---
title: "Amphitryon · Amphitruo"
author: "Plautus"
translator: "Henry Thomas Riley"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 2 of 3
url: https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-amphitruo/2/
cite: "Plautus, tr. Henry Thomas Riley, Amphitryon · Amphitruo, section 2. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-amphitruo/2/"
---

# Amphitryon · Amphitruo

*Plautus, tr. Henry Thomas Riley*

Jupiter takes the shape of a husband home from war, and Mercury that of his slave.

> Latin: ed. Friedrich Leo, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, phi0119.phi001, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Henry Thomas Riley, from the Perseus Digital Library (phi0119.phi001.perseus-eng2). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (line numbers), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## 2. Lines 419–784

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-amphitruo/2/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-amphitruo/2/#p-N

[¶0] MERCURY:
A golden goblet, from which king Pterelas used to drink.
SOSIA: (aside.)

> Latin: Mercvrivs:
Pterela rex qui potitare solitus est patera aurea.

[¶1] He has said the truth. Where now is this goblet?
MERCURY:’Tis in a casket, sealed with the seal of Amphitryon.
SOSIA:
Tell me, what is the seal?

> Latin: Sosia:
Elocutus est. ubi patera nunc est?
Mercvrivs:
⟨Est⟩ in cistula;
Amphitruonis obsignata signo est.
Sosia:
Signi dic quid est?

[¶2] MERCURY:
The Sun rising with his chariot. Why are you on the catch for me, you villain?
SOSIA: (aside.)

> Latin: Mercvrivs:
Cum quadrigis Sol exoriens. quid me captas, carnufex?

[¶3] He has overpowered me with his proofs. I must look out for another name. I don’t know from whence he witnessed these things. I’ll now entrap him finely;

> Latin: Sosia:
Argumentis vicit, aliud nomen quaerundum est mihi.
nescio unde haec hic spectavit. iám ego hunc decipiam probe;

[¶4] for what I did alone by myself, and when not another person was present in the tent, that, he certainly will never be able this day to tell me. (Aloud.) If you are Sosia, when the armies were fighting most vigorously, what were you doing in the tent? If you tell me that, I’m vanquished.

> Latin: nam quod egomet solus feci, nec quisquam alius affuit,
in tabernaclo, id quidem hodie numquam poterit dicere.
si tu Sosia es, legiones cum pugnabant maxume,
quid in tabernaclo fecisti? victus sum, si dixeris.

[¶5] MERCURY:
There was a cask of wine; from it I filled an earthen pot.

> Latin: Mercvrivs:
Cadus erat vini, inde implevi hírneam.

[¶6] SOSIA: (aside.)
He has got upon the track.

> Latin: Sosia:
Ingressust viam.

[¶7] MERCURY:
That I drew full of pure wine, just as it was born from the mother grape.
SOSIA: (aside.)

> Latin: Mercvrivs:
Eam ego, ut matre fuerat natum, vini éduxi meri.

[¶8] It’s a wonder if this fellow wasn’t lying hid inside of that earthen pot. It is the fact, that there I did drink an earthen pot full of wine.

> Latin: Sosia:
Factum est illud, ut ego illíc vini hirneam ebiberim meri.
mira sunt nisi latuit intus illic in illac hirnea.

[¶9] MERCURY:
Well—do I now convince you by my proofs that you are not Sosia?

> Latin: Mercvrivs:
Quid nunc? vincon argumentis, te non esse Sosiam?

[¶10] SOSIA:
Do you deny that I am?

> Latin: Sosia:
Tu negas med esse?

[¶11] MERCURY:
Why should I not deny it, who am he myself?

> Latin: Mercvrivs:
Quid ego ni negem, qui egomet siem?

[¶12] SOSIA:
By Jupiter I swear that I am he, and that I do not say false.

> Latin: Sosia:
Per Iovem iuro med esse neque me falsum dicere.

[¶13] MERCURY:
But by Mercury, I swear that Jupiter does not believe you; for I am sure that he will rather credit me without an oath than you with an oath.

> Latin: Mercvrivs:
At ego per Mercurium iuro, tibi Iovem non credere;
nam iniurato scio plus credet mihi quam iurato tibi.

[¶14] SOSIA:
Who am I, at all events, if I am not Sosia? I ask you that.

> Latin: Sosia:
Quis ego sum saltem, si non sum Sosia? te interrogo.

[¶15] MERCURY:
When I choose not to be Sosia, then do you be Sosia; now, since I am he, you’ll get a thrashing, if you are not off hence, you fellow without a name.
SOSIA: (aside.)

> Latin: Mercvrivs:
Vbi ego Sosia nolim esse, tu esto sane Sosia;
nunc, quando ego sum, vapulabis, ni hinc abis, ignobilis.

[¶16] Upon my faith, for sure, when I examine him and recollect my own figure, just in such manner as I am (I’ve often looked in a glass ):, he is exactly like me. He has the broad-brimmed hat and clothing just the same; he is as like me as I am myself. His leg, foot, stature, shorn head, eyes, nose, even his lips,
cheeks, chin, beard, neck—the whole of him. What need is there of words? If his back is marked with scars, than this likeness there is nothing more like. But when I reflect, really, I surely am the same person that I always was. My master I know, I know our I house; I am quite in my wits and senses. I’m not going to I obey this fellow in what he says; I’ll knock at the door.
(Goes towards the door.)

> Latin: Sosia:
Certe edepol, quom illum contemplo et formam cognosco meam,
quem ad modum ego sum (saepe in speculum inspexi), nimis similest mei;
itidem habet petasum ac vestitum: tam consimilest atque ego;
sura, pes, statura, tonsus, oculi, nasum vel labra,
malae, mentum, barba, collus: totus. quid verbis opust?
si tergum cicatricosum, nihil hoc similist similius.
sed quom cogito, equidem certo idem sum qui semper fui.
novi erum, novi aedis nostras; sane sapio et sentio.
non ego illi obtempero quod loquitur. pultabo foris.

[¶17] MERCURY:
Whither are you betaking yourself?

> Latin: Mercvrivs:
Quó agis te?

[¶18] SOSIA:
Home.

> Latin: Sosia:
Domum.

[¶19] MERCURY:
If now you were to ascend the chariot of Jove and fly away from here, then you could hardly be able to escape destruction.

> Latin: Mercvrivs:
Quadrigas si nunc inscendas Iovis
atque hinc fugias, ita vix poteris effugere infortunium.

[¶20] SOSIA:
Mayn’t I be allowed to deliver the message to my mistress that my master ordered me to give?

> Latin: Sosia:
Nonne erae meae nuntiare quod erus meus iussit licet?

[¶21] MERCURY:
If you want to deliver any message to your own mistress; this mistress of mine I shall not allow you to approach. But if you provoke me, you’ll be just now taking hence your loins broken.

> Latin: Mercvrivs:
Tuae si quid vis nuntiare: hanc nostram adire non sinam.
nam si me inritassis, hodie lumbifragium hinc auferes.

[¶22] SOSIA:
In preference, I’ll be off. (Aside.) Immortal Gods, I do beseech your mercy. Where did I lose myself? Where have I been transformed? Where have I parted with my figure? Or have I left myself behind there, if perchance I have forgotten it? For really this person has possession of all my figure, such as it formerly was. While living, that is done for me, which no one will ever do for me when dead.

