtuouswomanforyourwife？
MERC。GoodHeavens！Youarebuttoovirtuous；thisfinevirtueisnotworthanythingtome。Donotbequitesohonestawoman，anddon’tbothermesomuch。
CLE。What？Doyoublamemeforbeingtoohonest？
MERC。Awoman’sgentlenessiswhatcharmsmemost：yourvirtuemakesaclatterthatneverceasestodeafenme。
CLE。Youcareforheartsfulloffalsetenderness，forthosewomenwiththelaudableandfinetalentofknowinghowtosmothertheirhusbandswithcaressesinordertomakethemobliviousoftheexistenceoflovers。
MERC。Well！ShallItellyouwhatIthink？Animaginaryevilconcernsfoolsonly；mydeviceshouldbe：’Lesshonourandmorepeace。’
CLE。Wouldyou，withoutanyrepugnance，suffermeopenlytoloveagallant？
MERC。Yes，ifIwerenolongerworriedbyyourtongue，andifitchangedyourtemperandyourgoings-on。Ipreferaconvenientvice，toafatiguingvirtue。Adieu，Cleanthis，mydearsoul；ImustfollowAmphitryon。（Hegoesaway。）
CLEWhyhasnotmyheartsufficientresolutiontopunishthisinfamousscoundrel？Ah，howitmaddensme，now，thatIamanhonestwoman！
ENDOFTHEFIRSTACT
ACTIlSCENEI
AMPHITRYON，SOSIE
AMPH。Comehere，yourascal，comehere。Doyouknow，MasterVillain，thatyourtalkissufficienttocausemetoknockyoudown，andthatmywrathwaitsonlyforasticktothrashyouasIintend？
SOS。Ifyoutakeitinthatway，Monsieur，Ihavenothingmoretosay；youwillbealwaysintheright。
AMPH。So？Youscoundrel，youwishtoimposeuponmeastruthstaleswhichIknowtobeextravagantlyfar-fetched？
SOS。No；Iamtheservant，andyouarethemaster；itshallnotbeotherwisethanyouwishit，Monsieur。
AMPH。Come，Iwillchokedowntheangerthatinflamesme，andhearallyouhavetosayaboutyourmission。ImustunravelthisconfusionbeforeIseemywife。Collectyoursenses，thinkwelloverwhatyousay，andanswereachquestionwordforword。
SOS。But，lestImakeamistake，tellme，Ibeseechyou，beforehand，inwhatwayitwouldpleaseyoutohavethisaffairhealed。ShallI
speak，Monsieur，accordingtomyconscience，orasusualwhennearthegreat？ShallItellthetruthoruseacertaincomplaisance？
AMPH。No；Ionlywishyoutogivemeaperfectlyunvarnishedaccount。
SOS。Good。Thatisenough；leaveittome；youhave，buttointerrogateme。
AMPH。UpontheorderwhichIlatelygaveyou……
SOS。Isetforthunderskiesveiledinblackcrape，swearingbitterlyagainstyouforthiswretchedmartyrdom，andcursingtwentytimestheorderofwhichyouspeak。
AMPH。Whatdoyoumean，youvillain？
SOS。Youhaveonlytospeak，Monsieur，andIshalllie，ifyoudesireit。
AMPH。Thatishowavaletshowshiszealforus。Nevermind。Whathappenedtoyouontheway？
SOS。IhadamortalfrightattheleastthingImet。
AMPH。Poltroon！
SOS。Naturehashercapricesinformingus；shegivesusdifferinginclinations；somefindathousanddelightsinexposingthemselves；
Ifindthemintakingcareofmyself。
AMPH。Whenyouarrivedatthehouse……？
SOS。WhenIreachedthedoor，Iwishedtorehearsetomyselfforashorttime，inwhattoneandinwhatmannerIshouldgiveagloriousaccountofthebattle。
AMPH。Whatfollowed？
SOS。Someonecametoannoyandtroubleme。
AMPH。Whowashe？
SOS。Sosie；anotherI，jealousofyourorders，whomyousenttoAlcmenefromtheport，andwhohasasfullknowledgeofoursecretsasIwhoamspeakingtoyou。
AMPH。Whatnonsense！
SOS。No，Monsieur，itisthesimpletruth：thisIwasatyourhousesoonerthanI；and，Isweartoyou，IwastherebeforeIhadarrived。
AMPH。Pray，wheredoesallthiscursednonsensecomefrom？Isitadream？Isitdrunkenness？Mind-wandering？Orasorryjoke？
SOS。No，itisthethingasitis，andbynomeansanidletale。I
amamanofhonour，Igiveyoumyword，andyoumustpleasebelieveit。Itellyou，believingIwasbutoneSosie，Ifoundmyselftwoatyourhouse；andofthesetwoI’s，piquedwithjealousy，oneisatthehouse，andtheotheriswithyou；theIwhoishere，tiredout，foundtheotherIfresh，jollyandactive，havingnootheranxietythantofightandbreakbones。
