University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Enter BLEPHARO and SOSIA at a Distance.
Bleph.
How, Sosia!—'Tis most strange what you relate.
You found at home another Sosia, say you,
Resembling you?

Sos.
I did, I say.—But hearkye,
Since I myself have spawn'd another Sosia,
Amphitryon an Amphitryon, how d'ye know,
But you too peradventure may engender
Another Blepharo? Would to heav'n, that you
Were thump'd and bruis'd, your teeth knock'd out, and kept
Without a dinner; then you might believe me:
For I, that other Sosia, who am yonder,
Maul'd me most grievously.

Bleph.
'Tis wondrous strange!
But we must mend our pace; for, as I see,
Amphitryon's waiting, and my empty guts
Begin to grumble.

Amph.
(To himself.)
Wherefore should I talk
Of foreign legends, when they tales recount
More wondrous of the Founder of our Thebes?
This mighty searcher of Europa lost,
Having subdued the Mars-engender'd beast,
Rais'd on the spot a troop of armed men
By sowing of the serpent's teeth:—these parted,
And 'twixt the two bands a dread fight ensued;
With spear and helmet brother press'd on brother.
Nor is this all. Epirus has beheld
The author of our race together with
His spouse Hermione, fair Venus' daughter,
Creep in the form of serpents. Jove supreme
Did thus ordain from high, thus will'd the Fates.
All, all the noblest chieftains of our house
Have for their bright atchievements been persued
With dire afflictions; and the same sad fate
Now presses me:—yet could I stand it's force,
And suffer miseries scarce to be endur'd,
Were but Alcmena honest.

Sos.
Blepharo!

Bleph.
What?

Sos.
I fear there's some mischance or other.

Bleph.
Why?

Sos.
Look you,—our door is shut, and there's my master
Sauntering before it, like an humble courtier
Waiting to bid good-morrow.

Bleph.
Poh! that's nothing:—
He's walking only for an appetite.

Sos.
A curious thought indeed!—to shut the door,
Lest it should come too early.

Bleph.
Cease your yelping,
You puppy you.

Sos.
I neither yelp nor bark.
If you'll be rul'd by me, pray let's observe him:
Something he's musing on, I know not what:
He's reckoning some account methinks: I here
Can over-hear him.—Don't be in an hurry.

Amph.
O how I fear me, lest the Gods should rase
The glory I have gain'd in vanquishing
Our foes the Teleboans! All our family
I find in strange confusion and disorder:
My wife too!—O she kills me, she's so full
Of stain, of prostitution, and dishonour.—
But I do marvel much about the cup;
For yet the seal was whole.—What shall I say?
She told me the particulars of the fight,
And how king Pterelas I bravely slew
With my own hand.—Oh, now I know the trick!
'Tis Sosia's doing, who has had the impudence
To get before me here.

Sos.
He talks of me,
And little to my liking.—I beseech you,
Don't let us face him, till he has discover'd
What 'tis broils in his stomach.

Bleph.
As you will.

Amph.
If I but lay hold on him,—a whipt slave!
I'll teach him what it is with tricks and threats
To put upon a master.

Sos.
Do you hear him?

Bleph.
Yes, very plain.

Sos.
The burthen on't will light
Upon my shoulders.—Prithee let's accost him.—
Do you not know the saying?—

Bleph.
Troth I know not
What you'll be saying, but I shrewdly guess
What you'll be suffering.—

Sos.
An old proverb—“Hunger
“And a slack guest breeds anger.”

Bleph.
By my faith
A true one. Let's accost him then directly.—
Amphitryon!

Amph.
Sure 'tis Blepharo's voice I hear.
I wonder wherefore he should come to me!
He comes though opportunely to assist
In proving my wife's baseness.—Blepharo!
What brings you hither?

Bleph.
How! have you forgot
So soon your sending Sosia to the ship
This morning, to invite me here to dinner?

Amph.
I never did. But where's the villain?

Bleph.
Who?

Amph.
Sosia.

Bleph.
Behold him.

Amph.
Where?

Bleph.
Before your eyes.
There—don't you see?

Amph.
I can scarce see for anger.
The rascal has distracted me.— (to Sosia.)
Don't think
Thou shalt escape—I'll sacrifice thee,—villain!
(Offering to strike Sosia, Blepharo holds him.)
Suffer me, Blepharo.

Bleph.
Hear me, I beseech you.

Amph.
What is it? Speak, I hear you.—There—take that.

(To Sosia, striking him.)
Sos.
And wherefore do you strike me? Am I not
Come time enough? I could not have gone quicker,
If I had borne me on the wings of Dædalus.

(Amphitryon offers to strike Sosia again.)
Bleph.
Hold, I beseech you. 'Twas not in our power
To come a quicker pace, believe me.

Amph.
Whether
He strode on stilts, or crept with tortoise speed,
I am resolv'd to be his death,—a villain!
(Striking him at every sentence.)
This for the tiles!—this for the house-top!—this
For barring of the door!—this for your making
Sport of your master!—this for your foul language!

Bleph.
What harm pray has he done you?

Amph.
Done, d'ye ask?
He shut the door against me, from the house-top
Pelted and drove me off with tiles.

Sos.
What, I?

Amph.
What did you threaten you would do, if I
But touch'd the door?—Can you deny it, villain?

Sos.
Why not? Here's ample witness, he I'm come with,
Whom I was sent with speed t'invite to dinner.

Amph.
Who sent you, rascal?

Sos.
He that asks the question.

Amph.
Ha! when?

Sos.
Just now,—lately,—a moment since,—
When you was reconcil'd here with your lady.

Amph.
Bacchus has turn'd your head.

Sos.
May I not see
Bacchus to-day, nor Ceres!—You gave orders
The vessels should be clean'd, that you might make
A sacrifice, and sent me to invite
Him here to dinner.

Amph.
Blepharo, let me dye,
If I have been within yet, or e'er sent him.—
Where did you leave me? Speak.

Sos.
At your own house,
And with my lady,—when I parted from you,
Flew to the port, and in your name invited
Blepharo here to dinner.—We are come,—
I never saw you after till this instant.

Amph.
How! villain, with my wife?—You shall not hence
Without a drubbing.

(Strikes him.)
Sos.
Blepharo!

Bleph.
(interfering)
Good Amphitryon,
Let him alone now for my sake, and hear me.

Amph.
Well—speak your pleasure.

Bleph.
He has lately told me
Of things most strange.—Some juggler peradventure
Or sorcerer has enchanted all your family.
Enquire into it, see what it can be,
And do not torture this poor wretch, untill
You've learn'd the truth.

Amph.
You counsel me aright:
Let's in: I'd have you for an advocate
Against my wife.

[They move towards the door.