Perde 4
[Textpart 2a]
Why shouldn’t I deny it? See, he’s sufficiently a witness with whom I have just now come; I was sent on purpose that by your invitation I might bring him to your house.
AMPHITRYON
Who sent you, villain?
SOSIA
He who asks me the question.
AMPHITRYON
When, of all things?
SOSIA
Some little time since-not long since—just now. When you were reconciled at home to your wife.
AMPHITRYON
Bacchus must have demented you.
SOSIA
May I not be paying my respects to Bacchus this day, nor yet to CeresNor yet to Ceres: He wishes to see neither of these Deities, it being a common notion that those to whom they appeared became mad.. You ordered the vessels to be made clean, that you might perform a sacrifice, and you sent me to fetch him (pointing to BLEPHARO), that he might breakfast with you.
AMPHITRYON
Blepharo, may I perish outright if I have either been in the house, or if I have sent him. (To SOSIA.) Tell me—where did you leave me?
SOSIA
At home, with your wife Alcmena. Leaving you, I flew towards the harbour, and invited him in your name. We are come, and I’ve not seen you since till now.
AMPHITRYON
Villanous fellow! With my wife, say you? You shall never go away without getting a beating.
BLEPHARO
Amphitryon, do let him alone, for my sake, and listen to me.
AMPHITRYON
Well then, I’ll let him alone. What do you want? Say on.
BLEPHARO
He has just now been telling me most extraordi nary marvels. A juggler, or a sorcerer, perhaps, has enchanted all this household of yours. Do enquire in other quarters, and examine how it is. And don’t cause this poor fellow to be tortured, before you understand the matter.
AMPHITRYON
You give good advice; let’s go in, I want you also to be my advocate against my wife.
[Textpart 2b]
Who with such weighty blows has been shaking this door on all the hinges? Who has been making such a great disturbance for this long while before the house? If I find him out, I’ll sacrifice him to the shades of the Teleboans. There’s nothing, as the common saying is, that goes on well with me to-day. I left Blepharo and Sosia that I might find my kinsman Naucrates; him I have not found, and them I have lost. But I espy them; I’ll go meet them, to enquire if they have any news.
SOSIA
Blepharo, that’s our master that’s coming out of the house; but this man’s the sorcerer.
BLEPHARO
O Jupiter! What do I behold? This is not, but that is, Amphitryon; if this is, why really that cannot be he, unless, indeed, he is double.
JUPITER
See now, here’s Sosia with Blepharo; I’ll accost them the first. Well, Sosia, come to us at last? I’m quite hungry.
SOSIA
Didn’t I tell you, Blepharo, that this one was the sorcerer?
