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Sooner than quit the spot, they parted with their lives; each, as he stood, lay there and kept his rank in death. When my master Amphitryon saw this, at once he ordered the cavalry on the right to charge. The cavalry obeyed directly; from the right wing,
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SOSIA
with a tremendous shout, with brisk onset they rushed on; and rightfully did they slaughter and trample down the impious forces of the foe.
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MERCURY
Not even one word of these has he yet uttered correctly; for I was there in the battle personally, and my father too, when it was fought.
SOSIA
The enemy betook themselves to flight. Then was new spirit added to our men, the Teleboans flying, with darts were their bodies filled, and Amphitryon himself, with his own hand, struck off the head of Pterelas their king. This battle was being fought there even from the morning till the evening. This do I the better remember for this reason; because on that day I went without my breakfast.
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But night at last, by its interposing, cut short this combat. The next day, the chiefs came weeping from the city to us at the camp. With covered handsWith covered hands: He alludes here to the carrying of the velamenta, which were branches of olive, surrounded with bandages of wool, and held in the hands of those who sued for mercy or pardon. The wool covered the hand, and was emblematical of peace, the hand being thereby rendered powerless to effect mischief., they entreated us to pardon their offences; and they all surrendered rendered up themselves. and all things divine and human, their city and their children, into the possession and unto the disposal of the Theban people.
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Lastly, by reason of his valour, a golden goblet was presented to my master Amphitryon, from which king PterelasKing Pterelas: Pterela, or Pterelas, was the son of Hippothoë, the cousin of Amphitryon and Alcmena. He had a daughter named Cymetho, or Cometho, and his fate was said to depend upon the preservation of a certain lock of his hair. Cymetho, smitten with love for Amphitryon, or, according to some accounts, for Cephalus, his associate in the enterprise, cut off the fatal lock, and, like Scylla, betrayed her father, who was afterwards slain by Amphitryon. had been used to drink. These things I’ll thus tell my mistress. I’ll now proceed to obey my master’s order and to betake me home.
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MERCURY
Heyday! he’s about to come this way; I’ll go meet him; and I’ll not permit this fellow at any time to-day to approach this house.
Since I have his form upon myself, I’m resolved to play the fellow off. And indeed, since I have taken upon me his figure and his station, it is right for me likewise to have actions and manners like to his. Therefore it befits me to be artful, crafty, very cunning, and by his own weapon, artfulness, to drive him from the door.
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But what means this? He is looking up at the sky. I’ll watch what scheme he’s about.
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SOSIA
Upon my faith, for sure, if there is aught besides that I believe, or know for certain, I do believe that this night the God of NightGod of Night: Nocturnus is generally supposed here to mean the God of Night, though some Commentators have fancied that by it the Evening Star is signified. has gone to sleep drunk; for neither does the Wain move itself in any direction in the sky, nor does the Moon bestir herself anywhere from where she first arose;
nor does OrionNor does Orion: Jugula means either the three stars composing the girdle of Orion or the Constellation Orion itself. It also was the name of two stars in the Constellation Cancer, or the Crab, which were also called Aselli, or the Little Asses. The plural, Jugulae, is more generally used. Septentriones was a name of the Ursa Major, or Greater Bear, also called by us Charles’s Wain. It received its name from septem, seven, and terriones, oxen that ploughed the earth, from its fancied resemblance to a string of oxen., or the Evening StarThe Evening Star: Vesperugo is a name of Hesperus, or the Evening Star; while the Constellation of the Pleiades was sometimes known by the name of Vergiliae., or the Pleiades, set. In such a fashion are the stars standing stock-still, and the night is yielding not a jot to the day.
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MERCURY
Go on, Night, as you’ve begun, and pay obedience to my father. In best styleIn best style: Optumo optume optumam operam. There is a clumsy attempt at wit in this alliteration., the best of services are you performing for the best of beings; in giving this, you reap a fair return.
SOSIA
I do not think that I have ever seen a longer night than this,
except one of like fashion, which livelong night I was hanging up, having been first whipped. Even that as well, by my troth, does this one by far exceed in its length. I’ faith, I really do believe that the Sun’s asleep, and is thoroughly drenched. It’s a wonder to me if he hasn’t indulged himself a little too much at dinner.
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MERCURY
Do you really say so, you scoundrel? Do you think that the Gods are like yourself?
I’ faith, you hang-dog, I’ll entertain you for these speeches and misdeeds of yours; only come this way, will you, and you’ll find your ruin.
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SOSIA
Where are those wenchers, who unwillingly lie a-bed alone? A rare night this for making the best of what was a bad bargain at firstBad bargain at first: This line has been a little modified in the translation..
MERCURY
My father then, according to this fellow’s words, is doing rightly and wisely, who in his amorousness, indulging his passion, is lying in the embraces of Alcmena.
SOSIA
I’ll go tell Alcmena, as my master ordered me. (Advancing, he discovers MERCURY.) But who is this fellow that I see before the house at this time of night? I don’t like it.
MERCURY
There is not in existence another such cowardly fellow as this.
