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Act 1 · Amphitryon; or, Jupiter in Disguise

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Act one of Amphi Tryon or Jupiter in Disguise by Titus Mattheus Plotos, translated
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by Henry Thomas Riley. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are
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in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox
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dot Org. Amphi Tryan or Jupiter in Disguise Dramatis persona Jupiter who personates Ampha
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Tryon read by Greg Giordano. Mercury who personates Sosia read by Todd Ampha Tryon,
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the theef in general read by incol Cissia the Servant, and then for
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Tryon read Bobby's wax scandal Lefarro, Pilots of Ampicrion's Star read y Alum Mapstone,
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Alcmena, wife of Emfittrion read by Lord Gibbs, Bromia, attendant of
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el Camena read by Sonya. Stage directions read by Stephania. Scene theves before
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the house of Amphidryon the prolog spoken by Mercury as in purchasing and selling your
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merchandise, you are desirous to render me propitious to your bargains, and that
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I should assist you in all things, and as both in foreign countries and
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at home, you desire me to turn to the best advantage the business and
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the accounts of you all, and that with fair and amble profit without end,
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I should crown the ventures both which you have begun and which you shall
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begin. And as you wish me to delight you and all yours with joyous
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news, these tidings will I bring, that I may announce them to you,
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things which in especial are for your common interest. For already do you
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know, indeed, that it has been given an assigned to me by the
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other divinities to preside over news and profit. As you would wish me to
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favor and promote these things, that lasting gain may ever be forthcoming for you.
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So shall you give silence for this play, And so shall you be
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fair and upright judges here all of you. Now, By whose command and
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for what reason I am come, I'll tell you, And at the same
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time myself I will disclose my name. By the command of Jupiter. I
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am come. My name is Mercury. My father has sent me hither to
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you to entreat, although what should, as his commands be enjoin on you.
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He knew that you would do, inasmuch as he knew full well that
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you venerate and fear himself as his befitting Jupiter. But certainly he bade me
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ask this of you with entreaty in gentle tones and in bland accents. For
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in fact, this Jupiter by whose command I am come, dreads a mishap,
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not less than any one of you, born of a mortal mother,
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a mortal sire. It is not reasonable to be surprised if he has apprehensions
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for himself, and I too as well, who am the son of Jupiter,
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through my relationship to my father, stand in dread of ill. Therefore
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in peace am I come to you? And peace do I bring? I
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wish a thing to be asked of you that's reasonable and feasible, for reasonable
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things to ask of the reasonable. A reasonable mediator have I been sent for
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from the reasonable? It is not right to ask things unreasonable, whereas from
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the unreasonable to ask things reasonable sheer folly. Since these unrighteous persons are ignorant
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of what is right and observe it not. Now, then I'll lend your
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attention here to the things which I say. What we wish you are to
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wish as well. Both I and my father have well deserved of you and
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of your state. But why should I mention how in tragedies I have seen
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others such as Neptune, Valor Victory, Mars Belonna, making mention of the
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good services which they have done you, of all these benefits the ruler of
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the deities, my sire, was the founder. But this has never been
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the habit of my father to throw in your teeth what good he has done.
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Unto the good He thinks that this is gratefully returned by you to him,
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and that he bestows these blessings on you deservedly, which he does bestow.
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Ugh. Now the matter which I came here to ask our first premise.
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After that, i'll tell the subject of this tragedy. Why have you
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contracted your brows? Is it because I said that this would be a tragedy?
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I am a god, and I'll change it this same If you wish
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it from a tragedy, I'll make to be a comedy with all the lines
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the same, whether would ye it were so or not. But I'm too
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foolish, as though I didn't know who god, that you so wish it
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upon this subject. I understand what your feelings are, I'll make this to
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be a mixture a tragy comedy. For me to make it entirely to be
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a comedy where kings and gods appear, I do not deem right. What
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then, since here the servant has a part as well, Just as I
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said, I'll make it to be a tragic comedy. Now Jupiter has ordered
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me to beg this of you, that the inspectors should go among each of
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the seats throughout the whole theater amid the spectators, that if they should see
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any suborned applauds of any actor there should in the theater be taken away from
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them the pledge of their coats as a security for their good behavior. But
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if any should solicit the palm of victory for the actors, or if for
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any artist, whether by written letters, or whether any person himself should so
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personally, or whether by messenger, or if the adeles too should unfairly adjudge
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to anyone the reward, Jupiter has commanded the law to be the same as
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if he had sought by solicitation an appointment for himself or for another by valor.
