Act I, Scene III

Enter JUPITER and ALCMENA, from the house.

JUP. Kindly fare you well, Alcmena; take care, as you are doing, of our common interest, and pray be sparing of yourself; you see that now your months are completed. It's necessary for me to go away from here; but the offspring that shall be born do you bring up.

ALC. What business is this, my husband, since you thus suddenly leave your home?

JUP. By my troth, 'tis not that I am wearied of you or of my home; but when the chief commander is not with the army, that is sooner done which ought not to be done than that which needs to be done.

MERC. (aside). This is a very clever counterfeit, who really is my own father. (To the Audience.) Do you observe him, how blandly he smoothes the lady over.

ALC. I' faith, I find by experience how much you value your wife. JUP. If there is no one among women whom I love so much, are you satisfied?

MERC. (aside). Verily, upon my faith, if Juno only knew that you were giving your attention to such matters, I'd warrant that you'd rather be Amphitryon than Jupiter.

ALC. I would rather that I should find it so by experience, than that it should be told me. You leave me before the spot in the bed where you have been lying has well grown warm. Yesterday, in the middle of the night, you came, and now you are going away. Is this your pleasure?

MERC. (aside). I'll approach, and address her, and play second fiddle to my father. (He approaches ALCMENA.) Never, upon my faith, do I believe that any mortal did so distractedly love his wife as he distractedly dotes upon you.

JUP. Scoundrel!--don't I know you of old? Won't you be off out of my sight? What business have you in this matter, whip-knave? or why your muttering? Whom this very instant, with this walking-stick, I'll--(Shakes his stick over his head.)

ALC. Oh don't. JUP. Only make a whisper.

MERC. (aside). My first attempt at playing second fiddle had almost come to an unfortunate conclusion.

JUP. But as to what you say, my wife, you ought not to be angry with me. I came away privately from the army: these moments I stole for you, that you the first might know from me the first, how I had managed the common interests. All this have I related to you. If I had not loved you very much, I should not have done so.

MERC. (aside). Isn't he doing just as I said? In her alarm, he is smoothing her down.

JUP. That the army then mayn't find it out, I must return there privately, lest they should say that I have preferred my wife before the common interests.

ALC. By your departure you set your wife in tears.

JUP. Be quiet; don't spoil your eyes: I'll return very shortly. ALC. That "very shortly" is a long time.

JUP. I do not with pleasure leave you here, or go away from you.

ALC. I am sensible of it; for, the night that you have come to me, on the same you go away. (She embraces him.)

JUP. Why do you hold me? It is time to go: I wish to depart from the city before it dawns. Now, Alcmena, this goblet which has been given me there on account of my valour, from which king Pterelas used to drink, he whom I slew with my own hand, the same I present to you. (Presents to her the goblet.)

ALC. (taking the goblet). You do as you are wont in other things. By heavens, it is a noble gift; like him who gave the gift.

MERC. Aye, a noble gift; just like her to whom it has been given as a gift.

JUP. What, still going on? Can't I, you scoundrel, make an end of you?

ALC. Amphitryon, there's a dear, don't be angry with Sosia on my account.

JUP. Just as you wish I'll do.

MERC. (aside). From his intriguing, how very savage he does become!

JUP. Do you wish for anything else? ALC. That when I am absent you will love me--me, who am yours, though absent.

MERC. Let's go, Amphitryon; it's already dawning.

JUP. Go you first, Sosia. (Exit MERCURY.) I'll follow this instant. (To ALCMENA.) Is there anything you wish?

ALC. Yes; that you'll come back speedily.

JUP. I will; and sooner than you expect will I be here; therefore be of good heart. (ALCMENA goes into the house.)