Amphitryon, or, The two Sosia's a comedy, as it is acted at the Theatre Royal / written by Mr. Dryden ; to which is added the musick of the songs, compos'd by Mr. Henry Purcel.
         Dryden, John, 1631-1700.
      
       
         
           1691
        
      
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             Amphitryon, or, The two Sosia's a comedy, as it is acted at the Theatre Royal / written by Mr. Dryden ; to which is added the musick of the songs, compos'd by Mr. Henry Purcel.
             Dryden, John, 1631-1700.
             Plautus, Titus Maccius. Amphitruo.
             Molière, 1622-1673. Amphitryon.
             Purcell, Henry, 1659-1695. Amphitryon.
          
           2 pts. ([8], 57, [3], [2], 13 p.) : music.
           
             Printed for J. Tonson ... and M. Tonson ...,
             London :
             1691.
          
           
             The songs (13 p. at end) have special t.p. with title: The songs in Amphitryon, with the musick composed by Mr. Henry Purcell. London : Printed by J. Heptinstall for Jacob Tonson ..., 1690.
             Based on Plautus and Molière.
             First published in 1690 with subtitle: The two Socia's.
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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               AMPHITRYON
               ;
               OR
               ,
               The
               Two
               Sosia's
               .
            
             
               A
               COMEDY
               .
               As
               it
               is
               Acted
               at
               the
               Theatre
               Royal.
               
            
             
               
                 Egregiam
                 verò
                 laudem
                 ,
                 &
                 spolia
                 ampla
                 refertis
                 ;
              
               
                 Una
                 ,
                 dolo
                 ,
                 Divûm
                 ,
                 si
                 Foemina
                 victa
                 duorum
                 est
                 .
              
               
                 Virg.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 Written
                 by
                 Mr.
              
               DRYDEN
               .
            
             
               To
               which
               is
               added
               ,
               The
               MUSICK
               of
               the
               SONGS
               .
               
                 Compos'd
                 by
                 Mr.
              
               Henry
               Purcel
               .
            
             
               LONDON
               ,
               
                 Printed
                 for
              
               J.
               Tonson
               ,
               
                 at
                 the
              
               Judges
               Head
               in
               Chancery-lane
               near
               Fleet-street
               ;
               and
               M.
               Tonson
               at
               Gray
               '
               s-Inn-Gate
               in
               Gray
               '
               s-Inn-Lane
               .
               1691.
               
            
          
           
             
             
             
               To
               the
               Honourable
               Sir
               
                 WILLIAM
                 LEVISON
                 GOWER
              
               ,
               Bar.
               
            
             
               THere
               is
               one
               kind
               of
               Vertue
               ,
               which
               is
               inborn
               in
               the
               Nobility
               ,
               and
               indeed
               in
               most
               of
               the
               Ancient
               Families
               of
               this
               Nation
               ;
               they
               are
               not
               apt
               to
               insult
               on
               the
               Misfortunes
               of
               their
               Countrymen
               .
               But
               you
               ,
               Sir
               ,
               I
               may
               tell
               it
               you
               without
               Flattery
               ,
               have
               grafted
               on
               this
               natural
               Commisseration
               ,
               and
               rais'd
               it
               to
               a
               Nobler
               Vertue
               :
               As
               you
               have
               been
               pleas'd
               to
               honour
               me
               ,
               for
               a
               long
               time
               ,
               with
               some
               part
               of
               your
               Esteem
               and
               your
               good
               Will
               ;
               so
               in
               particular
               ,
               since
               the
               late
               Revolution
               ,
               you
               have
               increas'd
               the
               Proofs
               of
               your
               kindness
               to
               me
               ;
               and
               not
               suffer'd
               the
               difference
               of
               Opinions
               ,
               which
               produce
               such
               Hatred
               and
               Enmity
               in
               the
               brutal
               Part
               of
               Human
               kind
               ,
               to
               remove
               you
               from
               the
               settled
               Basis
               of
               your
               good
               Nature
               and
               good
               Sence
               .
               This
               Nobleness
               of
               yours
               ,
               had
               it
               been
               exercis'd
               on
               an
               Enemy
               ,
               had
               certainly
               been
               a
               Point
               of
               Honour
               ,
               and
               as
               such
               I
               might
               have
               justly
               recommended
               it
               to
               the
               World
               :
               But
               that
               of
               constancy
               to
               your
               former
               Choice
               ,
               and
               the
               pursuance
               of
               your
               first
               Favours
               ,
               are
               Vertues
               not
               overcommon
               amongst
               English
               Men.
               All
               things
               of
               Honour
               have
               ,
               at
               best
               ,
               somewhat
               of
               Ostentation
               in
               them
               ,
               and
               Self-love
               ;
               there
               is
               a
               Pride
               of
               doing
               more
               than
               is
               expected
               from
               us
               ,
               and
               more
               than
               others
               would
               have
               done
               .
               But
               to
               proceed
               in
               the
               same
               Tract
               of
               Goodness
               ,
               Favour
               ,
               and
               Protection
               ,
               is
               to
               shew
               that
               a
               Man
               is
               acted
               by
               a
               thorough
               Principle
               :
               It
               carries
               somewhat
               of
               Tenderness
               in
               it
               ,
               which
               is
               Humanity
               in
               a
               Heroical
               Degree
               ;
               't
               is
               a
               kind
               of
               unmoveable
               good
               Nature
               ;
               a
               word
               which
               is
               commonly
               Despis'd
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               so
               seldom
               Practis'd
               .
               But
               after
               all
               ,
               't
               is
               the
               most
               generous
               Vertue
               ,
               oppos'd
               to
               the
               most
               degenerate
               Vice
               ,
               which
               is
               
               that
               of
               Ruggedness
               and
               Harshness
               to
               our
               Fellow
               Creatures
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               upon
               this
               knowledge
               of
               you
               ,
               Sir
               ,
               that
               I
               have
               chosen
               you
               ,
               with
               your
               permission
               ,
               to
               be
               the
               Patron
               of
               this
               Poem
               .
               And
               ,
               as
               since
               this
               wonderful
               Revolution
               ,
               I
               have
               begun
               with
               the
               best
               Pattern
               of
               Humanity
               ,
               the
               Earl
               of
               Leicester
               ;
               I
               shall
               continue
               to
               follow
               the
               same
               Method
               ,
               in
               all
               ,
               to
               whom
               I
               shall
               Address
               ;
               and
               endeavour
               to
               pitch
               on
               such
               only
               ,
               as
               have
               been
               pleas'd
               to
               own
               me
               in
               this
               Ruin
               of
               my
               small
               Fortune
               ;
               who
               ,
               though
               they
               are
               of
               a
               contrary
               Opinion
               themselves
               ,
               yet
               blame
               not
               me
               for
               adhering
               to
               a
               lost
               Cause
               ;
               and
               judging
               for
               my self
               ,
               what
               I
               cannot
               chuse
               but
               judge
               ;
               so
               long
               as
               I
               am
               a
               patient
               Sufferer
               ,
               and
               no
               disturber
               of
               the
               Government
               .
               Which
               ,
               if
               it
               be
               a
               severe
               Penance
               ,
               as
               a
               great
               Wit
               has
               told
               the
               World
               ,
               't
               is
               at
               least
               enjoyn'd
               me
               by
               my self
               :
               And
               
                 Sancho
                 Panca
              
               ,
               as
               much
               a
               Fool
               as
               I
               ,
               was
               observ'd
               to
               discipline
               his
               Body
               ,
               no
               farther
               than
               he
               found
               he
               could
               endure
               the
               smart
               .
            
             
               You
               see
               ,
               Sir
               ,
               I
               am
               not
               entertaining
               you
               ,
               like
               Ovid
               ,
               with
               a
               Lamentable
               Epistle
               from
               Pontus
               ;
               I
               suffer
               no
               more
               ,
               than
               I
               can
               easily
               undergo
               ;
               and
               so
               long
               as
               I
               enjoy
               my
               Liberty
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               Birth-right
               of
               an
               English
               Man
               ,
               the
               rest
               shall
               never
               go
               near
               my
               Heart
               .
               The
               Merry
               Philosopher
               ,
               is
               more
               to
               my
               Humour
               than
               the
               Melancholick
               ;
               and
               I
               find
               no
               disposition
               in
               my self
               to
               Cry
               ,
               while
               the
               mad
               World
               is
               daily
               supplying
               me
               with
               such
               Occasions
               of
               Laughter
               .
               The
               more
               reasonable
               sort
               of
               my
               Country-men
               ,
               have
               shewn
               so
               much
               favour
               to
               this
               Piece
               ,
               that
               they
               give
               me
               no
               doubt
               of
               their
               Protection
               for
               the
               future
               .
            
             
               As
               you
               ,
               Sir
               ,
               have
               been
               pleas'd
               to
               follow
               the
               Example
               of
               their
               Goodness
               ,
               in
               favouring
               me
               :
               So
               give
               me
               leave
               to
               say
               ,
               that
               I
               follow
               yours
               in
               this
               Dedication
               ,
               to
               a
               Person
               of
               a
               different
               Perswasion
               .
               Though
               I
               must
               confess
               withal
               ,
               that
               I
               have
               had
               a
               former
               Encouragement
               from
               you
               for
               this
               Address
               ▪
               and
               the
               warm
               Remembrance
               of
               your
               noble
               Hospitality
               to
               me
               at
               
               Trentham
               ,
               when
               some
               years
               a
               go
               I
               visited
               my
               Friends
               and
               Relations
               in
               your
               Country
               ,
               has
               ever
               since
               given
               me
               a
               violent
               Temptation
               to
               this
               boldness
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               true
               ,
               were
               this
               Comedy
               wholly
               mine
               ,
               I
               should
               call
               it
               a
               Trifle
               ,
               and
               perhaps
               not
               think
               it
               worth
               your
               Patronage
               ;
               but
               when
               the
               Names
               of
               Plautus
               and
               Moliere
               are
               joyn'd
               in
               it
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               two
               greatest
               Names
               of
               Ancient
               and
               Modern
               Comedy
               ,
               I
               must
               not
               presume
               so
               far
               on
               their
               Reputation
               ,
               to
               think
               their
               best
               and
               most
               unquestion'd
               Productions
               can
               be
               term'd
               Little.
               I
               will
               not
               give
               you
               the
               trouble
               ,
               of
               acquainting
               you
               what
               I
               have
               added
               ,
               or
               alter'd
               in
               either
               of
               them
               ,
               so
               much
               it
               may
               be
               for
               the
               worse
               ;
               but
               only
               that
               the
               difference
               of
               our
               Stage
               from
               the
               Roman
               and
               the
               French
               did
               so
               require
               it
               .
               But
               I
               am
               affraid
               ,
               for
               my
               own
               Interest
               ,
               the
               World
               will
               too
               easily
               discover
               ,
               that
               more
               than
               half
               of
               it
               is
               mine
               ;
               and
               that
               the
               rest
               is
               rather
               a
               lame
               Imitation
               of
               their
               Excellencies
               ,
               than
               a
               just
               Translation
               .
               'T
               is
               enough
               ,
               that
               the
               Reader
               know
               by
               you
               ,
               that
               I
               neither
               deserve
               nor
               desire
               any
               Applause
               from
               it
               :
               If
               I
               have
               perform'd
               any
               thing
               ,
               't
               is
               the
               Genius
               of
               my
               Authors
               that
               inspir'd
               me
               ;
               and
               if
               it
               has
               pleas'd
               in
               Representation
               ,
               let
               the
               Actors
               share
               the
               Praise
               amongst
               themselves
               .
               As
               for
               Plautus
               and
               Moliere
               ,
               they
               are
               dangerous
               People
               ;
               and
               I
               am
               too
               weak
               a
               Gamester
               to
               put
               my self
               into
               their
               Form
               of
               Play.
               But
               what
               has
               been
               wanting
               on
               my
               Part
               ,
               has
               been
               abundantly
               supplyed
               by
               the
               Excellent
               Composition
               of
               Mr.
               Purcell
               ;
               in
               whose
               Person
               we
               have
               at
               length
               found
               an
               English-man
               ,
               equal
               with
               the
               best
               abroad
               .
               At
               least
               my
               Opinion
               of
               him
               has
               been
               such
               ,
               since
               his
               happy
               and
               judicious
               Performances
               in
               the
               late
               Opera
               ;
               and
               the
               Experience
               I
               have
               had
               of
               him
               ,
               in
               the
               setting
               my
               Three
               Songs
               for
               this
               Amphitryon
               :
               To
               all
               which
               ,
               and
               particularly
               to
               the
               Composition
               of
               the
               
                 Pastoral
                 Dialogue
              
               ,
               the
               numerous
               Quire
               of
               Fair
               Ladies
               gave
               so
               just
               an
               Applause
               on
               the
               Third
               Day
               .
               I
               am
               only
               sorry
               ,
               for
               my
               own
               sake
               ,
               that
               there
               was
               one
               
               Star
               wanting
               ,
               as
               Beautiful
               as
               any
               in
               our
               Hemisphere
               ;
               that
               young
               Berenice
               ,
               who
               is
               misimploying
               all
               her
               Charms
               on
               stupid
               Country
               Souls
               ,
               that
               can
               never
               know
               the
               Value
               of
               them
               ;
               and
               losing
               the
               Triumphs
               ,
               which
               are
               ready
               prepar'd
               for
               her
               in
               the
               Court
               and
               Town
               .
               And
               yet
               I
               know
               not
               whether
               I
               am
               so
               much
               a
               loser
               by
               her
               absence
               ;
               for
               I
               have
               Reason
               to
               apprehend
               the
               sharpness
               of
               her
               Judgment
               ,
               if
               it
               were
               not
               allay'd
               with
               the
               sweetness
               of
               her
               Nature
               ;
               and
               after
               all
               ,
               I
               fear
               she
               may
               come
               time
               enough
               ,
               to
               discover
               a
               Thousand
               Imperfections
               in
               my
               Play
               ,
               which
               might
               have
               pass'd
               on
               Vulgar
               Understandings
               .
               Be
               pleas'd
               to
               use
               the
               Authority
               of
               a
               Father
               over
               her
               ,
               on
               my
               behalf
               ;
               enjoyn
               her
               to
               keep
               her
               own
               Thoughts
               of
               Amphitryon
               to
               her self
               ;
               or
               at
               least
               not
               to
               compare
               him
               too
               strictly
               with
               
               Moliere's
               .
               'T
               is
               true
               ,
               I
               have
               an
               Interest
               in
               this
               Partiality
               of
               hers
               ;
               but
               withal
               ,
               I
               plead
               some
               sort
               of
               Merit
               for
               it
               ,
               in
               being
               so
               Particularly
               as
               I
               am
               ,
            
             
               
                 SIR
                 ,
              
               
                 Your
                 most
                 obedient
                 ,
                 humble
                 Servant
                 ,
                 
                   JOHN
                   DRYDEN
                
                 .
              
               
                 
                   October
                   24.
                   1690.
                   
                
              
            
          
           
             
             
               
                 PROLOGUE
                 TO
              
               Amphitryon
               ;
               or
               ,
               The
               Two
               Sosia
               
                 '
                 s.
              
               
            
             
               Spoken
               by
               Mrs.
               Bracegirdle
               .
            
             
               THE
               lab'ring
               Bee
               ,
               when
               his
               sharp
               Sting
               is
               gone
               ,
            
             
               Forgets
               his
               Golden
               Work
               ,
               and
               turns
               a
               Drone
               :
            
             
               Such
               is
               a
               Satyr
               ,
               when
               you
               take
               away
            
             
               That
               Rage
               ,
               in
               which
               his
               Noble
               Vigour
               lay
               .
            
             
               What
               gain
               you
               ,
               by
               not
               suffering
               him
               to
               teize
               ye
               ?
            
             
               He
               neither
               can
               offend
               you
               ,
               now
               ,
               nor
               please
               ye
               .
            
             
               The
               Honey-bag
               ,
               and
               Venome
               ,
               lay
               so
               near
               ,
            
             
               That
               both
               ,
               together
               ,
               you
               resolv'd
               to
               tear
               ;
            
             
               And
               lost
               your
               Pleasure
               ,
               to
               secure
               your
               Fear
               .
            
             
               How
               can
               he
               show
               his
               Manhood
               ,
               if
               you
               bind
               him
            
             
               To
               box
               ,
               like
               Boys
               ,
               with
               one
               Hand
               ty'd
               behind
               him
               ?
            
             
               This
               is
               plain
               levelling
               of
               Wit
               ;
               in
               which
            
             
               The
               Poor
               has
               all
               th'
               advantage
               ,
               not
               the
               Rich.
            
             
               The
               Blockhead
               stands
               excus'd
               ,
               for
               wanting
               Sense
               ;
            
             
               And
               Wits
               turn
               Blockheads
               in
               their
               own
               defence
               .
            
             
               Yet
               ,
               though
               the
               Stages
               Traffick
               is
               undone
               ,
            
             
               Still
               
               Julian's
               interloping
               Trade
               goes
               on
               :
            
             
               Though
               Satyr
               on
               the
               Theatre
               you
               smother
               ,
            
             
               Yet
               in
               Lampoons
               ,
               you
               Libel
               one
               another
               .
            
             
               The
               first
               produces
               still
               ,
               a
               second
               Jig
               ;
            
             
               You
               whip
               'em
               out
               ,
               like
               School-boys
               ,
               till
               they
               gig
               :
            
             
               And
               ,
               with
               the
               same
               success
               ,
               we
               Readers
               guess
               ;
            
             
               For
               ,
               ev'ry
               one
               ,
               still
               dwindles
               to
               a
               less
               .
            
             
               And
               much
               good
               Malice
               ,
               is
               so
               meanly
               drest
               ,
            
             
               That
               we
               wou'd
               laugh
               ,
               but
               cannot
               find
               the
               Jest
               .
            
             
             
               If
               no
               advice
               your
               Rhiming
               Rage
               can
               stay
               ,
            
             
               Let
               not
               the
               Ladies
               suffer
               in
               the
               Fray.
            
             
               Their
               tender
               Sex
               ,
               is
               priviledg'd
               from
               War
               ;
            
             
               'T
               is
               not
               like
               Knights
               ,
               to
               draw
               upon
               the
               Fair.
            
             
               What
               Fame
               expect
               you
               from
               so
               mean
               a
               Prize
               ?
            
             
               We
               wear
               no
               murdring
               Weapons
               ,
               but
               our
               Eyes
               .
            
             
               Our
               Sex
               ,
               you
               know
               ,
               was
               after
               yours
               design'd
               ;
            
             
               The
               last
               Perfection
               of
               the
               Makers
               mind
               :
            
             
               Heav'n
               drew
               out
               all
               the
               Gold
               for
               us
               ,
               and
               left
               your
               Dross
               behind
               .
            
             
               Beauty
               ,
               for
               Valours
               best
               Reward
               ,
               He
               chose
               ;
            
             
               Peace
               ,
               after
               War
               ;
               and
               after
               Toil
               ,
               Repose
               .
            
             
               Hence
               ye
               Prophane
               ;
               excluded
               from
               our
               sights
               ;
            
             
               And
               charm'd
               by
               Day
               ,
               with
               Honour's
               vain
               delights
               ,
            
             
               Go
               ,
               make
               your
               best
               of
               solitary
               Nights
               .
            
             
               Recant
               betimes
               ,
               't
               is
               prudence
               to
               submit
               :
            
             
               Our
               Sex
               ,
               is
               still
               your
               Overmatch
               ,
               in
               Wit
               :
            
             
               We
               never
               fail
               ,
               with
               new
               ,
               successful
               Arts
               ,
            
             
               To
               make
               fine
               Fools
               of
               you
               ;
               and
               all
               your
               Parts
               .
            
          
           
             
               DRAMATIS
               PERSONAE
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   
                     JUPITER
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Mr.
                     Betterton
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     MERCURY
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Mr.
                     Lee.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     PHOEBUS
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Mr.
                     Bowman
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     AMPITRYON
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Mr.
                     Williams
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     SOSIA
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Mr.
                     Nokes
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     GRIPUS
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Mr.
                     Sandford
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     POLIDAS
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Mr.
                     Bright
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     TRANIO
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Mr.
                     Bowen
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     ALCMENA
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Mrs.
                     Barry
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     PHAEDRA
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Mrs.
                     Mountford
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     BROMIA
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Mrs.
                     Corey
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     NIGHT
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Mrs.
                     Butler
                     .
                  