> Latin: Sosia:
Abeo potius. di immortales, obsecro vostram fidem,
ubi ego perii? ubi immutatus sum? ubi ego formam perdidi?
an egomet me illic reliqui, si forte oblitus fui?
nám hic quidem omnem imaginem meam, quae antehac fuerat, possidet.
vivo fit quod numquam quisquam mortuo faciet mihi.

[¶23] I’ll go to the harbour, and I’ll tell my master these things as they have happened—unless even he as well shall not know me, which may Jupiter grant, so that this day, bald, with shaven crown, I may assume the cap of freedom.
(Exit.) (MERCURY, alone)
MERCURY:
Well and prosperously has this affair gone on for me; from the door have I removed the greatest obstacle,
so that it may be allowed my father to embrace her in security. When now he shall have reached his master, Amphitryon there, he will say that the servant Sosia has repulsed himself from the door here; and then the other will suppose that he is telling him a lie, and will not believe that he has come here as he had ordered him.

> Latin: ibo ad portum atque haec uti sunt facta ero dicam meo;
nisi etiam is quoque me ignorabit: quod ille faxit Iuppiter,
ut ego hodie ráso capite calvos capiam pilleum.—
Mercvrivs:
Bene próspere hoc hodie operis processit mihi:
amovi a foribus maximam molestiam,
patri ut liceret tuto illam amplexarier.
iam ille illuc ad erum cum Amphitruonem advenerit,
narrabit servom hinc sese a foribus Sosiam
amovisse; ille adeo illum mentiri sibi
credet, neque credet huc profectum, ut iusserat.

[¶24] Both of them and the whole household of Amphitryon I will fill with mistakes and distraction, even until my father shall have had full enjoyment of her whom he loves; then at last all shall know what has been done. In the end Jupiter shall restore Alcmena
to the former affection of her husband. For Amphitryon will just now be beginning a quarrel with his wife, and will be accusing her of incontinence; then will my father change for her this strife into tranquillity. Now, inasmuch as yet I’ve said but little about Alcmena,
this day will she bring forth two sons, twins; the one will be born in the tenth month after he was begotten, the other in the seventh month; of these the one is the son of Amphitryon, the other of Jupiter. But of the younger son the father is the superior,
of the elder the inferior. (To the AUDIENCE.) Now do you comprehend this how it is? But for the sake of the honor of this Alcmena, my father will take care that it shall happen at one birth, so that in one travail she may complete her double pangs, and not be laid under suspicion of unchastity,
and that the clandestine connexion may remain concealed. Although, as I have said just now, Amphitryon shall still know all the matter in the end. What then? No one surely will impute it to Alcmena as a disgrace; for it does not seem that a God is acting justly
to permit his own offences and his own faultiness to fall upon a mortal. I’ll cut short my talk: the door makes a noise. See, the counterfeit Amphitryon is coming out of doors, and together with him Alcmena, the wife that he has taken the loan of.
(Enter JUPITER and ALCMENA, from the house.)

> Latin: erroris ambo ego illos et dementiae
complebo atque omnem Amphitruonis familiam,
adeo usque, satietatem dum capiet pater
illius quám amat. igitur demum omnes scient
quae facta. denique Alcumenam Iuppiter
redigét antiquam coniugi in concordiam.
nam Amphitruo actutum uxori turbas conciet
atque insimulabit eam probri; tum meus pater
eam séditionem illi in tranquillum conferet.
nunc de Alcumena dudum quod dixi minus,
hodie illa pariet filios geminos duos
alter decumo post mense nascetur puer
quam seminatust, alter mense septumo;
eorum Ámphitruonis alter est, alter Iovis:
verum minori puero maior est pater,
minor maiori. iamne hoc scitis quid siet?
sed Alcumenae huius honoris gratia
pater curavit uno ut fetu fieret,
uno ut labore absolvat aerumnas duas.
[et ne in suspicione ponatur stupri]
[et clandestina ut celetur consuetio.]
quamquam, ut iam dudum dixi, resciscet tamen
Amphitruo rem omnem. quid igitur? nemo id probro
profecto ducet Alcumenae; nam deum
non par videtur facere, delictum suom
suamque ut culpam expetere in mortalem ut sinat.
orationem comprimam: crepuit foris.
Amphitruo subditivos eccum exit foras
cum Alcumena uxore usuraria.

[¶25] JUPITER:
Kindly fare you well, Alcmena; take care, as you are doing, of our common interest,
and pray be sparing of yourself; you see that now your months are completed. It’s necessary for me to go away from here; but the offspring that shall be born do you bring up.

> Latin: Ivppiter:
Béne vale, Alcumena, cura rem communem, quod facis;
atque inperce quaeso: menses iam tibi esse actos vides.
mihi necesse est ire hinc; verum quod erit natum tollito.

[¶26] ALCMENA:
What business is this, my husband, since you thus suddenly leave your home?

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Quid istuc est, mi vir, negoti, quod tu tam subito domo
abeas?

[¶27] JUPITER:
By my troth,’tis not that I am wearied of you or of my home; but when the chief commander is not with the army,
that is sooner done which ought not to be done than that which needs to be done.
MERCURY: (aside.)

> Latin: Ivppiter:
Edepol haud quod tui me neque domi distaedeat;
sed ubi summus imperator non adest ad exercitum,
citius quod non facto est usus fit quam quod facto est opus.

[¶28] This is a very clever counterfeit, who really is my own father. (To the AUDIENCE.) Do you observe him, how blandly he smoothes the lady over.

> Latin: Mercvrivs:
Nimis hic scitust sycophanta, qui quidem meus sit pater.
observatote ⟨eum⟩, quam blande mulieri palpabitur.

[¶29] ALCMENA:
I’ faith, I find by experience how much you value your wife.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Ecastor te experior quanti facias uxorem tuam.

[¶30] JUPITER:
If there is no one among women whom I love so much, are you satisfied?
MERCURY: (aside.)

> Latin: Ivppiter:
Satin habes, si feminarum nulla est quam aeque diligam?

[¶31] Verily, upon my faith, if Juno only knew that you were giving your attention to such matters, I’d warrant that you’d rather be Amphitryon than Jupiter.

> Latin: Mercvrivs:
Edepol ne illa si istis rebus te sciat operam dare,
ego faxim ted Amphitruonem esse malis, quam Iovem.

[¶32] ALCMENA:
I would rather that I should find it so by experience, than that it should be told me. You leave me before the spot in the bed where.you have been lying has well grown warm. Yesterday, in the middle of the night, you came, and now you are going away. Is this your pleasure?
MERCURY: (aside.)

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Experiri istuc mavellem me quam mi memorarier.
prius abis quam lectus ubi cubuisti concaluit locus.
heri venisti media nocte, nunc abis. hocin placet?

[¶33] I’ll approach, and address her, and play second fiddle to my father. (He approaches ALCMENA.) Never, upon my faith, do I believe that any mortal did so. distractedly love his wife as he distractedly dotes upon you.

