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。