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Has he declared that you exist as victors, not by canvassing or unfair
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dealings. Why any the less should there be the same principle for the player,
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which there is for the greatest man. By merit, not by favorers.
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Ought we to seek our ends. He who does a right has ever
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favors enough, if there is honesty in them in whose disposal this matter rests.
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This too, he directed me likewise in his injunctions, that there should
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be inspectors over the players, that he who should have procured suborned persons to
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applaud himself, or he who should have contrived for another to give less satisfaction
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from the same, they might strip off his dress and leather mask. I
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don't wish you to be surprised for what reason Jupiter now concerns himself about actors.
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Don't be surprised Jupiter himself is about to take part in this play.
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Why are you wondering at this? As though indeed a new thing were now
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mentioned that Jupiter takes to the calling of a player. But a year since,
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when here on the stage the actors invoked to Jupiter, he came,
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he hated them. Besides, surely in tragedy he has a place this play,
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I say, Jupiter himself will take a part in this day, and
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I together with him. Now do you give attention why I shall relate to
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you the subject of this comedy. This city is Thebes in that house there,
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pointing, and Vitrion Dwells, born at Argos of an Argive's sire,
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whose wife is al Kamenna, daughter of Electrion. This and Vitrion is now
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the general of the Thievan troops, for between the Telobeians and the Theban people
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there is war. He before he departed hence for the expedition, left his
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wife Valkemna pregnant. But I believe that you already know how my father is
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disposed, how free in these affairs he has been, and how great a
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lover of many a woman, if any object once has captivated him. Unknown
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to her husband, he began to love Akmenna and took temporary possession of her
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person for himself, and made her pregnant too by his embrace. Now that
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more fully you may understand the matter with respect to Acmenna. She is pregnant
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by both both by her husband and by Supreme Jupiter. And my father is
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now lying there. He points to the house indoors with her and for this
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reason is this knight made longer while he is taking this pleasure with her whom
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he desires. But he has so disguised himself as though he were a Vitrion.
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Now that you not be surprised at this dress of mind. Inasmuch as
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I have come out here this way in servile garb, an ancient and an
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antique circumstance may do, will I relate to you by a reason of which
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I have come to you attired in this new fashion. For lo, my
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father Jupiter, now in the house, changes himself into the likeness of Invitrion,
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and all the servants who see him think it is he so shifting in
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his shape? Does he render himself when he chooses? I have taken on
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myself the form of the servant Sosia, who has gone hence together with then
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Vitrion, the expedition that I may be able to serve my father in his
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amour, and that the servants may not be inquiring who I am when they
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see me here frequenting off to the house. Now, as they will suppose
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me a servant and their fellow servant, not any one will inquire who I
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am, or why I am come. My father now indoors, is gratifying
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his inclination and is embracing her, of whom he is especially enamored what has
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been done there at the army. My father is now relating to a Kamenna.
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She who really is with a paramour, thinks that he is her own
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husband. There my father is now relating how he has routed the legions of
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the enemy, how he has been enriched with abundant gifts, those gifts which
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there were given to and Vitrion, we have carried off what he pleases.
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My father easily performs. Now, will a Vitrion come hither this day from
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the army his servant too, whose form I am bearing. Now that you
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may be able the more easily to distinguish between us, I always shall carry
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these little wings here pointing upon my broad brimmed cap. Then besides, for
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my father there will be a golden tuft beneath his cap. That mark will
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not be upon Infittrion. These marks, know one of these domestics will be
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able to see, but you will see them. Oh, but yonder is
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Sosia, the servant of Infittrion. He is now coming yonder from the harbor
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with a lantern. I will now drive him as he arrives away from the
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house. Attend. It will be worth the while of you spectators for Jupiter
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and Mercury to perform here the actor's part. At one scene, one enter
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Cysia with a lantern. Cisia to himself, what other person is there more
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bold than I? Or who more stout of heart, who knows the humors
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of young men? And who am walking at this hour of night alone?
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What shall I do if now the officers of the watch should thrust me into
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prison tomorrow? Shall I be dealt out from there just as though from a
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store closet for a whipping. Nor will it be allowed me to plead my
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cause, nor will there be a bit of aid from my master, nor
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will there be a person but what they will imagine, all of them,
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that I am deserving. And so all eight sturdy fellows be thumping on wretch,
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and me just like an anvil this way, just come from foreign parts,
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I shall be received with hospitality by the public. The inconsiderateness of my
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master compels me to this, who has packed me off from the arbor at
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this time of night? Whether I would all know, couldn't he as well
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have sent me here by daylight? For this reason is servitude to a man
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of high station. A greater hardship. For this reason is the servant of
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a wealthy man the more wretched. Both night and day without ceasing, there
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is enough and more than enough of work for him for doing or for saying.