> Latin: Mercvrivs:
Accedam atque hanc appellabo et subparasitabor patri.
numquam edepol quemquam mortalem credo ego uxorem suam
sic ecflictim amare, proinde ut hic te ecflictim deperit.

[¶34] JUPITER:
Scoundrel!—don’t I know you of old? Won’t you be off out of my sight? What business have you in this matter, whip-knave? or why your muttering?

> Latin: Ivppiter:
Carnufex, non ego te novi? ábin e conspectu meo?
quid tibi hanc curatio est rem, verbero, aut muttitio?

[¶35] Whom this very instant, with this walking-stick, I’ll—
(Shakes his stick over his head.)
ALCMENA:
Oh don’t.

> Latin: quoii ego iam hoc scipione—
Alcvmena:
Ah noli.

[¶36] JUPITER:
Only make a whisper.
MERCURY: (aside.)

> Latin: Ivppiter:
Muttito modo.

[¶37] My first attempt at playing second fiddle had almost come to an unfortunate conclusion.

> Latin: Mercvrivs:
Nequiter paene expedivit prima parasitatio.

[¶38] JUPITER:
But as to what you say, my wife, you ought not to be angry with me. I came away privately from the army: these moments I stole for you, that you the first might know from me the first, how I had managed the common interests.

> Latin: Ivppiter:
Verum quod tu dicis, mea uxor, non te mi irasci decet.
clanculum abii a legione: operam hanc subrupui tibi,
ex me primo ⟨ut⟩ prima scires, rem ut gessissem publicam.

[¶39] All this have I related to you. If I had not loved you very much, I should not have done so.
MERCURY: (aside.)
Isn’t he doing just as I said? In her alarm, he is smoothing her down.

> Latin: ea tibi omnia enarravi. nisi te amarem plurimum,
non facerem.
Mercvrivs:
Facitne ut dixi? timidam palpo percutit.

[¶40] JUPITER:
That the army then mayn’t find it out, I must return there privately, lest they should say that I have preferred my wife before the common interests.

> Latin: Ivppiter:
Nunc, ne legio persentiscat, clam illuc redeundum est mihi,
ne me uxorem praevertisse dicant prae re publica.

[¶41] ALCMENA:
By your departure you set your wife in tears.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Lacrimantem ex abitu concinnas tu tuam uxorem.

[¶42] JUPITER:
Be quiet; don’t spoil your eyes: I’ll return very shortly.

> Latin: Ivppiter:
Tace,
ne corrumpe oculos, redibo actutum.

[¶43] ALCMENA:
That “very shortly” is a long time.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Id actutum diu est.

[¶44] JUPITER:
I do not with pleasure leave you here, or go away from you.

> Latin: Ivppiter:
Non ego te hic lubens relinquo neque abeo abs te.

[¶45] ALCMENA:
I am sensible of it; for, the night that you have come to me, on the same you go away.
(She embraces him.)

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Sentio,
nam qua nocte ad me venisti, eadem abis.

[¶46] JUPITER:
Why do you hold me? It is time to go: I wish to depart from the city before it dawns. Now, Alcmena, this goblet which has been given me there on account of my valour,
from which king Pterelas used to drink, he whom I slew with my own hand, the same I present to you.
(Presents to her the goblet.)

> Latin: Ivppiter:
Cur me tenes?
tempus ⟨est⟩: exire ex urbe prius quam lucescat volo.
nunc tibi hanc pateram, quae dono mi illi ob virtutem data est,
Pterela rex qui potitavit, quem ego mea occidi manu,
Alcumena, tibi condono.

[¶47] ALCMENA: (taking the goblet.)
You do as you are wont in other things. By heavens, it is a noble gift; like him who gave the gift.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Facis ut alias res soles.
ecastor condignum donum, qualest qui donum dedit.

[¶48] MERCURY:
Aye, a noble gift; just like her to whom it has been given as a gift.

> Latin: Mercvrivs:
Immo sic: condignum donum, qualest cui dono datumst.

[¶49] JUPITER:
What, still going on? Can’t I, you scoundrel, make an end of you?

> Latin: Ivppiter:
Pergin autem? nonne ego possum, furcifer, te perdere?

[¶50] ALCMENA:
Amphitryon, there’s a dear, don’t be angry with Sosia on my account.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Noli amabo, Amphitruo, irasci Sosiae causa mea.

[¶51] JUPITER:
Just as you wish I’ll do.

> Latin: Ivppiter:
Faciam ita ut vis.

[¶52] MERCURY: (aside.)
From his intriguing, how very savage he does become!

> Latin: Mercvrivs:
Ex amore hic admodum quam saevos est.

[¶53] JUPITER:
Do you wish for anything else?

> Latin: Ivppiter:
Numquid vis?

[¶54] ALCMENA:
That when I am absent you will love me—me, who am yours, though absent.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Vt quom absim mé ames, me tuam te absente tamen.

[¶55] MERCURY:
Let’s go, Amphitryon; it’s already dawning.

> Latin: Mercvrivs:
Eamus, Amphitruo. lucescit hoc iam.

[¶56] JUPITER:
Go you first, Sosia. (Exit MERCURY.) I’ll follow this instant. (To ALCMENA.) Is there anything you wish?

> Latin: Ivppiter:
Abi prae, Sosia,
iam ego sequar. numquid vis?

[¶57] ALCMENA:
Yes; that you’ll come back speedily.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Etiam: ut actutum advenias.

[¶58] JUPITER:
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.
(Exit.) (Enter AMPHITRYON and SOSIA, at the end of the stage.)

> Latin: Ivppiter:
Licet,
prius tuá opinione híc adero: bonum ánimum habe.—
nunc te, nox, quae me mansisti, mitto uti cedas die,
ut mortalis inlucescat luce clara et candida.
atque quanto, nox, fuisti longior hac proxuma,
tanto brevior dies ut fiat faciam, ut aeque disparet.
sed dies e nocte accedat. ibo et Mercurium sequar.—

[¶59] AMPHITRYON:
Come, do you follow after me.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Age í tu secúndum.

[¶60] SOSIA:
I’m following; I’m following close after you.

> Latin: Sosia:
Sequór, subsequór te.

[¶61] AMPHITRYON:
I think that you are the veriest rogue—

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Scelestissimum te arbitror.

[¶62] SOSIA:
But for what reason?

> Latin: Sosia:
Nam quam ob rem?

[¶63] AMPHITRYON:
Because that which neither is, nor ever was, nor will be, you declare to me.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quia id quod neque est neque fuit neque futurum est
mihi praedicas.

[¶64] SOSIA:
Look at that; you are now acting according to
your usual fashion, to be putting no trust in your servants.

> Latin: Sosia:
Eccere, iam tuatim
facis ⟨tu⟩, ut tuis nulla apud te fides sit.

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

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quid est? quo modo? iam quidem hercle ego tibi istam
scelestam, scelus, linguam abscidam.

[¶66] SOSIA:
I am yours; do each thing just as it is agreable and as it pleases you.

> Latin: Sosia:
Tuos sum,
proinde ut commodumst et lubet quidque facias;

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

> Latin: tamen quin loquar haec uti facta sunt hic,
numquam ullo modo me potes deterrere.

