Latest / Amphitryon; or, Jupiter in Disguise / Act 2

Transcript

Act 2 · Amphitryon; or, Jupiter in Disguise

0:00
Act two of Amphitryon or Jupiter in Disguise by Titus Machius Plotos, translated by
0:09
Henry Thomas Riley. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in
0:15
the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot
0:20
org. Act two, Scene one. Enter Amphithryon and Sisia at the end
0:28
of the stage. Come, do you follow after me? Who I'm following?
0:33
Who I am following closer after you? I think that you're the veriest
0:37
rogue. But for what reason? Because that which neither is, nor ever
0:42
was, nor will be. You declare to me that you are now acting
0:47
accorded to your usual fashion, to be putting no trust in your servants.
0:52
Why is it so? For what reason? Surely? Now, by the
0:56
powers I'll cut out that villaino's tongue of yours? You, villain, I
1:00
am yours. Do each thing just as it is agreeable and as it pleases
1:04
you. Still you never can, by any method, hinder me from saying
1:08
these things just as they took place here, you consummate villain, Do you
1:12
dare tell me this that you are now at home? Who are here present?
1:18
Now? I speak the truth? A mishap shall the God send upon
1:21
you? And I this day will send it as well? That's in your
1:25
power, for I am your property. Do you dare you whip scoundrel,
1:30
to play your tricks with me, your master? Do you dare affirm that
1:34
which no person ever yet before this is seen, and which cannot possibly happen
1:38
for the same man to be in two places together at the same time?
1:42
Undoubtedly, such as I say, is the fact? Hey, Jupiter confound
1:46
you? What evil master? If I been deemed deserving of in your service?
1:51
Do you ask me, you rogue, who are even making sport of
1:55
me? With reason? Might you curse me if it had not so happened?
2:00
But I tell no, lie, and I speak because the thing really
2:04
did happen. This fellow's drunk, as I imagine what I yes, you
2:09
there, No I wish I were, So you're wishing for that which is
2:15
fact? What have you been drinking nowhere? Indeed? What is this?
2:20
What is the matter with the fellow? Really? I've told you ten times
2:24
over. I am both at home now, I say, do you mark
2:28
me? And I sosociate? And with you? Likewise? Don't I appear?
2:34
Masters who told you quite distinctly and quite circumstantially that this is so pervaunt,
2:39
get away with you from me. What's the matter? A pestilence possesses
2:45
you? But why do you say so to me? I really am quite
2:50
well and in perfect health, and the try on. But I'll make you
2:53
this very day, just as you have deserved, not to be quite so
2:57
well, and to be miserable instead of your perfect time health. If I
3:00
return home, follow me you in this fashion and making sport of your master
3:05
with your crack brain talk, you who's neglected to perform what your master ordered,
3:09
and now come even of your own accord to laugh at your master things
3:13
that neither can happen, and which no one ever yet heard of in talk
3:16
you were telling me of you villain on your back. I'll take care and
3:20
make those lies to tell this very day and for trial. This is the
3:24
most rich and richness to a good servant who was telling the truth to his
3:28
master. If that same truth is overpowered by violence, discuss it with me
3:34
by proofs. Why how the plague and such a thing happen for you now
3:38
to be both here and at home? That I want to be told,
3:42
I really am both here and there this any person has a right to wonder
3:47
at, nor in for trial. Does this seem more strange to you than
3:52
to myself? In what way? In no degree? I say, is
3:57
this more strange to you than to myself? Nor so may the deities love
4:01
me? Did I at first credit socia me myself? Until that's sosia I
4:08
myself made me to believe me myself in order did he relate everything as each
4:15
thing came to pass when we sojourned with the enemy. And then besides he
4:20
has carried off my figure together with my name, not even his milk,
4:25
more like to milk than it is that I myself liked to me myself.
