Chapter 8

ENTER _Sosia_.

_Sos._

Amphitruo, assum. si quid opus est, impera, imperium exequar.

Present, sir. If anything’s needed, order away and I’ll fulfil orders.

_Iup._ _Jup._

Sosia, optume advenis.

Sosia, you are the very man I want.

_Sos._

Iam pax est inter vos duos? nam quia vos tranquillos video, gaudeo et volup est mihi. atque ita servom par videtur frugi sese instituere proinde eri ut sint, ipse item sit; voltum e voltu comparet 960 tristis sit, si eri sint tristes; hilarus sit, si gaudeant sed age responde: iam vos rediistis in concordiam?

Is there peace between you two now, sir? I tell you what, it’s a pleasure, it’s a joy, to see you looking peaceful. Yes, and to my way of thinking, an honest servant ought to stick to this principle: be like what his betters are, model his expression on theirs, be in the dumps if they are in the dumps, and jolly if they are happy. But come, sir, answer me. Have you made friends again now, eh?

_Iup._ _Jup._

Derides, qui scis haec dudum me dixisse per iocum.

(_reprovingly_) Mocker! What I said a while ago was all in fun, and you know it.

_Sos._

An id ioco dixisti? equidem serio ac vero ratus.

In fun, was it? Upon my soul, I thought it was the solemn truth.

_Iup._ _Jup._

Habui expurigationem; facta pax est.

I have explained: peace is made.

_Sos._

Optume est.

That’s grand, sir.

_Iup._ _Jup._

Ego rem divinam intus faciam, vota quae sunt.

I will make those offerings I vowed, inside.

_Sos._

Censeo.

Very good, sir.

_Iup._ _Jup._

Tu gubernatorem a navi huc evoca verbis meis Blepharonem, qui re divina facta mecum prandeat.

As for you, convey my invitation to Pilot Blepharo to come over from the ship and lunch with me after the sacrifice is done.

_Sos._

Iam hic ero, cum illic censebis esse me.

I’ll be here by the time you think I’m there, sir.

_Iup._ _Jup._

Actutum huc redi.

Yes, hurry back home. [EXIT _Sosia_.

_Alc._

Numquid vis, quin abeam iam intro, ut apparentur quibus opust? 970

Is there anything else, or shall I go in now and see to the things you’ll need?

_Iup._ _Jup._

I sane, et quantum potest parata fac sint omnia.

Do, by all means, and get everything ready as quickly as you can.

_Alc._

Quin venis quando vis intro? faxo haud quicquam sit morae.

Come in as soon as you wish. I’ll make sure there’s nothing to delay you.

_Iup._ _Jup._

Recte loquere et proinde diligentem ut uxorem decet.

(_tenderly_) That’s the way for an attentive wife to talk. [EXIT _Alcmena._

iam hisce ambo, et servos et era, frustra sunt duo, qui me Amphitruonem rentur esse: errant probe. nunc tu divine huc fac adsis Sosia-- audis quae dico, tam etsi praesens non ades-- fac Amphitruonem advenientem ab aedibus ut abigas; quovis pacto fac commentus sis.

There we are! Both of ’em fooled, servant and mistress, took in thinking me Amphitryon. A sad mistake! Hark ye, Sosia the divine, appear! You hear what I say, even though absent in the flesh. Drive Amphitryon away from the house when he arrives--any device you please.

volo deludi illunc, dum cum hac usuraria 980 uxore nunc mihi morigero. haec curata sint fac sis, proinde adeo ut velle med intellegis, atque ut ministres mihi, mihi cum sacruficem.

He must be hoodwinked while I proceed to divert myself with my wife on loan. Kindly see that this is managed precisely as you know I wish it to be, and do me service while I am sacrificing to myself. [EXIT _Jupiter_.

III. 4.