[¶68] AMPHITRYON:
You consummate villain, do you dare tell me this, that you are now at home, who are here present?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Scelestissime, audes mihi praedicare id,
domi te esse nunc, qui hic ades?

[¶69] SOSIA:
I speak the truth.

> Latin: Sosia:
Vera dico.

[¶70] AMPHITRYON:
A mishap shall the Gods send upon you, and I this day will send it as well.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Malum quod tibi di dabunt, atque ego hodie
dabo.

[¶71] SOSIA:
That’s in your power, for I am your property.

> Latin: Sosia:
Istuc tibist in manu, nam tuos sum.

[¶72] AMPHITRYON:
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?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Tun me, verbero, audes erum ludificari?
tune id dicere audes, quod nemo umquam homo antehac
vidit nec potest fieri, tempore uno
homo idem duobus locis ut simul sit?

[¶73] SOSIA:
Undoubtedly, such as I say is the fact.

> Latin: Sosia:
Profecto ut loquor res ita est.

[¶74] AMPHITRYON:
May Jupiter confound you!

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Iuppiter te
perdat.

[¶75] SOSIA:
What evil, master, have I been deemed deserving of in your service?

> Latin: Sosia:
Quid mali súm, ere, tua ex re promeritus?

[¶76] AMPHITRYON:
Do you ask me, you rogue, who are even making sport of me?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Rogasne, improbe, etiam, qui ludos facis me?

[¶77] SOSIA:
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.

> Latin: Sosia:
Meritó maledicás mihi, si id ita factum est.†
verum haud mentior, resque uti facta dico.

[¶78] AMPHITRYON:
This fellow’s drunk, as I imagine.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Homo hic ébrius est, ut opínor.

[¶79] SOSIA:
What, I?

> Latin: Sosia:
Útinam ita essem.

[¶80] AMPHITRYON:
Yes—you there.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Optás quae facta.

[¶81] SOSIA:
I wish I were so.

> Latin: Sosia:
Égone?

[¶82] AMPHITRYON:
You are wishing for that which is fact; where have you been drinking?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Tu istic. úbi bibisti?

[¶83] SOSIA:
Nowhere, indeed.

> Latin: Sosia:
Nusquam equidem bibi.

[¶84] AMPHITRYON:
What is this, that is the matter with the fellow?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quid hoc sit hominis?

[¶85] SOSIA:
Really I have told you ten times over. I am both at home now, I say (do you mark me?), and I, Sosia, am with you likewise. Don’t I appear, master, to have told you quite distinctly, and quite circumstantially, that this is so.

> Latin: Sosia:
equidem decies dixi:
domi ego sum, inquam, écquid audis? et apud te adsum Sosia idem.
satin hoc plane, satin diserte, ere, nunc videor
tibi locutus esse?

[¶86] AMPHITRYON:
Avaunt,
get away with you from me.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Vah,
ápage te a me.

[¶87] SOSIA:
What’s the matter?

> Latin: Sosia:
Quíd est negoti?

[¶88] AMPHITRYON:
A pestilence possesses you.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Péstis te tenet.

[¶89] SOSIA:
But why do you say so to me? I really am quite well and in perfect health, Amphitryon.

> Latin: Sosia:
Nám quor istuc
dicis? equidem valeo et salvos
sum recte, Amphitruo.

[¶90] AMPHITRYON:
But I’ll make you this very day, just as you have deserved, not to be quite so well, and to be miserable instead of your perfect health, if I return home.
Follow me, you who in this fashion are making sport of your master with your crack-brained talk; you, who, since you have neglected to perform what your master ordered, are now come even of your own accord to laugh at your master. Things which neither can happen, and which no one ever yet heard of in talk, you are telling of, you villain; on your back I’ll take care and make those lies to tell this very day.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
At te ego faciam
hodie proinde ac meritus es,
ut minus valeas et miser sis,
salvos domum si rediero: iam
sequere sis, erum qui ludificas
dictis delirantibus,
qui quoniam erus quod imperavit neglexisti persequi,
nunc venis etiam ultro inrisum dominum: quae neque fieri
possunt neque fando umquam accepit quisquam profers, carnifex;
quoius ego hodie in tergum faxo ista expetant mendacia.

[¶91] SOSIA:
Amphitryon, this is the most wretched of wretchedness to a good servant, who is telling the truth to his master, if that same truth is overpowered by violence.

> Latin: Sosia:
Amphitruo, miserrima istaec miseria est servo bono,
apud erum qui vera loquitur, si id vi verum vincitur.

[¶92] AMPHITRYON:
Discuss it with me by proofs. Why, how the plague can such a thing happen, for you now to be both here and at home? That I want to be told.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quo id, malum, pacto potest nam (mecum argumentis puta)
fieri, nunc uti tu ⟨et⟩ hic sis et domi? id dici volo.

[¶93] SOSIA:
I really am both here and there; this any person has a right to wonder at; nor, Amphitryon, does this seem more. strange to you than to myself.

> Latin: Sosia:
Sum profecto et hic et illíc. hoc cuivis mirari licet,
neque tibi istuc mirum … mágis videtur quam mihi.

[¶94] AMPHITRYON:
In what way?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quo modo?

[¶95] SOSIA:
In no degree, I say, is this more strange to you than to myself; nor, so may the Deities love me, did I at first credit Sosia—me myself, until that Sosia, I myself, made me to believe me myself. In order did he relate everything, as each thing came to pass, when we sojourned with the enemy;
and then besides, he has carried off my figure together with my name. Not even is milk more like to milk than is that I myself like to me myself. For when some time since, before daybreak, you sent me from the harbour home before you—

> Latin: Sosia:
Nihilo, inquam, mirum magis tibi istuc quam mihi;
neque, ita me di ament, credebam primo mihimet Sosiae,
donec Sosia illic egomet fecit sibi uti crederem.
ordine omne, uti quicque actum est, dúm apud hostis sedimus,
edissertavit. tum formam una abstulit cum nomine.
neque lac lactis magis est simile quam ille ego similest mei.
nam ut dudum ante lucem a portu me praemisisti domum—

[¶96] AMPHITRYON:
What then?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quid igitur?

[¶97] SOSIA:
I had been standing a long time at the door before I had got there.

> Latin: Sosia:
Prius multo ante aedis stabam quam illo adveneram.

[¶98] AMPHITRYON:
Plague on it, what nonsense! Are you quite in your senses?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quas, malum, nugás? satin tu sanus es?

[¶99] SOSIA:
I’m just as you see me.

> Latin: Sosia:
Sic sum ut vides.

[¶100] AMPHITRYON:
Some mischief, I know not what, has befallen this fellow from an evil hand since he left me.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Huic homini nescio quid est mali mala obiectum manu,
postquam a me abiit.

[¶101] SOSIA:
I confess it; for I have been most shockingly bruised with his fists.

> Latin: Sosia:
Fateor, nam sum obtusus pugnis pessume.

[¶102] AMPHITRYON:
Who has been beating you?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quis te verberavit?

[¶103] SOSIA:
I myself, who am now at home, beat me myself.

> Latin: Sosia:
Egomet memet, qui nunc sum domi.

