Perde 2
[Textpart 2]
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?
SOSIA
I never saw one more so;
for she greets her own husband not a bit more than a dog.
680
AMPHITRYON
When I see you pregnant, and so gracefully burdened, I am delighted.
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?
For now you are addressing me just as though you were seeing me after a long time.
685
AMPHITRYON
Why, really for my part, I have not seen you at all this day until now.
ALCMENA
Why do you deny it?
AMPHITRYON
Because I have learned to speak the truth.
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?
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?
690
AMPHITRYON
Lately? How long since was this lately?
ALCMENA
You are trying me; but very lately, just now.
AMPHITRYON
Prithee, how can that possibly be as you say?—but very lately, just now.
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?
695
AMPHITRYON
Surely she is talking deliriously.
SOSIA
Stop a little while, until she has slept out this one sleep.
AMPHITRYON
Is she not dreaming with her eyes open?
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.
