amphitryon(安菲特利翁)-第13章
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and； though no way consenting； innocence perishes in it。 Such errors； in
whatever way we look at them； affect us in the most sensitive parts； reason
often； often pardons them； when honour and love cannot。
ARGAT。 I do not bother my thoughts about that； but I hate your
gentlemen for their disgraceful delay； it is a proceeding which wounds me
to the quick； and one which courageous people will never approve。 When
any man has need of us； we ought to throw ourselves headforemost into
his concerns。 Argatiphontidas is not one for compromising matters。 It is
not seemly for men of honour to listen to the arguments of a friend's
adversary； one should only listen to vengeance at such times。 The
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proceeding does not please me； in quarrels such as these we ought always
to begin sending the sword through the body； without any nonsense。 Yes；
whatever happens； you shall see that Argatiphontidas goes straight to the
point。 I entreat you not to let the villain die by any other hand than mine。
AMPH。 Come on。
SOS。 I come； Monsieur； to undergo at your knees the just punishment
of cursed audacity。 Strike； beat； drub； overwhelm me with blows； kill me
in your anger； you will do well； I deserve it； I shall not say a single word
against you。
AMPH。 Get up。 What is the matter？
SOS。 I have been turned away unceremoniously； thinking to eat and
rejoice like them； I did not think that； as it turned out； I was waiting there
to thrash myself。 Yes； the other I； valet to the other you； has played the
very devil with me once more。 The same cruel fate seems to pursue us
both today； Monsieur。 In short； they have un…Sosied me； as they un…
Amphitryon'd you。
AMPH。 Follow me。
SOS。 Is it not better to see if anybody is coming？
SCENE VIII
CLEANTHIS； NAUCRATES； POLIDAS； SOSIE；
AMPHITRYON；
ARGATIPHONTIDAS； POSICLES
CLE。 O Heaven！
AMPH。 What frightens you like this？ Why are you afraid of me？
CLE。 Why！ You are up there and I see you here！
NAU。 Do not hurry； here he comes to give； before us all； the
explanation we want。 If we may believe what he has just said about it； it
will banish away your trouble and care。
SCENE IX
MERCURY； CLEANTHIS； NAUCRATES； POLIDAS； SOSIE；
AMPHITRYON； ARGATIPHONTIDAS； POSICLES
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MERC。 Yes； you shall all see him； know beforehand that it is the grand
master of the Gods； whom； under the cherished features of this
resemblance； Alcmene has caused to descend here from the heavens。 As
for me； I am Mercury。 Not knowing what else to do； I have given him a
drubbing whose appearance I took。 He may now console himself； for
strokes from the wand of a God confer honour on him who has to submit
to them。
SOS。 Upon my word； Monsieur God； I am your servant； I could have
done without your attentions。
MERC。 I now give you leave to be Sosie。 I am tired of wearing such
an ugly mug； I am going to the heavens； to scrape it all off with ambrosia。
（He flies away to the skies。）
SOS。 May Heaven forever keep you from the desire of wishing to
come near me again！ Your fury against me has been too bitter； never in my
life have I seen a God who was more of a devil than you！
SCENE X
JUPITER； CLEANTHIS； NAUCRATES； POLIDAS； SOSIE；
AMPHITRYON； ARGATIPHONTIDAS； POSICLES
JUP。 （In a cloud；） Behold； Amphitryon； who has imposed on you；
under his own aspect you see Jupiter。 By these signs you may easily know
him； they are sufficient； I think； to restore your heart where it should be to
bring back peace and happiness to your family。 My name； which the whole
earth continually adores； thus stifles all scandal that might be spread
abroad。 A share with Jupiter has nothing that in the least dishonours； for
doubtless； it can be but glorious to find one's self the rival of the sovereign
of the Gods。 I do not see any reason why your love should murmur； it is I；
God as I am； who ought to be jealous in this affair。 Alcmene is wholly
yours； whatever means one may employ； it must be gratifying to your
passion to see that there is no other way of pleasing her than to appear as
her husband。 Even Jupiter； clothed in his immortal glory； could not by
himself undermine her fidelity； what he has received from her was granted
by her ardent heart only to you。
SOS。 The Seigneur Jupiter knows how to gild the pill。
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JUP。 Cast aside； therefore； the black care that stifles your heart； restore
perfect peace to the ardour which consumes you。 In your house shall be
born a son； who； under the name of Hercules； shall cause the vast universe
to ring with his deeds。 A glorious future crowned with a thousand
blessings shall let every one see I am your support； I will make your fate
the envy of the whole world。 You may boldly flatter yourself with what
these promises confer。 It is a crime to doubt them； for the words of Jupiter
are the decrees of fate。 （He is lost in the clouds。）
NAU。 Truly； I am delighted at these evident marks 。 。 。
SOS。 Gentlemen； will you please take my advice？ Do not embark in
these sugary congratulations； it is a bad speculation； phrases are
embarrassing on either side； in such a compliment。 The great God Jupiter
has done us much honour； and； unquestionaby； his kindness towards us is
unparalleled； he promises us the infallible happiness of a fortune crowned
with a thousand blessings； and in our house shall be born a brave son。
Nothing could be better than this。 But； nevertheless； let us cut short our
speeches； and each one retire quietly to his own house。 In such affairs as
these； it is always best not to say anything。
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