[¶104] AMPHITRYON:
Take you care to say nothing but what I shall ask you. Now, do you answer me. First of all, who this Sosia is, of that I want to be informed.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Cave quicquam, nisi quod rogabo te, mihi responderis.
omnium primum iste qui sit Sosia, hoc dici volo.

[¶105] SOSIA:
He is your servant.

> Latin: Sosia:
Tuos est servos.

[¶106] AMPHITRYON:
Really I have even more than I desire by your own one self. Never, too, since I was born, had I a servant Sosia besides yourself.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Mihi quidem uno te plus etiam est quam volo,
neque postquam sum natus habui nisi te servom Sosiam.

[¶107] SOSIA:
But now, Amphitryon, I say this; I’ll make you, I say, on your arrival, meet with another Sosia at home, a servant of yours, besides myself, a son of Davus, the same father with myself, of figure and age as well
just like myself. What need is there of words? This Sosia of yours is become twofold.

> Latin: Sosia:
At ego nunc, Amphitruo, dico: Sosiam servom tuom
praeter me alterum, inquam, adveniens faciam ut offendas domi,
Davo prognatum patre eodem quo égo sum, forma, aetate item
qua égo sum. quid opust verbis? geminus Sosia hic factust tibi.

[¶108] AMPHITRYON:
You talk of things extremely wonderful. But did you see my wife?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Nimia memoras mira. sed vidistin uxorem meam?

[¶109] SOSIA:
Nay, but it was never allowed me to go in-doors into the house.

> Latin: Sosia:
Quin intro ire in aedis numquam licitum est.

[¶110] AMPHITRYON:
Who hindered you?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quis te prohibuit?

[¶111] SOSIA:
This Sosia, whom I was just now telling of, he who thumped me.

> Latin: Sosia:
Sosia ille, quem iam dudum dico, is qui me contudit.

[¶112] AMPHITRYON:
Who is this Sosia?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quis istic Sosia est?

[¶113] SOSIA:
Myself, I say; how often must it be told you?

> Latin: Sosia:
Ego, inquam. quotiens dicendum est tibi?

[¶114] AMPHITRYON:
But how say you? Have you been sleeping the while?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Sed quid ais? num obdormivisti dudum?

[¶115] SOSIA:
Not the slightest in the world.

> Latin: Sosia:
Nusquam gentium.

[¶116] AMPHITRYON:
Then, perhaps, you might perchance have seen some Sosia in your dreams.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Ibi forte istum si vidisses quendam in somnis Sosiam—

[¶117] SOSIA:
I am not in the habit of performing the orders of my master in a sleepy fashion. Awake I saw him, awake I now see you, awake I am talking, awake did he, a little while since, thump me about with his fists.

> Latin: Sosia:
Non soleo ego somniculose éri imperia persequi.
vigilans vidi, vigilans nunc ⟨te⟩ video, vigilans fabulor,
vigilantem ille me iam dudum vigilans pugnis contudit.

[¶118] AMPHITRYON:
What person did so?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quis homo?

[¶119] SOSIA:
Sosia, that I myself,—he, I say. Prithee, don’t you understand?

> Latin: Sosia:
Sosia, inquam, ego ille. quaeso, nonne intellegis?

[¶120] AMPHITRYON:
How, the plague, can any one possibly understand? You are jabbering such nonsense.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Qui, malum, intellegere quisquam potis est? ita nugas blatis.

[¶121] SOSIA:
But you’ll know him shortly.
AMPHITRYON:
Whom?
SOSIA:
You’ll know this servant Sosia.

> Latin: Sosia:
Verum actutum nosces, quom illum nosces servom Sosiam.

[¶122] AMPHITRYON:
Follow me this way, then; for it is necessary for me first to enquire into this. But take care that all the things that I ordered are now brought from the ship.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Sequere hac igitur me, nam mi istuc primum exquisito est opus.
[sed vide ex navi efferantur quae imperavi iam omnia.]

[¶123] SOSIA:
I am both mindful and diligent that what you order shall be performed; together with the wine, I have not drunk up your commands.

> Latin: Sosia:
[Et memor sum et diligens, ut quae imperes compareant;]
[non ego cum vino simitu ébibi imperium tuom.]

[¶124] AMPHITRYON:
May the Gods grant, that, in the event, what you have said may prove untrue.
(They stand apart.) (Enter ALCMENA, from the house, attended by THESSALA.)

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
[Vtinam di faxint, infecta dicta re eveniant tua.]

[¶125] ALCMENA:
Is not the proportion of pleasures in life and in passing our existence short in comparison with what is disagreable? So it is allotted to each man in life;

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Satín parva rés est volúptatum in víta atque in aétate agúnda
praequám quod moléstum est? ita cuíque comparátum est in aétate hominum;

[¶126] so has it pleased the Gods that Sorrow should attend on Pleasure as her companion; but if aught of good befalls us, more of trouble and of ill forthwith attends us. For this do I now feel by experience at home and in relation to myself, to whom delight has been imparted for a very short time, while I had the opportunity of seeing my husband for but one night; and now has he suddenly gone away hence from me before the dawn.

> Latin: ita dívis est plácitum, volúptatem ut maéror comés consequátur:
quin íncommodí plus malíque ilico ádsit, boní si optigít quid.
nam ego íd nunc expérior domo átque ipsa dé me sció, cui volúptas
parúmper datást, dum virí mei míhi potéstas vidéndi fuit
noctem únam modo; átque is repénte abiit á me hinc ánte lucem.

[¶127] Deserted do I now seem to myself, because he is absent from here, he whom before all I love. More of grief have I felt from the departure of my husband, than of pleasure from his arrival. But this, at least, makes me happy, that he has conquered the foe, and has returned home loaded with glory. Let him be absent, if only with fame acquired
he betakes himself home. I shall bear and ever endure his absence with mind resolved and steadfast; if only this reward is granted me, that my husband shall be hailed the conqueror in the warfare, sufficient for myself will I deem it. Valour is the best reward; valour assuredly surpasses all things:

> Latin: sola híc mihi nunc vídeor, quia ílle hinc abést quem ego amó praeter omnes.
plus aégri ex ábitu virí, quam ex advéntu volúptatis cépi. sed hóc me beát
saltém, quom perduéllis vicít et domúm laudis cómpos revénit:
id sólacio est.
absít, dum modó laude párta
domúm recipiát se; feram ét perferam úsque
abitum éius ánimo forti átque offirmáto, id módo si mercédis
datúr mi, ut meús victor vír belli clúeat.
satis mi esse ducam.
virtús praemium ést optimúm;
virtús omnibús rebus ánteit profécto:

[¶128] liberty, safety, life, property and parents, country too, and children, by it are defended and preserved. Valour comprises everything in itself: all blessings attend him in whose possession is valour.
AMPHITRYON: (apart.)

> Latin: libértas salús vita rés et paréntes, patria ét prognáti
tutántur, servántur:
virtús omnia ín sese habét, omnia ádsunt
bona quém penest vírtus.

[¶129] By my troth, I do believe that I shall come much wished for by my wife,
who loves me, and whom, in return, I love: especially, our enterprise crowned with success, the enemy vanquished, whom no one had supposed to be able to be conquered: these, under my conduct and command, at the first meeting, have we vanquished; but I know for sure that I shall come to her much wished for.
SOSIA: (aside.)