AMPH。IconfessImustbeofaveryplacidtemper，verypeaceable，verygentle，topermitavalettoentertainmewithsuchnonsense！
SOS。Ifyoubecomeangry，nomoreconferencebetweenus：youknowallwillbeoveratonce。
AMPH。No；Iwilllistentoyouwithoutbeingcarriedaway；I
promisedit。Buttellmeingoodearnest，isthereanyshadowoflikelihoodinthisnewmysterywhichyouhavejusttoldme？
SOS。No；youareright，themattermustappeartoeveryonepastcredit。Itisafactpastunderstanding，anextravagant，ridiculous，far-fetchedtale：itshockscommonsense；butitisnonethelessafact。
AMPH。Howcananyonebelieveit，unlesshehastakenleaveofhissenses？
SOS。Imyselfdidnotbelieveitwithoutextremedifficulty：I
thoughtIwaslosingmysenseswhenIsawmyselftwo，and，foralongtime，Itreatedmyotherselfasanimpostor：buthecompelledmeintheendtorecognisemyself；IsawitwasI，withoutanytrickery；fromheadtofootheislikeme-handsome，anobleair，wellbuilt，charmingmanners；infact，twopeasdonotresembleeachothermore；wereitnotthathishandsarealittletooheavy，I
shouldbeperfectlysatisfied。
AMPH。Ihadneedexhortmyselftopatience！Butdidyounotintheendgointothehouse？
SOS。Good，goin！Ah！Inwhatfashion？HaveIneverwishedtolistentoreason？DidInotforbidmyselftoenterourdoor？
AMPH。Inwhatway？
SOS。Withastick，mybackstillachesfromit。
AMPH。Youhavebeenthrashed？
SOS。Truly。
AMPH。Andbywhom？
SOS。Myself。
AMPH。Youhavethrashedyourself？
SOS。Yes，I；nottheIwhoishere，buttheIfromthehouse，whowhackssoundly。
AMPH。Heavenconfoundyoufortalkingtomelikethis！
SOS。Iamnotjoking；theIwhomIhavejustmethasgreatadvantagesovertheIwhospeakstoyou。Hehasastrongarmandgreatcourage；Ihavehadproofsofboth；thisdevilofanIhaslickedmesoundly；heisafellowwhocandowonders。
AMPH。Letus，ceasethis。Haveyouseenmywife？
SOS。No。
AMPH。Whynot？
SOS。Forasufficientlystrongreason。
AMPH。Whohinderedyou，scoundrel？Explainyourself。
SOS。MustIrepeatthesamethingtwentytimes？I，Itellyou，thisIwhoismorerobustthanI，thisIwhotookpossessionofthedoorbyforce，thisIwhomademeslopeoff，thisIwhowishestobetheonlyI，thisIwhoisjealousofmyself，thisvaliantI，whoseangermadeitselfknowntothispoltroonofanI，infact，thisIwhoisatourhouse，thisIwhohasshownhimselftobemymaster，thisI
whohasrackedmewithpain。
AMPH。Hisbrainmustbeaddledbyhavinghadtoomuchtodrinkthismorning。
SOS。MayIbehangedifIhavehadanythingtodrinkbutwater：I
takemyoathonit。
AMPH。Thenyoursensesmusthavebeenfastasleep：somesillydreamhasshownyouallthesefairytalesandconfusedmysterieswhichyouwishmetotakefortruths。
SOS。Thatisjustasfarawayfromthetruth。Ihavenotslept，andIdonotevenfeelinclinedthatway。Iamspeakingtoyouwide-
awake；Iwaswideawakethismorning，uponmylife！AndtheotherSosiewasalsowide-awake，whenhedrubbedmesowell。
AMPH。Followme；Iorderyoutobesilent。Youtiremybraintoomuch；Imustbeanout-and-outfooltohavethepatiencetolistentothenonsenseavalethastosay。
SOS。Alltalkisnonsensethatcomesfromamanwhoisunknown。Ifagreatmanweretosayit，itwouldbeexquisitelanguage。
AMPH。Letusgoinwithoutwaitinganylonger。ButherecomesAlcmeneclothedinallhercharms。Doubtlessshedoesnotexpectmesosoon，andmyarrivalwillsurpriseher。
SCENEII
ALCMENE，CLEANTHIS，AMPHITRYON，SOSIE
ALC。Come，Cleanthis，letusattendtheGods，paythemourhomageformyhusband’ssake，andthankthemfortheglorioussuccess，ofwhichThebes，byhisarm，reapstheadvantage。OyeGods！
AMPH。HeavengrantthatvictoriousAmphitryonmaybemetwithrenewedpleasurebyhiswife：thatthisdaymaybefavourabletomypassion，andrestoreyoutomewiththesameheart：mayIagainfindasmuchloveasmyheartbringstoyou！
ALC。Ah！Haveyoureturnedsosoon。