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Occasion is ever arising, so that you can't be at rest. The
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master, abounding in servants and free from labor, himself, thinks that whatever
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he happens to choose can be done. He thinks that just and reckons not
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what the labor is. Nor will he ever consider whether he commands a thing
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that's reasonable or unreasonable. Wherefore, in servitude many hardships do before us in
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pain. This burden must be borne and endured mercury to the audience, were
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with better reason for me to complain of servitude after this fashion, I,
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who today was free, and who my father is now employing as a slave,
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this fellow was complaining, who was born a slave? Sisia to himself.
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Really I am a rascal beyond a doubt, for only this moment it
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has suggested itself to me that on my arrival I should give thanks and dress
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the gods for their kindnesses, vouchsafed surely by my troth. If they were
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only desirous to give me a return according to my deserts, they would commission
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some person on my arrival soundly to box my ears. Since those kindnesses which
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they have done me I have held as worthless and of no value. Mercury
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apart he does why people are not generally in the how it of doing in
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knowing what his deserts are. Sisia to himself, I never expected nor anyone
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else of my townsmen to befallen. That same has come to pass for us
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to come home safe and sound glorious. The enemy conquered. The troops are
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returning home. This very mighty war brought to any end in the enemy slain
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a city that has caused many a bitter death for the Theban people. That
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same has been conquered by the strength and valor of our soldiers, and taken
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by storm under the command and conduct of my master. And for Tryon,
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in special with booty, territory and glory too, has he loaded his fellow
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citizens. And for Creon, king of Thebes, has he firmly fixed his
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sway from the arbor. He has sent me before him to his house,
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that I may bear these tidings to his wife, how he has promoted the
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public good by his guidance, conduct and command. This Now will I consider
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in what matter I shall address her when I have arrived there. If I
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tell a falsehood, I should be doing as I am accustomed, after my
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usual want. But when they were fire with all their might, then with
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all my might I ran away. But still I shall pretend as though I
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was present, and I will tell her what I heard. But in what
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manner and with what expressions it is right for me to tell my story.
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I still wish first to consider here with myself. He assumes an attitude of
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thought these terms. Will I give this narrative in the first place? When
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we arrived there, when first we made land and for try on immediately made
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choice of the powerful men among the chieftains, those he dispatched on the embassy,
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and bade them tell his mind to the tellerbones, that if without constraint
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and without warfare, they should be ready to deliver up what was plundered,
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and the plunderers, and if they should be ready to restore what they had
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carried off, he would immediately conduct the army homewards, that the Greeks would
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depart from their territory, and that he would grant peace and quietness to them.
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But if they should be otherwise disposed and not concede the things which he
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demanded, he, in consequence would attack their city with extreme violence and with
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his men. When the ambassadors had repeated these things which amph Tryon had enjoined
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in order to the Tellabones, being men stout of heart, relying on their
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valor and confidence their prowess, they rebuked our embassadors very rudely. They answered
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that they were able in warfare to protect themselves and theirs, and that at
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once they must lead the army with all haste out of their territories. When
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the ambassadors brought back this message straightway, amph Tryon drew out all his army
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from the encampment. On the other side, the Tellerboans led forth their legions
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from the town, furnished with the most gorgeous arms. After they had gone
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forth on either side in full array, the sol olds were marshaled, the
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ranks were formed. We after our manner and users drew up our legions.
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The enemy too drew up their legions facing us. Then either general went forth
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into the mid space beyond the throng of the ranks, and they parleyed together.
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It was agreed between them that whichever side should be conquered in that battle,
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they should surrender up their city lands, altars, hearths, and themselves.
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After that was done, the trumpets on either side gave the signal.
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The earth re echoed. They raised a shout on either side. Each general,
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both upon this side and on that, offered vows to Jupiter, and
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then encouraged his troops. Each man, according to his ability, does that
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which each one can and has the strength to do. He smites with his
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fautian The weapons crash, the welcome bellows of the uproar of the men,
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of breaths and pantings, A cloud as formed, Men fall by wounds inflicted
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by men at length as we desired, our troops conquered. The foe fell
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in numbers. Ours, on the other hand, pressed on firm in our
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strength. We were victorious. But still not one betook himself to flight,
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nor yet gave way at his post. But standing there he waged the combat,
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so that they quit the spot. They parted with their lives each as
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he stood lay there and kept his rank in death. When my master am
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for Tryon saw this at once, he ordered the cavalry on the right to
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charge. The cavalry obeyed directly from the right wing, with a tremendous shout,
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with brisk onset, they rushed on, and rightfully did they slaughter and
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trample down the impious forces of a foe. Mercury apart, not even one
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word of these has he yet uttered correctly Where I was there in the battle
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personally, and my father too. When it was fought Sissia continuing, the
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enemy betook themselves to flight. Then was new spirit added to our men,
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the tellerbowans flying with darts where their bodies filled, and am for try On
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himself, with his own hands, struck off their head of Peterillus, their
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king. This battle was being fought there even from the morning till the evening.