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Édepol me uxori éxoptatum crédo adventurúm domum,
quae me amat, quam contra amo, praesertim re gesta bene,
victis hostibus: quos nemo posse superari ratust,
eos auspicio meo atque ductu primo coetu vicimus.
certe enim méd illi expectatum optato venturum scio.

[¶130] Well, and don’t you think that I shall come much wished for to my mistress?
(AMPHITRYON advances, at a distance, with SOSIA.)
ALCMENA: (to herself.)

> Latin: Sosia:
Quid? me non rere expectatum amicae venturum meae?

[¶131] Surely, this is my husband.
AMPHITRYON: (to SOSIA.)
Do you follow me this way.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Meus vir hic quidem est.
Amphitrvo:
Séquere hac tu me.

[¶132] ALCMENA: (to herself.)
But why has he returned, when just now he said that he was in haste? Is he purposely trying me, and is he desirous to make proof of this, how much I regret his departure? By my faith, against no inclination of mine has he betaken himself home.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Nam quid ille revortitur
qui dudum properare se aibat? án ille me temptat sciens
atque id se volt experiri, suom abitum ut desiderem?
ecastor med haud invita se domum recipit suam.

[¶133] SOSIA:
Amphitryon, it were better for us to return to the ship.

> Latin: Sosia:
Amphitruo, redire ad navem meliust nos.

[¶134] AMPHITRYON:
For what reason?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Qua gratia?

[¶135] SOSIA:
Because there’s no person at home to give us a breakfast on our arrival.

> Latin: Sosia:
Quia domi daturus nemo est prandium advenientibus.

[¶136] AMPHITRYON:
How comes that now into your mind?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Qui tibi nunc istuc in mentemst?

[¶137] SOSIA:
Why, because we have come too late.

> Latin: Sosia:
Quia enim sero advenimus.

[¶138] AMPHITRYON:
How so?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Qui?

[¶139] SOSIA:
Because I see Alcmena standing before the house, with her stomach-full already.

> Latin: Sosia:
Quia Alcumenam ante aedis stare saturam intellego.

[¶140] AMPHITRYON:
I left her pregnant here when I went away.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Gravidam ego illanc hic reliqui quóm abeo.

[¶141] SOSIA:
Alas, to my sorrow, I’m undone!

> Latin: Sosia:
Ei perii miser.

[¶142] AMPHITRYON:
What’s the matter with you?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quid tibi est?

[¶143] SOSIA:
I have come home just in good time to fetch the water
in the tenth month after that, according as I understand you to compute the reckoning.

> Latin: Sosia:
Ad aquam praebendam commodum adveni domum,
decumo post mense, ut rationem te putare intellego.

[¶144] AMPHITRYON:
Be of good heart.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Bono animo es.

[¶145] SOSIA:
Do you know of how good heart I am? By my troth, do you never after this day entrust to me aught that is sacred, if I don’t draw up all the life of that well, if I do but make a beginning.

> Latin: Sosia:
Scin quam bono animo sim? si situlam cepero,
numquam edepol tu mihi divini creduis post hunc diem,
ní ego illi puteo, si occepso, ánimam omnem intertraxero.

[¶146] AMPHITRYON:
Do you only follow me this way. I’ll appoint another person for that business; don’t you fear.
ALCMENA: (advancing.)

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Sequere hac me modo; alium ego isti rei allegabo, ne time.

[¶147] I think that I shall now be doing my duty more, if I go to meet him.
(They meet.)

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Magis nunc ⟨me⟩ meum officium facere, si huic eam advorsum, arbitror.

[¶148] AMPHITRYON:
With joy, Amphitryon greets his longed for wife—her, whom of all women in Thebes her husband deems by far the most excellent, and whom so much the Theban citizens truthfully extol as virtuous. Have you fared well all along? Do I arrive much wished for by you?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Amphitruo uxorem salutat laetus speratam suam,
quam omnium Thebis vir unam esse optimam diiudicat,
quamque adeo cives Thebani vero rumiferant probam.
valuistin usque? exspectatun advenio?

[¶149] SOSIA: (aside.)
I never saw one more so;

> Latin: Sosia:
Haud vidi magis.

[¶150] for she greets her own husband not a bit more than a dog.

> Latin: exspectatum eum salutat magis haud quicquam quam canem.

[¶151] AMPHITRYON:
When I see you pregnant, and so gracefully burdened, I am delighted.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Et quom te †gravidam et quom te pulchre plenam aspicio, gaudeo.

[¶152] ALCMENA:
Prithee, in the name of all that’s good, why, for the sake of mockery, do you thus salute and address me, as though you hadn’t lately seen me—as though now, for the first time, you were betaking yourself homeward here from the enemy?

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Obsecro ecastor, quid tu me deridiculi gratia
sic salutas atque appellas, quasi dudum non videris
quasique nunc primum recipias te domum huc ex hostibus?

[¶153] For now you are addressing me just as though you were seeing me after a long time.

> Latin: [atque me nunc proinde appellas quasi multo post videris?]

[¶154] AMPHITRYON:
Why, really for my part, I have not seen you at all this day until now.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Immo equidem te nisi nunc hodie nusquam vidi gentium.

[¶155] ALCMENA:
Why do you deny it?

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Cur negas?

[¶156] AMPHITRYON:
Because I have learned to speak the truth.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quia vera didici dicere.

[¶157] ALCMENA:
He does not do right, who unlearns the same that he has learned. Are you making trial what feelings I possess? But why are you returning hither so soon?

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Haud aequom facit
qui quod didicit id dediscit. an periclitamini
quid animi habeam? sed quid huc vos revortimini tam cito?

[¶158] 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?

> Latin: an te auspicium commoratum est an tempestas continet
qui non abiisti ad legiones, ita uti dudum dixeras?

[¶159] AMPHITRYON:
Lately? How long since was this “lately?”

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Dudum? quam dudum istuc factum est?

[¶160] ALCMENA:
You are trying me; but very lately, just now.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Temptas. iam dudum, modo.

[¶161] AMPHITRYON:
Prithee, how can that possibly be as you say?—“but very lately, just now.”

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Qui istuc potis est fieri, quaeso, ut dicis: iam dudum, modo?

[¶162] ALCMENA:
Why, 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?

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Quid enim censes? te ut deludam contra lusorem meum,
qui nunc primum te advenisse dicas, modo qui hinc abieris.

[¶163] AMPHITRYON:
Surely she is talking deliriously.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Haec quidem deliramenta loquitur.

[¶164] SOSIA:
Stop a little while, until she has slept out this one sleep.

> Latin: Sosia:
Paulisper mane,
dum edormiscat unum somnum.

[¶165] AMPHITRYON:
Is she not dreaming with her eyes open?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quaene vigilans somniat?

[¶166] ALCMENA:
Upon 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.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Equidem ecastor vigilo, et vigilans id quod factum est fabulor.
nam dudum ante lucem et istunc et te vidi.

[¶167] AMPHITRYON:
In what place?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quo in loco?

[¶168] ALCMENA:
Here, in the house where you yourself dwell.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Hic in aedibús ubi tu habitas.

