Perde 2
[Textpart 2]
Well, and don’t you think that I shall come much wished for to my mistress?
ALCMENA
Surely, this is my husband.
660
AMPHITRYON
Do you follow me this way.
660
ALCMENA
But why has he returned, when just now he said that he was in haste? Is he purposely trying me, and is he desirous to make proof of this, how much I regret his departure? By my faith, against no inclination of mine has he betaken himself home.
660
SOSIA
Amphitryon, it were better for us to return to the ship.
AMPHITRYON
For what reason?
SOSIA
Because there’s no person at home to give us a breakfast on our arrival.
665
AMPHITRYON
How comes that now into your mind?
SOSIA
Why, because we have come too late.
SOSIA
Because I see Alcmena standing before the house, with her stomach-full Stomach-full: He is guilty of a vulgar pun on the word saturam, which may either mean having a full stomach or being pregnant. already.
AMPHITRYON
I left her pregnant here when I went away.
SOSIA
Alas, to my sorrow, I’m undone!
AMPHITRYON
What’s the matter with you?
SOSIA
I have come home just in good time to fetch the water To fetch the water: He alludes to the practice among the ancients of bathing immediately after childbirth, and says that he himself, as the servant, will have to fetch the buckets of water
in the tenth month after that, according as I understand you to compute the reckoning.
670
AMPHITRYON
Be of good heart.
SOSIA
Do you know of how good heart I am? By my troth, do you never after this day entrust to me aught that is sacred, if I don’t draw up all the life of that well, if I do but make a beginning.
AMPHITRYON
Do you only follow me this way. I’ll appoint another person for that business; don’t you fear.
ALCMENA
I think that I shall now be doing my duty more, if I go to meet him.
675