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This do I the better remember for this reason, because on that day
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I went without my breakfast. But night, at last, by its interposing,
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cut short this combat. The next day the chiefs came weeping from the
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city to us at the camp with covered hands. They entreated us to pardon
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their offenses, and they all surrendered themselves and all things divine and human,
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their city, and their children into the possession and unto the disposal of the
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Theban people. Lastly, by reason of his valor, a golden goblet was
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presented to my master amphe tryon from which King Terrellus had been used to drink
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these things. All. Thus tell my mistress, I will now proceed to
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obey my master's order and to betake me home. He moves mercury apart.
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Hey day, he's about to come this way. I'll go meet him,
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and I'll not permit this fellow at any time to day to approach this house.
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Since I have his form upon myself, I'm resolved to play the fellow
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off. And indeed, since I have taken upon me his figure and his
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station, it is right for me likewise to have actions and manners like to
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his. Therefore it befits me to be artful, crafty, very cunning,
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and by his own way an artfulness to drive him from the door. But
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what means this? He is looking up at the sky? Ah, wh
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what scheme he is about? Cissia looking up the sky? From my faith,
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for sure there is aught besides that, I believe or know for certain,
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I do believe that this night, the god of night is gone to
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sleep drunk. For neither does the wane move itself in any direction of the
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sky, nor does the moon bestir herself anywhere from where she first arose.
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Nor does Orion or the evening star or the Pleiades set in such a fashion.
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Now the stars standing stock still, and the night is yielding not a
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jot to the day. Mercury Apart, Go on night as you've begun,
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and pay obedience to my father in best style. The best of services are
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you performed for the best of beings. In giving this you have a fair
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return Sisia to himself. I do not think I've ever seen a longer night
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than this, except one of like fashion, which lived long night I was
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hanging up, having been first whipped. Even that as well, Bob Ntroth,
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does this one by far exceed in its length, you faith, I
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really do believe that the sun's asleep and is thoroughly drenched. It's a wonder
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to me if he hasn't indulged himself a little too much at dinner. Mercury
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Apart, Do you really say so, you scoundrel? Do you think that
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the gods are like yourself in faith. You hang dog, I'll entertain you
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for these speeches and misdeeds of yours. Only come this way, will you,
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and you'll find your ruin Sisia to himself. Those wenches who unwillingly lie
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abeard alone rare not this for making the best of what was a bad bargain
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at first. Mercury apart. My father, then, according to this fellow's
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words, is doing rightly and wisely. Who, in his amorousness, indulging
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his passion, is lying in the embraces of Akhmenna Sisia to himself. I'll
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go tell alf Mana, as my master ordered me, advancing he discovers mercury.
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But who is this fellow that I see before the house at this time
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of night? Oh, I don't like it. Mercury aside. There is
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not an existence another such cowardly fellow as this Cisia aside. Yeah, when
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I think of it, this fellow wishes to take my mentle off once more.
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Mercury aside. This fellow's afraid ah have some sport with him, Cissia
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aside. On, I'm quite undone, my teeth for chattering for sure.
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On my arrival he's about to receive me with hospitality of his fist. He's
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a merciful person, I suppose now, because my master is obliged me to
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keep awake, with his fists just now be making me go to sleep,
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almost confoundedly undone truth. Now, prithee, look how big and how strong
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he is, Mercury aside. I'll talk at him aloud, and he shall
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hear what I say. Are therefore, indeed, in a still greater degree,
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shall he conceive fears within himself? Holding up his fists, come fist.
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It's a long time now since you've found provision for my stomach. It
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seems to have taken place quite a long time ago, when yesterday you laid
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four men asleep, stripped naked. Cisia Aside, dreadfully afraid lest I should
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be changing my name here and become a quintess instead of associate, He declares
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that he is laid for me in a sleep. I fear lest I should
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be adding to that number, Mercury throwing about his arms. Well, now,
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then, for it, this is the way I intend, Sisia Aside.