[¶169] AMPHITRYON:
It never was the fact.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Numquam factum est.

[¶170] SOSIA:
Will you not hold your peace? What if the vessel brought us here from the harbour in our sleep?

> Latin: Sosia:
Non taces?
quid si e portu navis huc nos dormientis detulit?

[¶171] AMPHITRYON:
Are you, too, going to back her as well?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Etiam tu quoque adsentaris húic?

[¶172] 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 oftener;

> Latin: Sosia:
Quid vis fieri?
non tu scis? Bacchae bacchanti si velis advorsarier,
ex insana insaniorem facies, feriet saepius;

[¶173] if you humour her, after one blow you may overcome her?
AMPHITRYON:
But, 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.

> Latin: si obsequare, una resolvas plaga.
Amphitrvo:
At pol qui certa res
hanc est obiurgare, quae me hódie advenientem domum
noluerit salutare.

[¶174] SOSIA:
You’ll only be irritating hornets.

> Latin: Sosia:
Inritabis crabrones.

[¶175] AMPHITRYON:
You hold your tongue. Alcmena, I wish to ask you one thing.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Tace.
Alcumena, unum rogare te volo.

[¶176] ALCMENA:
Ask me anything you please.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Quid vis roga.

[¶177] AMPHITRYON:
Is it frenzy that has come upon you, or does pride overcome you?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Num tibi aut stultitia accessit aut superat superbia?

[¶178] ALCMENA:
How comes it into your mind, my husband, to ask me that?

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Qui istuc in mentemst tibi ex me, mi vir, percontarier?

[¶179] AMPHITRYON:
Because 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.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quia salutare advenientem me solebas antidhac,
appellare, itidem ut pudicae suos viros quae sunt solent.
eo more expertem te factam adveniens offendi domi.

[¶180] ALCMENA:
By 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.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Ecastor equidem te certo heri advenientem ílico,
et salutavi et valuissesne usque exquisivi simul,
mi vir, et manum prehendi et osculum tetuli tibi.

[¶181] SOSIA:
What, did you welcome him yesterday?

> Latin: Sosia:
Tun heri hunc salutavisti?

[¶182] ALCMENA:
And you too, as well, Sosia.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Et te quoque etiam, Sosia.

[¶183] SOSIA:
Amphitryon, I did hope that she was about to bring you forth a son; but she isn’t gone with child.

> Latin: Sosia:
Amphitruo, speravi ego istam tibi parituram filium;
verum non est puero gravida.

[¶184] AMPHITRYON:
What then?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quid igitur?

[¶185] SOSIA:
With madness.

> Latin: Sosia:
Insania.

[¶186] ALCMENA:
Really I am in my senses, and I pray the Gods that in safety I may bring forth a son; but (to SOSIA) hap-ill shall you be having, if he does his duty: for those ominous words, omen-maker, you shall catch what befits you.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Equidem sana sum et deos quaeso, ut salva pariam filium.
verum tu malum mágnum habebis, si hic suom officium facit:
ob istuc omen, ominator, capies quod te condecet.

[¶187] SOSIA:
Why really an apple ought to be given to the lady thus pregnant, that there may be something for her to gnaw if she should begin to faint.

> Latin: Sosia:
Enim vero praegnati oportet et malum et malum dari,
ut quod obrodat sit, animo si male esse occeperit.

[¶188] AMPHITRYON:
Did you see me here yesterday?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Tu me heri hic vidisti?

[¶189] ALCMENA:
I did, I say, if you wish it to be ten times repeated.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Ego, inquam, si vis decies dicere.

[¶190] AMPHITRYON:
In your sleep, perhaps?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
In somnis fortasse.

[¶191] ALCMENA:
No—I, awake, saw you awake.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Immo vígilans vigilantem.

[¶192] AMPHITRYON:
Woe to me!

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Ei misero mihi.

[¶193] SOSIA:
What’s the matter with you?

> Latin: Sosia:
Quid tibi est?

[¶194] AMPHITRYON:
My wife is mad.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Delirat uxor.

[¶195] SOSIA:
She’s attacked with black bile; nothing so soon turns people mad.

> Latin: Sosia:
Atra bili percita est.
nulla res tam delirantis homines concinnat cito.

[¶196] AMPHITRYON:
When, madam, did you first find yourself affected?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Vbi primum tibi sensisti, mulier, impliciscier?

[¶197] ALCMENA:
Why really, upon my faith, I’m well, and in my senses.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Equidem ecastor sana et salva sum.

[¶198] AMPHITRYON:
Why, then, do you say that you saw me yesterday, whereas we were brought into harbour but last night? There did I dine, and there did I rest the livelong night on board ship, nor have I set my foot even here into the house, since, with the army, I set out hence against the Teleboan foe, and since we conquered them.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quor igitur praedicas,
té heri me vidisse, qui hac noctu in portum advecti sumus?
ibi cenavi atque ibi quievi in navi noctem perpetem,
neque meum pedem huc íntuli etiam in aedis, ut cum exercitu
hinc profectus sum ad Teloboas hostis eosque ut vicimus.

[¶199] ALCMENA:
On the contrary, you dined with me, and you slept with me.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Immo mecum cenavisti et mecum cubuisti.

[¶200] AMPHITRYON:
How so?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quid est?

[¶201] ALCMENA:
I’m telling the truth.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Vera dico.

[¶202] AMPHITRYON:
On my honor, not in this matter, really; about other matters I don’t know.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Non de hac quidem hercle re; de áliis nescio.

[¶203] ALCMENA:
At the very break of dawn you went away to your troops.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Primulo diluculo abiisti ad legiones.

[¶204] AMPHITRYON:
By what means could I?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quo modo?

[¶205] SOSIA:
She says right, according as she remembers; she’s telling you her dream. But, madam, after you arose, you ought to have sacrificed to Jove, the disposer of prodigies,
either with a salt cake or with frankincense.

> Latin: Sosia:
Recte dicit, ut commeminit: somnium narrat tibi.
sed, mulier, postquam experrecta es, te prodigiali Iovi
aut mola salsa hodie aut ture comprecatam oportuit.

[¶206] ALCMENA:
A mischief on your head!

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Vae capiti tuó.

[¶207] SOSIA:
That’s your own business, if you take due care.

> Latin: Sosia:
Tua istuc refert—si curaveris.

[¶208] ALCMENA:
Now again this fellow is talking rudely to me, and that without punishment.
AMPHITRYON: (to SOSIA.)

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Iterum iám hic in me inclementer dicit, atque id sine malo.

[¶209] You hold your tongue. (To ALCMENA.) Do you tell me now—did I go away hence from you at daybreak?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Tace tu. tu dic: egone abs te abii hinc hodie cum diluculo?

[¶210] ALCMENA:
Who then but your own self recounted to me how the battle went there?

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Quis igitur nisi vos narravit mi, illi ut fuerit proelium?

[¶211] AMPHITRYON:
And do you know that as well?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
An etiam id tu scis?

[¶212] ALCMENA:
Why, I heard it from your own self, how you had taken a very large city, and how you yourself had slain king Pterelas.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Quippe qui éx te audivi, ut urbem maximam
expugnavisses regemque Pterelam tute occideris.