4:30
For when some time since before daybreak you sent me from the arbor owne before
4:34
you what then, I had been standing a long time at the door,
4:39
before I had got there, plague on it? What nonsense? Are you
4:43
quite in your senses? I'm just as you see me. Some mischief?
4:48
I know not what has befallen this fellow from an evil hand since he left
4:51
me? No, I confess it, for I've been most shockingly bruised with
4:56
his fists. Who has been beating you myself? Who am now at home
5:01
beat me myself? Take you care to say? Nothing? But what I
5:04
shall ask you? Now? Do you answer me? First of all?
5:09
Who dissociate is of that? I want to be informed? He is your
5:14
servant? Really I have ever more than I desire by your own oneself?
5:18
Never too since I was born, had I a servant Sosia besides yourself?
5:24
But now Inftron I say this, I'll make you. I say, on
5:29
your arrival, meet with another socier at home, the servant of yours,
5:33
besides myself, the son of Davis, the same father with myself, of
5:39
figure and age as well, just like myself. What need is there of
5:43
words? This socior of yours has become twofold. You talk of things extremely
5:48
wonderful. But did you see my wife? Nay? But it was never
5:54
allowed me to go indoors into the house. Who hindered you? This socior
5:59
whom I was just now telling of, he who thumped me? Who is
6:02
this socier myself? I say, how often must it be told you?
6:09
But how say you? Have you been sleeping the while not the slightest in
6:14
the world, then perhaps you might perchance have seen some Socia in your dreams.
6:18
I'm not in the abbot of performing the orders of my master in a
6:21
sleepy fashion. Awake. I saw him awake. I now see you awake.
6:29
I am talking awake. Did he a little while since thump me about
6:32
with his fists? What person did so? So? Sir? That are
6:38
myself? He? I say, prithee. Don't you understand how the plague?
6:44
Can anyone possibly understand? You were jabbering such nonsense that you'll know him
6:48
shortly whom you'll know, this servant? So sier follow me this way,
6:55
then, for it is necessary for me first to inquire into this. But
6:59
take care that all the things that I ordered are now brought from the ship.
7:02
I'm both mindful indulgent that what you order shall be performed, together with
7:08
the wine I have not drunk up your commands. May the gods grant that,
7:13
in the event what you have said may prove untrue? They stand apart.
7:18
Scene two, enter alcmena from the house attendant by Tessalah. Is not
7:26
the proportion of pleasures in life and in passing our existence short in comparison with
7:31
what is disagreeable, So it is allotted to each man in life. So
7:38
has it pleased the gods that sorrow should attend on pleasure as her companion.
7:42
But if aught of good befalls us more of trouble, and of ill forthwith
7:46
attends us. For this do I now feel by experience at home and in
7:51
relation to myself, to whom delight has been imparted for a very short time,
7:58
while I had the opportunity of seeing my husband for but one night,
8:03
And now has he suddenly gone away, hence from me before the dawn deserted?
8:07
Do I now seem to myself because he is absent from here? He
8:11
whom before all I love. More of grief have I felt from the departure
8:16
of my husband than of pleasure from his arrival. But this at least makes
8:22
me happy, that he has conquered the foe and has returned home loaded with
8:28
glory. Let him be absent, if only, with fame acquired, he
8:31
betakes himself home. I shall bear and ever endure his absence, with mind
8:37
resolved in steadfast. If only this reward is granted me, that my husband
8:43
shall be hailed the conqueror in the warfare sufficient for myself, will I deem
8:48
it valor is the best reward. Valor assuredly surpasses all things, liberty,
8:54
safety, life, property, and parents, country too and children by it
9:01
are defended and preserved. Valor comprises everything in itself. All blessings attend him
9:07
in whose possession is Valor Amphidrayuan. Apart by my troth, I do believe
9:15
that I shall come much wished for by my wife, who loves me,
9:18
and whom in return I love, especially my enterprise crown with success, the
9:24
enemy vanquished, whom no one had supposed to be able to be conquered.
9:26
These under my conduct and command at the first meeting have we vanquished. But
9:33
I never sure that I shall come to her much wished for. Saisia aside,
9:37
Well, when don't you think that I shall come much wished for to
9:39
my mistress? Amphidrayan advances at a distance with Saisia Akmena to herself. Surely
9:48
this is my husband, Amphidrayuan to Saisia. Do you follow me this way?
9:56
Alcmena to herself? But why has he returned when just now he said
10:00
that he was in haste? Is he purposely trying me? And is he
10:05
desirous to make proof of this? How much I regret his departure by my
10:09
faith against no inclination of mine? Has he betaken himself home and for trial?
10:16
It were better for us to return to the ship. For what reason?
10:22
Because there's no person at home to give us a breakfast on our arrival.
10:26
How comes that now into your mind? Why because we've come too late?
10:31
How so because I see alp Mina standing before the house with her stomach
10:37
full already I left her pregnant here when I went away. Bless to my
10:43
sorrow, I'm undone. What's the matter with you? I've come home just
10:48
in time to fetch the water in the tenth month after that, According to
10:52
I understand you to compute the reckoning be of good heart? Do you know
10:56
how of our good art I am by my troth? Do you never,
11:01
after this day entrust to me? Or that is sacred? If I don't
11:05
draw up all the life of that will? If I do but make a
11:09
beginning, do you only follow me this way? I'd appoint another person for
11:13
that business? Don't you fear? Ike meana advancing? I think that I
11:18
shall now be doing my duty more. If I go to meet him,
11:24
they meet with joy and for try and greets his longed for wife, her
11:28
who of all women and thieves. Her husband dreams by father most excellent,
11:33
and whom so much the theban citizens truthfully extoll is virtuous? Have you fared
11:37
well all along? Do I arrive much waited for by you? Cissia aside?
11:43
No, I never saw one more so, for she greets her own
11:48
husband, not a bit more than a dog. When I see you pregnant
11:52
and so gracefully burdened, I am delighted, prithee, in the name of
11:58
all that's good. Why for the sake of mockery do you thus salute and
12:01
address me as though you hadn't lately seen me, as though now for the
12:07
first time you were betaking yourself homeward here from the enemy. For now you
12:11
are addressing me just as though you were seeing me after a long time.
12:16
Why, really, for my part, I have not seen you it all
12:18
this day until now? Why do you deny it? Because I have learned
12:24
to speak the truth. He does not do right who unlearns the same that
12:28
he has learned? Are you making trial? What feelings I possess? But
12:33
why are you returning hither so soon? Has an ill omen delayed you?
12:39
Or does the weather keep you back? You who have not gone away to
12:43
your troops as you were lately speaking of lately? How long since was this
12:48
lately? You are trying me, but very lately just now for they?
12:54
How can that possibly be? As you say, but very lately, just
12:58
now? Why what do you imagine that I, on the other hand,
13:03
sheheld trifle with you, who were playing with me, and saying that you
13:07
are now come for the first time, you who but just now went away
13:11
from here. Surely she is talking deliriously stop a while till she has slipped
13:18
out this one sleep? Is she not dreaming with her eyes open? Upon
13:22
my faith? For my part, I really am awake and awake, I
13:28
am relating that which has happened for but lately. Before daybreak, I saw
13:33
both him pointing at Sisia and yourself in what place here in the house where
13:41
you yourself dwell? It never was the fact when you're not old your peace?
13:48
What if the vessel brought us here from the arbor in our sleep?