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It's good at tight, for sure, he's getting himself ready. He
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shan't get off without getting a thrashing. Cissia aside, what person I wonder,
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beyond a doubt, whatever person comes this way, he shall eat my
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fists. Cisia aside, here with you don't wish to eat it this time
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at night? Have lately dined? Therefore, do you, if you were
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wise, bestow your dinner on those who are hungry. The weight of this
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vest is no poor one, Ceisia aside, undone, for he is poising
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his fists. What if I were to touch him, stroking him down till
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that he may go to sleep, Cissia aside, you would be proving my
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salvation. For I've been watching most confoundedly these three nights. Running my hand
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refuses to learn to strike his cheek. It cannot do a disgraceful action.
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And of mine of a change of form, must he become whom you smite
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with this fist? Cissia aside, this fellow will be furbishing me up,
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and be molding my face ane mercury to his fist. The man that you
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hid full his face must surely be bound. Cisia aside, to wonder if
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this fellow isn't thinking that boning me just like a lamprey away with a fellow
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that bones people be sees me, I'm the dead man. Some fellow is
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stinking to his destruction. Cissia aside, Well to me, is it that
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I stink? And he cannot be very far off? But he has been
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a long way off from here, Cissia aside, this person's a wizard.
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My fists are longing, Cisia aside, you're going to exercise them upon me.
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I beg that you'll first call them down against the wall. Our voice
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has come flying to my ears, Cissia aside. Unlucky fellow. For sure
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was I who didn't clip its wings. I've got a voice with wings.
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It seems this fellow is the for himself a heavy punishment for his beast back,
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Cissia aside. As for me, I've got no beasts back. He
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must be well loaded with my fist. Cissia aside, if faith un fatigued
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coming from board ship when I was brought hither even now, I'm seasick without
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a burden, or can hardly creep along. So I don't think that with
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a load I can go. Why surely somebody is speaking here Seisia aside,
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I'm all right, doesn't see me. He thinks it's somebody speaking. Socia
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is certainly my name, But here from the right hand side, the voice,
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as it seems, strikes upon my ear. Sisia Aside, I'm afraid
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that I should be getting a thrashing here this day and play in my voice
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that's striking him. Moves here he is, He is coming towards me most
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opportunely. Cissia Aside, terrified and numbed all over to my faith, I
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don't know where in the world I am now. Anyone should ask me,
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and to my misfortunately cannot move myself afright, It's all up with me.
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The orders of his master and Socia are lost together. But I am determined
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boldly to address this fellow to his face, so that I may be able
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to be a valiant to him, that he may keep his hands off me.
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Advances towards the door Mercury, accosting him. Where are you going?
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You that are carrying vulcan enclosed in your horn? Why you make that inquiry?
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You who are boning men's heads with your fists? Are you slave or
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free man? Just as it suits my inclination? Do you really say so?
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I really do say so o whips scoundrel. Na, you are telling
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a lie, But I'll soon make you own that I'm telling the truth.
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What necessity is there for it? Can I know whence you have set out
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whose you are or why you are? Come sissy appointing? This way I'm
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going, and I am the servant of my master. Are you any wiser
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now? I'll this day make you beholding that foul tongue of yours. You
32:44
can't. It's keip pure and Becomingly do you persist in chattering? What business
32:52
now? Have you at this house? Points to the house. Nay,
32:58
in what business I you? King Creon always sets a watch every night.
33:04
He knows right, because we were abroad, he's been protecting our house.
33:09
But however, to go in now and say that some of the family servants
33:14
have arrived. How far you are one of the family servants, I don't
33:19
know. But unless you are off from here, this instant family servant,
33:23
as you are, I'll make you to be received in no familiar style.
33:30
Here I say I live, and of these people, I am the servant.
33:36
But do you understand how it is? Unless you are off, I'll
33:40
make you to be exalted this day? You want way, pray you shall
33:45
be carried off. You shan't walk away if I take up a stick,
33:51
but don't declare that I'm one of the domestics of this family. Consider,
33:54
will you? How soon you want a drubbing unless you are off from here
34:00
this instant? Do you want as I arrived from foreign parts, to drive
34:05
me from my own? Is this your house? It is so? I
34:10
say, who is your master? Then? And for tryon? It is
34:15
now the general of the Theban forces, to whom Alcmena is married. I'll
34:21
say you, what is your name? The Thebans call me Sosia, the
34:27
son of my father Davis assuredly, at your peril? Have you come here
34:32
this day with your trumped up lies, your patched up knaveries, you essence
34:37
of effrontery? Why no, Rather with garments patched up that I'm arrived here,
34:44
Not with knaveries. Why you are lying again? You come with your
34:49
feet, surely, and not with your garments. Yes, certainly, then
34:54
certainly take that for your lie. He strikes him. By my troth,
35:00
I simply don't wish for of course, but by my faith you certainly shall
35:06
have it. Of course, whether you wish or not, for in fact,
35:10
this is certainly my determination, and it is not at your own option.