[¶213] AMPHITRYON:
What, did I tell you this?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Egone istuc dixi?

[¶214] ALCMENA:
You yourself, this Sosia standing by as well.
AMPHITRYON: (to SOSIA.)

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Tute istic, etiam adstante hoc Sosia.

[¶215] Have you heard me telling about this to-day?
SOSIA:
Where should I have heard you?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Audivistin tu me narrare haec hodie?
Sosia:
Vbi ego audiverim?

[¶216] AMPHITRYON:
Ask her.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Hanc roga.

[¶217] SOSIA:
In my presence, indeed, it never took place, that I know of.

> Latin: Sosia:
Me quidem praesente numquam factum est, quod sciam.

[¶218] ALCMENA:
It would be a wonder if he didn’t contradict you.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Mirum quin te adversus dicat.

[¶219] AMPHITRYON:
Sosia, come here and look at me.
SOSIA: (looks at him.)

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Sosia, age me huc aspice.

[¶220] I am looking at you.
AMPHITRYON:
I wish you to tell the truth, and I don’t want you to humour me. Have you heard me this day sav to her these things which she affirms?

> Latin: Sosia:
Specto.
Amphitrvo:
Vera volo loqui te, nolo adsentari mihi.
audivistin tu hodie me illi dicere ea quae illa autumat?

[¶221] SOSIA:
Prithee now, by my troth, are you, too, mad as well, when you ask me this, me, who, for my part, my own self now behold her in company with you for the first time?

> Latin: Sosia:
Quaeso edepol, num tu quoque etiam insanis, quom id me interrogas,
qui ipsus equidem nunc primum istanc tecum conspicio simul?

[¶222] AMPHITRYON:
How now, madam? Do you hear him?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quid nunc, mulier? audin illum?

[¶223] ALCMENA:
I do, indeed, and telling an untruth.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Ego véro, ac falsum dicere.

[¶224] AMPHITRYON:
Do you believe neither him nor my own self, your husband?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Neque tu illi neque mihi viro ipsi credis?

[¶225] ALCMENA:
No; for this reason it is, because I most readily believe myself, and I am sure that these things took place just as I relate them.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Eo fit quia mihi
plurimum credo et scio istaec facta proinde ut proloquor.

[¶226] AMPHITRYON:
Do you say that I came yesterday?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Tun me heri advenisse dicis?

[¶227] ALCMENA:
Do you deny that you went away from here to-day?

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Tun te abiisse hodie hinc negas?

[¶228] AMPHITRYON:
I really do deny it, and I declare that I have now come home to you for the first time.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Nego enim vero, et me advenire nunc primum aio ad te domum.

[¶229] ALCMENA:
Prithee, will you deny this too, that you to-day made me a present of a golden goblet, with which you said that you had been presented?

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Obsecro, etiamne hoc negabis, te auream pateram mihi
dédisse dono hodié, qua te illi donatum esse dixeras?

[¶230] AMPHITRYON:
By heavens, I neither gave it nor told you so: but I had so intended, and do so now, to present you with that goblet. But who told you this?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Neque edepol dedi neque dixi; verum ita animatus fui
itaque nunc sum, ut ea te patera donem. sed quis istúc tibi
dixit?

[¶231] ALCMENA:
Why, I heard it from yourself, and I received the goblet from your own hand.
(She moves as if going.)

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Ego equidem ex te audivi et ex tua accepi manu
pateram.

[¶232] AMPHITRYON:
Stay, stay, I entreat you. Sosia, I marvel much how she knows that I was presented there with this golden goblet, unless you have lately met her and told her all this.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Mane, mane, obsecro te. nimis demiror, Sosia,
qui illaec illic me donatum esse aurea patera sciat,
nisi tu dudum hanc convenisti et narravisti haec omnia.

[¶233] SOSIA:
Upon my faith, I have never told her, nor have I ever beheld her except with yourself.

> Latin: Sosia:
Neque edepol ego dixi neque istam vidi nisi tecum simul.

[¶234] AMPHITRYON:
What is the matter with this person?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Quid hoc sit hominis?

[¶235] ALCMENA:
Should you like the goblet to be produced?

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Vin proferri pateram?

[¶236] AMPHITRYON:
I should like it; to be produced.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Proferri volo.

[¶237] ALCMENA:
Be it so. Do you go, Thessala, and bring from indoors the goblet, with which my husband presented me today.
(THESSALA goes into the house, and AMPHITRYON and SOSIA walk on one side.)

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Fiat. ⟨heus⟩ tu, Thessala, intus pateram proferto foras,
qua hódie meus vir donavit me.

[¶238] AMPHITRYON:
Sosia, do you step this way. Really, I do wonder extremely at this beyond the other wondrous matters, if she has got this goblet.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Secede huc tu, Sosia,
enim vero illud praeter alia mira miror maxime,
si haec habet páteram illam.

[¶239] SOSIA:
And do you believe it, when it’s carried in this casket, sealed with your own seal.
(He shows the casket.)

> Latin: Sosia:
An etiam credis id, quae in hac cistellula
tuo signo obsignata fertur?

[¶240] AMPHITRYON:
Is the seal whole?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Salvom signum est?

[¶241] SOSIA:
Examine it.
AMPHITRYON: (examining it.)

> Latin: Sosia:
Inspice.

[¶242] All right, it’s just as I sealed it up.
SOSIA:
Prithee, why don’t you order her to be purified as a frantic person?

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Recte, ita est ut obsignavi.
Sosia:
Quaeso, quin tu istanc iubes
pro cerrita circumferri?

[¶243] AMPHITRYON:
By my troth, somehow there’s need for it, for, i’ faith, she’s certainly filled with sprites.
(ALCMENA.)

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Edepol qui facto est opus;
nam haec quidem edepol laruarum plenast.

[¶244] ALCMENA:
What need is there of talking? See, here’s the goblet; here it is.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Quid verbis opust?
em tibi pateram, eccam.

[¶245] AMPHITRYON:
Give it me.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Cedo mi.

[¶246] ALCMENA:
Come, now then, look here, if you please, you who deny what is fact, and whom I shall now clearly convict in this case.

> Latin: Alcvmena:
Age aspice huc sis nunciam
tu qui quae facta infitiare; quem égo iam hic convincam palam.

[¶247] Isn’t this the goblet with which you were presented there?
AMPHITRYON:
Supreme Jupiter! what do I behold? Surely this is that goblet. Sosia, I’m utterly confounded.

> Latin: estne haec patera, qua donatu's donatus es illi?
Amphitrvo:
Summe Iuppiter,
quid ego video? haec ea est profecto patera. perii, Sosia.

[¶248] SOSIA:
Upon my faith, either this woman is a most consummate juggler, or the goblet must be in here (pointing to the casket.)

> Latin: Sosia:
Aut pol haec praestigiatrix multo mulier maxima est
aut pateram hic inesse oportet.

[¶249] AMPHITRYON:
Come, then, open this casket.

> Latin: Amphitrvo:
Agedum, exsolve cistulam.

[¶250] SOSIA:
Why should I open it? It is securely sealed. The thing is cleverly contrived;

> Latin: Sosia:
Quid ego istam exsolvam? obsignatast recte, res gesta est bene: