Plautus's comedies ... made English, with critical remarks upon each play.

SCENE VII.

Jupiter, Amphitryon, and Blepharon.

Iup.

Dare ye gi' me the Lye?

Amp.

Yes that I dare, thou cursed Corrupter o' my Family.

Iup.

For that Affront, I'll throatle ye.

[Takes him by the Collar.

Amp. striking at him.]

Oh, oh!

Iup.

You shou'd ha' had more Forecast then.

Amp. struggling.]

Help, good Blepharon.

Ble.

They're so alike, I can't tell which side to take; but I'll part the Fray as well as I can.—Pray One-Amphitryon, don't murder Tother Amphitryon.—Good now let go.

Iup.

Call ye him Amphitryon?

Ble.

Why not? He was formerly single, now he's become double. Tho' indeed you're the Man, he's still the Person: therefore pray let go.

Iup. letting go.]

Well then.—But in earnest d'ye take him for Amphitryon?

Ble.

Faith both of ye.

Amp.

Heavens bless me! Where got ye that Shape o' mine?

[Aside.]

But I'll pump him.—Are you Am∣phitryon?

Iup.

Are you he that deny't?

Amp.

I am; since there's ne're another Amphitryon in all Thebes.—

Iup.

But me, I grant ye; and, Blepharon, be you Judge.

Ble.

I'll clear the Business by Tokens, if I can.—Do you answer first then.

[To Amphitryon.

Amp.

With all my heart.

Ble.

What Orders did ye gi' me before the Battel wi' the Taphians?

Amp.

When the Vessel was ready, not to part from the Stern a moment,—

Iup.

—Because if our Army were routed, I might secure m' own Retreat.

Amp.

I order'd ye besides, t' have an Eye to the great Bag o' money I left wi' ye.

Iup.

How much?

Ble.

Hold a little, Sir; that's a Question for me to ask.—Do you know the Sum?

Iup.

Yes, it amounted to fifty Attick Talents.

Ble.

Right to a Farthing.—How many pieces of Gold were there?

[To Amphitryon.

Amp.

Two thousand.

Iup.

And twice as many Brass.

Ble.

You've both nick'd it.—Certainly one o' ye must ha' been enclos'd i' the Bag.

Iup.

But observe Sir; to clear all, this right hand slew Pterelas; I receiv'd his Spoils; his Drinking-Cup I had in a Casket; I gave't my Wife, and this day did I bath with her, sacrifice with her, and lye with her.

Amp.

That Word stabs me. I'm almost distracted: I sleep and dream wi' my Eyes open, and perish wi' my Health and Senses about me.—Certainly I am that Amphitryon, Gorgophon's Grand-child, General o' the Thebans, Creon's Friend, Conqueror of the Teleboans, o' th'

Acarnanians, and Taphians, and by my Courage slew their King. There I made Cephalus Governour, the great D•…•…oneus's Son; and—

Iup.

—There by my Valour, defeated those Ra∣vagers, who had kill'd Electryon, and my Wife's Bro∣thers; wasted Achaia, Etolia, and Phocis; and scour'd th' Ionian, Egean, and Cretian Seas from their Privateers.

Amp.

Bless me! I can't believe my self, he has so hit upon every Punctilio.—What say you, Blepharon?

Ble.

There's one Proof behind; if that be made out, ye must certainly be double.

Iup.

O, you mean the Scar o' my right Arm, caus'd by the Wound Pterelas ga' me.

Ble.

The same.

Amp.

Well thought on.

Iup.

D'ye see?—look here.

[Uncovers his Arm.

Ble.

Uncover both o' ye, that I may see.

Amphitry∣on uncovers.

Iup.

We have; now look.

Ble.

Heavens, what do I see? Both mark'd i' the same Arm, i' the same Place, and exactly with the same Scar, a little reddish just like a late Wound. The Proofs are equal, the Determination unfix'd, and I can go no further.—You two must decide the Bus'ness between both, for my Affairs call me away.—Never did I see such a strange sight i' my born days.

Amp.

Good Blepharon, don't leave me in distress, but be my Counsellor a while.

Ble.

Adieu.—What signifies a Counsellor when he knows not which side to plead of?

Iup.

I'll go in. Alcmena cries out.

Exeunt Blepharon and Jupiter severally.