                
              
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               AMPHITRYON
               ;
               Or
               the
               Two
               SOCIA'S
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   The
                   Scene
                   THEBES
                   .
                
                 
                   Mercury
                   and
                   Phoebus
                   
                     descend
                     in
                     several
                     Machines
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Phoeb.
                     
                  
                   
                     KKnow
                     you
                     the
                     Reason
                     of
                     this
                     present
                     Summons
                     ?
                  
                   
                     'T
                     is
                     neither
                     Council-day
                     ,
                     nor
                     is
                     this
                     Heav'n
                     ;
                  
                   
                     What
                     Business
                     has
                     our
                     Jupiter
                     on
                     Earth
                     ?
                  
                   
                     Why
                     more
                     at
                     Thebes
                     than
                     any
                     other
                     Place
                     ?
                  
                   
                     And
                     why
                     we
                     two
                     of
                     all
                     the
                     Herd
                     of
                     Gods
                  
                   
                     Are
                     chosen
                     out
                     to
                     meet
                     him
                     in
                     Consult
                     ?
                  
                   
                     They
                     call
                     me
                     God
                     of
                     Wisdom
                     ,
                  
                   
                     But
                     Mars
                     and
                     Vulcan
                     ,
                     the
                     two
                     Fools
                     of
                     Heav'n
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Whose
                     Wit
                     lyes
                     in
                     their
                     Anvil
                     and
                     their
                     Sword
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Know
                     full
                     as
                     much
                     as
                     I.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     And
                     Venus
                     may
                     know
                     more
                     than
                     both
                     of
                     us
                     ,
                  
                   
                     For
                     't
                     is
                     some
                     Petticoat
                     Affair
                     I
                     guess
                     ,
                  
                   
                     I
                     have
                     discharg'd
                     my
                     Duty
                     ;
                     which
                     was
                     to
                     summon
                     you
                     ,
                     Phoebus
                     :
                     we
                     shall
                     know
                     more
                     anon
                     ,
                     when
                     the
                     Thunderer
                     comes
                     down
                     .
                     'T
                     is
                     our
                     Part
                     to
                     obey
                     our
                     Father
                     ;
                     for
                     ,
                     to
                     confess
                     the
                     Truth
                     ,
                     we
                     two
                     are
                     little
                     better
                     than
                     Sons
                     of
                     Harlots
                     :
                     and
                     if
                     Jupiter
                     had
                     not
                     been
                     pleas'd
                     to
                     take
                     a
                     little
                     pains
                     with
                     our
                     Mothers
                     ,
                     instead
                     of
                     being
                     Gods
                     ,
                     we
                     might
                     have
                     been
                     a
                     couple
                     of
                     Linck-Boys
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phoeb.
                     
                  
                   
                     But
                     know
                     you
                     nothing
                     farther
                     ,
                     Hermes
                     ?
                     What
                     news
                     in
                     Court
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     There
                     has
                     been
                     a
                     devillish
                     Quarrel
                     ,
                     I
                     can
                     tell
                     you
                     ,
                     betwixt
                     Jupiter
                     and
                     Juno
                     :
                     She
                     threaten'd
                     to
                     sue
                     him
                     in
                     the
                     Spiritual
                     Court
                     ,
                     for
                     some
                     Matrimonial
                     Omissions
                     ;
                     and
                     he
                     stood
                     upon
                     his
                     Prerogative
                     .
                     Then
                     she
                     hit
                     him
                     on
                     the
                     Teeth
                     of
                     all
                     his
                     Bastards
                     ;
                     and
                     your
                     Name
                     and
                     mine
                     were
                     us'd
                     with
                     less
                     reverence
                     than
                     became
                     our
                     Godships
                     .
                     They
                     were
                     both
                     in
                     their
                     Cups
                     ;
                     and
                     at
                     the
                     last
                     the
                     matter
                     grew
                     so
                     high
                     ,
                     that
                     they
                     were
                     ready
                     to
                     have
                     thrown
                     Stars
                     at
                     one
                     anothers
                     Heads
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Phoeb.
                     
                  
                   
                     'T
                     was
                     happy
                     for
                     me
                     that
                     I
                     was
                     at
                     my
                     Vocation
                     ,
                     driving
                     Day-light
                     about
                     the
                     World
                     ;
                     but
                     I
                     had
                     rather
                     stand
                     my
                     Fathers
                     Thunderbolts
                     ,
                     than
                     my
                     Step-mothers
                     Railing
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     When
                     the
                     Tongue-battle
                     was
                     over
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     Championess
                     had
                     harness'd
                     her
                     Peacocks
                     ,
                     to
                     go
                     for
                     Samos
                     ,
                     and
                     hear
                     the
                     Prayers
                     that
                     were
                     made
                     to
                     her
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phoeb.
                     
                  
                   
                     By
                     the
                     way
                     her
                     Worshippers
                     had
                     a
                     bad
                     time
                     on
                     't
                     ;
                     she
                     was
                     in
                     a
                     damnable
                     Humour
                     for
                     receiving
                     Petitions
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Jupiter
                     immediately
                     beckons
                     me
                     aside
                     ;
                     and
                     charges
                     me
                     ,
                     that
                     as
                     soon
                     as
                     ever
                     you
                     had
                     set
                     up
                     your
                     Horses
                     ,
                     you
                     and
                     I
                     shou'd
                     meet
                     him
                     here
                     at
                     Thebes
                     :
                     now
                     ,
                     putting
                     the
                     Premises
                     together
                     ,
                     as
                     dark
                     as
                     it
                     is
                     ,
                     methinks
                     I
                     begin
                     to
                     see
                     Day-light
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phoeb.
                     
                  
                   
                     As
                     plain
                     as
                     one
                     of
                     my
                     own
                     Beams
                     ;
                     she
                     has
                     made
                     him
                     uneasie
                     at
                     home
                     ,
                     and
                     he
                     is
                     going
                     to
                     seek
                     his
                     diversion
                     abroad
                     :
                     I
                     see
                     Heav'n
                     it self
                     is
                     no
                     priviledg'd
                     Place
                     for
                     happiness
                     ,
                     if
                     a
                     Man
                     must
                     carry
                     his
                     Wife
                     along
                     with
                     him
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     'T
                     is
                     neither
                     better
                     nor
                     worse
                     ,
                     upon
                     my
                     Conscience
                     :
                     he
                     is
                     weary
                     of
                     hunting
                     in
                     the
                     spacious
                     Forest
                     of
                     a
                     Wife
                     ,
                     and
                     is
                     following
                     his
                     Game
                     incognito
                     ,
                     in
                     some
                     little
                     Purliew
                     here
                     at
                     Thebes
                     ;
                     that
                     's
                     many
                     an
                     honest
                     Mans
                     Case
                     on
                     Earth
                     too
                     ,
                     Jove
                     help
                     'em
                     ;
                     as
                     indeed
                     he
                     does
                     to
                     make
                     'em
                     Cuckolds
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phoeb.
                     
                  
                   
                     But
                     if
                     so
                     Mercury
                     ,
                     then
                     I
                     ,
                     who
                     am
                     a
                     Poet
                     ,
                     must
                     indite
                     his
                     Love-letter
                     ;
                     and
                     you
                     ,
                     who
                     are
                     by
                     Trade
                     a
                     Porter
                     ,
                     must
                     convey
                     it
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     No
                     more
                     ,
                     he
                     's
                     coming
                     down
                     sowse
                     upon
                     us
                     ,
                     and
                     hears
                     as
                     far
                     as
                     he
                     can
                     see
                     too
                     ;
                     he
                     's
                     plaguy
                     hot
                     upon
                     the
                     business
                     ,
                     I
                     know
                     it
                     by
                     his
                     hard
                     driving
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   [
                   Jupiter
                   descends
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Jupiter
                     .
                  
                   
                     What
                     ,
                     you
                     are
                     descanting
                     upon
                     my
                     Actions
                     ?
                  
                   
                     Much
                     good
                     may
                     do
                     you
                     with
                     your
                     Politicks
                     :
                  
                   
                     All
                     Subjects
                     will
                     be
                     censuring
                     their
                     Kings
                     .
                  
                   
                     Well
                     ,
                     I
                     confess
                     I
                     am
                     in
                     love
                     ;
                     what
                     then
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phoeb.
                     
                  
                   
                     Some
                     Mortal
                     ,
                     we
                     presume
                     ,
                     of
                     
                     Cadmu's
                     Blood
                     :
                  
                   
                     Some
                     Theban
                     Beauty
                     ;
                     some
                     new
                     Semele
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Or
                     some
                     Europa
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     'll
                     say
                     that
                     for
                     my
                     Father
                     ,
                     he
                     's
                     constant
                     to
                     an
                     handsom
                     Family
                     :
                     He
                     knows
                     when
                     they
                     have
                     a
                     good
                     smack
                     with
                     'em
                     ;
                     and
                     snuffs
                     up
                     Incense
                     so
                     savourly
                     ,
                     when
                     't
                     is
                     offer'd
                     him
                     by
                     a
                     fair
                     Hand
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Well
                     ,
                     my
                     familiar
                     Sons
                     ,
                     this
                     sawcy
                     Carriage
                  
                   
                     I
                     have
                     deserv'd
                     ;
                     for
                     he
                     who
                     trusts
                     a
                     Secret
                  
                   
                     Makes
                     his
                     own
                     Man
                     his
                     Master
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     read
                     your
                     Thoughts
                     ;
                  
                   
                     Therefore
                     you
                     may
                     as
                     safely
                     speak
                     as
                     think
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Mine
                     was
                     a
                     very
                     homely
                     Thought
                     ;
                     I
                     was
                     considering
                     into
                     what
                     form
                     your
                     Almighty-ship
                     would
                     be
                     pleas'd
                     to
                     transform
                     your self
                     to
                     night
                     .
                     Whether
                     you
                     wou'd
                     fornicate
                     in
                     the
                     Shape
                     of
                     a
                     Bull
                     ,
                     or
                     a
                     Ram
                     ,
                     or
                     an
                     Eagle
                     ,
                     or
                     a
                     Swan
                     :
                     What
                     Bird
                     or
                     Beast
                     you
                     wou'd
                     please
                     to
                     honour
                     ,
                     by
                     transgressing
                     your
                     own
                     Laws
                     ,
                     in
                     his
                     likeness
                     ;
                     or
                     in
                     short
                     ,
                     whether
                     you
                     wou'd
                     recreate
                     your self
                     in
                     Feathers
                     ,
                     or
                     in
                     Leather
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Phoeb.
                     
                  
                   
                     Any
                     disguise
                     to
                     hide
                     the
                     King
                     of
                     Gods.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     know
                     your
                     Malice
                     ,
                     Phoebus
                     ,
                     you
                     wou'd
                     say
                  
                   
                     That
                     when
                     a
                     Monarch
                     sins
                     it
                     shou'd
                     be
                     secret
                     ;
                  
                   
                     To
                     keep
                     exterior
                     show
                     of
                     Sanctity
                     ;
                  
                   
                     Maintain
                     Respect
                     ,
                     and
                     cover
                     bad
                     Example
                     :
                  
                   
                     For
                     Kings
                     and
                     Priests
                     are
                     in
                     a
                     manner
                     bound
                  
                   
                     For
                     Reverence
                     sake
                     ,
                     to
                     be
                     close
                     Hypocrites
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phoeb.
                     
                  
                   
                     But
                     what
                     necessitates
                     you
                     to
                     this
                     Love
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Which
                     you
                     confess
                     a
                     Crime
                     ,
                     and
                     yet
                     commit
                     ?
                  
                   
                     For
                     to
                     be
                     secret
                     makes
                     not
                     sin
                     the
                     less
                     :
                  
                   
                     'T
                     is
                     only
                     hidden
                     from
                     the
                     vulgar
                     view
                     :
                  
                   
                     Maintains
                     ,
                     indeed
                     ,
                     the
                     Reverence
                     due
                     to
                     Princes
                     ,
                  
                   
                     But
                     not
                     absolves
                     the
                     Conscience
                     from
                     the
                     Crime
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     Love
                     ,
                     because
                     't
                     was
                     in
                     the
                     Fates
                     I
                     shou'd
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phoeb.
                     
                  
                   
                     With
                     reverence
                     be
                     it
                     spoke
                     ,
                     a
                     bad
                     excuse
                     :
                  
                   
                     Thus
                     every
                     wicked
                     Act
                     in
                     Heav'n
                     or
                     Earth
                     ,
                  
                   
                     May
                     make
                     the
                     same
                     defence
                     ;
                     but
                     what
                     is
                     Fate
                     ?
                  
                   
                     Is
                     it
                     a
                     blind
                     contingence
                     of
                     Events
                     ?
                  
                   
                     Or
                     sure
                     necessity
                     of
                     Causes
                     linck'd
                     ,
                  
                   
                     That
                     must
                     produce
                     Effects
                     ?
                     or
                     is
                     't
                     a
                     Pow'r
                  
                   
                     That
                     orders
                     all
                     things
                     by
                     superior
                     VVill
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Foresees
                     his
                     VVork
                     ,
                     and
                     works
                     in
                     that
                     foresight
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Fate
                     is
                     ,
                     what
                     I
                  
                   
                     By
                     vertue
                     of
                     Omnipotence
                     have
                     made
                     it
                     :
                  
                   
                     And
                     pow'r
                     Omnipotent
                     can
                     do
                     no
                     wrong
                     :
                  
                   
                     Not
                     to
                     my self
                     ,
                     because
                     I
                     will'd
                     it
                     so
                     :
                  
                   
                     Nor
                     yet
                     to
                     Men
                     ,
                     for
                     what
                     they
                     are
                     is
                     mine
                     .
                  
                   
                     This
                     night
                     I
                     will
                     enjoy
                     
                     Amphitryon's
                     VVife
                     :
                  
                   
                     For
                     ,
                     when
                     I
                     made
                     her
                     ,
                     I
                     decreed
                     her
                     such
                  
                   
                     As
                     I
                     shou'd
                     please
                     to
                     love
                     .
                     I
                     wrong
                     not
                     him
                  
                   
                     VVhose
                     VVife
                     she
                     is
                     ;
                     for
                     I
                     reserv'd
                     my
                     Right
                     ,
                  
                   
                     To
                     have
                     her
                     while
                     she
                     pleas'd
                     me
                     ;
                     that
                     once
                     past
                     ,
                  
                   
                     She
                     shall
                     be
                     his
                     again
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Here
                     's
                     Omnipotence
                     with
                     a
                     Vengeance
                     ,
                     to
                     make
                     a
                     Man
                     a
                     Cuckold
                     ,
                     and
                     yet
                     not
                     to
                     do
                     him
                     wrong
                     .
                     Then
                     I
                     find
                     ,
                     Father
                     Jupiter
                     ,
                     that
                     when
                     you
                     made
                     Fate
                     ,
                     you
                     had
                     the
                     wit
                     to
                     contrive
                     a
                     Holy-day
                     for
                     your self
                     now
                     and
                     then
                     .
                     For
                     you
                     Kings
                     never
                     Enact
                     a
                     Law
                     ,
                     but
                     you
                     have
                     a
                     kind
                     of
                     an
                     Eye
                     to
                     your
                     own
                     Prerogative
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phoeb.
                     
                  
                   
                     If
                     there
                     be
                     no
                     such
                     thing
                     as
                     right
                     and
                     wrong
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Of
                     an
                     Eternal
                     Being
                     ,
                     I
                     have
                     done
                     —
                  
                   
                     But
                     if
                     there
                     be
                     .
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Peace
                     ,
                     thou
                     disputing
                     Fool
                     :
                  
                   
                     Learn
                     this
                     ;
                     if
                     thou
                     could'st
                     comprehend
                     my
                     ways
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Then
                     thou
                     wert
                     Jove
                     ,
                     not
                     I
                     :
                     yet
                     ,
                     thus
                     far
                     know
                     ,
                  
                   
                     That
                     ,
                     for
                     the
                     good
                     of
                     Human-kind
                     ,
                     this
                     Night
                  
                   
                     I
                     shall
                     beget
                     a
                     future
                     Hercules
                     ;
                  
                   
                     Who
                     shall
                     redress
                     the
                     Wrongs
                     of
                     injur'd
                     Mortals
                     ,
                  
                   
                   
                     Shall
                     conquer
                     Monsters
                     ,
                     and
                     reform
                     the
                     World.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Ay
                     ,
                     Brother
                     Phoebus
                     ;
                     and
                     our
                     Father
                     made
                     all
                     those
                     Monsters
                     for
                     Hercules
                     to
                     Conquer
                     ,
                     and
                     contriv'd
                     all
                     those
                     Vices
                     on
                     purpose
                     for
                     him
                     to
                     reform
                     too
                     ,
                     there
                     's
                     the
                     Jeast
                     on
                     't
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phoeb.
                     
                  
                   
                     Since
                     Arbitrary
                     Pow'r
                     will
                     hear
                     no
                     Reason
                     ,
                     't
                     is
                     Wisdom
                     to
                     be
                     silent
                     .
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Why
                     that
                     's
                     the
                     Point
                     ;
                     this
                     same
                     Arbitrary
                     Power
                     is
                     a
                     knock-down
                     Argument
                     ;
                     't
                     is
                     but
                     a
                     Word
                     and
                     a
                     Blow
                     ;
                     now
                     methinks
                     our
                     Father
                     speaks
                     out
                     like
                     an
                     honest
                     bare-fac'd
                     God
                     ,
                     as
                     he
                     is
                     ;
                     he
                     lays
                     the
                     stress
                     in
                     the
                     right
                     Place
                     ,
                     upon
                     absolute
                     Dominion
                     :
                     I
                     confess
                     if
                     he
                     had
                     been
                     a
                     Man
                     ,
                     he
                     might
                     have
                     been
                     a
                     Tyrant
                     ,
                     if
                     his
                     Subjects
                     durst
                     have
                     call'd
                     him
                     to
                     account
                     :
                     But
                     you
                     Brother
                     Poebus
                     ,
                     are
                     but
                     a
                     meer
                     Country
                     Gentleman
                     ,
                     that
                     never
                     comes
                     to
                     Court
                     ;
                     that
                     are
                     abroad
                     all
                     day
                     on
                     Horse-back
                     ,
                     making
                     Visits
                     about
                     the
                     World
                     ;
                     are
                     drinking
                     all
                     Night
                     ,
                     and
                     in
                     your
                     Cups
                     are
                     still
                     rayling
                     at
                     the
                     Government
                     :
                     O
                     these
                     Patriots
                     ,
                     these
                     bumpkin
                     Patriots
                     ,
                     are
                     a
                     very
                     silly
                     sort
                     of
                     Animal
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     My
                     present
                     Purpose
                     and
                     Design
                     you
                     heard
                     ;
                  
                   
                     T'
                     enjoy
                     
                     Amphitryon's
                     Wife
                     ,
                     the
                     fair
                     Alcmena
                     :
                  
                   
                     You
                     two
                     must
                     be
                     subservient
                     to
                     my
                     Love.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     to
                     Phoeb.
                     
                  
                   
                     No
                     more
                     of
                     your
                     Grumbletonian
                     Morals
                     Brother
                     ;
                     there
                     's
                     Preferment
                     coming
                     ,
                     be
                     advis'd
                     and
                     Pimp
                     dutifully
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Amphitryon
                     ,
                     the
                     brave
                     Theban
                     General
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Has
                     overcome
                     his
                     Countreys
                     Foes
                     in
                     Fight
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     in
                     a
                     single
                     Duel
                     slain
                     their
                     King
                     :
                  
                   
                     His
                     Conquering
                     Troops
                     are
                     eager
                     on
                     their
                     march
                  
                   
                     Returning
                     home
                     ;
                     while
                     their
                     young
                     General
                  
                   
                     More
                     eager
                     to
                     review
                     his
                     beauteous
                     Wife
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Posts
                     on
                     before
                     ,
                     wing'd
                     with
                     impetuous
                     Love
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     ,
                     by
                     to
                     morrows
                     dawn
                     ,
                     will
                     reach
                     this
                     Town
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     That
                     's
                     but
                     short
                     warning
                     ,
                     Father
                     Jupiter
                     :
                     having
                     made
                     no
                     former
                     advances
                     of
                     Courtship
                     to
                     her
                     ,
                     you
                     have
                     need
                     of
                     your
                     Omnipotence
                     ,
                     and
                     all
                     your
                     Godship
                     ,
                     if
                     you
                     mean
                     to
                     be
                     before
                     hand
                     with
                     him
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phoeb.
                     