35:15
He strikes him, mercy entreat of you? Do you dare to say
35:22
that you are solcier when I myself am? He strikes him on being murdered?
35:30
Why you are crying out for a trifle as yet compared with what it
35:34
will be? Whose are you now your own? For with your fists you
35:39
have laid hands on me? Help help citizens of thebes? Mercury striking him,
35:46
what still bawling? You scoundrel? Speak? What have you come for?
35:52
For there to be somebody for you to belabor? With your fists?
35:58
Whose are you in for? Tryon, Socia, I'll tell you, for
36:04
this reason, then you shall be beaten the more because you prate thus idly.
36:08
I am Socior, not you Cissia aside wish to gods? What have
36:15
it so? That you were he in preference? And that I were thrashing
36:21
you? What muttering? Still strikes him? Old my tongue? Then?
36:28
Who is your master? And whether you like how? Then? What's your
36:34
name? Now? Nothing but what you shall command? You said that you
36:38
were infantryon Sosior. I made a mistake. This are meant to say that
36:45
I was amph Triune's associate. Why I was sure that we had no servant
36:52
called Socia except myself. Your senses are forsaking. You wish that those fists
37:00
if yours had done so. I am that Solcia whom you were just now
37:05
telling me that you are. I pray that I may be allowed to discourse
37:09
with you in quietness, so as not to be beaten. Well, then
37:15
let there be a truce for a short time. If you want to say
37:19
anything, You're not speak unless peace is concluded. Since you are the stronger
37:22
with your fists. If you wish to say anything, speak, I'll not
37:29
hurt you the more to trust in your word, Yes, in my word?
37:35
What if you deceive me? Why then may Mercury be angry? But
37:39
Socia then give attention. Now I'm at liberty to say in freedom anything I
37:45
please. I am Sosia, servant to them for trial. What again,
37:52
offering to strike him? I've concluded the peace, ratified the treaty. I
37:59
speak the truth. Take that. Then he strikes him as you please,
38:05
and what you please, pray do since you are the stronger with your fists,
38:10
for whatever you shall do. Still upon my faith, I really shall
38:15
not be silent about that. As long as you live, you shall never
38:20
make me to be any other than Socia. At this moment, faith,
38:24
you certainly shall never make me to be any other person than my own self.
38:30
And besides myself, we have no other servant of the name of Sosia
38:34
my self who went Hents on the expedition together with Ampha Trion. This fellow
38:40
is not, in his senses the malady that you impute to me, you
38:45
have that same yourself. How the plague? Am I not so sya?
38:51
The servant of Ampha Trion is not our ship which brought me arrived here this
38:54
night from the Persian port? As not my master sent me here? Am
39:00
I not standing before our house? Have I not a lantern in my end?
39:06
Am I not talking? Am I not wide awake? Has not this
39:08
fellow been thumping me with his fists by my trothy, has been doing so
39:15
for even now, to my pain. My cheeks are tingling? Why then
39:21
do I hesitate? Why don't I go indoors to our house? He makes
39:27
towards the door mercury stepping between oh your house? Indeed, it really is
39:35
so? Why all that you have been saying just now you have trumped up.
39:40
I surely am in Vitrion Socia. For in the night this ship of
39:45
ours weighed anchor from the Persian port, and where King Tilaris reigned. The
39:51
city we took by storm, and the legions of thet Lobeians in fighting we
39:54
took my arms, and then Fitrion himself cut off the head of King Taleri
40:00
in battle. Cissia aside, I do not trust my own self when I
40:06
hear him affirm these things. Certainly he really does relate exactly the things that
40:10
were done there. Bid our say you what spoiled from the tell of bones
40:16
was made of present tom for try on a golden garblet for which King Talaras
40:22
used to drink Sisia Aside, he said the truth? When now is this
40:29
goblet tis in a casket sealed with the seal of entry? Trion, tell
40:34
me what is the seal? The sun rising with his chariot? Why are
40:39
you on the catch from me, you villain Cisia Aside, he has overpowered
40:45
me with his proofs. I must look out for another name. I don't
40:50
know from whence he witnessed these things? Oh now, and trap him finely,
40:54
for what I did alone by myself, and when not another person was
41:00
present in the tent. That he certainly will never be able this day to
41:04
tell me if you are Sosia. When the armies were fighting most vigorously,
41:09
what were you doing in the tent? You tell me that I'm vanquished?