13:52
Are you two going to back her as well? Sisia aside to Antidryan,
13:56
what do you wish to be done? Don't you know if you wish to
14:01
oppose a raving bechenal from a mad woman you'll render her more mad. She'll
14:05
strike the oftener few humor. After one blow you may overcome her. But
14:11
by my troth, this thing has resolved upon somehow to rape her, who
14:15
this day has been unwilling to greet me on my arrival home. You'll only
14:18
be irritating orn its. You hold your tongue alcmena. I wish to ask
14:24
you one thing, Ask me anything you please. Is it frenzy that has
14:28
come upon you? Or does pride overcome you? How comes it into your
14:33
mind my husband to ask me that? Because formerly you used to greet me
14:37
on my rival and to address me in such manner as those women who are
14:41
virtuous I want their husband's on my rival home. I found that you have
14:46
got rid of that custom by my faith. Indeed, I assuredly did both
14:50
greet you yesterday upon your arrival at that very instant, and at the same
14:56
time I inquired if you had continued in health all My husband and I took
15:01
your hand and gave you a kiss. Well, did you welcome him yesterday?
15:07
And you too as well, Sosia? And for trial, I did
15:13
hope she was about to bring you forth a sun But she isn't gone with
15:16
child? What then with madness? Really, I am in my senses,
15:24
and I pray the gods that in safety I may bring forth a sun.
15:28
But to Saysia, hap ill shall you be having? If he does his
15:35
duty for those ominous words, omen maker, you shall catch what befits you?
15:41
Or really an apple ought to be given to the lady thus pregnant,
15:45
that there may be something ver ignore if she should begin to fight. Did
15:50
you see me here yesterday? I did I say? If you wish it
15:54
to be ten times repeated in your sleep? Perhaps? No? Oh,
16:00
I awake? Saw you awake? Whoa to me? What's the matter with
16:07
you? My wife is mad? She's attacked with black bile. Nothing so
16:11
soon turns people mad. When, madam, did you first find yourself affected?
16:18
Why? Really, upon my faith, I'm well and in my senses.
16:22
Why then do you say that you saw me yesterday whereas we were brought
16:27
into harbor. But last night there did I dine, and there did I
16:32
rest the livelong night on board ship, Not if I set foot even here
16:36
into the house. Since with the army they set out hence against the telebone
16:40
foe, and since we conquered them on the contrary, you dined with me
16:45
and you slept with me. How so I'm telling the truth on my honor,
16:52
not in this matter. Really about other matters, I don't know.
16:56
At the very break of dawn you went away to your troops. By what
17:03
means could I? She says, right, according as she remembers, she's
17:08
telling you a dream. But Madam, after you arose, you ought to
17:12
have sacrificed to Jove, the disposer of prodigies, either with a salt cake
17:18
or with frankencense a mischief on your head. That's your own business, if
17:23
you take due care. Now again, this fellow is talking rudely to me,
17:29
and that without punishment. Amphitryon to Sysia. You hold your tongue to
17:36
Alcmena. Do you tell me now did I go away heads from you?
17:40
At daybreak? Who then, but your own self recounted to me how the
17:45
battle went there? And do you know that as well? Why I heard
17:48
it from your own self how you had taken a very large city, and
17:53
how you yourself had slain King Peterelus. What did I tell you? This?
18:00
You yourself? This Saussia standing by as well? Aunt phytryun to Cissia,
18:07
have you heard me telling about this to day? Where should I have
18:11
heard you? Ask her in my presence? Indeed, it never took place
18:18
that I know of. It would be a wonder if he didn't contradict you,
18:22
Saysia. Come here and look at me. Cissia looks at him.
18:27
I am looking at you. I wish you to tell me the truth,
18:32
and I don't want you to humor me. Have you heard me this day
18:36
say to her these things, which she affirms? Prithee, Now barmar troth,
18:40
are you too mad as well? When you ask me this? Me?
18:45
Who, for my part, my own self now beholder in company with
18:48
you for the first time? How now, madam, do you hear him?
18:52
I do, indeed, and telling an untruth. Do you believe neither
18:59
him or my own self? Your husband? No? For this reason.
19:03
It is because I most readily believe myself, and I am sure that these
19:10
things took place just as I relate them. Do you say that I came
19:15
yesterday? Do you deny that you went away from here today? I really
19:22
do deny it, and I declare that I have now come home to you
19:25
for the first time. Prithee, Will you deny this too, that you
19:29
today made me a present of a golden goblet with which you said that you
19:33
had been presented by heavens. I neither gave it nor told you so,
19:37
but I had so intended, and do so now to present you with that
19:41
goblet. Who told you this? Why? I heard it from yourself?