                  
                   
                     Then
                     how
                     are
                     we
                     to
                     be
                     employ'd
                     this
                     Evening
                     ;
                  
                   
                     Time
                     's
                     precious
                     ,
                     and
                     these
                     Summer
                     Nights
                     are
                     short
                     ;
                  
                   
                     I
                     must
                     be
                     early
                     up
                     to
                     light
                     the
                     World.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     You
                     shall
                     not
                     rise
                     ;
                     there
                     shall
                     be
                     no
                     to
                     morrow
                     ;
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Then
                     the
                     VVorld's
                     to
                     be
                     at
                     an
                     end
                     ,
                     I
                     find
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phoeb.
                     
                  
                   
                     Or
                     else
                     a
                     Gap
                     in
                     Nature
                     ,
                     of
                     a
                     Day
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     A
                     day
                     ,
                     will
                     well
                     be
                     lost
                     to
                     busie
                     Man
                     :
                  
                   
                     Night
                     shall
                     continue
                     sleep
                     ,
                     and
                     care
                     shall
                     cease
                     .
                  
                   
                     So
                     ,
                     many
                     Men
                     shall
                     live
                     ,
                     and
                     live
                     in
                     peace
                     ,
                  
                   
                     VVhom
                     Sun-shine
                     had
                     betray'd
                     to
                     envious
                     Sight
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     Sight
                     to
                     sudden
                     Rage
                     ,
                     and
                     Rage
                     to
                     Death
                     .
                  
                   
                     Now
                     ,
                     I
                     will
                     have
                     a
                     night
                     for
                     love
                     and
                     me
                     ;
                  
                   
                     A
                     long
                     luxurious
                     Night
                     ,
                     fit
                     for
                     a
                     God
                  
                   
                     To
                     quench
                     and
                     empty
                     his
                     immortal
                     Heat
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     'll
                     lay
                     on
                     the
                     VVomans
                     side
                     for
                     all
                     that
                     ;
                     that
                     she
                     shall
                     love
                     longest
                     to
                     night
                     ,
                     in
                     spight
                     of
                     your
                     Omnipotence
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Phoeb.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     shall
                     be
                     curs'd
                     by
                     all
                     the
                     lab'ring
                     Trades
                     ,
                  
                   
                     That
                     early
                     rise
                     ,
                     but
                     you
                     must
                     be
                     obey'd
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     No
                     matter
                     for
                     the
                     cheating
                     part
                     of
                     Man
                     ;
                  
                   
                     They
                     have
                     a
                     day's
                     sin
                     less
                     to
                     answer
                     for
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phoeb.
                     
                  
                   
                     When
                     wou'd
                     you
                     have
                     me
                     wake
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Why
                     ,
                     when
                     Jove
                     goes
                     to
                     sleep
                     :
                     when
                     I
                     have
                     finish'd
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Your
                     Brother
                     Mercury
                     shall
                     bring
                     you
                     word
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       [
                       Exit
                    
                     Phoebus
                     
                       on
                       his
                       Chariot
                    
                     .
                  
                   
                     To
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Now
                     ,
                     Hermes
                     ,
                     I
                     must
                     take
                     
                     Amphitryon's
                     form
                     ,
                  
                   
                     T'
                     enjoy
                     his
                     Wife
                     ;
                  
                   
                     Thou
                     must
                     be
                     Sosia
                     ,
                     this
                     
                     Amphitryon's
                     slave
                     ;
                  
                   
                     Who
                     ,
                     all
                     this
                     Night
                     ,
                     is
                     travelling
                     to
                     Thebes
                     ,
                  
                   
                     To
                     tell
                     Alcmena
                     of
                     her
                     Lords
                     approach
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     bring
                     her
                     joyful
                     news
                     of
                     Victory
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     But
                     why
                     must
                     I
                     be
                     Sosia
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Dull
                     God
                     of
                     Wit
                     ,
                     thou
                     Statue
                     of
                     thy self
                     !
                  
                   
                     Thou
                     must
                     be
                     Sosia
                     ,
                     to
                     keep
                     out
                     Sosia
                     :
                  
                   
                     Who
                     ,
                     by
                     his
                     entrance
                     ,
                     might
                     discover
                     Jove
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Disturb
                     my
                     Pleasures
                     ,
                     raise
                     unruly
                     Noise
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     so
                     distract
                     
                     Alcmena's
                     tender
                     Soul
                     ,
                  
                   
                     She
                     wou'd
                     not
                     meet
                     my
                     warmth
                     ,
                     when
                     I
                     dissolve
                  
                   
                     Into
                     her
                     Lap
                     ,
                     nor
                     give
                     down
                     half
                     her
                     Love.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Mer.
                     
                  
                   
                     Let
                     me
                     alone
                     ;
                     I
                     'll
                     cudgel
                     him
                     away
                     :
                  
                   
                     But
                     I
                     abhor
                     so
                     Villanous
                     a
                     shape
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Take
                     it
                     ;
                     I
                     charge
                     thee
                     on
                     thy
                     Duty
                     ,
                     take
                     it
                     :
                  
                   
                     Nor
                     dare
                     to
                     lay
                     it
                     down
                     ,
                     till
                     I
                     command
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     cannot
                     bear
                     a
                     moments
                     loss
                     of
                     Joy.
                     
                  
                   
                     [
                     Night
                     
                       appears
                       above
                       in
                       her
                       Chariot
                    
                     .
                  
                   
                     Look
                     up
                     ,
                     the
                     Night
                     is
                     in
                     her
                     silent
                     Chariot
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     rouling
                     just
                     o're
                     Thebes
                     :
                     bid
                     her
                     drive
                     slowly
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Or
                     make
                     a
                     double
                     turn
                     about
                     the
                     World
                     ;
                  
                   
                     While
                     I
                     drop
                     Jove
                     ,
                     and
                     take
                     
                     Amphitryon's
                     Dress
                     ,
                  
                   
                     To
                     be
                     the
                     greater
                     ,
                     while
                     I
                     seem
                     the
                     less
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     [
                     Exit
                  
                   Jupiter
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     to
                     Night
                     .
                  
                   
                     Madam
                     Night
                     ,
                     a
                     good
                     Even
                     to
                     you
                     :
                     fair
                     and
                     softly
                     ,
                     I
                     beseech
                     you
                     Madam
                     :
                     I
                     have
                     a
                     word
                     or
                     two
                     to
                     you
                     ,
                     from
                     no
                     less
                     a
                     God
                     than
                     Jupiter
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Night
                     .
                  
                   
                     O
                     ,
                     my
                     nimble
                     finger'd
                     God
                     of
                     Theft
                     ,
                     what
                     make
                     you
                     here
                     on
                     Earth
                     ,
                     at
                     this
                     unseasonable
                     hour
                     ?
                     what
                     Bankers
                     Shop
                     is
                     to
                     be
                     broken
                     open
                     to
                     Night
                     ?
                     or
                     what
                     Clippers
                     ,
                     and
                     Coiners
                     ,
                     and
                     Conspirators
                     ,
                     have
                     been
                     invoking
                     your
                     Deity
                     for
                     their
                     assistance
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Faith
                     none
                     of
                     those
                     Enormities
                     ;
                     and
                     yet
                     I
                     am
                     still
                     in
                     my
                     Vocation
                     :
                     for
                     you
                     know
                     I
                     am
                     a
                     kind
                     of
                     Jack
                     of
                     all
                     Trades
                     :
                     at
                     a
                     word
                     ,
                     Jupiter
                     is
                     indulging
                     his
                     Genius
                     to
                     night
                     ,
                     with
                     a
                     certain
                     noble
                     sort
                     of
                     Recreation
                     ,
                     call'd
                     Wenching
                     :
                     The
                     truth
                     on
                     't
                     is
                     ,
                     Adultery
                     is
                     its
                     proper
                     name
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Night
                     .
                  
                   
                     Jupiter
                     wou'd
                     do
                     well
                     to
                     stick
                     to
                     his
                     Wife
                     Juno
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     He
                     has
                     been
                     marry'd
                     to
                     her
                     above
                     these
                     hundred
                     years
                     ;
                     and
                     that
                     's
                     long
                     enough
                     in
                     conscience
                     to
                     stick
                     to
                     one
                     Woman
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Night
                     .
                  
                   
                     She
                     's
                     his
                     Sister
                     too
                     ,
                     as
                     well
                     as
                     his
                     Wife
                     ;
                     that
                     's
                     a
                     double
                     tye
                     of
                     affection
                     to
                     her
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Nay
                     ,
                     if
                     he
                     made
                     bold
                     with
                     his
                     own
                     Flesh
                     and
                     Blood
                     ,
                     't
                     is
                     likely
                     he
                     will
                     not
                     spare
                     his
                     Neighbours
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Night
                     .
                  
                   
                     If
                     I
                     were
                     his
                     Wife
                     ,
                     I
                     would
                     raise
                     a
                     Rebellion
                     against
                     him
                     ,
                     for
                     the
                     violation
                     of
                     my
                     Bed.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Thou
                     art
                     mistaken
                     ,
                     
                       Old
                       Night
                    
                     :
                     his
                     Wife
                     cou'd
                     raise
                     no
                     faction
                     :
                     all
                     the
                     Deities
                     in
                     Heaven
                     wou'd
                     take
                     the
                     part
                     of
                     the
                     Cuckold-making
                     God
                     ;
                     for
                     they
                     are
                     all
                     given
                     to
                     the
                     Flesh
                     most
                     damnably
                     .
                     Nay
                     the
                     very
                     Goddesses
                     wou'd
                     stickle
                     in
                     the
                     cause
                     of
                     Love
                     ,
                     't
                     is
                     the
                     way
                     to
                     be
                     Popular
                     to
                     Whore
                     and
                     Love.
                     For
                     what
                     dost
                     thou
                     think
                     old
                     Saturn
                     was
                     depos'd
                     ,
                     but
                     that
                     he
                     was
                     cold
                     and
                     impotent
                     ;
                     and
                     made
                     no
                     court
                     to
                     the
                     fair
                     Ladies
                     .
                     Pallas
                     and
                     Juno
                     themselves
                     ▪
                     as
                     chaste
                     as
                     they
                     are
                     ,
                     cry'd
                     shame
                     on
                     him
                     ▪
                     I
                     say
                     unto
                     thee
                     ,
                     
                       Old
                       Night
                    
                     ,
                     Wo
                     be
                     to
                     the
                     Monarch
                     that
                     has
                     not
                     the
                     Women
                     on
                     his
                     side
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Night
                     .
                  
                   
                     Then
                     by
                     your
                     rule
                     ,
                     Mercury
                     ,
                     A
                     King
                     who
                     wou'd
                     live
                     happily
                     ,
                     must
                     debauch
                     his
                     whole
                     Nation
                     of
                     Women
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     As
                     far
                     as
                     his
                     ready
                     Money
                     will
                     go
                     ,
                     I
                     mean
                     ;
                     for
                     Jupiter
                     himself
                     can't
                     please
                     all
                     of
                     '
                     em
                     .
                     But
                     this
                     is
                     beside
                     my
                     present
                     Commission
                     ;
                     He
                     has
                     sent
                     me
                     to
                     will
                     and
                     require
                     you
                     to
                     make
                     a
                     swinging
                     long
                     Night
                     for
                     him
                     :
                     for
                     he
                     hates
                     to
                     be
                     stinted
                     in
                     his
                     Pleasures
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Night
                     .
                  
                   
                     Tell
                     him
                     plainly
                     ,
                     I
                     'll
                     rather
                     lay
                     down
                     my
                     Commission
                     :
                     What
                     wou'd
                     he
                     make
                     a
                     Bawd
                     of
                     me
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Poor
                     Ignorant
                     !
                     why
                     he
                     meant
                     thee
                     for
                     a
                     Bawd
                     when
                     he
                     first
                     made
                     thee
                     .
                     What
                     art
                     thou
                     good
                     for
                     ,
                     but
                     to
                     be
                     a
                     Bawd
                     ?
                     Is
                     not
                     Day
                     light
                     better
                     for
                     Mankind
                     ,
                     I
                     mean
                     as
                     to
                     any
                     other
                     use
                     ,
                     but
                     only
                     for
                     Love
                     and
                     Fornication
                     ?
                     Thou
                     hast
                     been
                     a
                     Bawd
                     too
                     ,
                     a
                     Reverend
                     ,
                     Primitive
                     ,
                     Original
                     Bawd
                     ,
                     from
                     the
                     first
                     hour
                     of
                     thy
                     Creation
                     !
                     and
                     all
                     the
                     laudable
                     actions
                     of
                     Love
                     ,
                     have
                     been
                     committed
                     under
                     thy
                     Mantle
                     .
                     Prithee
                     for
                     what
                     dost
                     thou
                     think
                     that
                     thou
                     art
                     worshipp'd
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Night
                     .
                  
                   
                     Why
                     for
                     my
                     Stars
                     and
                     Moonshine
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     That
                     is
                     ,
                     for
                     holding
                     a
                     Candle
                     to
                     iniquity
                     :
                     but
                     if
                     they
                     were
                     put
                     out
                     ,
                     thou
                     wou'dst
                     be
                     double
                     worshipt
                     ,
                     by
                     the
                     willing
                     bashful
                     Virgins
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Night
                     .
                  
                   
                     Then
                     for
                     my
                     quiet
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     sweetness
                     of
                     my
                     sleep
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     No
                     ,
                     for
                     thy
                     sweet
                     waking
                     all
                     the
                     Night
                     :
                     for
                     sleep
                     comes
                     not
                     upon
                     Lovers
                     till
                     thou
                     art
                     vanish'd
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Night
                     .
                  
                   
                     But
                     it
                     will
                     be
                     against
                     Nature
                     ,
                     to
                     make
                     a
                     long
                     Winters
                     Night
                     at
                     Midsummer
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Trouble
                     not
                     your self
                     for
                     that
                     :
                     Phoebus
                     is
                     order'd
                     to
                     make
                     a
                     short
                     Summers
                     Day
                     to
                     morrow
                     :
                     so
                     in
                     four
                     and
                     twenty
                     Hours
                     all
                     will
                     be
                     at
                     rights
                     again
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Night
                     .
                  
                   
                     Well
                     ,
                     I
                     am
                     edisied
                     by
                     your
                     discourse
                     ;
                     and
                     my
                     comfort
                     is
                     ,
                     that
                     whatever
                     work
                     is
                     made
                     ,
                     I
                     see
                     nothing
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     About
                     your
                     business
                     then
                     :
                     put
                     a
                     Spoke
                     into
                     your
                     Chariot
                     Wheels
                     ,
                     and
                     order
                     the
                     Seven
                     Stars
                     to
                     halt
                     ,
                     while
                     I
                     put
                     my self
                     into
                     the
                     habit
                     of
                     a
                     Serving
                     man
                     ;
                     and
                     dress
                     up
                     a
                     false
                     So●●●
                     ,
                     to
                     wait
                     upon
                     a
                     false
                     Amphitryon
                     .
                     Good
                     night
                     ,
                     Night
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Night
                     .
                  
                   
                     My
                     service
                     to
                     Jupiter
                     .
                     Farewell
                     Mercury
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   [
                   Night
                   
                     goes
                     backward
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   Exit
                   .
                   Mercury
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Scene
                   II.
                   
                
                 
                   Amphitryon
                   
                     's
                     Pallace
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   Enter
                   Alcmena
                   alone
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     WHy
                     was
                     I
                     marri'd
                     to
                     the
                     Man
                     I
                     love
                     !
                  
                   
                     For
                     ,
                     had
                     he
                     been
                     indifferent
                     to
                     my
                     choice
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Or
                     had
                     been
                     hated
                     ,
                     absence
                     had
                     been
                     pleasure
                     :
                  
                   
                     But
                     now
                     I
                     fear
                     for
                     my
                     
                     Amphitryon's
                     life
                     :
                  
                   
                     At
                     home
                     ,
                     in
                     private
                     ,
                     and
                     secure
                     from
                     War
                     ,
                  
                   
                     I
                     am
                     amidst
                     an
                     Hoast
                     of
                     armed
                     foes
                     :
                  
                   
                     Sustaining
                     all
                     his
                     Cares
                     ,
                     pierc'd
                     with
                     his
                     Wounds
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     if
                     he
                     falls
                     (
                     which
                     O
                     ye
                     Gods
                     aver
                     .
                     )
                  
                   
                     Am
                     ,
                     in
                     Amphitryon
                     slain
                     !
                     wou'd
                     I
                     were
                     there
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     he
                     were
                     here
                     ;
                     so
                     might
                     we
                     change
                     our
                     Fates
                     ;
                  
                   
                     That
                     he
                     might
                     grieve
                     for
                     me
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     might
                     die
                     for
                     him
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   Enter
                   Phaedra
                   ,
                   running
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Good
                     news
                     ,
                     good
                     news
                     ,
                     Madam
                     ,
                     O
                     such
                     admirable
                     news
                     ,
                     that
                     if
                     I
                     kept
                     it
                     in
                     a
                     moment
                     ,
                     I
                     shou'd
                     burst
                     with
                     it
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Is
                     it
                     from
                     the
                     Army
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     No
                     matter
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     From
                     Amphitryon
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     No
                     matter
                     ,
                     neither
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Answer
                     me
                     ,
                     I
                     charge
                     thee
                     ,
                     if
                     thy
                     good
                     news
                     be
                     any
                     thing
                     relating
                     to
                     my
                     Lord
                     :
                     if
                     it
                     be
                     ,
                     assure
                     thy self
                     of
                     a
                     Reward
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Ay
                     ,
                     Madam
                     ,
                     now
                     you
                     say
                     something
                     to
                     the
                     matter
                     :
                     you
                     know
                     the
                     business
                     of
                     a
                     poor
                     Waiting-woman
                     ,
                     here
                     upon
                     Earth
                     ,
                     is
                     to
                     be
                     scraping
                     up
                     something
                     against
                     a
                     rainy
                     Day
                     ,
                     call'd
                     the
                     Day
                     of
                     Marriage
                     :
                     every
                     one
                     in
                     our
                     own
                     Vocation
                     :
                     but
                     what
                     matter
                     is
                     it
                     to
                     me
                     if
                     my
                     Lord
                     has
                     routed
                     the
                     Enemies
                     ,
                     if
                     I
                     get
                     nothing
                     of
                     their
                     spoils
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Say
                     ,
                     is
                     my
                     Lord
                     victorious
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Why
                     he
                     is
                     victorious
                     ;
                     indeed
                     I
                     pray'd
                     devoutly
                     to
                     Jupiter
                     for
                     a
                     Victory
                     ;
                     by
                     the
                     same
                     token
                     ,
                     that
                     you
                     shou'd
                     give
                     me
                     ten
                     pieces
                     of
                     Gold
                     ,
                     if
                     I
                     brought
                     you
                     news
                     of
                     it
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     They
                     are
                     thine
                     ;
                     supposing
                     he
                     be
                     safe
                     too
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Nay
                     that
                     's
                     a
                     new
                     bargain
                     ;
                     for
                     I
                     vow'd
                     to
                     Jupiter
                     ,
                     that
                     then
                     you
                     shou'd
                     give
                     me
                     ten
                     Pieces
                     more
                     :
                     but
                     I
                     do
                     undertake
                     for
                     my
                     Lord's
                     safety
                     :
                     if
                     you
                     will
                     please
                     to
                     discharge
                     his
                     Godship
                     Jupiter
                     of
                     the
                     debt
                     ,
                     and
                     take
                     it
                     upon
                     you
                     to
                     pay
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     When
                     he
                     returns
                     in
                     safety
                     ,
                     Jupiter
                     and
                     I
                     will
                     pay
                     your
                     Vow
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     And
                     I
                     am
                     sure
                     I
                     articled
                     with
                     Jupiter
                     ,
                     that
                     if
                     I
                     brought
                     you
                     news
                     ,
                     that
                     my
                     Lord
                     was
                     upon
                     return
                     ,
                     you
                     shou'd
                     grant
                     me
                     one
                     small
                     favour
                     more
                     ,
                     that
                     will
                     cost
                     you
                     nothing
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Make
                     haste
                     ,
                     thou
                     Torturer
                     ;
                     is
                     my
                     Amphitryon
                     upon
                     return
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Promise
                     me
                     that
                     I
                     shall
                     be
                     your
                     bedfellow
                     to
                     Night
                     ,
                     as
                     I
                     have
                     been
                     ever
                     since
                     my
                     Lord's
                     absence
                     ,
                     —
                     unless
                     I
                     shall
                     be
                     pleas'd
                     to
                     release
                     you
                     of
                     your
                     word
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     That
                     's
                     a
                     small
                     request
                     ,
                     't
                     is
                     granted
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     But
                     swear
                     by
                     Jupiter
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     But
                     why
                     by
                     Jupiter
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Because
                     he
                     's
                     the
                     greatest
                     :
                     I
                     hate
                     to
                     deal
                     with
                     one
                     of
                     your
                     little
                     baffling
                     Gods
                     that
                     can
                     do
                     nothing
                     ,
                     but
                     by
                     permission
                     :
                     but
                     Jupiter
                     can
                     swinge
                     you
                     off
                     ;
                     if
                     you
                     swear
                     by
                     him
                     ,
                     and
                     are
                     forsworn
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     swear
                     by
                     Jupiter
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Then
                     I
                     believe
                     he
                     is
                     Victorious
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     know
                     he
                     is
                     safe
                     :
                     for
                     I
                     look'd
                     through
                     the
                     Key-hole
                     ,
                     and
                     saw
                     him
                     knocking
                     at
                     the
                     Gate
                     ;
                     and
                     I
                     had
                     the
                     Conscience
                     to
                     let
                     him
                     cool
                     his
                     Heels
                     there
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     And
                     wou'dst
                     thou
                     not
                     open
                     to
                     him
                     !
                     Oh
                     thou
                     Traitress
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     No
                     ,
                     I
                     was
                     a
                     little
                     wiser
                     :
                     I
                     left
                     
