University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

MERCURY
alone.
Well!—our affair goes prosperously on.
I have remov'd the greatest obstacle;
So that my father may indulge his love
Securely with Alcmena.—Now this fellow,
Soon as he sees Amphitryon, will tell him,
That Sosia drove him Sosia from the door.
What must his master think, but that he lyes?
He'll not believe it, that his slave has been
Here, as he had commanded. Thus shall both,
And all Amphitryon's family, be fill'd
With error and distraction, till my father
Has full enjoyment had of her he loves
E'en to satiety.—Then all will know
What has been done: my father in the end
Will reconcile Alcmena with her husband,
Holding their ancient concord: for Amphitryon
Will make an heavy bustle with his wife,
Accusing her of foul incontinence.—
This strife my father will appease.—And now
As for Alcmena, (for of her as yet
I've said but little,) she'll to-day bring forth
Twin-sons; one born ten months from his conception,
The other sev'n: the one Amphitryon's is,
The other Jupiter's: The younger owns
The greater sire, the elder the inferior.—
D'ye comprehend the mystery?—Yet more,—
So tender is he of Alcmena's honour,
My father has provided these shall both
Be born together, that one painful labour
May serve for both, and that she might not fall
Under suspicion of unchastity,
But their clandestine loves remain conceal'd.
Though as I said, Amphitryon shall know all:—
What then?—There's no one will impute it surely
As scandal to Alcmena: for it would not
Be acting like a God to let the blame
Of his offences light upon a mortal.—
I must stop here,—the door creeks,—and here comes
The counterfeit Amphitryon with his wife
That he has borrow'd.

(Retires from the door.)