19:48
And I receive the goblet from your own hand. She moves as if going
19:53
stay, stay, I entreat you, Socia. I marveled much. How
19:59
she know that I was presented there with this golden goblet? Unless you have
20:03
lately met her and told her all of this? Upon my faith, I
20:07
have never told her, nor have I ever be elder, except with yourself.
20:11
What is the matter with this person? Should you like the goblet to
20:15
be produced? I should like it to be produced? Be it? So?
20:21
Do you go Versala and bring from indoors the garblet with which my husband
20:25
presented me today. Tessalah goes into the house, and Amphi tryon and Cissia
20:32
walk on one side? Socia, do you step this way? Really?
20:37
I do wonder extremely this beyond the other wondrous matters. If she has got
20:41
this goblet? And do you believe it when it's carried in this casket sealed
20:45
with your own seal. He shows the casket is the seal hole. Examine
20:52
it, Amphi, tryon examining it? All right, it's just as I
20:57
sealed it up. Pray thee. Why don't you order her to be purified
21:03
as a frantic person by my troth? Somehow there's need for it, for
21:07
I faith she certainly filled with sprites. Fessalah returns with the goblet and gives
21:14
it to Alcmena, What need is there of talking? See? Here is
21:18
the goblet? Here it is, Give it to me. Come now,
21:22
then look here if you please, You who deny what is fact, and
21:26
whom I shall now clearly convict in this case? Isn't this the goblet with
21:30
which you were presented there? Supreme Jupiter, what do I behold? Surely
21:37
this is that goblet? So Sia, I'm utterly confounded on my faith.
21:44
Either this woman is a most consummate juggler or the goblet must be in ear
21:49
point into the casket. Come then open this casket? Why should I open
21:55
it? It is securely sealed. The thing is cleverly contrived. You have
22:00
brought forth another end. For try on, I've brought forth another associate.
22:04
Now, if the goblet has brought forth a goblet, we've all procured our
22:08
doubles. I'm determined to open and examine it. Look, please, how
22:14
the seal is that you may not hereafter? Throw the blame on me?
22:18
Now do open it, for she certainly is desirous to drive us mad with
22:22
her talking. Whence then came this which was made a present to me,
22:26
but from yourself. It's necessary for me to inquire into this Cissia opening the
22:33
casket. Jupiter, Oh Jupiter, what is the matter with you? There's
22:40
no goblet here in the casket? What do I hear? That? Which
22:45
is the truth? But at your peril now if it does not make its
22:48
appearance, ike Meana showing it? Why it does make its appearance? Who
22:55
then gave it to you? The person that's asking me the question question?
23:00
Sisia to Amphidryan, you're on the catch for me inasmuch as you yourself is
23:06
secretly run before me hither from the ship by another road of taking the goblet
23:10
away from here, given it to her, and afterwards you secretly sealed it
23:12
up again. Ah me and you two helping her frenzy as well to Alkmina
23:19
do you say that we arrived here yesterday? I do say so. And
23:23
on your arrival you instantly greeted me and I you and I gave you a
23:30
kiss. Sisia aside that beginning now about the kiss doesn't please me, go
23:37
on telling it. Then you bathed? What after I bathed? You took
23:42
your place at table? Bravo capital, Now make further inquiry, amphidryuan to
23:52
Sisia, don't you interrupt to alkmena, go on telling me? The dinner
23:59
was served, You dined with me, I reclined together with you at the
24:03
repast? What on the same couch, on the same Oh, dear,
24:11
I don't like this banquet. Now do let her give me proofs to a
24:17
camena. What after we dined you said that you were inclined to go to
24:22
sleep. The table was removed, thence we went to bed. Where did
24:29
you lie in the chamber in the same bed together with yourself? You have
24:34
proved my undoing. What's the matter with you this very moment? As she
24:40
sent me to my grave? How so pray, don't address me what's the
24:45
matter with you? To my sorrow, I'm undone, since in my absence
24:49
from here, Disna has befallen her chastity in Heaven's name, My lord,
24:55
why I beseech you? Do I hear this from you? I your lord,
25:00
false one? Don't call me by a false name. Cysia aside,
25:06
does an odd matter this? If indeed he has been made into my lady?