                     Sosia's
                     Wife
                     to
                     let
                     him
                     in
                     :
                     for
                     I
                     was
                     resolv'd
                     to
                     bring
                     the
                     news
                     ,
                     and
                     make
                     my
                     penny-worths
                     out
                     of
                     him
                     ;
                     as
                     time
                     shall
                     show
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   Enter
                   Jupiter
                   ,
                   
                     in
                     the
                     shape
                     of
                  
                   Amphitryon
                   ,
                   with
                   Sosia's
                   Wife
                   ,
                   Bromia
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     [
                     He
                     kisses
                     and
                     embraces
                  
                   Alcmena
                   .
                   ]
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     O
                     let
                     me
                     live
                     for
                     ever
                     on
                     those
                     Lips
                     !
                     —
                  
                   
                     The
                     Nectar
                     of
                     the
                     Gods
                     ,
                     to
                     these
                     is
                     tasteless
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     swear
                     ,
                     that
                     were
                     I
                     Jupiter
                     ,
                     this
                     Night
                  
                   
                     I
                     wou'd
                     renounce
                     my
                     Heav'n
                     ,
                     to
                     be
                     Amphitryn
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Then
                     ,
                     not
                     to
                     swear
                     beneath
                     
                     Amphitryon's
                     Oath
                     ,
                  
                   
                     (
                     Forgive
                     me
                     Juno
                     if
                     I
                     am
                     profane
                     )
                  
                   
                     I
                     swear
                     ,
                     I
                     wou'd
                     be
                     what
                     I
                     am
                     this
                     Night
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     be
                     Alcmena
                     ,
                     rather
                     than
                     be
                     Juno
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     Good
                     my
                     Lord
                     ,
                     what
                     's
                     become
                     of
                     my
                     poor
                     Bedfellow
                     ,
                     your
                     Man
                     Sosia
                     :
                     you
                     keep
                     such
                     a
                     billing
                     and
                     colling
                     here
                     ,
                     to
                     set
                     ones
                     Mouth
                     a
                     watring
                     :
                     what
                     ,
                     I
                     say
                     ,
                     though
                     I
                     am
                     a
                     poor
                     Woman
                     ,
                     I
                     have
                     a
                     Husband
                     as
                     well
                     as
                     my
                     Lady
                     ;
                     and
                     shou'd
                     be
                     as
                     glad
                     as
                     she
                     ,
                     of
                     a
                     little
                     honest
                     Recreation
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     And
                     what
                     have
                     you
                     done
                     with
                     your
                     old
                     Friend
                     ,
                     and
                     my
                     old
                     Sweet-heart
                     ,
                     Judge
                     Gripus
                     ?
                     has
                     he
                     brought
                     me
                     home
                     a
                     cramd
                     Purse
                     that
                     swels
                     with
                     Bribes
                     :
                     if
                     he
                     be
                     rich
                     ,
                     I
                     'll
                     make
                     him
                     welcome
                     ,
                     like
                     an
                     honourable
                     Magistrate
                     :
                     but
                     if
                     he
                     has
                     not
                     had
                     the
                     wit
                     to
                     sell
                     Justice
                     ,
                     he
                     judges
                     no
                     Causes
                     in
                     my
                     Court
                     ,
                     I
                     warrant
                     him
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     My
                     Lord
                     you
                     tell
                     me
                     nothing
                     of
                     the
                     Battel
                     ?
                  
                   
                     Is
                     Thebes
                     Victorious
                     ,
                     are
                     our
                     Foes
                     destroy'd
                     ?
                  
                   
                     For
                     now
                     I
                     find
                     you
                     safe
                     ,
                     I
                     shou'd
                     be
                     glad
                  
                   
                     To
                     hear
                     you
                     were
                     in
                     danger
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     A
                     Man
                     had
                     need
                     be
                     a
                     God
                     ,
                     to
                     stand
                     the
                     fury
                     of
                     three
                     talking
                     Women
                     !
                     I
                     think
                     in
                     my
                     Conscience
                     I
                     made
                     their
                     Tongues
                     of
                     Thunder
                     .
                  
                   
                     Bromia
                     
                       pulling
                       him
                       on
                       one
                       side
                    
                     .
                     I
                     ask'd
                     the
                     first
                     question
                     :
                     answer
                     me
                     my
                     Lord.
                     
                  
                   
                     Phaedra
                     
                       pulling
                       him
                       on
                       to'ther
                       side
                    
                     .
                     Peace
                     ,
                     mine
                     's
                     a
                     Lover
                     ,
                     and
                     yours
                     is
                     but
                     a
                     Husband
                     :
                     and
                     my
                     Judge
                     is
                     my
                     Lord
                     too
                     ;
                     the
                     Title
                     shall
                     take
                     place
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     will
                     be
                     answer'd
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Sosia
                     is
                     safe
                     :
                     Gripus
                     is
                     rich
                     :
                     both
                     coming
                     :
                  
                   
                     I
                     rode
                     before
                     'em
                     ,
                     with
                     a
                     Lovers
                     haste
                     .
                     —
                  
                   
                     [
                     Aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     Was
                     e're
                     poor
                     God
                     so
                     worri'd
                     !
                     but
                     for
                     my
                     Love
                     ,
                  
                   
                     I
                     wish
                     I
                     were
                     in
                     Heav'n
                     again
                     with
                     Juno
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Then
                     I
                     ,
                     it
                     seems
                     ,
                     am
                     last
                     to
                     be
                     regarded
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Not
                     so
                     ,
                     my
                     Love
                     ,
                     but
                     these
                     obstreperous
                     Tongues
                  
                   
                     Have
                     snatch'd
                     their
                     answers
                     first
                     :
                     they
                     will
                     be
                     heard
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     surely
                     Jove
                     wou'd
                     never
                     answer
                     Pray'r
                  
                   
                     That
                     Women
                     made
                     ,
                     but
                     only
                     to
                     be
                     freed
                  
                   
                     From
                     their
                     Eternal
                     Noise
                     :
                     make
                     haste
                     to
                     Bed
                     :
                  
                   
                     There
                     let
                     me
                     tell
                     my
                     Story
                     ,
                     in
                     thy
                     Arms
                     ;
                  
                   
                     There
                     in
                     the
                     gentle
                     pauses
                     of
                     our
                     Love
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Betwixt
                     our
                     dyings
                     ,
                     e're
                     we
                     live
                     again
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Thou
                     shalt
                     be
                     told
                     the
                     Battel
                     ,
                     and
                     success
                     :
                  
                   
                     Which
                     I
                     shall
                     oft
                     begin
                     ,
                     and
                     then
                     break
                     off
                     ;
                  
                   
                     For
                     Love
                     will
                     often
                     interrupt
                     my
                     Tale
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     make
                     so
                     sweet
                     confusion
                     in
                     our
                     talk
                     ,
                  
                   
                     That
                     thou
                     shalt
                     ask
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     shall
                     answer
                     things
                     ,
                  
                   
                     That
                     are
                     not
                     of
                     a
                     piece
                     :
                     but
                     ,
                     patch'd
                     with
                     Kisses
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     Sighs
                     ,
                     and
                     Murmurs
                     ,
                     and
                     imperfect
                     Speech
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     Nonsence
                     shall
                     be
                     Eloquent
                     ,
                     in
                     Love.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     to
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     My
                     Lord
                     is
                     very
                     hot
                     upon
                     't
                     :
                     this
                     absence
                     is
                     a
                     great
                     Friend
                     to
                     us
                     poor
                     neglected
                     Wives
                     ;
                     it
                     makes
                     us
                     new
                     again
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     am
                     the
                     Fool
                     of
                     Love
                     ;
                     and
                     find
                     within
                     me
                  
                   
                     The
                     fondness
                     of
                     a
                     Bride
                     ,
                     without
                     the
                     fear
                     .
                  
                   
                     My
                     whole
                     Desires
                     and
                     Wishes
                     are
                     in
                     you
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     My
                     Ladies
                     Eyes
                     are
                     pinking
                     to
                     Bedward
                     too
                     ;
                     Now
                     is
                     She
                     to
                     look
                     very
                     sleepy
                     ,
                     counterfeiting
                     yauning
                     ,
                     but
                     She
                     shall
                     ask
                     me
                     leave
                     first
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Great
                     Juno
                     ,
                     thou
                     whose
                     holy
                     care
                     presides
                  
                   
                     Over
                     the
                     Nuptial
                     Bed
                     ,
                     pour
                     all
                     thy
                     Blessings
                  
                   
                     On
                     this
                     Auspicious
                     Night
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup
                     :
                  
                   
                     Juno
                     may
                     grudge
                     :
                     for
                     she
                     may
                     fear
                     a
                     Rival
                     ,
                  
                   
                     In
                     those
                     bright
                     Eyes
                     ;
                     but
                     Jupiter
                     will
                     grant
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     doubly
                     bless
                     this
                     Night
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     But
                     Jupiter
                     shou'd
                     ask
                     my
                     leave
                     first
                     ,
                     were
                     he
                     here
                     in
                     Person
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Bromia
                     ,
                     prepare
                     the
                     Bed
                     :
                  
                   
                     The
                     tedious
                     journey
                     has
                     dispos'd
                     my
                     Lord
                     ,
                  
                   
                     To
                     seek
                     his
                     needful
                     rest
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     [
                     Exit
                  
                   Bromia
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     'T
                     is
                     very
                     true
                     ,
                     Madam
                     ;
                     the
                     poor
                     Gentleman
                     must
                     needs
                     be
                     weary
                     ;
                     and
                     therefore
                     ,
                     't
                     was
                     not
                     ill
                     contriv'd
                     that
                     he
                     must
                     lie
                     alone
                     to
                     Night
                     ,
                     to
                     recruit
                     himself
                     with
                     sleep
                     ,
                     and
                     lay
                     in
                     enough
                     for
                     to
                     morrow
                     Night
                     ,
                     when
                     you
                     may
                     keep
                     him
                     waking
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     to
                     Jupiter
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     must
                     confess
                     I
                     made
                     a
                     kind
                     of
                     promise
                     .
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     ,
                  
                   
                     almost
                     crying
                     .
                  
                   
                     A
                     kind
                     of
                     promise
                     ,
                     do
                     you
                     call
                     it
                     ?
                     I
                     see
                     you
                     wou'd
                     fain
                     be
                     coming
                     off
                     :
                     I
                     am
                     sure
                     you
                     swore
                     to
                     me
                     ,
                     by
                     Jupiter
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     shou'd
                     be
                     your
                     Bedfellow
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     'll
                     accuse
                     you
                     to
                     him
                     too
                     ,
                     the
                     first
                     Prayers
                     I
                     make
                     :
                     And
                     I
                     'll
                     pray
                     a
                     purpose
                     too
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     will
                     ,
                     though
                     I
                     have
                     not
                     pray'd
                     to
                     him
                     this
                     seven
                     Years
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     O
                     ,
                     the
                     malicious
                     Hilding
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     did
                     swear
                     indeed
                     ,
                     my
                     Lord.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Forswear
                     thy self
                     ;
                     for
                     Jupiter
                     but
                     laughs
                  
                   
                     At
                     Lovers
                     Perjuries
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     The
                     more
                     shame
                     for
                     him
                     if
                     he
                     does
                     :
                     there
                     wou'd
                     be
                     a
                     fine
                     God
                     indeed
                     for
                     us
                     Women
                     to
                     worship
                     ,
                     if
                     he
                     laughs
                     when
                     our
                     Sweet-hearts
                     cheat
                     us
                     of
                     our
                     Maiden-heads
                     :
                     No
                     ,
                     no
                     ,
                     Jupiter
                     is
                     an
                     honester
                     Gentleman
                     than
                     you
                     make
                     of
                     him
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     'm
                     all
                     on
                     fire
                     ;
                     and
                     wou'd
                     not
                     loose
                     this
                     Night
                     ,
                  
                   
                     To
                     be
                     the
                     Master
                     of
                     the
                     Universe
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Ay
                     ,
                     my
                     Lord
                     ,
                     I
                     see
                     you
                     are
                     on
                     fire
                     :
                     but
                     the
                     Devil
                     a
                     Bucket
                     shall
                     be
                     brought
                     to
                     quench
                     it
                     ,
                     without
                     my
                     leave
                     :
                     you
                     may
                     go
                     to
                     Bed
                     ,
                     Madam
                     ;
                     but
                     you
                     shall
                     see
                     how
                     Heav'n
                     will
                     bless
                     your
                     Nights
                     work
                     ,
                     if
                     you
                     forswear
                     your self
                     :
                     —
                     Some
                     Fool
                     ,
                     some
                     meer
                     Elder-Brother
                     ,
                     or
                     some
                     blockheadly
                     Hero
                     ,
                     Jove
                     ,
                     I
                     beseech
                     thee
                     ,
                     send
                     her
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     Now
                     I
                     cou'd
                     call
                     my
                     Thunder
                     to
                     revenge
                     me
                     ,
                  
                   
                     But
                     that
                     were
                     to
                     confess
                     my self
                     a
                     God
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     then
                     I
                     lost
                     my
                     Love
                     !
                     
                       —
                       Alcmena
                    
                     ,
                     come
                     ,
                  
                   
                     By
                     Heav'n
                     I
                     have
                     a
                     Bridegrooms
                     fervour
                     for
                     thee
                     ,
                  
                   
                     As
                     I
                     had
                     ne'er
                     enjoy'd
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     sighing
                     .
                  
                   
                     She
                     has
                     my
                     Oath
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     sure
                     she
                     may
                     release
                     it
                     if
                     she
                     please
                     .
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Why
                     truly
                     Madam
                     ,
                     I
                     am
                     not
                     cruel
                     in
                     my
                     nature
                     ,
                     to
                     poor
                     distressed
                     Lovers
                     ;
                     for
                     it
                     may
                     be
                     my
                     own
                     case
                     another
                     day
                     :
                     And
                     therefore
                     ,
                     if
                     my
                     Lord
                     pleases
                     to
                     consider
                     me
                     .
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Any
                     thing
                     ,
                     any
                     thing
                     ,
                     but
                     name
                     thy
                     wish
                     ,
                     and
                     have
                     it
                     .
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Ay
                     ,
                     now
                     you
                     say
                     ,
                     any
                     thing
                     ,
                     any
                     thing
                     ;
                     but
                     you
                     wou'd
                     tell
                     me
                     another
                     story
                     to
                     morrow
                     Morning
                     .
                     Look
                     you
                     my
                     Lord
                     ,
                     here
                     's
                     a
                     Hand
                     open
                     to
                     receive
                     ;
                     you
                     know
                     the
                     meaning
                     of
                     it
                     :
                     I
                     am
                     for
                     nothing
                     but
                     the
                     Ready
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Thou
                     shalt
                     have
                     all
                     the
                     Treasury
                     of
                     Heav'n
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Yes
                     when
                     you
                     are
                     Jupiter
                     ,
                     to
                     dispose
                     of
                     it
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     had
                     forgot
                     ,
                     and
                     show'd
                     my self
                     a
                     God
                     ;
                  
                   
                     This
                     Love
                     can
                     make
                     a
                     Fool
                     of
                     Jupiter
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     You
                     have
                     got
                     some
                     part
                     of
                     the
                     Enemies
                     Spoil
                     I
                     warrant
                     you
                     ;
                     I
                     see
                     a
                     little
                     trifling
                     Diamond
                     upon
                     your
                     Finger
                     ;
                     and
                     I
                     am
                     proud
                     enough
                     to
                     think
                     it
                     wou'd
                     become
                     mine
                     too
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jupiter
                     ,
                  
                   
                     taking
                     a
                     Ring
                     off
                     his
                     Finger
                     and
                     giving
                     it
                     .
                  
                   
                     Here
                     ,
                     take
                     it
                     ;
                  
                   
                     This
                     is
                     a
                     very
                     Woman
                     :
                  
                   
                     Her
                     Sex
                     is
                     Avarice
                     ,
                     and
                     she
                     ,
                     in
                     One
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Is
                     all
                     her
                     Sex.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Ay
                     ,
                     ay
                     ,
                     't
                     is
                     no
                     matter
                     what
                     you
                     say
                     of
                     us
                     .
                     What
                     wou'd
                     you
                     have
                     your
                     Mony
                     out
                     of
                     the
                     Treasury
                     ,
                     without
                     paying
                     the
                     Officers
                     their
                     Fees
                     ?
                     Go
                     ,
                     get
                     you
                     together
                     ,
                     you
                     naughty
                     Couple
                     ,
                     till
                     you
                     are
                     both
                     weary
                     of
                     worrying
                     one
                     another
                     ,
                     and
                     then
                     to
                     morrow
                     morning
                     ,
                     I
                     shall
                     have
                     another
                     Fee
                     for
                     parting
                     you
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   [
                   Phaedra
                   
                     goes
                     out
                     before
                  
                   Alcmena
                   
                     with
                     a
                     Light.
                  
                   
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Jupiter
                     solus
                     .
                  
                   
                     Why
                     now
                     I
                     am
                     ,
                     indeed
                     ,
                     the
                     Lord
                     of
                     all
                     :
                  
                   
                     For
                     what
                     's
                     to
                     be
                     a
                     God
                     ,
                     but
                     to
                     enjoy
                     ?
                  
                   
                     Let
                     human-kind
                     their
                     Sovereign's
                     leisure
                     waite
                     ;
                  
                   
                     Love
                     is
                     ,
                     this
                     Night
                     ,
                     my
                     great
                     Affair
                     of
                     State
                     :
                  
                   
                     Let
                     this
                     one
                     Night
                     ,
                     of
                     Providence
                     be
                     void
                     :
                  
                   
                     All
                     Jove
                     ,
                     for
                     once
                     ,
                     is
                     on
                     himself
                     employ'd
                     .
                  
                   
                     Let
                     unregarded
                     Altars
                     smoke
                     in
                     vain
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     let
                     my
                     Subjects
                     praise
                     me
                     ,
                     or
                     complain
                     .
                  