41:16
There was a cask of wine from it, I felt an earthen pot Cisia
41:22
aside. He's got upon the track that I drew full of pure wine,
41:29
just as it was born from the mother grape Cisia aside. So wonder if
41:35
this fellow wasn't lying hidden side of that earthen pot is the fact that there
41:40
I did drink an earthen pot full of wine? Well, do I now
41:45
convince you by my proofs that you are not Sosia? Do you deny that
41:51
I am? Why should I not deny it? Who am he myself?
41:57
By Jupiter I swear that I am he, and that I do not say
42:00
false. But by mercury I swear that Jupiter does not believe you, for
42:07
I am sure that he will rather credit me without an oath than you with
42:10
an oath. Who am I at all events? If I am not Sosia?
42:15
I ask you that when I choose not to be Soucia, then do
42:22
you be Soucior now since I am here, you'll get a thrashing if you
42:27
are not off head, you fellow without a name, Cissia. Aside from
42:31
my faith, for sure, when I examine him and rickle at my own
42:36
figure, just in such a manner as I am, I have often looked
42:40
in a glass, he is exactly like me. He is the broad brimmed
42:46
hat and clothing just the same. He is as like me as I am
42:51
myself. Slave foot, stature, shorn, heed, eyes, nose,
42:55
even his lips, cheeks, chin beard, nick the owl of him?
43:00
What need is there of words? If his back is marked with scars and
43:05
this likeness, there is nothing more like? When I reflect, really,
43:10
I surely am the same person that I always was my master, I know,
43:17
I know our house. I'm quite in my wits and senses. I'm
43:23
not going to obey this fellow. What he says, i'll knock at the
43:27
door goes towards the door. Whither are you betaking yourself? Howm If now
43:34
you were to ascend the chariget of job and fly away from here, then
43:37
you could hardly be able to escape destruction may and I'll be allowed to deliver
43:44
the message to my mistress that my master ordered me to give. If you
43:47
want to deliver any message to your own mistress, this mistress of mine,
43:52
I shall not allow you to approach. But if you provoke me, you'll
43:58
be just now taking, hence your loins broken. In preference, I'll be
44:02
off aside, mortal God, So do beseech your mercy? Where did I
44:09
lose myself? Where have I been transformed? Where have I parted with my
44:15
figure? Or have I left myself behind there? If per chance I have
44:17
already forgotten it? Really this person has possession of all my figure such as
44:23
it formerly was while living. That is done for me, which no one
44:29
will ever do for me when dead. I'll go to the arbor, and
44:34
I'll tell my master these things as they have happened, unless even he as
44:37
well shall not know me, which made Jupiter grant, so that this day
44:42
board with shaven crown, I may assume the cap of freedom. Exit seem
44:49
too mercury alone well and prosperously. Has this affair gone on for me?
44:55
From the door? Have I removed the greatest obstacle? And it may be
45:00
allowed my father to embrace her in security. When now he shall have reached
45:05
his master and Vitrion, there he will say that the servant Solcia has repulsed
45:10
himself from the door here. And then the other will suppose that he is
45:15
telling him a lie, and will not believe that he has come here as
45:19
he had ordered him. Both of them and the whole household of a Vitrion
45:24
I will fill with mistakes and distractions, even until my father shall have had
45:29
full enjoyment of her, whom he loves. Then at last all shall know
45:34
what has been done. In the end, Jupiter shall restore Alcmena to the
45:39
former affection of her husband, For on Vitrion will just now be beginning a
45:45
quarrel with his wife, and will be accusing her of incontinence. Then will
45:50
my father change for her this strife into tranquility. Now, inasmuch as yet
45:55
I have said but little about Alcmena, this day will she bring fourth two
46:00
sons, twins. The one will be born in the tenth month after he
46:05
was begotten, the other in the seventh month. Of these, the one
46:08
is the son of Nfitrion, the other of Jupiter. But of the younger
46:14
son. The father is a superior of the elder, the inferior to the
46:19
audience. Now do you comprehend this how it is? But for the sake
46:24
of the honor of this Alcmna, my father will take care that it shall
46:30
happen at one birth, so that in one travail she may complete her double
46:34
pangs and not be laid under suspicion of unchastity, and that the clandestine connection
46:39
may remain concealed. Although as I have said just now, and Fittrion shall
46:45
still know all the matter in the end. What then, no one surely
46:50
will impute it to Alcamena as a disgrace, for it does not seem that
46:53
a god is acting justly to permit his own offenses and his own faultiness to
46:58
fall upon a mortal I'll cut short my talk. The door makes a noise,
47:05
see the counterfeit, and Vitriol is coming out of doors, and together
47:08
with him Alcmella, the wife that he has taken the loan of scene three.
