University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

JUPITER
appears above.
[Thunder and Lightning.]
Be of good cheer, Amphitryon; I am come
To comfort and assist you and your family.
Nothing you have to fear; then let alone
All sooth-sayers and diviners: I'll inform you
Of what is past, and what is yet to come,
Much better than they can, since I am Jove.
Know first of all, I have enjoy'd Alcmena,
Whence she was pregnant by me with a son:
You likewise left her pregnant, when you went
To th'army. At one birth two boys together
She has brought forth: the one, sprung from my loins,
Shall gain immortal glory by his deeds.
Restore Alcmena to your ancient love:
In nothing does she merit your reproaches:
She was compell'd by my resistless power,
To what she did.—I now return to heav'n.

[Jupiter ascends.