AMPH。Really，yougivemebutasorryproofofyourlove；this，’Ah！
haveyoureturnedsosoon？’isscarcelythelanguageaheartreallyinflamedwithlovewoulduseonsuchanoccasionasthis。IdaredtoflattermyselfIhadremainedawayfromyoutoolong。Theexpectationofanardentlylongedforreturnmakeseachmomentseemofgreatlength；theabsenceofwhatwelove，howeverbriefitmaybe，isalwaystoolong。
ALC。Idonotsee……
AMPH。No，Alcmene，timeismeasuredinsuchcasesbyone’simpatience；youcountthemomentsofabsenceasonewhodoesnotlove。Whenwereallylove，theslightestseparationkillsus；theonewhomwelovetoseeneverreturnstoosoon。IconfessthattheloveIbearyouhascausetocomplainofyourreception；Iexpecteddifferentexpressionsofjoyandtendernessfromyourheart。
ALC。Icannotunderstandonwhatyoufoundthewordsyouhavejustuttered；ifyoucomplainofme，uponmywordIdonotknowwhatwouldsatisfyyou。IthinkIshowedasufficientlytenderjoylastnight，atyourhappyreturn；myheartrespondedbyeverymeansyoucouldwishtotheclaimsofyouraffection。
AMPH。Inwhatway？
ALC。DidInotclearlyshowthesuddentransportsofaperfectjoy？
Couldaheart’sfeelingsbebetterexpressedatthereturnofahusbandwhoistenderlyloved？
AMPH。Whatdoyousay？
ALC。Thatevenyouraffectionshowedaninconceivablejoyatmyreception；andthat，asyouleftmeatbreakofday，Idonotseethatmysurpriseatthissuddenreturnissoguilty。
AMPH。Didyou，inadreamlastnight，Alcmene，anticipateinideatherealityofmyhastenedreturn；andhaving，perhaps，treatedmekindlyinyoursleep，doesyourheartthinkithasfullyacquitteditselfofitsdutytomypassion？
ALC。Hassomemalignantvapourinyourmind，Amphitryon，cloudedthetruthoflastnight’sreturn？DoesyourheartpretendtotakeawayfrommethecreditofallthegentleaffectionIshowedyouinmytenderwelcome？
AMPH。Thisvapouryouattributetomeseemstomesomewhatstrange。
ALC。Itisinreturnforthedreamwhichyouattributetome。
AMPH。Unlessitisbecauseofadream，whatyouhavejustnowtoldmeisentirelyinexcusable。
ALC。Unlessitisavapourwhichtroublesyourmind，whatIhaveheardfromyoucannotbejustified。
AMPH。Letusleavethisvapourforamoment，Alcmene。
ALC。Letusleavethisdreamforamoment，Amphitryon。
AMPH。Onecannotjestonthesubjectinquestionwithoutbeingcarriedtoofar。
ALC。Undoubtedly；and，asasureproofofit，Ibegintofeelsomewhatuneasy。
AMPH。IsitthusyouwishtotrytomakeamendsforthewelcomeofwhichIcomplain？
ALC。Doyoudesiretotrytoamuseyourselfbythisfeint？
AMPH。ForHeaven’s，sake，Ibeseechyou，Alcmene！Letusceasethis，andtalkseriously。
ALC。Youcarryyouramusementtoofar，Amphitryon：lettherebeanendtothisraillery。
AMPH。DoyoureallydaremaintaintomyfacethatIwasseenherebeforethishour？
ALC。Haveyoureallytheassurancetodenythatyoucamehereearlyyesterdayevening？
AMPH。I！Icameyesterday？
ALC。Certainly；andyouwentawayagainbeforedawn。
AMPH。Heavens！Waseversuchadebateasthisheardbefore？Whowouldnotbeastonishedatallthis？Sosie？
SOS。Sheneedssixgrainsofhellebore，Monsieur；herbrainisturned。
AMPH。Alcmene，inthenameofalltheGods，thisdiscoursewillhaveastrangeending！Recollectyoursensesalittlebetter，andthinkwhatyousay。
ALC。Iamindeedthinkingseriously；allinthehousesawyourarrival。Iamignorantwhatmotivemakesyouactthus；but，ifthethingwereinneedofproof，ifitweretruethatsuchathingcouldbeforgotten，fromwhom，butfromyou，couldIhaveheardthenewsofthelatestofallyourbattles，andofthefivediamondswornbyPterelas，whowasplungedintoeternalnightbythestrengthofyourarm？Couldonewishforsurertestimony？
AMPH。What？IhavealreadygivenyoutheclusterofdiamondswhichI
hadformyshare，andintendedforyou？
ALC。Assuredly。Itisnotdifficulttoconvinceyouthoroughlyonthatpoint。