                   
                     Yet
                     ,
                     if
                     betwixt
                     my
                     Intervals
                     of
                     bliss
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Some
                     am'rous
                     Youth
                     his
                     Oraisons
                     address
                     ,
                  
                   
                     His
                     Pray'r
                     is
                     in
                     a
                     happy
                     hour
                     preferr'd
                     :
                  
                   
                     And
                     when
                     Jove
                     loves
                     ,
                     a
                     Lover
                     shall
                     be
                     heard
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               
                 Act
                 II.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Night-Scene
                   of
                   a
                   Pallace
                   .
                
                 
                   Sosia
                   
                     with
                     a
                     Dark-Lanthorn
                  
                   :
                   Mercury
                   ,
                   in
                   Sosia's
                   
                     shape
                     ,
                     with
                     a
                     Dark-Lanthorn
                     also
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     WAS
                     not
                     the
                     Devil
                     in
                     my
                     Master
                     ,
                     to
                     send
                     me
                     out
                     in
                     this
                     dreadful
                     dark
                     Night
                     ,
                     to
                     bring
                     the
                     news
                     of
                     his
                     Victory
                     to
                     my
                     Lady
                     ?
                     and
                     was
                     not
                     I
                     possess'd
                     with
                     ten
                     Devils
                     ,
                     for
                     going
                     on
                     his
                     errand
                     ,
                     without
                     a
                     Convoy
                     for
                     the
                     safeguard
                     of
                     my
                     Person
                     ?
                     Lord
                     ,
                     how
                     am
                     I
                     melted
                     into
                     Sweat
                     with
                     fear
                     !
                     I
                     am
                     diminish'd
                     of
                     my
                     natural
                     weight
                     ,
                     above
                     two
                     Stone
                     .
                     I
                     shall
                     not
                     bring
                     half
                     my self
                     home
                     again
                     ,
                     to
                     my
                     poor
                     Wife
                     and
                     Family
                     :
                     I
                     have
                     been
                     in
                     an
                     Ague
                     fit
                     ,
                     ever
                     since
                     shut
                     of
                     Evening
                     ;
                     what
                     with
                     the
                     fright
                     of
                     Trees
                     by
                     the
                     High-way
                     ,
                     which
                     look'd
                     maliciously
                     like
                     Thieves
                     ,
                     by
                     Moon-shine
                     :
                     and
                     what
                     with
                     Bulrushes
                     by
                     the
                     River-side
                     ,
                     that
                     shak'd
                     like
                     Spears
                     ,
                     and
                     Lances
                     at
                     me
                     .
                     Well!
                     the
                     greatest
                     Plague
                     of
                     a
                     Serving
                     man
                     ,
                     is
                     to
                     be
                     hir'd
                     to
                     some
                     great
                     Lord
                     !
                     They
                     care
                     not
                     what
                     drudgery
                     they
                     put
                     upon
                     us
                     ,
                     while
                     they
                     lie
                     lolling
                     at
                     their
                     Ease
                     a
                     Bed
                     ,
                     and
                     stretch
                     their
                     lazy
                     Limbs
                     ,
                     in
                     expectation
                     of
                     the
                     Whore
                     which
                     we
                     are
                     fetching
                     for
                     them
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Mer.
                     
                  
                   
                     aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     He
                     is
                     but
                     a
                     poor
                     Mortal
                     ,
                     that
                     suffers
                     this
                     !
                     bur
                     I
                     ,
                     who
                     am
                     a
                     God
                     ,
                     am
                     degraded
                     to
                     a
                     foot
                     Pimp
                     ;
                     a
                     Waiter
                     without
                     Doors
                     ;
                     a
                     very
                     civil
                     employment
                     for
                     a
                     Deity
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     The
                     better
                     sort
                     of
                     'em
                     will
                     say
                     ,
                     Upon
                     my
                     Honour
                     ,
                     at
                     every
                     word
                     ▪
                     yet
                     ask
                     'em
                     for
                     our
                     Wages
                     ,
                     and
                     they
                     plead
                     the
                     Priviledge
                     of
                     their
                     Honour
                     ,
                     and
                     will
                     not
                     pay
                     us
                     ;
                     nor
                     let
                     us
                     take
                     our
                     Priviledge
                     of
                     the
                     Law
                     upon
                     them
                     .
                     These
                     are
                     a
                     very
                     hopeful
                     sort
                     of
                     Patriots
                     ,
                     to
                     stand
                     up
                     as
                     they
                     do
                     for
                     Liberty
                     and
                     Property
                     of
                     the
                     Subject
                     :
                     there
                     's
                     Conscience
                     for
                     you
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Mer.
                     
                  
                   
                     aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     This
                     Fellow
                     ,
                     has
                     something
                     of
                     the
                     Republican
                     Spirit
                     in
                     him
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     
                  
                   
                     looking
                     about
                     him
                     .
                  
                   
                     Stay
                     ;
                     this
                     methinks
                     shou'd
                     be
                     our
                     House
                     :
                     and
                     I
                     shou'd
                     thank
                     the
                     Gods
                     ,
                     now
                     ,
                     for
                     bringing
                     me
                     safe
                     home
                     :
                     but
                     I
                     think
                     I
                     had
                     as
                     good
                     let
                     my
                     Devotions
                     alone
                     ,
                     till
                     I
                     have
                     got
                     the
                     reward
                     for
                     my
                     good
                     news
                     ,
                     and
                     then
                     thank
                     'em
                     once
                     for
                     all
                     :
                     for
                     if
                     I
                     praise
                     'em
                     ,
                     before
                     I
                     am
                     safe
                     within
                     
                     Doors
                     ,
                     some
                     damn'd
                     Mastiff
                     Dog
                     may
                     come
                     out
                     ,
                     and
                     worry
                     me
                     ;
                     and
                     then
                     my
                     thanks
                     are
                     thrown
                     away
                     upon
                     '
                     em
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     Thou
                     art
                     a
                     wicked
                     Rogue
                     ,
                     and
                     wilt
                     have
                     thy
                     Bargain
                     before
                     hand
                     :
                     Therefore
                     thou
                     get'st
                     not
                     into
                     the
                     House
                     this
                     Night
                     ;
                     and
                     thank
                     me
                     accordingly
                     as
                     I
                     use
                     thee
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Now
                     am
                     I
                     to
                     give
                     my
                     Lady
                     an
                     Account
                     of
                     my
                     Lord's
                     Victory
                     ;
                     't
                     is
                     good
                     to
                     exercise
                     my
                     Parts
                     before
                     hand
                     ,
                     and
                     file
                     my
                     Tongue
                     into
                     eloquent
                     Expressions
                     ,
                     to
                     tickle
                     her
                     Ladyships
                     imagination
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Mer.
                     
                  
                   
                     aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     Good
                     !
                     and
                     here
                     's
                     the
                     God
                     of
                     Eloquence
                     to
                     judge
                     of
                     thy
                     Oration
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     ,
                  
                   
                     setting
                     down
                     his
                     Lanthorn
                     .
                  
                   
                     This
                     Lanthorn
                     ,
                     for
                     once
                     ,
                     shall
                     be
                     my
                     Lady
                     :
                     because
                     she
                     is
                     the
                     Lamp
                     of
                     all
                     Beauty
                     and
                     Perfection
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Mer.
                     
                  
                   
                     aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     No
                     ,
                     Rogue
                     ,
                     't
                     is
                     thy
                     Lord
                     is
                     the
                     Lanthorn
                     by
                     this
                     time
                     ,
                     or
                     Jupiter
                     is
                     turn'd
                     fumbler
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     Then
                     thus
                     I
                     make
                     my
                     Addresses
                     to
                     her
                     :
                     
                       (
                       Bowes
                       )
                    
                     Madam
                     ,
                     my
                     Lord
                     has
                     chosen
                     me
                     out
                     ,
                     as
                     the
                     most
                     Faithful
                     ,
                     though
                     the
                     most
                     unworthy
                     of
                     his
                     followers
                     ;
                     to
                     bring
                     your
                     Ladiship
                     this
                     following
                     Account
                     of
                     our
                     glorious
                     Expedition
                     .
                     Then
                     she
                     —
                     O
                     my
                     poor
                     Sosia
                     ,
                     
                       (
                       in
                       a
                       shrill
                       Tone
                       )
                    
                     how
                     am
                     I
                     overjoy'd
                     to
                     see
                     thee
                     !
                     She
                     can
                     say
                     no
                     less
                     :
                     —
                     Madam
                     ,
                     you
                     do
                     me
                     too
                     much
                     Honour
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     World
                     will
                     envy
                     me
                     this
                     glory
                     :
                     —
                     well
                     answer'd
                     on
                     my
                     side
                     .
                     —
                     And
                     how
                     does
                     my
                     Lord
                     
                       Amphitryon
                       ?
                    
                     —
                     Madam
                     ,
                     he
                     always
                     does
                     like
                     a
                     Man
                     of
                     Courage
                     ,
                     when
                     he
                     is
                     call'd
                     by
                     Honour
                     .
                     —
                     There
                     I
                     think
                     I
                     nick'd
                     it
                     .
                     —
                     But
                     when
                     will
                     he
                     return
                     ?
                     —
                     As
                     soon
                     as
                     possibly
                     he
                     can
                     :
                     but
                     not
                     so
                     soon
                     as
                     his
                     impatient
                     Heart
                     cou'd
                     wish
                     him
                     with
                     your
                     Ladyship
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     When
                     Thebes
                     is
                     an
                     University
                     ,
                     thou
                     deservest
                     to
                     be
                     their
                     Orator
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     But
                     what
                     does
                     he
                     do
                     ,
                     and
                     what
                     does
                     he
                     say
                     ?
                     Prethee
                     tell
                     me
                     something
                     more
                     of
                     him
                     .
                     —
                     He
                     always
                     says
                     less
                     than
                     he
                     does
                     ,
                     Madam
                     :
                     and
                     his
                     Enemies
                     have
                     found
                     it
                     to
                     their
                     cost
                     .
                     —
                     Where
                     the
                     Devil
                     did
                     I
                     learn
                     these
                     Elegancies
                     and
                     Gallantries
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     So
                     ;
                     he
                     has
                     all
                     the
                     natural
                     Endowments
                     of
                     a
                     Fop
                     ;
                     and
                     only
                     wants
                     the
                     Education
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     ,
                  
                   
                     staring
                     up
                     to
                     the
                     Sky
                     .
                  
                   
                     What
                     is
                     the
                     Devil
                     in
                     the
                     Night
                     !
                     she
                     's
                     as
                     long
                     as
                     two
                     Nights
                     :
                     the
                     seven
                     Stars
                     are
                     just
                     where
                     they
                     were
                     seven
                     Hours
                     ago
                     !
                     high
                     Day
                     —
                     high
                     Night
                     ,
                     I
                     mean
                     ,
                     by
                     my
                     favour
                     .
                     What
                     has
                     Phoebus
                     been
                     playing
                     the
                     Good-fellow
                     ,
                     and
                     overslept
                     himself
                     ,
                     that
                     he
                     forgets
                     his
                     duty
                     to
                     us
                     Mortals
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     How
                     familiarly
                     the
                     Raskal
                     treats
                     us
                     Gods
                     !
                     but
                     I
                     shall
                     make
                     him
                     alter
                     his
                     tone
                     immediately
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   [
                   Mercury
                   
                     comes
                     nearer
                     ,
                     and
                     stands
                     just
                     before
                     him
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     ,
                  
                   
                     seeing
                     him
                     ,
                     and
                     starting
                     back
                     ,
                     aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     How
                     now
                     ?
                     what
                     do
                     my
                     Eyes
                     dazle
                     ,
                     or
                     is
                     my
                     dark
                     Lanthorn
                     false
                     to
                     me
                     !
                     is
                     not
                     that
                     a
                     Giant
                     before
                     our
                     Door
                     ?
                     or
                     a
                     Ghost
                     of
                     some
                     body
                     slain
                     in
                     the
                     late
                     Battel
                     ?
                     if
                     he
                     be
                     ,
                     't
                     is
                     unconscionably
                     done
                     ,
                     to
                     fright
                     an
                     honest
                     Man
                     thus
                     ,
                     who
                     never
                     drew
                     Weapon
                     wrathfully
                     in
                     all
                     my
                     life
                     !
                     —
                     Whatever
                     Wight
                     he
                     be
                     ,
                     I
                     am
                     devilishly
                     afraid
                     ,
                     that
                     's
                     certain
                     :
                     but
                     't
                     is
                     discretion
                     to
                     keep
                     my
                     own
                     Counsel
                     :
                     I
                     'll
                     sing
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     may
                     seem
                     Valiant
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   [
                   Sosia
                   
                     sings
                     ;
                     and
                     as
                  
                   Mercury
                   
                     speaks
                     ,
                     by
                     little
                     and
                     little
                     drops
                     his
                     Voice
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     What
                     sawoy
                     Companion
                     is
                     this
                     ,
                     that
                     deafens
                     us
                     with
                     his
                     hoarse
                     Voice
                     ?
                     what
                     Midnight
                     Ballad-singer
                     have
                     we
                     here
                     ?
                     I
                     shall
                     teach
                     the
                     Villain
                     to
                     leave
                     off
                     Catterwawling
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     wou'd
                     I
                     had
                     Courage
                     ,
                     for
                     his
                     sake
                     ;
                     that
                     I
                     might
                     teach
                     him
                     to
                     call
                     my
                     singing
                     Catterwawling
                     ,
                     an
                     Illiterate
                     Rogue
                     ;
                     an
                     Enemy
                     to
                     the
                     Muses
                     and
                     to
                     Musick
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     There
                     is
                     an
                     ill
                     savour
                     that
                     offends
                     my
                     Nostrils
                     ;
                     and
                     it
                     wafteth
                     this
                     way
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     He
                     has
                     smelt
                     me
                     out
                     ▪
                     my
                     fear
                     has
                     betray'd
                     me
                     into
                     this
                     savour
                     .
                     —
                     I
                     am
                     a
                     dead
                     Man
                     :
                     the
                     bloody
                     Villain
                     is
                     at
                     his
                     fee
                     ,
                     fa
                     ,
                     fum
                     ,
                     already
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Stand
                     ,
                     who
                     goes
                     there
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     A
                     Friend
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     What
                     Friend
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Why
                     a
                     Friend
                     to
                     all
                     the
                     World
                     that
                     will
                     give
                     me
                     leave
                     to
                     live
                     peaceably
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     defie
                     Peace
                     and
                     all
                     its
                     Works
                     ;
                     my
                     Arms
                     are
                     out
                     of
                     exercise
                     ,
                     they
                     have
                     maul'd
                     no
                     body
                     these
                     three
                     days
                     :
                     I
                     long
                     for
                     an
                     honourable
                     Occasion
                     to
                     pound
                     a
                     Man
                     ;
                     and
                     lay
                     him
                     a
                     sleep
                     at
                     the
                     first
                     Buffet
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     
                  
                   
                     aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     That
                     wou'd
                     almost
                     do
                     me
                     a
                     kindness
                     ;
                     for
                     I
                     have
                     been
                     kept
                     wakeing
                     ,
                     without
                     tipping
                     one
                     wink
                     of
                     sleep
                     these
                     three
                     Nights
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Of
                     what
                     Quality
                     are
                     you
                     ,
                     Fellow
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Why
                     I
                     am
                     a
                     Man
                     ,
                     Fellow
                     ,
                     —
                     Courage
                     Sosia
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     What
                     kind
                     of
                     Man
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Why
                     a
                     Two-leg'd
                     Man
                     ,
                     What
                     Man
                     shou'd
                     I
                     be
                     ?
                     —
                     
                       (
                       Aside
                       )
                    
                     —
                     I
                     must
                     bear
                     up
                     to
                     him
                     ,
                     he
                     may
                     prove
                     as
                     errant
                     a
                     Milksop
                     as
                     my self
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Thou
                     art
                     a
                     Coward
                     I
                     warrant
                     thee
                     ,
                     do
                     not
                     I
                     hear
                     thy
                     Teeth
                     chatter
                     in
                     thy
                     Head
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Ay
                     ,
                     ay
                     ,
                     that
                     's
                     only
                     a
                     sign
                     they
                     wou'd
                     be
                     snapping
                     at
                     thy
                     Nose
                     .
                     —
                     
                       (
                       Aside
                       )
                    
                     —
                     Bless
                     me
                     ,
                     what
                     an
                     Arm
                     and
                     Fist
                     he
                     has
                     ,
                     with
                     great
                     Thumbs
                     too
                     :
                     and
                     Gols
                     and
                     Knuckle-bones
                     of
                     a
                     very
                     Butcher
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Sirrah
                     ,
                     from
                     whence
                     come
                     you
                     ,
                     and
                     whither
                     go
                     you
                     ?
                     answer
                     me
                     directly
                     ,
                     upon
                     pain
                     of
                     Assassination
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     am
                     coming
                     from
                     whence
                     I
                     came
                     ,
                     and
                     am
                     going
                     whither
                     I
                     go
                     ;
                     that
                     's
                     directly
                     home
                     —
                     though
                     this
                     is
                     somewhat
                     an
                     uncivil
                     manner
                     of
                     proceeding
                     ,
                     at
                     the
                     first
                     sight
                     of
                     a
                     Man
                     ,
                     let
                     me
                     tell
                     you
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Then
                     to
                     begin
                     our
                     better
                     Acquaintance
                     ,
                     let
                     me
                     first
                     make
                     you
                     a
                     small
                     Present
                     of
                     this
                     box
                     o'
                     the
                     Ear.
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   (
                   strikes
                   him
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     If
                     I
                     were
                     as
                     cholerick
                     a
                     Fool
                     as
                     you
                     now
                     ,
                     here
                     wou'd
                     be
                     fine
                     work
                     betwixt
                     us
                     two
                     ;
                     but
                     I
                     am
                     a
                     little
                     better
                     bred
                     ,
                     than
                     to
                     disturb
                     the
                     sleeping
                     Neighbourhood
                     ,
                     and
                     so
                     good
                     night
                     Friend
                     .
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   (
                   Is
                   going
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     stoping
                     him
                     .
                  
                   
                     Hold
                     Sir
                     ;
                     you
                     and
                     I
                     must
                     not
                     part
                     so
                     easily
                     ;
                     once
                     more
                     ,
                     whither
                     are
                     you
                     going
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Why
                     I
                     am
                     going
                     as
                     fast
                     as
                     I
                     can
                     ,
                     to
                     get
                     out
                     of
                     the
                     reach
                     of
                     your
                     Clutches
                     :
                     let
                     me
                     but
                     only
                     knock
                     at
                     that
                     Door
                     there
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     What
                     business
                     have
                     you
                     at
                     that
                     Door
                     ,
                     Sirrah
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     This
                     is
                     our
                     House
                     ;
                     and
                     when
                     I
                     am
                     got
                     in
                     ,
                     I
                     'll
                     tell
                     you
                     more
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Whose
                     House
                     is
                     this
                     ,
                     Sawciness
                     ,
                     that
                     you
                     are
                     so
                     familiar
                     with
                     ,
                     to
                     call
                     it
                     ours
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     'T
                     is
                     mine
                     ,
                     in
                     the
                     first
                     place
                     ;
                     and
                     next
                     ,
                     my
                     Masters
                     ;
                     for
                     I
                     lye
                     in
                     the
                     Garrret
                     ,
                     and
                     he
                     lyes
                     under
                     me
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Have
                     your
                     Master
                     and
                     you
                     no
                     Names
                     ,
                     Sirrah
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     His
                     Name
                     is
                     Amphitryon
                     ,
                     hear
                     that
                     and
                     tremble
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     What
                     ,
                     my
                     Lord
                     General
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     O
                     ,
                     has
                     his
                     Name
                     mollify'd
                     you
                     !
                     I
                     have
                     brought
                     you
                     down
                     a
                     Peg
                     lower
                     already
                     ,
                     Friend
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     And
                     your
                     Name
                     is
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Lord
                     ,
                     Friend
                     ,
                     you
                     are
                     so
                     very
                     troublesom
                     —
                     What
                     shou'd
                     my
                     Name
                     be
                     but
                     Sosia
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     How
                     ,
                     Sosia
                     ,
                     say
                     you
                     ?
                     how
                     long
                     have
                     you
                     taken
                     up
                     that
                     Name
                     ,
                     Sirrah
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Here
                     's
                     a
                     fine
                     question
                     :
                     why
                     I
                     never
                     took
                     it
                     up
                     Friend
                     ,
                     it
                     was
                     born
                     with
                     me
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     What
                     was
                     your
                     Name
                     born
                     ,
                     Sosia
                     ?
                     take
                     this
                     Remembrance
                     for
                     that
                     Lye.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   (
                   Beats
                   him
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Hold
                     Friend
                     ,
                     you
                     are
                     so
                     very
                     flippant
                     with
                     your
                     Hands
                     ,
                     you
                     won't
                     hear
                     Reason
                     :
                     What
                     offence
                     has
                     my
                     Name
                     done
                     you
                     ,
                     that
                     you
                     shou'd
                     beat
                     me
                     for
                     it
                     ?
                     
