SCENE II.

SO, Gentlemen, Things go rarely, and prosperously on our side. I've remov'd the greatest Obstacle, so that my Father may securely reap the Fruit of his Cuckoldom.—Now when this Fellow comes to tell his Master, That his Servant Socia drive him from the Door, he'll take it for a damn'd Lye, and believe the Rogue was ne're there, as he order'd him. Thus shall I bring them two, and the whole Family, into nothing but Mistakes and Confusion, till my Father have had his Belly full of his Mistress. But at last they'll come to a right Understanding of all Things, and Jove will bring his Mistress into as great Fa∣vour Page  22 with her Husband as ever. For certainly, Amphitryon will be in a plaguy fret, and call his Wife Whore; but my Father will reconcile all Dif∣ferences.

Now, Gallants, for something about Alcmena; for I've said little of her yet. This Day shall she be brought to Bed o' two Boys, one o' ten Months growth, th' other o' seven; the first by Amphitryon, the se∣cond by Jupiter; so the youngest Child will ha' the Superiority by his Father, and th' eldest th' Inferio∣rity by his. D'ye comprehend the Mystery?—How∣ever my Father's so tender of Alcmena, he'll ha' both come together, and both the painful Labours at one Lying-in; and likewise to prevent all Suspicions of Scandal on her side, and Cuckoldom on his. 'Tis true, Amphitryon, as I said before, will know all. But granting that, no body will think the worse of Alcmena for't; for 'tis beneath a Deity to suffer a poor Mortal to bear the Blame of his own failings.—Hold, I must shorten my Story; the Door goes; and here comes Amphitryon in Effigie, with Alcmena, a Wife he has taken up at Usury.