Perde 4
[Textpart 2c]
I will leave go. (Lets go of AMPHITRYON.) But tell me, does that fellow appear to you to be Amphitryon?
BLEPHARO
Really, both of you do.
AMPHITRYON
O supreme Jupiter! when this day didst thou take from me my form? I’ll proceed to make enquiry of him; are you Amphitryon?
AMPHITRYON
Downright do I deny it, inasmuch as in Thebes there is no other Amphitryon besides myself.
JUPITER
On the contrary, no other besides myself; and, in fact, do you, Blepharo, be the judge.
BLEPHARO
I’ll make this matter clear by proofs, if I can. (To AMPHITRYON.) Do you answer first.
AMPHITRYON
With pleasure.
BLEPHARO
Before the battle with the Taphians was begun by you, what orders did you give me?
AMPHITRYON
The ship being in readiness, for you carefully to keep close to the rudder.
JUPITER
That if our people should take to flight, I might betake myself in safety thither.
BLEPHARO
Anything else as well?
AMPHITRYON
That the bag loaded with treasure should be carefully guarded.
JUPITER
Because the money—
BLEPHARO
Hold your tongue, you, if you please; it’s my place to ask. Did you know the amount?
JUPITER
Fifty Attic talents.
BLEPHARO
He tells the truth to a nicety. And you (to AMPHITRYON), how many Philippeans?
JUPITER
And obolsAnd obols: The obolus was the smallest of the Greek coins. It was of silver, and was worth in value rather more than three-halfpence of our money; six of them made a drachma. Plautus has not escaped censure for his anachronism, in talking here of the coins of Philip, King of Macedon. twice as many.
BLEPHARO
Each of you states the matter correctly. Inside the bag one of you must have been shut up.