                       S.
                       O.
                       S.
                       I.
                       A.
                    
                     They
                     are
                     as
                     civil
                     ,
                     honest
                     ,
                     harmless
                     Letters
                     ,
                     as
                     any
                     are
                     in
                     the
                     whole
                     Alphabet
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     have
                     no
                     quarrel
                     to
                     the
                     Name
                     ,
                     but
                     that
                     't
                     is
                     e'en
                     too
                     good
                     for
                     you
                     ,
                     and
                     't
                     is
                     none
                     of
                     yours
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     What
                     am
                     not
                     I
                     Sosia
                     ,
                     say
                     you
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     No.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     should
                     think
                     you
                     are
                     somewhat
                     merrily
                     dispos'd
                     ,
                     if
                     you
                     had
                     not
                     beaten
                     me
                     ,
                     in
                     such
                     sober
                     sadness
                     .
                     You
                     wou'd
                     perswade
                     me
                     out
                     of
                     my
                     Heathen
                     Name
                     ,
                     would
                     you
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Say
                     you
                     are
                     Sosia
                     again
                     at
                     your
                     Peril
                     ,
                     Sirrah
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     dare
                     say
                     nothing
                     ,
                     but
                     Thought
                     is
                     free
                     ;
                     but
                     whatever
                     I
                     am
                     call'd
                     ,
                     I
                     am
                     Amphitryon's
                     Man
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     first
                     Letter
                     of
                     my
                     Name
                     is
                     S
                     too
                     .
                     You
                     had
                     best
                     tell
                     me
                     that
                     my
                     Master
                     did
                     not
                     send
                     me
                     home
                     to
                     my
                     Lady
                     ,
                     with
                     news
                     of
                     his
                     Victory
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     say
                     he
                     did
                     not
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Lord
                     ,
                     Lord
                     ,
                     Friend
                     ,
                     one
                     of
                     us
                     two
                     is
                     horribly
                     giv'n
                     to
                     lying
                     —
                     but
                     I
                     do
                     not
                     say
                     which
                     of
                     us
                     ,
                     to
                     avoid
                     Contention
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     say
                     ,
                     my
                     Name
                     is
                     Sosia
                     ,
                     and
                     yours
                     is
                     not
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     wou'd
                     you
                     cou'd
                     make
                     good
                     your
                     words
                     ,
                     for
                     then
                     I
                     shou'd
                     not
                     be
                     beaten
                     ,
                     and
                     you
                     shou'd
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     find
                     you
                     wou'd
                     be
                     Sosia
                     if
                     you
                     durst
                     —
                     but
                     if
                     I
                     catch
                     you
                     thinking
                     so
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     hope
                     I
                     may
                     think
                     I
                     was
                     Sosia
                     ;
                     and
                     I
                     can
                     find
                     no
                     difference
                     between
                     my
                     former
                     self
                     ,
                     and
                     my
                     present
                     self
                     ;
                     but
                     that
                     I
                     was
                     plain
                     Sosia
                     before
                     ;
                     and
                     now
                     I
                     am
                     lac'd
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Take
                     this
                     ,
                     for
                     being
                     so
                     impudent
                     to
                     think
                     so
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   (
                   Beats
                   him
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     
                  
                   
                     kneeling
                     .
                  
                   
                     Truce
                     a
                     little
                     ,
                     I
                     beseech
                     thee
                     !
                     I
                     wou'd
                     be
                     a
                     Stock
                     or
                     a
                     Stone
                     now
                     by
                     my
                     good
                     will
                     ,
                     and
                     wou'd
                     not
                     think
                     at
                     all
                     ,
                     for
                     self
                     preservation
                     .
                     But
                     will
                     you
                     give
                     me
                     leave
                     to
                     argue
                     the
                     Matter
                     fairly
                     with
                     you
                     ?
                     and
                     promise
                     me
                     to
                     depose
                     that
                     Cudgel
                     ,
                     if
                     I
                     can
                     prove
                     my self
                     to
                     be
                     that
                     Man
                     that
                     I
                     was
                     before
                     I
                     was
                     beaten
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Well
                     ,
                     proceed
                     in
                     safety
                     ;
                     I
                     promise
                     you
                     I
                     will
                     not
                     beat
                     you
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     In
                     the
                     first
                     Place
                     then
                     ,
                     is
                     not
                     this
                     Town
                     cal'd
                     Thebes
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Uundoubtedly
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     And
                     is
                     not
                     this
                     House
                     
                     Amphitryon's
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Who
                     denyes
                     it
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     thought
                     you
                     wou'd
                     have
                     denyed
                     that
                     too
                     ?
                     for
                     all
                     hangs
                     upon
                     a
                     String
                     .
                     Remember
                     then
                     ,
                     that
                     those
                     two
                     preliminary
                     Articles
                     are
                     already
                     granted
                     .
                     In
                     the
                     next
                     place
                     ,
                     did
                     not
                     the
                     foresaid
                     Amphitryon
                     beat
                     the
                     Teleboans
                     ,
                     kill
                     their
                     King
                     Pterelas
                     ,
                     and
                     send
                     a
                     certain
                     Servant
                     ,
                     meaning
                     some
                     Body
                     ,
                     that
                     for
                     sake-sake
                     shall
                     be
                     nameless
                     ,
                     to
                     bring
                     a
                     Present
                     to
                     his
                     Wife
                     ,
                     with
                     news
                     of
                     his
                     Victory
                     ,
                     and
                     of
                     his
                     Resolution
                     to
                     return
                     to
                     morrow
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     This
                     is
                     all
                     true
                     ,
                     to
                     a
                     very
                     little
                     ;
                     but
                     who
                     is
                     that
                     certain
                     Servant
                     ,
                     there
                     's
                     all
                     the
                     question
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Is
                     it
                     Peace
                     or
                     War
                     betwixt
                     us
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Peace
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     dare
                     not
                     wholly
                     trust
                     that
                     abominable
                     Cudgel
                     ;
                     but
                     't
                     is
                     a
                     certain
                     Friend
                     of
                     yours
                     and
                     mine
                     ;
                     that
                     had
                     a
                     certain
                     Name
                     before
                     he
                     was
                     beaten
                     out
                     of
                     it
                     ;
                     but
                     if
                     you
                     are
                     a
                     Man
                     that
                     depend
                     not
                     altogether
                     upon
                     force
                     and
                     brutality
                     ,
                     but
                     somewhat
                     also
                     upon
                     Reason
                     ,
                     now
                     do
                     you
                     bring
                     better
                     Proofs
                     that
                     you
                     are
                     that
                     same
                     certain
                     Man
                     ;
                     and
                     in
                     order
                     to
                     it
                     ,
                     answer
                     me
                     to
                     certain
                     Questions
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     say
                     I
                     am
                     Sosia
                     ,
                     Amphitryon's
                     Man
                     ;
                     what
                     reason
                     have
                     you
                     to
                     urge
                     against
                     it
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     What
                     was
                     your
                     Fathers
                     Name
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Davus
                     ;
                     who
                     was
                     an
                     honest
                     Husbandman
                     ,
                     whose
                     Sisters
                     Name
                     was
                     Harpagè
                     ,
                     that
                     was
                     married
                     ,
                     and
                     dyed
                     in
                     a
                     foreign
                     Country
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     So
                     far
                     you
                     are
                     right
                     ,
                     I
                     must
                     confess
                     ;
                     and
                     your
                     Wife's
                     Name
                     is
                     .
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Bromia
                     ,
                     a
                     devilish
                     Shrew
                     of
                     her
                     Tongue
                     ,
                     and
                     a
                     Vixon
                     of
                     her
                     Hands
                     ;
                     that
                     leads
                     me
                     a
                     miserable
                     Life
                     ;
                     keeps
                     me
                     to
                     hard
                     duty
                     a
                     Bed
                     ;
                     and
                     beats
                     me
                     every
                     Morning
                     when
                     I
                     have
                     risen
                     from
                     her
                     side
                     ,
                     without
                     having
                     first
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     understand
                     you
                     ;
                     by
                     many
                     a
                     sorrowful
                     Token
                     ;
                     this
                     must
                     be
                     I.
                     —
                  
                   
                     (
                     Aside
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     was
                     once
                     taken
                     upon
                     suspicion
                     of
                     Burglary
                     ,
                     and
                     was
                     whipt
                     through
                     Thebes
                     ,
                     and
                     branded
                     for
                     my
                     pains
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Right
                     me
                     again
                     ;
                     but
                     if
                     you
                     are
                     I
                     ,
                     as
                     I
                     begin
                     to
                     suspect
                     ;
                     that
                     whipping
                     and
                     branding
                     might
                     have
                     been
                     past
                     over
                     in
                     silence
                     ,
                     for
                     both
                     our
                     Credits
                     .
                     —
                     And
                     yet
                     now
                     I
                     think
                     on
                     't
                     ,
                     if
                     I
                     am
                     I
                     ,
                     (
                     as
                     I
                     am
                     I
                     )
                     he
                     cannot
                     be
                     I.
                     All
                     these
                     Circumstances
                     he
                     might
                     have
                     heard
                     ;
                     but
                     I
                     will
                     now
                     interrogate
                     him
                     upon
                     some
                     private
                     Passages
                     —
                     What
                     was
                     the
                     Present
                     that
                     Amphitryon
                     sent
                     by
                     you
                     or
                     me
                     ,
                     no
                     matter
                     which
                     of
                     us
                     ,
                     to
                     his
                     Wife
                     Alcmena
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     A
                     Buckle
                     of
                     Diamonds
                     ,
                     consisting
                     of
                     five
                     large
                     Stones
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     And
                     where
                     are
                     they
                     now
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     In
                     a
                     Case
                     ,
                     seal'd
                     with
                     my
                     Masters
                     Coat
                     of
                     Arms.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     This
                     is
                     prodigious
                     ,
                     I
                     confess
                     ;
                     but
                     yet
                     't
                     is
                     nothing
                     now
                     I
                     think
                     on
                     't
                     ,
                     for
                     some
                     false
                     Brother
                     may
                     have
                     reveal'd
                     it
                     to
                     him
                     .
                     
                       (
                       Aside
                       )
                    
                     But
                     I
                     have
                     another
                     Question
                     to
                     ask
                     you
                     ,
                     of
                     somewhat
                     that
                     pass'd
                     only
                     but
                     wixt
                     my self
                     and
                     me
                     ;
                     if
                     you
                     are
                     Sosia
                     ,
                     what
                     were
                     you
                     doing
                     in
                     the
                     heat
                     of
                     Battel
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     What
                     a
                     wise
                     Man
                     shou'd
                     ,
                     that
                     has
                     a
                     respect
                     for
                     his
                     own
                     Person
                     .
                     I
                     ran
                     into
                     our
                     Tent
                     ,
                     and
                     hid
                     my self
                     amongst
                     the
                     Baggage
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     
                  
                   
                     aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     Such
                     another
                     cutting
                     Answer
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     must
                     provide
                     my self
                     of
                     another
                     name
                     .
                     
                       (
                       To
                       him
                       .
                       )
                    
                     And
                     how
                     did
                     you
                     pass
                     your
                     time
                     in
                     that
                     same
                     Tent
                     ?
                     You
                     need
                     not
                     answer
                     to
                     every
                     Circumstance
                     so
                     exactly
                     now
                     ;
                     you
                     must
                     lye
                     a
                     little
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     may
                     think
                     you
                     the
                     more
                     me
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     That
                     cunning
                     shall
                     not
                     serve
                     your
                     turn
                     ,
                     to
                     circumvent
                     me
                     out
                     of
                     my
                     name
                     :
                     I
                     am
                     for
                     plain
                     naked
                     Truth
                     :
                     —
                     There
                     stood
                     a
                     Hogshead
                     of
                     old
                     VVine
                     ,
                     which
                     my
                     Lord
                     reserv'd
                     for
                     his
                     own
                     drinking
                     .
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     O
                     the
                     Devil
                     !
                     as
                     sure
                     as
                     Death
                     ,
                     he
                     must
                     have
                     hid
                     himself
                     in
                     that
                     Hogshead
                     ,
                     or
                     he
                     cou'd
                     never
                     have
                     known
                     that
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     And
                     by
                     that
                     Hogshead
                     ,
                     upon
                     the
                     ground
                     ,
                     there
                     lay
                     the
                     kind
                     Inviter
                     and
                     Provoker
                     of
                     good
                     drinking
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Nay
                     ,
                     now
                     I
                     have
                     caught
                     you
                     ;
                     there
                     was
                     neither
                     Inviter
                     nor
                     Provoker
                     ,
                     for
                     I
                     was
                     all
                     alone
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     A
                     lusty
                     Gammon
                     of
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     
                  
                   
                     sighing
                     .
                  
                   
                     Bacon
                     —
                     that
                     word
                     has
                     quite
                     made
                     an
                     end
                     of
                     me
                     :
                     —
                     let
                     me
                     see
                     ,
                     —
                     this
                     must
                     be
                     I
                     ,
                     in
                     spight
                     of
                     me
                     .
                     —
                     but
                     let
                     me
                     view
                     him
                     nearer
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     (
                     Walks
                     about
                  
                   Mercury
                   
                     with
                     his
                     dark
                     Lanthorn
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     What
                     are
                     you
                     walking
                     about
                     me
                     for
                     ,
                     with
                     your
                     dark
                     Lanthorn
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     No
                     harm
                     Friend
                     ;
                     I
                     am
                     only
                     surveying
                     a
                     parcel
                     of
                     Earth
                     here
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     find
                     we
                     two
                     are
                     about
                     to
                     Bargain
                     for
                     :
                     —
                     He
                     's
                     damnable
                     like
                     me
                     ,
                     that
                     's
                     certain
                     Imprimis
                     ,
                     there
                     's
                     the
                     Patch
                     upon
                     my
                     Nose
                     ,
                     with
                     a
                     Pox
                     to
                     him
                     
                       —
                       Item
                    
                     ,
                     a
                     very
                     foolish
                     Face
                     with
                     a
                     long
                     Chin
                     at
                     end
                     on
                     't
                     :
                     Item
                     one
                     Pair
                     of
                     shambling
                     Legs
                     ,
                     with
                     two
                     splay
                     Feet
                     belonging
                     to
                     them
                     .
                     And
                     
                       —
                       summa
                       totalis
                    
                     ,
                     from
                     Head
                     to
                     Foot
                     all
                     my
                     Bodily
                     Apparel
                     .
                     —
                     
                       (
                       To
                       Mercury
                       )
                    
                     Well
                     ,
                     you
                     are
                     Sosia
                     ;
                     there
                     's
                     no
                     denying
                     it
                     ;
                     but
                     what
                     am
                     I
                     then
                     ?
                     for
                     my
                     Mind
                     gives
                     me
                     ,
                     I
                     am
                     some
                     body
                     still
                     ,
                     if
                     I
                     knew
                     but
                     who
                     I
                     were
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     When
                     I
                     have
                     a
                     mind
                     to
                     be
                     Sosia
                     no
                     more
                     ,
                     then
                     thou
                     maist
                     be
                     Sosia
                     again
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     have
                     but
                     one
                     request
                     more
                     to
                     thee
                     ,
                     that
                     ,
                     though
                     not
                     as
                     Sosia
                     ,
                     yet
                     as
                     a
                     stranger
                     ,
                     I
                     may
                     go
                     into
                     that
                     House
                     ,
                     and
                     carry
                     a
                     civil
                     Message
                     to
                     my
                     Lady
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     No
                     Sirrah
                     ;
                     not
                     being
                     Sosia
                     ,
                     you
                     have
                     no
                     Message
                     to
                     deliver
                     ,
                     nor
                     no
                     Lady
                     in
                     this
                     House
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Thou
                     canst
                     not
                     be
                     so
                     barbarous
                     ,
                     to
                     let
                     me
                     lye
                     in
                     the
                     Streets
                     all
                     night
                     ,
                     after
                     such
                     a
                     Journey
                     ,
                     and
                     such
                     a
                     beating
                     —
                     and
                     therefore
                     I
                     am
                     resolv'd
                     to
                     knock
                     at
                     the
                     Door
                     in
                     my
                     own
                     defence
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     If
                     you
                     come
                     near
                     the
                     Door
                     ,
                     I
                     recal
                     my
                     word
                     ,
                     and
                     break
                     off
                     the
                     truce
                     :
                     —
                     and
                     then
                     expect
                     —
                  
                   
                     (
                     Holds
                     up
                     his
                     Cudgel
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     No
                     ;
                     The
                     Devil
                     take
                     me
                     if
                     I
                     do
                     expect
                     :
                     I
                     have
                     felt
                     too
                     well
                     what
                     sowr
                     Fruit
                     that
                     Crab-tree
                     bears
                     :
                     I
                     'll
                     rather
                     beat
                     it
                     back
                     upon
                     the
                     Hoof
                     to
                     my
                     Lord
                     Amphitryon
                     ;
                     to
                     see
                     if
                     he
                     will
                     acknowledg
                     me
                     for
                     Sosia
                     ;
                     if
                     he
                     does
                     not
                     ,
                     then
                     I
                     am
                     no
                     longer
                     his
                     Slave
                     ;
                     there
                     's
                     my
                     Freedom
                     dearly
                     purchas'd
                     with
                     a
                     sore
                     drubbing
                     ;
                     if
                     he
                     does
                     acknowledg
                     me
                     ,
                     then
                     I
                     am
                     Sosia
                     again
                     ;
                     so
                     far
                     't
                     is
                     tolerably
                     well
                     ;
                     but
                     then
                     I
                     shall
                     have
                     a
                     second
                     drubbing
                     ,
                     for
                     an
                     unfortunate
                     Ambassador
                     as
                     I
                     am
                     ;
                     and
                     that
                     's
                     intolerable
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       [
                       Exit
                    
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Meroury
                     alone
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     have
                     fobb'd
                     off
                     his
                     Excellency
                     pretty
                     well
                     .
                     Now
                     let
                     him
                     return
                     ,
                     and
                     make
                     the
                     best
                     of
                     his
                     Credentials
                     .
                     I
                     think
                     too
                     I
                     have
                     given
                     Jupiter
                     sufficient
                     time
                     for
                     his
                     Consummation
                     .
                     Oh
                     ,
                     he
                     has
                     taken
                     his
                     Cue
                     ;
                     and
                     here
                     he
                     comes
                     as
                     leisurely
                     and
                     as
                     lank
                     as
                     if
                     he
                     had
                     empty'd
                     himself
                     of
                     the
                     best
                     part
                     of
                     his
                     Almightyship
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Scene
                   II.
                   
                
                 
                   Enter
                   Jupiter
                   leading
                   Alcmena
                   ,
                   
                     followed
                     by
                  
                   Phaedra
                   .
                   
                     Pages
                     with
                     Torches
                     before
                     them
                  
                   .
                   Jupiter
                   
                     to
                     the
                     Pages
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   THose
                   Torches
                   are
                   offensive
                   :
                   stand
                   aloof
                   :
                
                 
                   For
                   ,
                   though
                   they
                   bless
                   me
                   with
                   thy
                   heav'nly
                   sight
                   ,
                
                 
                   [
                   To
                   her
                   .
                
