 | Amphitryon |  |
SCENE III.
Enter JUPITER and ALCMENA.Jup.
Farewell, my Alcmena:
Take care of that, in which we both have interest;
And O! be sparing of yourself, I pray you:
You've gone, you know the full time of your reckoning.—
I must away hence of necessity:—
Whatever child is born, you'll bring it up.
Alc.
My lord, what business can it be, that you
46
Jup.
By my faith
It is not, that I'm wearied or of you,
Or of my home: But when the chief commander
Is absent from his army, 'tis more likely
Things will be done, which help not, than which ought.
Merc.
A crafty cousener he, this sire of mine!
Mind ye—how sweetly does he smooth her o'er!
Alc.
Ah! I do find indeed now by experience,
How much you prize your wife!
Jup.
Is't not enough,
I love her more than any of her sex?
Merc.
Faith; if your wife but know your tricks, I warrant
You'd rather be Amphitryon than high Jove.
Alc.
'Twould please me more to find it than be told so.
You leave me ere the bed, in which you lay,
Could well grow warm: you came at midnight to me;
And now you're gone again.—Say, is this kind?
Merc.
I will approach and speak to her, and second
My father in his wheedling. (To Alcmena.)
Never sure
Did mortal man so doat upon a wife!
He loves you to distraction.
47
Rogue! I know you:—
Out of my sight.—What business is't of your's?
Hang-dog!—how dare you chatter?—If I take
A stick in hand—
Alc.
O don't be in a rage.
Jup.
Do, mutter, sirrah.
Merc.
(Aside.)
This my first attempt
At wheedling has, I find, but ill succeeded.
Jup.
Sweet wife, you ought not to be angry with me
For that which you complain of.—I withdrew
In secret from the army, stole this interview,
That you might be the first to learn from me,
How I succeeded.—I have told you all.—
This, if I had not lov'd you to th'extreme,
I had not done.
Merc.
(Aside.)
So—is't not as I said?
See, how this stroking cheers her!
Jup.
I must now
Return from hence in secret, left the troops
Should scent my absence, when they'll say, that I
Prefer'd my wife before the public good.
Alc.
I cannot chuse but weep for your departure.
Jup.
Come, come, no more bewailings: do not spoil
Those pretty eyes: I shortly shall return.
Alc.
Ah me! that shortly will be all too long.
Jup.
'Tis with reluctance I must leave you here,
48
Alc.
Ay, I do perceive it:
For on the very night you came to me,
On that same you depart.
(Hangs about Jupiter.)
Jup.
Why do you hold me?
'Tis time; and I would leave the city ere
It waxes light.—Alcmena, with this cup
I now present you, giv'n me for my valour,
The same king Pterelas drank from, whom I slew
With my own hand.
Alc.
(Taking the cup.)
Done like your other actions:
As you are always wont to do.—By heavens
A noble gift, and worthy him that gave it!
Merc.
A noble gift indeed, and worthy her
To whom 'tis giv'n!
Jup.
You rascal! what again?
Why don't I put an end to you at once,
And your impertinence?
Alc.
Nay prithee, love,
Do not be angry for him with my sake.
Jup.
Sweet, you shall be obey'd.
Merc.
(Aside.)
How plaguy cross.
His wenching makes him!
49
(Going.)
Would you ought else?
Alc.
This—that you'd love me, though I am away,
Me that am your's still, though you're absent from me.
Merc.
'Tis almost day, Sir: come, Sir, let's be going.
Jup.
Go you before: I'll follow you this instant.
[Exit Mercury.
Would you ought else?
Alc.
Yes, one thing—that you would
Return, and presently.
50
It shall be so:
My presence shall forerun your expectation.
Be of good heart, my love.
[Exit Alcmena.
| Amphitryon | |