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Enter SOSIA, from the house
SOSIA
Amphitryon, I'm here; if any way you have need of me, command me; your commands I will obey. JUPITER
Very opportunely are you come. SOSIA
Has peace been made then between you two? But since I see you in good humour, I'm delighted, and it is a pleasure to myself. And so does it seem becoming for a trusty servant to conduct himself; just as his superiors are, so should he be likewise; by their countenances he should fashion his own countenance; if his superiors are grave, let him be grave; if they rejoice, let him be merry. But come, answer me; have you two now come to a reconciliation? JUPITER
You are laughing at me, who know full well that these things were just now said by me in joke. SOSIA
In joke did you say it? For my part, I supposed that it was said seriously and in truthfulness. JUPITER
Still, I've made my excuses; and peace has been made. SOSIA
'Tis very good. JUPITER
I shall now perform the sacrifice in-doors, and the vows which I have made. SOSIA
So I suppose. JUPITER
Do you invite hither, in my name, Blepharo, the pilot, from the ship, so that when the sacrifice has been performed, he may breakfast with me. SOSIA
I shall be here again, while you'll be thinking that I'm there. JUPITER
Return here directly. Exit SOSIA. ALCMENA
Do you wish for anything else, but that I should go in-doors now, that the things that are requisite may be got ready? JUPITER
Go then, and take care that everything is prepared as soon as possible. ALCMENA
Why, come in-doors whenever you please; I'll take care that there shall not be any delay. JUPITER
You say well, and just as befits an attentive wife. ALCMENA goes into the house. Now both of these, both servant and mistress, are, the pair of them, deceived, in taking me to be Amphitryon; egregiously do they err. Now, you immortal Sosia, take you care and be at hand for me. You hear what I say, although you are not present here. Take care that you contrive to drive away Amphitryon, on his arrival just now, by some means or other, from the house. I wish him to be cajoled, while with this borrowed wife I now indulge myself. Please, take care that this is attended to just in such way as you know that I desire, and that you assist me while to myself I am offering sacrifice1. Goes into AMPHITRYON'S house.
1 I am offering sacrifice: There is a cessation of action here, and Echard and Thornton rightly make the next Scene commence another Act. The interval is filled up with Amphitryon searching for Naucrates, Sosia for Blepharo, and Jupiter and Alcmena performing the sacrifice.
The Comedies of Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley. London. G. Bell and Sons. 1912.
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