                 
                   They
                   may
                   disclose
                   the
                   Secret
                   I
                   would
                   hide
                   :
                
                 
                   The
                   Thebans
                   must
                   not
                   know
                   I
                   have
                   been
                   here
                   ;
                
                 
                   Detracting
                   Crowds
                   wou'd
                   blame
                   me
                   that
                   I
                   robb'd
                
                 
                   These
                   happy
                   Moments
                   from
                   my
                   publick
                   Charge
                   ,
                
                 
                   To
                   Consecrate
                   to
                   thy
                   desir'd
                   embrace
                   :
                
                 
                   And
                   I
                   cou'd
                   wish
                   no
                   Witness
                   but
                   thy self
                   ;
                
                 
                   For
                   thou
                   thy self
                   art
                   all
                   I
                   wish
                   to
                   please
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     So
                     long
                     an
                     absence
                     ,
                     and
                     so
                     short
                     a
                     stay
                     !
                  
                   
                     What
                     ,
                     but
                     one
                     Night
                     !
                     one
                     Night
                     of
                     joy
                     and
                     love
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Cou'd
                     only
                     pay
                     one
                     Night
                     of
                     Cares
                     and
                     Fears
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     all
                     the
                     rest
                     are
                     an
                     uncancell'd
                     Sum
                     !
                  
                   
                     Curse
                     on
                     this
                     Honour
                     and
                     this
                     publick
                     Fame
                     ;
                  
                   
                     Wou'd
                     you
                     had
                     less
                     of
                     both
                     ,
                     and
                     more
                     of
                     Love
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Alcmena
                     I
                     must
                     go
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     Not
                     yet
                     my
                     Lord.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Indeed
                     I
                     must
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Indeed
                     you
                     shall
                     not
                     go
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Behold
                     the
                     ruddy
                     Streaks
                     o're
                     yonder
                     Hill
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Those
                     are
                     the
                     Blushes
                     of
                     the
                     breaking
                     Morn
                     ,
                  
                   
                     That
                     kindle
                     Day-light
                     to
                     this
                     neather
                     World
                     :
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     No
                     matter
                     for
                     the
                     Day
                     ,
                     it
                     was
                     but
                     made
                  
                   
                     To
                     number
                     out
                     the
                     Hours
                     of
                     busie
                     Men.
                  
                   
                     Let
                     'em
                     be
                     busie
                     still
                     ,
                     and
                     still
                     be
                     wretched
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     take
                     their
                     fill
                     of
                     anxious
                     drudging
                     day
                     :
                  
                   
                     But
                     you
                     and
                     I
                     will
                     draw
                     our
                     Curtains
                     close
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Extinguish
                     Day-light
                     ,
                     and
                     put
                     out
                     the
                     Sun
                     :
                  
                   
                     Come
                     back
                     ,
                     my
                     Lord
                     ,
                     in
                     faith
                     you
                     shall
                     retire
                     .
                  
                   
                     You
                     have
                     not
                     yet
                     lay
                     long
                     enough
                     in
                     Bed
                     ,
                  
                   
                     To
                     warm
                     your
                     widdow'd
                     Side
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     ,
                  
                   
                     [
                     aside
                     ,
                  
                   
                     I
                     find
                     my
                     Lord
                     is
                     an
                     excellent
                     Schoolmaster
                     ,
                     my
                     Lady
                     is
                     so
                     vvilling
                     to
                     repeat
                     her
                     Lesson
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     That
                     's
                     a
                     plaguy
                     little
                     Devil
                     ;
                     what
                     a
                     roguish
                     Eye
                     she
                     has
                     !
                     I
                     begin
                     to
                     like
                     her
                     strangely
                     ;
                     she
                     's
                     the
                     Perquisite
                     of
                     my
                     Place
                     too
                     ;
                     for
                     my
                     Ladies
                     Waiting-Woman
                     is
                     the
                     proper
                     Fees
                     of
                     my
                     Lords
                     Chief
                     Gentleman
                     .
                     I
                     have
                     the
                     Priviledg
                     of
                     a
                     God
                     too
                     ;
                     I
                     can
                     view
                     her
                     naked
                     through
                     all
                     her
                     Clothes
                     :
                     —
                     Let
                     me
                     see
                     —
                     Let
                     me
                     see
                     :
                     I
                     have
                     discover'd
                     something
                     that
                     pleases
                     me
                     already
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Let
                     me
                     not
                     live
                     but
                     thou
                     art
                     all
                     Enjoyment
                     !
                  
                   
                     So
                     charming
                     and
                     so
                     sweet
                     ,
                  
                   
                     That
                     not
                     a
                     Night
                     ,
                     but
                     whole
                     Eternity
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Were
                     well
                     employ'd
                     ,
                  
                   
                   
                     To
                     love
                     thy
                     each
                     Perfection
                     as
                     it
                     ought
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     kissing
                     him
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     'll
                     bribe
                     you
                     with
                     this
                     kiss
                     to
                     stay
                     a
                     while
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     kissing
                     her
                     .
                  
                   
                     A
                     Bribe
                     indeed
                     that
                     soon
                     will
                     bring
                     me
                     back
                     .
                  
                   
                     But
                     ,
                     to
                     be
                     just
                     ,
                     I
                     must
                     restore
                     your
                     Bribe
                     .
                  
                   
                     How
                     I
                     cou'd
                     dwell
                     for
                     ever
                     on
                     those
                     Lips
                     !
                  
                   
                     O
                     I
                     cou'd
                     kiss
                     'em
                     pale
                     with
                     eagerness
                     !
                  
                   
                     So
                     soft
                     ,
                     by
                     Heav'n
                     ,
                     and
                     such
                     a
                     juicy
                     sweet
                     ,
                  
                   
                     That
                     ripen'd
                     Peaches
                     have
                     not
                     half
                     the
                     flavour
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     Ye
                     niggard
                     Gods
                     !
                     you
                     make
                     our
                     Lives
                     too
                     long
                     :
                  
                   
                     You
                     fill
                     'em
                     with
                     Diseases
                     ,
                     Wants
                     and
                     Woes
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     only
                     dash
                     'em
                     with
                     a
                     little
                     Love
                     ;
                  
                   
                     Sprinkled
                     by
                     Fits
                     ,
                     and
                     with
                     a
                     sparing
                     Hand
                     :
                  
                   
                     Count
                     all
                     our
                     Joys
                     ,
                     from
                     Childhood
                     ev'n
                     to
                     Age
                     ,
                  
                   
                     They
                     wou'd
                     but
                     make
                     a
                     day
                     of
                     ev'ry
                     year
                     :
                  
                   
                     Take
                     back
                     your
                     sev'nty
                     years
                     ,
                     (
                     the
                     stint
                     of
                     Life
                     )
                  
                   
                     Or
                     else
                     be
                     kind
                     ,
                     and
                     cram
                     the
                     Quintessence
                  
                   
                     Of
                     Seav'nty
                     years
                     ,
                     into
                     sweet
                     Seav'nty
                     days
                     :
                  
                   
                     For
                     all
                     the
                     rest
                     is
                     flat
                     ,
                     insipid
                     Being
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     But
                     yet
                     one
                     Scruple
                     pains
                     me
                     at
                     my
                     parting
                     ;
                  
                   
                     I
                     love
                     so
                     nicely
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     cannot
                     bear
                  
                   
                     To
                     owe
                     the
                     Sweets
                     of
                     Love
                     which
                     I
                     have
                     tasted
                     ,
                  
                   
                     To
                     the
                     submissive
                     Duty
                     of
                     a
                     Wife
                     :
                  
                   
                     Tell
                     me
                     :
                     and
                     sooth
                     my
                     Passion
                     e're
                     I
                     go
                     ,
                  
                   
                     That
                     in
                     the
                     kindest
                     Moments
                     of
                     the
                     Night
                     ,
                  
                   
                     When
                     you
                     gave
                     up
                     your self
                     to
                     Love
                     and
                     me
                     ,
                  
                   
                     You
                     thought
                     not
                     of
                     a
                     Husband
                     ,
                     but
                     a
                     Lover
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     But
                     tell
                     me
                     first
                     ,
                     why
                     you
                     wou'd
                     raise
                     a
                     Blush
                     upon
                     my
                     Cheeks
                     ,
                     by
                     asking
                     such
                     a
                     Question
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     wou'd
                     owe
                     nothing
                     to
                     a
                     Name
                     so
                     dull
                  
                   
                     As
                     Husband
                     is
                     ,
                     but
                     to
                     a
                     Lover
                     all
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     You
                     shou'd
                     have
                     ask'd
                     me
                     then
                     ,
                     when
                     Love
                     and
                     Night
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     Privacy
                     ,
                     had
                     favour'd
                     your
                     demand
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     ask
                     it
                     now
                     ,
                     because
                     my
                     tenderness
                  
                   
                     Surpasses
                     that
                     of
                     Husbands
                     for
                     their
                     Wives
                     .
                  
                   
                     O
                     that
                     you
                     lov'd
                     like
                     me
                     !
                     then
                     you
                     wou'd
                     find
                  
                   
                     A
                     thousand
                     ,
                     thousand
                     Niceties
                     in
                     Love
                     ;
                  
                   
                     The
                     Common
                     love
                     of
                     Sex
                     to
                     Sex
                     is
                     brutal
                     :
                  
                   
                     But
                     love
                     refind
                     will
                     fancy
                     to
                     it self
                  
                   
                     Millions
                     of
                     gentle
                     Cares
                     ,
                     and
                     sweet
                     Disquiets
                     ;
                  
                   
                     The
                     being
                     happy
                     is
                     not
                     half
                     the
                     Joy
                     ;
                  
                   
                     The
                     manner
                     of
                     the
                     happiness
                     is
                     all
                     !
                  
                   
                     In
                     me
                     (
                     my
                     charming
                     Mistris
                     )
                     you
                     behold
                  
                   
                     A
                     Lover
                     that
                     disdains
                     a
                     Lawful
                     Title
                     ;
                  
                   
                     Such
                     as
                     of
                     Monarchs
                     to
                     successive
                     Thrones
                     :
                  
                   
                     The
                     Generous
                     Lover
                     holds
                     by
                     force
                     of
                     Arms
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     claims
                     his
                     Crown
                     by
                     Conquest
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     Methinks
                     you
                     shou'd
                     be
                     pleas'd
                     ,
                     I
                     give
                     you
                     all
                  
                   
                     A
                     Vertuous
                     and
                     a
                     Modest
                     Wife
                     can
                     give
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     No
                     ,
                     no
                     ,
                     that
                     very
                     name
                     of
                     Wife
                     and
                     Marriage
                     ▪
                  
                   
                     Is
                     Poyson
                     to
                     the
                     dearest
                     sweets
                     of
                     Love
                     :
                  
                   
                     To
                     please
                     my
                     niceness
                     you
                     must
                     separate
                  
                   
                     The
                     Lover
                     from
                     his
                     Mortal
                     Foe
                     ,
                     the
                     Husband
                     .
                  
                   
                     Give
                     to
                     the
                     yawning
                     Husband
                     your
                     cold
                     Vertue
                     ,
                  
                   
                     But
                     all
                     your
                     vigorous
                     Warmth
                     ,
                     your
                     melting
                     Sighs
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Your
                     amorous
                     Murmurs
                     ,
                     be
                     your
                     Lovers
                     part
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     comprehend
                     not
                     what
                     you
                     mean
                     ,
                     my
                     Lord
                     ,
                  
                   
                     But
                     only
                     love
                     me
                     still
                     ,
                     and
                     love
                     me
                     thus
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     think
                     me
                     such
                     as
                     best
                     may
                     please
                     your
                     Thought
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     There
                     's
                     Mystery
                     of
                     Love
                     in
                     all
                     I
                     say
                     :
                  
                   
                     Farewel
                     ;
                     and
                     when
                     you
                     see
                     your
                     Husband
                     next
                  
                   
                     Think
                     of
                     your
                     Lover
                     then
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   Exeunt
                   Jupiter
                   and
                   Alcmena
                   severally
                   :
                   Phaedra
                   
                     follows
                     her
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     alone
                     .
                  
                   
                     Now
                     I
                     shou'd
                     follow
                     him
                     ;
                     but
                     Love
                     has
                     laid
                     a
                     Lime-twig
                     for
                     me
                     ,
                     and
                     made
                     a
                     lame
                     God
                     of
                     me
                     .
                     Yet
                     why
                     shou'd
                     I
                     love
                     this
                     Phoedra
                     ?
                     She
                     's
                     Interessed
                     ,
                     and
                     a
                     Jilt
                     into
                     the
                     Bargain
                     .
                     Three
                     thousand
                     years
                     hence
                     ,
                     there
                     will
                     be
                     a
                     whole
                     Nation
                     of
                     such
                     Women
                     ,
                     in
                     a
                     certain
                     Country
                     that
                     will
                     be
                     call'd
                     France
                     ;
                     and
                     there
                     's
                     a
                     Neighbour
                     Island
                     too
                     ,
                     where
                     the
                     Men
                     of
                     that
                     Country
                     will
                     be
                     all
                     Interest
                     .
                     Oh
                     what
                     a
                     precious
                     Generation
                     will
                     that
                     be
                     ,
                     which
                     the
                     Men
                     of
                     the
                     Island
                     shall
                     Propagate
                     out
                     of
                     the
                     Women
                     of
                     the
                     Continent
                     ?
                  
                   
                     
                       (
                       Phaedra
                       re-enters
                       )
                    
                     —
                     And
                     so
                     much
                     for
                     Prophesie
                     :
                     for
                     she
                     's
                     here
                     again
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     must
                     love
                     her
                     in
                     spight
                     of
                     me
                     .
                     And
                     since
                     I
                     must
                     ,
                     I
                     have
                     this
                     Comfort
                     ,
                     that
                     the
                     greatest
                     Wits
                     are
                     commonly
                     the
                     greatest
                     Cullies
                     ;
                     because
                     neither
                     of
                     the
                     Sexes
                     can
                     be
                     wiser
                     than
                     some
                     certain
                     Parts
                     about
                     'em
                     will
                     give
                     'em
                     leave
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     Well
                     Sosia
                     ,
                     and
                     how
                     go
                     Matters
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Our
                     Army
                     is
                     Victorious
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     And
                     my
                     Servant
                     Judge
                     Gripus
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     A
                     Voluptuous
                     Gourmand
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     But
                     has
                     he
                     gotten
                     where
                     withal
                     to
                     be
                     Voluptuous
                     ,
                     is
                     he
                     Wealthy
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     He
                     sells
                     Justice
                     as
                     he
                     uses
                     ,
                     fleeces
                     the
                     Rich
                     Rebells
                     ,
                     and
                     hangs
                     up
                     the
                     Poor
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     Then
                     while
                     he
                     has
                     Money
                     he
                     may
                     make
                     love
                     to
                     me
                     .
                     Has
                     he
                     sent
                     me
                     no
                     Token
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Yes
                     a
                     Kiss
                     ;
                     and
                     by
                     the
                     same
                     Token
                     ,
                     I
                     am
                     to
                     give
                     it
                     you
                     ,
                     as
                     a
                     Remembrance
                     from
                     him
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     How
                     now
                     Impudence
                     !
                     A
                     beggarly
                     Serving-man
                     presume
                     to
                     kiss
                     me
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Suppose
                     I
                     were
                     a
                     God
                     ,
                     and
                     shou'd
                     make
                     Love
                     to
                     you
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     wou'd
                     first
                     be
                     satisfi'd
                     ,
                     whether
                     you
                     were
                     a
                     poor
                     God
                     or
                     a
                     rich
                     God.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Suppose
                     I
                     were
                     Mercury
                     ,
                     the
                     God
                     of
                     Merchandise
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     What
                     the
                     God
                     of
                     small
                     Wares
                     ,
                     and
                     Fripperies
                     ,
                     of
                     Pedlars
                     and
                     Pilferers
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     How
                     the
                     Gipsie
                     despises
                     me
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     had
                     rather
                     you
                     were
                     Plutus
                     the
                     God
                     of
                     Money
                     ,
                     or
                     Jupiter
                     in
                     a
                     Golden
                     Shower
                     :
                     there
                     was
                     a
                     God
                     for
                     us
                     Women
                     !
                     he
                     had
                     the
                     Art
                     of
                     making
                     
                     Love
                     :
                     Dost
                     thou
                     think
                     that
                     Kings
                     ,
                     or
                     Gods
                     either
                     ,
                     get
                     Mistrisses
                     by
                     their
                     good
                     Faces
                     ?
                     no
                     ,
                     't
                     is
                     the
                     Gold
                     and
                     the
                     Presents
                     they
                     can
                     make
                     :
                     there
                     's
                     the
                     Prerogative
                     they
                     have
                     over
                     their
                     fair
                     Subjects
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     All
                     this
                     notwithstanding
                     ,
                     I
                     must
                     tell
                     you
                     pretty
                     Phaedra
                     ,
                     I
                     am
                     desperately
                     in
                     love
                     with
                     you
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     And
                     I
                     must
                     tell
                     thee
                     ,
                     ugly
                     Sosia
                     ,
                     thou
                     hast
                     not
                     where
                     withal
                     to
                     be
                     in
                     love
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Yes
                     ,
                     a
                     poor
                     Man
                     may
                     be
                     in
                     love
                     I
                     hope
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     grant
                     a
                     poor
                     Rogue
                     may
                     be
                     in
                     love
                     ,
                     but
                     he
                     can
                     never
                     make
                     love
                     :
                     Alas
                     Sosia
                     ,
                     thou
                     hast
                     neither
                     Face
                     to
                     invite
                     me
                     ,
                     nor
                     Youth
                     to
                     please
                     me
                     ,
                     nor
                     Gold
                     to
                     bribe
                     me
                     :
                     And
                     Besides
                     all
                     this
                     thou
                     hast
                     a
                     Wife
                     ,
                     poor
                     miserable
                     Sosia
                     !
                     What
                     ho
                     Bromia
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     O
                     thou
                     merciless
                     Creature
                     ,
                     why
                     dost
                     thou
                     conjure
                     up
                     that
                     fpright
                     of
                     a
                     Wife
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     To
                     rid
                     my self
                     of
                     that
                     Devil
                     of
                     a
                     poor
                     Lover
                     :
                     since
                     you
                     are
                     so
                     lovingly
                     dispos'd
                     ,
                     I
                     'll
                     put
                     you
                     together
                     ,
                     to
                     exercise
                     your
                     Fury
                     upon
                     your
                     own
                     Wedlock
                     :
                     What
                     Bromia
                     ,
                     I
                     say
                     ,
                     make
                     hast
                     ;
                     here
                     's
                     a
                     Vessel
                     of
                     yours
                     ,
                     full
                     fraighted
                     ,
                     that
                     's
                     going
                     off
                     ,
                     without
                     paying
                     Duties
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Since
                     thou
                     wilt
                     not
                     let
                     me
                     steal
                     Custom
                     :
                     She
                     shall
                     have
                     all
                     the
                     Cargo
                     I
                     have
                     gotten
                     in
                     the
                     Wars
                     :
                     but
                     thou
                     mightst
                     have
                     lent
                     me
                     a
                     little
                     Creek
                     to
                     smuggle
                     in
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Why
                     ,
                     what
                     have
                     you
                     gotten
                     ,
                     good
                     Gentleman
                     Soldier
                     ,
                     besides
                     a
                     Legion
                     of
                     —
                  
                   
                     (
                     knaps
                     her
                     Fingers
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     VVhen
                     the
                     Enemy
                     was
                     rowted
                     ,
                     I
                     had
                     the
                     plundering
                     of
                     a
                     Tent.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     That
                     's
                     to
                     say
                     ,
                     a
                     House
                     of
                     Canvas
                     ,
                     with
                     moveables
                     of
                     Straw
                     ;
                     make
                     haste
                     Bromia
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     But
                     it
                     was
                     the
                     Generals
                     own
                     Tent.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     You
                     durst
                     not
                     fight
                     I
                     'm
                     certain
                     ;
                     and
                     therefore
                     came
                     ▪
                     last
                     in
                     ,
                     when
                     the
                     rich
                     Plunder
                     was
                     gone
                     before
                     hand
                     .
                     —
                     will
                     you
                     come
                     ,
                     Bromia
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Prithee
                     do
                     not
                     call
                     so
                     lowd
                     :
                     —
                     A
                     great
                     Goblet
                     that
                     holds
                     a
                     Gallon
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Of
                     what
                     was
                     that
                     Goblet
                     made
                     ?
                     answer
                     quickly
                     ,
                     for
                     I
                     am
                     just
                     calling
                     very
                     loud
                     
                       —
                       Bro.
                    
