Perde 2
[Textpart 2]
I’ faith, you’ll do so quite to my satisfaction.
AMPHITRYON
How say you? Answer me; what if I bring your own kinsman, Naucrates, hither from the ship,
who, together with me, has been brought on board the same ship; and if he denies that that has happened which you say has happened, what is proper to be done to you? Do you allege any reason. why I should not at your cost dissolveAt your cost dissolve: Mulctem matrimonio. He alludes to the custom among the Romans of the husband retaining the marriage-portion of the wife, when she was divorced for adultery. If they separated for any other reason, her portion was returned to her. this our marriage?
850
ALCMENA
If I have done wrong, there is no reason.
AMPHITRYON
Agreed. Do you, Sosia, take these Take these: Hos. It is not known to what this word is intended to apply; but it may possibly refer to some captives which he has brought with him, the fruits of his conquest. people in-doors. I’ll bring Naucrates hither with me from the ship.
SOSIA
Now then, there’s no one here except ourselves; tell me the truth seriously, is there any Sosia in-doors who is like myself?
855
ALCMENA
Won’t you hence away from me, fit servant for your master?
SOSIA
If you command me, I’m off I’m off: We may suppose him to say so with peculiar alacrity, as abeo, the word used by Alcmena, was the formal word used on the manumission of a slave.,
ALCMENA
By heavens, it is a very wondrous proceeding, how it has pleased this husband of mine thus to accuse me falsely of a crime so foul.
Whatever it is, I shall now learn it from my kinsman Naucrates.
860
