Perde 2
[Textpart 1]
and then besides, he has carried off my figure together with my name. Not even is milk more like to milk than is that I myself like to me myself. For when some time since, before daybreak, you sent me from the harbour home before you—
600
SOSIA
I had been standing a long time at the door before I had got there.
AMPHITRYON
Plague on it, what nonsense! Are you quite in your senses?
SOSIA
I’m just as you see me.
AMPHITRYON
Some mischief, I know not what, has befallen this fellow from an evil hand An evil hand: Malâ manu. In this line these words relate to sorcery or enchantment, probably through spells, in which the hand was employed. Sosia takes the opportunity of punning, by understanding the words in their literal sense. Evil hand, indeed, he says, when I have been almost mauled to death with fists. since he left me.
605
SOSIA
I confess it; for I have been most shockingly bruised with his fists.
AMPHITRYON
Who has been beating you?
SOSIA
I myself, who am now at home, beat me myself.
AMPHITRYON
Take you care to say nothing but what I shall ask you. Now, do you answer me. First of all, who this Sosia is, of that I want to be informed.
SOSIA
He is your servant.
610
AMPHITRYON
Really I have even more than I desire by your own one self. Never, too, since I was born, had I a servant Sosia besides yourself.
610
SOSIA
But now, Amphitryon, I say this; I’ll make you, I say, on your arrival, meet with another Sosia at home, a servant of yours, besides myself, a son of Davus, the same father with myself, of figure and age as well
just like myself. What need is there of words? This Sosia of yours is become twofold.
615
AMPHITRYON
You talk of things extremely wonderful. But did you see my wife?
SOSIA
Nay, but it was never allowed me to go in-doors into the house.
AMPHITRYON
Who hindered you?
SOSIA
This Sosia, whom I was just now telling of, he who thumped me.
AMPHITRYON
Who is this Sosia?
SOSIA
Myself, I say; how often must it be told you?
