JUPITER, AMPHITRYON, NAUCRATES, POLIDAS, SOSIE
JUP. What is this noise that compels me to come down? Who knocks as
though he were master where I am master?
AMPH. Good Gods! What do I see?
NAU. Heaven! What prodigy is this? What? Here are two Amphitryons!
AMPH. My soul is struck dumb. Alas! I cannot do anything more: the
adventure is at an end; my fate is clear; what I see tells me all.
NAU. The more narrowly I watch them, the more I find they resemble each
other.
SOS. Gentlemen, this is the true one; the other is an impostor who ought
to be chastised.
POL. Truly, this marvellous resemblance keeps my judgment in suspense.
AMPH. We have been tricked too long by an execrable rogue; I must break
the spell with this steel.
NAU. Stay.
AMPH. Leave me alone.
NAU. Ye Gods! What would you do?
AMPH. Punish the miserable treachery of an impostor.
JUP. Gently, gently! There is very little need of being carried away
by passion; when a man bursts out in such a rage as this, it makes one
think he has bad reasons.
SOS. Yes; it is an enchanter, who has a talisman that enables him to
resemble the masters of houses.
AMPH. For your share in this insulting language, I shall make you feel a
thousand blows.
SOS. My master is a man of courage: he will not allow his followers to
be thrashed.
AMPH. Let me assuage my deep anger, and wash out my affront in the
scoundrel's blood.
NAU. We shall not suffer this strange combat of Amphitryon against
himself.
AMPH. What? Does my honour receive this treatment from you? Do my
friends undertake the defence of a rogue? Far from being the first to
take up my vengeance, they themselves place obstacles in the way of my
resentment?
NAU. What do you wish us to decide, when two Amphitryons are before us
and all the warmth of our friendship is in suspense? If we were now to
show towards you, we fear we might make a mistake, and not recognise
you. Truly we see in you the appearance of Amphitryon, the glorious
support of the Thebans' well-being; but we also see the same appearance
in him, and we cannot judge which he is. Our duty is not doubtful,
the impostor ought to bite the dust at our hands; but this perfect
resemblance hides him between you two; and it is too hazardous a stroke
to undertake in the dark. Let us find out quietly on which side the
imposture may be; then, as soon as we have unravelled the adventure, it
will not be necessary for you to tell us our duty.
JUP. Yes, you are right, this resemblance authorises you to doubt both
of us. I am not offended to see you cannot make up your minds: I am more
reasonable, and excuse you. The eye cannot differentiate between us. I
see one can easily be mistaken. You do not see me give way to anger, nor
draw my sword: that is a bad way to enlighten a mystery; I can find one
more gentle and more certain. One of us is Amphitryon; and both of us
may seem so in your eyes. It is for me to end this confusion. I intend
to make myself so well known to all, that, at the overwhelming proofs I
shall bring forward to show who I am, he himself shall agree concerning
the blood from which I sprang, and he shall no longer have occasion to
say anything. Before all the Thebans I will reveal the truth to you;
the affair is, unquestionably, of sufficient importance to justify my
seeking to clear it up in the sight of all. Alcmene expects this public
testimony from me; her virtue, which is outraged by the noise of this
mischance, demands justification, and I will see justice is done it. My
love for her compels me to it. I shall call together an assembly of the
noblest chiefs, for the explanation her honour requires. While waiting
with you for these desirable witnesses, I pray you to condescend to
honour the table to which Sosie has invited you.
SOS. I was not mistaken, gentlemen, this word puts an end to all
irresolution: the real Amphitryon is the Amphitryon who gives dinners.
AMPH. O Heaven! Can my humiliation go further? Must I indeed suffer the
martyrdom of listening to all that this impostor has just said to my
face, my arms bound, though his words drive me mad?
NAU. You are wrong to complain. Let us await the explanation which shall
render resentment seasonable. I do not know whether he imposes upon us
or not; but he speaks on the matter as though he were right.
AMPH. Go, you weak-kneed friends, and flatter the imposture. Thebes has
other friends who will flock round me, different from you. I will go and
find some who, sharing the insult, will know how to lend their hand in
my just cause.
JUP. Ah well! I await them; I shall know how to decide the discussion in
their presence.
AMPH. You rogue, you think perhaps to evade justice thus; but nothing
shall shield you from my vengeance.
JUP. I shall not now condescend to answer this insulting language; soon
I shall be able to confound your fury with two words.
AMPH. Not Heaven, not Heaven itself can protect you: I shall dog your
footsteps even to Hell.
JUP. It will not be necessary; you will soon see I shall not fly away.
AMPH. Now, before he goes away with these, I will make haste to gather
together friends who will aid my cause; they will come to my house and
help me to pierce him with a thousand thrusts.
JUP. No ceremony, I implore you; let us go quickly into the house.
NAU. Really, this adventure utterly confounds the senses and the reason.
SOS. A truce, gentlemen, to all your surprises; let us joyfully sit down
to feed until the morning. I intend to feast well, so that I may be in
good condition to relate our valiant deeds! I am itching to attack the
dishes; I never felt so hungry.