25:10
From my lord? What have I done by reason of which these expressions
25:15
are uttered to me? You yourself proclaim your own doings. Do you inquire
25:18
of me and what you have offended? Then? What have I offended you?
25:22
If I have been with you to whom I am married, you've been
25:26
with me? What is there of greater effrontery than this impudent woman? At
25:30
least if you're wanting in modesty of your own you might have borrowed it.
25:34
That criminality which you lay to my charge befits not my family. If you
25:41
try to catch me in incontinence, you cannot convict me. Immortal gods,
25:47
do you at least know me, Sosia? Pretty well? Did I not
25:51
dine yesterday on board the ship in the Persian port? I have witnesses as
25:56
well who can confirm that which I say. Don't know what to say to
26:00
this matter? List perchance there is another Ampha trial, who, perhaps though
26:04
you yourself are absent, takes care of your business, and who in your
26:08
absence performs your duties here for about that counterfeit Socior, it is very surprising,
26:15
certainly about this Antha trial. Now it is another matter still more surprising
26:22
some magician. I know not who is bewildering this woman. By the realms
26:26
of the Supreme Sovereign, I swear, and by Juno, the matron Goddess
26:33
whom for me to fear and venerate. It is most especially fitting that no
26:41
mortal being, except yourself alone, has ever touched my person in contact with
26:47
his, so as to render me unchaste. I could wish that was true.
26:52
I speak the truth, but in vain, since you will not believe
26:56
me. You are a woman. You swear it, she who has not
27:02
done wrong. Her it befits to be bold and to speak confidently and positively
27:07
in her own behalf. That's very boldly said, just as befits a virtuous
27:14
woman. Say you so, by your own words, you prove it that
27:18
which is called a dowry. I do not deem the same as my dowry,
27:22
but chastity and modesty and subdued desires fear of the gods and love of
27:30
my parents, and conquerd with my kindred, to be obedient to yourself,
27:34
and bounteous to the good, ready to aid the upright. Surely by my
27:41
troph she tells the truth, and this she is perfect to the very ideal.
27:45
Really, I am so bewildered that I don't know myself who I am.
27:49
Surely you are am for trial. Take you care, please, that
27:53
you don't peradventure lose yourself. People are changing in such a fashion since we
27:59
came from abroad. Madam, I'm resolved not to omit. Having this matter
28:03
inquired into in faith, you'll do so quite to my satisfaction. How say
28:10
you answer me? What if I bring your own kinsman Nocrates hither from the
28:15
ship, who together with me, has been brought on board the same ship,
28:18
And if he denies that that has happened, which you say has happened,
28:22
what is proper to be done with you? Do you allege any reason
28:26
why should not, at your cost dissolve this our marriage? If I have
28:30
done wrong? There is no reason, agreed? Do you Socia take these
28:36
people indoors? I'll bring Nocrates hither with me from the ship. Exit Cissia
28:41
going close to Alcmena. No, then there's no one here except ourselves.
28:49
Tell me the truth. Seriously, Is there any socia indoors who is like
28:55
myself? Won't you hints away from me? Fits servant for your mouth if
29:00
you come on me, No, I'm off. Goes into the house a
29:06
camana to herself. By heavens, it is a very wondrous proceeding, how
29:11
it has pleased this husband of mine thus to accuse me falsely of a crime
29:17
so foul. Whatever it is, I shall now learn it from my kinsman.
29:22
Now Krats goes into the house, and of Act two