47:15
Enter Jupiter and Alcmena from the house. Kindly fare you well, Alcmena,
47:23
take care as you are doing of our common interest, and pray be
47:29
sparing of yourself. You see that, now your months are completed, it's
47:35
necessary for me to go away from here. But the offspring that shall be
47:39
born? Do you bring up? What business is this? My husband?
47:44
Since you thus suddenly leave your home by my trial, tis not that I
47:49
am wearied of you or of my home. But when the chief commander is
47:54
not with the army, that is sooner done which ought not to be done,
48:00
than that which needs to be done. Mercury Aside, this is a
48:06
very clever counterfeit. Who really is my own father? To the audience,
48:12
do you observe him? How blandly he smooths the lady over? In faith?
48:17
I find by experience how much you value your wife. If there is
48:22
no one among women whom I love so much? Are you satisfied? Mercury
48:30
Aside, fairly upon my faith. If Juno only knew that you were giving
48:36
your attention to such matters, I'd warrant that you'd rather be Inftrion than Jupiter.
48:43
I would rather that I should find it so by experience, than that
48:46
it should be told me you leave me before. The spot in the bed
48:51
where you have been lying has well grown warm. Yesterday in the middle of
48:54
the night you came and now you are going away? Is this it's your
49:00
pleasure? Mercury aside. I'll approach and address her and play second fiddle to
49:07
my father. He approaches Alcmena. Never, upon my faith, do I
49:14
believe that any mortal did so distractedly love his wife as he distractedly dotes upon
49:20
you, scoundrel? Don't I know you of old? Won't you be off
49:27
out of my sight? What business have you in this matter? Whip nave?
49:31
Or why you're muttering whom this very instant with this walking stickile takes his
49:39
stick over his head. Oh, don't only make a whisper, mercury aside.
49:51
My first attempt at playing second fiddle had almost come to an unfortunate conclusion.
49:58
But as to what you say, my wife, you ought not to
50:02
be angry with. I came away privately from the army these moments I stole
50:07
for you that you the first might know from me the first, how I
50:13
had managed the common interests. All this have I related to you? If
50:19
I had not loved you very much, I should not have done so.
50:23
Mercury aside. Isn't he doing just as I said in her alarm. He
50:30
is smoothing her down, that the army then mayn't find it out. I
50:36
must return there privately, lest they should say that I have preferred my wife
50:42
before the common interests. By your departure, you set your wife in tears.
50:47
Be quiet, don't spoil your eyes. I'll return very shortly. That
50:54
very shortly is a long time. I do not with pleasure leave you here
51:01
or go away from you. I am sensible of it, for the night
51:07
that you have come to me. On the same you go away. She
51:12
embraces him. Why did you hold me? It is time to go.
51:17
I wish to depart from the city before it dawns now. Alcmena this goblet
51:24
which has been given me there on account of my valor, from which King
51:30
Tyrellus used to drink, he whom I slew with my own hand, the
51:37
same I present to you, presents to her the goblet. Al Camena,
51:45
taking the goblet, you do as you are wanting other things. By heavens,
51:50
it is a noble gift, like him who gave the gift. I
51:53
a noble gift, just like her, to whom it has been given as
51:58
a gift. What still going on? Can't I, you scoundrel, make
52:05
an end of you Andfadrion. There's a dear, don't be angry with Saucia
52:10
on my account, just as you wish, I'll do Mercury aside from his
52:17
intriguing, how very savage he does become. Do you wish for anything else
52:24
that when I am absent you will love me me who am yours though absent.
52:32
Let's go Aftrion. It's already dawning. Go you first, Sosia,
52:38
exit Mercury. I'll follow this instant to Alcmena. Is there anything you wish?
52:47
Yes, that you'll come back speedily? I will, and sooner than
52:53
you expect, will I be here? Therefore be of good heart. Alcmena
53:00
goes into the house scene for Jupiter alone. Now, Knight, thou who
53:08
hast tarried for me, I permit THEE to give place to day that thou
53:15
mayest shine upon mortals with a bright and brilliant light and night, as much
53:22
as on this last thou wast too long, so much the shorter. Will
53:27
I make the day to be that a day of equal disparity may succeed the
53:34
night. I'll go and follow Mercury exit and of act one