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Of
                     beaten
                     Gold.
                     Now
                     call
                     a
                     loud
                     ,
                     if
                     thou
                     dost
                     not
                     like
                     the
                     Mettal
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Bromia
                     .
                  
                   
                     (
                     Very
                     softly
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     That
                     struts
                     in
                     this
                     Fashion
                     ,
                     with
                     his
                     Arms
                     a
                     kimbo
                     ,
                     like
                     a
                     City
                     Magistrate
                     :
                     and
                     a
                     great
                     bouncing
                     Belly
                     ,
                     like
                     an
                     Hostess
                     with
                     Child
                     of
                     a
                     Kilderkin
                     of
                     VVine
                     .
                     Now
                     what
                     say
                     you
                     to
                     that
                     Present
                     ,
                     Phaedra
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     VVhy
                     I
                     am
                     considering
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     VVhat
                     I
                     prithee
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     VVhy
                     ,
                     how
                     to
                     divide
                     the
                     Business
                     equally
                     ;
                     to
                     take
                     the
                     Gift
                     ,
                     and
                     refuse
                     the
                     Giver
                     .
                     thou
                     art
                     so
                     damnably
                     ugly
                     and
                     so
                     old
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     Now
                     the
                     Devil
                     take
                     Jupiter
                     ,
                     sor
                     consining
                     me
                     to
                     this
                     ungodly
                     shape
                     to
                     day
                     !
                  
                   
                     But
                     Gripus
                     is
                     as
                     old
                     and
                     as
                     ugly
                     too
                     .
                  
                   
                     (
                     To
                     her
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     But
                     Gripus
                     is
                     a
                     Person
                     of
                     Quality
                     ,
                     and
                     my
                     Ladies
                     Uncle
                     ,
                     and
                     if
                     he
                     marries
                     me
                     .
                     I
                     shall
                     take
                     place
                     of
                     my
                     Lady
                     .
                     Hark
                     ,
                     your
                     Wife
                     !
                     she
                     has
                     sent
                     
                     her
                     Tongue
                     before
                     her
                     .
                     I
                     hear
                     the
                     Thunderclap
                     already
                     :
                     there
                     's
                     a
                     storm
                     approaching
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Yes
                     ,
                     of
                     thy
                     Brewing
                     ,
                     I
                     thank
                     thee
                     for
                     it
                     :
                     O
                     how
                     I
                     shou'd
                     hate
                     thee
                     now
                     if
                     I
                     cou'd
                     leave
                     loving
                     thee
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Not
                     a
                     word
                     of
                     the
                     dear
                     Golden
                     Goblet
                     ,
                     as
                     you
                     hope
                     for
                     —
                     you
                     know
                     what
                     ,
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Mer.
                     
                  
                   
                     You
                     give
                     me
                     Hope
                     then
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Not
                     absolutely
                     Hope
                     neither
                     :
                     but
                     Gold
                     is
                     a
                     great
                     Cordial
                     ,
                     in
                     love
                     matters
                     ;
                     and
                     the
                     more
                     you
                     apply
                     of
                     it
                     ,
                     the
                     better
                     .
                     —
                     
                       [
                       Aside
                       .
                       ]
                    
                     I
                     am
                     honest
                     ,
                     that
                     's
                     certain
                     ;
                     but
                     when
                     I
                     weigh
                     my
                     honesty
                     against
                     the
                     Goblet
                     ,
                     I
                     am
                     not
                     quite
                     resolv'd
                     on
                     which
                     side
                     the
                     Scale
                     will
                     turn
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     [
                     Exit
                  
                   Phoedra
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     a
                     loud
                     .
                  
                   
                     Farewell
                     Phaedra
                     ;
                     remember
                     me
                     to
                     my
                     Wife
                     ,
                     and
                     tell
                     her
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   Enter
                   Bromia
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     Tell
                     her
                     ,
                     what
                     Traytor
                     !
                     that
                     you
                     are
                     going
                     away
                     without
                     seeing
                     her
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     That
                     I
                     am
                     doing
                     my
                     Duty
                     ,
                     and
                     following
                     my
                     Master
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     Umph
                     —
                     so
                     brisk
                     too
                     !
                     your
                     Master
                     did
                     his
                     Duty
                     to
                     my
                     Lady
                     before
                     he
                     parted
                     :
                     He
                     cou'd
                     leave
                     his
                     Army
                     in
                     the
                     lurch
                     ,
                     and
                     come
                     galloping
                     home
                     at
                     Midnight
                     ,
                     to
                     have
                     a
                     lick
                     at
                     the
                     Honey-pot
                     ;
                     and
                     steal
                     to
                     Bed
                     as
                     quietly
                     as
                     any
                     Mouse
                     ,
                     I
                     warrant
                     you
                     :
                     My
                     Master
                     knew
                     what
                     belong'd
                     to
                     a
                     marri'd
                     life
                     ;
                     but
                     you
                     ,
                     Sirrah
                     .
                     —
                     You
                     Trencher-carrying
                     Raskal
                     ,
                     you
                     worse
                     than
                     Dunghill-Cock
                     ;
                     that
                     stood
                     clapping
                     your
                     Wings
                     and
                     crowing
                     without
                     Doors
                     ,
                     when
                     you
                     shou'd
                     have
                     been
                     at
                     roost
                     ,
                     you
                     Villain
                     .
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Hold
                     your
                     peace
                     ,
                     Dame
                     Partlet
                     ,
                     and
                     leave
                     your
                     Cackling
                     :
                     My
                     Master
                     charg'd
                     me
                     to
                     stand
                     Centry
                     without
                     Doors
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Bro.
                     
                  
                   
                     My
                     Master
                     !
                     I
                     dare
                     swear
                     thou
                     bely'st
                     him
                     ,
                     My
                     Masters
                     more
                     a
                     Gentleman
                     than
                     to
                     lay
                     such
                     an
                     unreasonable
                     command
                     upon
                     a
                     poor
                     distressed
                     marri'd
                     Couple
                     ,
                     and
                     after
                     such
                     an
                     absence
                     too
                     .
                     No
                     ,
                     there
                     's
                     no
                     comparison
                     between
                     my
                     Master
                     and
                     thee
                     ,
                     thou
                     Sneaksby
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Mer.
                     
                  
                   
                     No
                     more
                     than
                     there
                     is
                     betwixt
                     my
                     Lady
                     and
                     you
                     ,
                     Bromia
                     .
                     You
                     and
                     I
                     have
                     had
                     our
                     time
                     in
                     a
                     civil
                     way
                     ,
                     Spouse
                     ,
                     and
                     much
                     good
                     love
                     has
                     been
                     betwixt
                     us
                     :
                     but
                     we
                     have
                     been
                     married
                     fifteen
                     Years
                     ,
                     I
                     take
                     it
                     :
                     and
                     that
                     hoighty
                     toighty
                     business
                     ought
                     ,
                     in
                     Conscience
                     ,
                     to
                     be
                     over
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Bro.
                     
                  
                   
                     Marry
                     come
                     up
                     ,
                     My
                     sawcy
                     Companion
                     !
                     I
                     am
                     neither
                     old
                     ,
                     nor
                     ugly
                     enough
                     to
                     have
                     that
                     said
                     to
                     me
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     But
                     will
                     you
                     hear
                     reason
                     ,
                     Bromia
                     ?
                     My
                     Lord
                     and
                     my
                     Lady
                     are
                     yet
                     in
                     a
                     manner
                     Bride
                     and
                     Bridegroom
                     ;
                     they
                     are
                     in
                     Honey
                     Moon
                     still
                     :
                     do
                     but
                     think
                     in
                     decency
                     what
                     a
                     Jest
                     it
                     wou'd
                     be
                     to
                     the
                     Family
                     ,
                     to
                     see
                     two
                     Venerable
                     old
                     married
                     People
                     ,
                     lying
                     snug
                     in
                     a
                     Bed
                     together
                     ,
                     and
                     sighing
                     out
                     fine
                     tender
                     things
                     to
                     one
                     another
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Bro.
                     
                  
                   
                     How
                     now
                     ,
                     Traytor
                     ,
                     dar'st
                     thou
                     maintain
                     that
                     I
                     am
                     past
                     the
                     Age
                     of
                     having
                     fine
                     things
                     said
                     to
                     me
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Not
                     so
                     ,
                     my
                     Dear
                     :
                     but
                     certainly
                     I
                     am
                     past
                     the
                     Age
                     of
                     a
                     saying
                     '
                     em
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Bro.
                     
                  
                   
                     Thou
                     deserv'st
                     not
                     to
                     be
                     yok'd
                     with
                     a
                     Woman
                     of
                     Honour
                     ,
                     as
                     I
                     am
                     ,
                     thou
                     perjur'd
                     Villain
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Ay
                     ,
                     you
                     are
                     too
                     much
                     a
                     Woman
                     of
                     Honour
                     ,
                     to
                     my
                     sorrow
                     :
                     many
                     a
                     poor
                     Husband
                     wou'd
                     be
                     glad
                     to
                     compound
                     for
                     less
                     Honour
                     in
                     his
                     Wife
                     ,
                     and
                     
                     more
                     quiet
                     .
                     Prethee
                     be
                     but
                     honest
                     and
                     continent
                     in
                     thy
                     Tongue
                     ,
                     and
                     do
                     thy
                     worst
                     with
                     every
                     thing
                     else
                     about
                     thee
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     Thou
                     wou'dst
                     have
                     a
                     Woman
                     of
                     the
                     Town
                     ,
                     wou'dst
                     thou
                     !
                     to
                     be
                     always
                     speaking
                     my
                     Husband
                     fair
                     ,
                     to
                     make
                     him
                     digest
                     his
                     Cuckoldom
                     more
                     easily
                     :
                     wou'dst
                     thou
                     be
                     a
                     Wittol
                     ,
                     with
                     a
                     vengeance
                     to
                     thee
                     ?
                     I
                     am
                     resolv'd
                     I
                     'll
                     scoure
                     thy
                     Hide
                     ,
                     for
                     that
                     word
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     Holds
                     up
                     her
                     Ladle
                     at
                     him
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     Thou
                     wilt
                     not
                     strike
                     thy
                     Lord
                     ,
                     and
                     Husband
                     ,
                     wilt
                     thou
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     Since
                     thou
                     wilt
                     none
                     of
                     the
                     Meat
                     ,
                     't
                     is
                     but
                     justice
                     to
                     give
                     thee
                     the
                     bastings
                     of
                     the
                     Ladle
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     She
                     courses
                     him
                     about
                     .
                  
                   
                     Mercury
                     
                       running
                       about
                       .
                       aside
                       .
                    
                     Was
                     ever
                     poor
                     Deity
                     so
                     Henpeck'd
                     as
                     I
                     am
                     !
                     nay
                     ,
                     then
                     't
                     is
                     time
                     to
                     charm
                     her
                     asleep
                     with
                     my
                     enchanted
                     Rod
                     —
                     before
                     I
                     am
                     disgrac'd
                     or
                     ravish'd
                     .
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   [
                   Plucks
                   out
                   his
                   Caduceus
                   and
                   strikes
                   her
                   upon
                   the
                   Shoulder
                   with
                   it
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     What
                     ,
                     art
                     thou
                     rebelling
                     against
                     thy
                     annointed
                     Wife
                     ?
                     I
                     'll
                     make
                     thee
                     —
                     how
                     now
                     —
                     What
                     ,
                     has
                     the
                     Rogue
                     bewitch'd
                     me
                     !
                     I
                     grow
                     dull
                     and
                     stupid
                     on
                     the
                     sudden
                     —
                     I
                     can
                     neither
                     stir
                     Hand
                     nor
                     Foot
                     —
                     I
                     am
                     just
                     like
                     him
                     ;
                     I
                     have
                     lost
                     the
                     use
                     of
                     all
                     my
                     —
                     Members
                     —
                     
                       [
                       yawning
                       .
                       ]
                    
                     —
                     I
                     can't
                     so
                     much
                     as
                     wag
                     my
                     Tongue
                     —
                     neither
                     ,
                     and
                     that
                     's
                     the
                     last
                     live
                     —
                     ing
                     part
                     about
                     a
                     —
                     Woman
                     —
                     
                       [
                       falls
                       down
                       .
                    
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Mercury
                     
                  
                   
                     alone
                     .
                  
                   
                     Lord
                     what
                     have
                     I
                     suffer'd
                     ,
                     for
                     being
                     but
                     a
                     counterfeit
                     marri'd
                     Man
                     one
                     day
                     !
                     If
                     ever
                     I
                     come
                     to
                     this
                     House
                     ,
                     as
                     a
                     Husband
                     again
                     —
                     then
                     —
                     and
                     yet
                     that
                     then
                     ,
                     was
                     a
                     lye
                     too
                     —
                     For
                     while
                     I
                     am
                     in
                     love
                     with
                     this
                     young
                     Gipsie
                     ,
                     Phoedra
                     ,
                     I
                     must
                     return
                     —
                     But
                     lie
                     thou
                     there
                     ,
                     thou
                     Type
                     of
                     Juno
                     :
                     thou
                     that
                     want'st
                     nothing
                     of
                     her
                     Tongue
                     ,
                     but
                     the
                     immortality
                     .
                     If
                     Jupiter
                     ever
                     let
                     thee
                     set
                     Foot
                     in
                     Heaven
                     ,
                     Juno
                     will
                     have
                     a
                     rattling
                     Second
                     of
                     thee
                     ;
                     and
                     there
                     will
                     never
                     be
                     a
                     fair
                     Day
                     in
                     Heaven
                     or
                     Earth
                     after
                     it
                     .
                  
                   
                     For
                     two
                     such
                     Tongues
                     ,
                     will
                     break
                     the
                     Poles
                     asunder
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     ,
                     hourly
                     scolding
                     ,
                     make
                     perpetual
                     Thunder
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     [
                     Exit
                  
                   Mercury
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
                 Act
                 III.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Scene
                   ,
                
                 
                   before
                   Amphitryon
                   
                     's
                     Pallace
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   Amphitryon
                   
                     and
                     Sosia
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Amp.
                     
                  
                   
                     NOw
                     Sirrah
                     ,
                     follow
                     me
                     into
                     the
                     House
                     ,
                     thou
                     shalt
                     be
                     convinc'd
                     at
                     thy
                     own
                     cost
                     ,
                     Villain
                     !
                     What
                     horrible
                     lyes
                     hast
                     thou
                     told
                     me
                     !
                     such
                     improbabilities
                     ,
                     such
                     stuff
                     ,
                     such
                     nonsence
                     !
                     —
                     that
                     the
                     Monster
                     with
                     two
                     long
                     Horns
                     ,
                     that
                     frighted
                     the
                     great
                     King
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     Devil
                     at
                     the
                     Stone-cutters
                     ,
                     are
                     Truths
                     to
                     these
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     am
                     but
                     a
                     Slave
                     ,
                     and
                     you
                     are
                     Master
                     ;
                     and
                     a
                     poor
                     Man
                     is
                     always
                     to
                     lye
                     ,
                     when
                     a
                     rich
                     Man
                     is
                     pleas'd
                     to
                     contradict
                     him
                     :
                     but
                     as
                     sure
                     as
                     this
                     is
                     our
                     House
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Am.
                     
                  
                   
                     So
                     sure
                     't
                     is
                     thy
                     place
                     of
                     Execution
                     .
                     Thou
                     art
                     not
                     made
                     for
                     lying
                     neither
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     That
                     's
                     certain
                     :
                     for
                     all
                     my
                     Neighbours
                     say
                     I
                     have
                     an
                     honest
                     Face
                     ;
                     or
                     else
                     they
                     wou'd
                     never
                     call
                     me
                     Cuckold
                     ,
                     as
                     they
                     do
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amp.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     mean
                     thou
                     hast
                     not
                     wit
                     enough
                     to
                     make
                     a
                     lye
                     ,
                     that
                     will
                     hang
                     together
                     :
                     thou
                     hast
                     set
                     up
                     a
                     Trade
                     ,
                     that
                     thou
                     hast
                     not
                     Stock
                     enough
                     to
                     manage
                     :
                     O
                     that
                     I
                     had
                     but
                     a
                     Crab-tree
                     Cudgel
                     for
                     thy
                     sake
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     How
                     ,
                     a
                     Cudgel
                     ,
                     said
                     you
                     !
                     the
                     Devil
                     take
                     Jupiter
                     for
                     inventing
                     that
                     heard-hearted
                     ,
                     merciless
                     ,
                     knobby
                     Wood.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amp.
                     
                  
                   
                     The
                     bitterness
                     is
                     yet
                     to
                     come
                     :
                     thou
                     hast
                     had
                     but
                     a
                     half
                     Dose
                     of
                     it
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     was
                     never
                     good
                     at
                     swallowing
                     Physick
                     :
                     and
                     my
                     Stomach
                     wambles
                     at
                     the
                     very
                     thought
                     of
                     it
                     ;
                     but
                     ,
                     if
                     I
                     must
                     have
                     a
                     second
                     beating
                     ,
                     in
                     conscience
                     let
                     me
                     strip
                     first
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     may
                     show
                     you
                     the
                     black
                     and
                     blue
                     streaks
                     upon
                     my
                     Sides
                     and
                     Shoulders
                     .
                     I
                     am
                     sure
                     I
                     suffer'd
                     them
                     in
                     your
                     service
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amp.
                     
                  
                   
                     To
                     what
                     purpose
                     wou'dst
                     thou
                     show
                     them
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     Why
                     to
                     the
                     purpose
                     that
                     you
                     may
                     not
                     strike
                     me
                     upon
                     the
                     sore
                     places
                     :
                     and
                     that
                     as
                     he
                     beat
                     me
                     last
                     Night
                     cross-ways
                     ,
                     so
                     you
                     wou'd
                     please
                     to
                     beat
                     me
                     long-ways
                     ,
                     to
                     make
                     clean
                     work
                     on
                     't
                     ,
                     that
                     at
                     least
                     my
                     Skin
                     may
                     look
                     like
                     Checquer-work
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amp.
                     
                  
                   
                     This
                     request
                     is
                     too
                     reasonable
                     to
                     be
                     refus'd
                     ;
                     but
                     ,
                     that
                     all
                     things
                     may
                     be
                     done
                     in
                     order
                     ,
                     tell
                     me
                     over
                     again
                     the
                     same
                     story
                     ,
                     with
                     all
                     the
                     circumstances
                     of
                     thy
                     Commission
                     :
                     that
                     a
                     blow
                     may
                     follow
                     in
                     due
                     form
                     for
                     every
                     lye
                     .
                     To
                     Repetition
                     Rogue
                     ,
                     to
                     Repetition
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     No
                     ,
                     it
                     shall
                     be
                     all
                     a
                     lye
                     if
                     you
                     please
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     'll
                     eat
                     my
                     Words
                     to
                     save
                     my
                     Shoulders
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amp.
                     
                  
                   
                     Ay
                     ,
                     Sirrah
                     ,
                     now
                     you
                     find
                     you
                     are
                     to
                     be
                     disproved
                     :
                     but
                     't
                     is
                     too
                     late
                     :
                     to
                     Repetition
                     ,
                     Rogue
                     ,
                     to
                     Repetition
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     With
                     all
                     my
                     heart
                     ,
                     to
                     any
                     Repetition
                     but
                     the
                     Cudgel
                     :
                     but
                     ,
                     wou'd
                     you
                     be
                     pleas'd
                     to
                     answer
                     me
                     one
                     civil
                     question
                     ?
                     Am
                     I
                     to
                     use
                     Complaisance
                     to
                     you
                     ,
                     as
                     to
                     a
                     great
                     Person
                     ,
                     that
                     will
                     have
                     all
                     things
                     said
                     your
                     own
                     way
                     ;
                     or
                     am
                     I
                     to
                     tell
                     you
                     the
                     naked
                     Truth
                     alone
                     ,
                     without
                     the
                     Ceremony
                     of
                     a
                     farther
                     beating
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amp.
                     
                  
                   
                     Nothing
                     but
                     the
                     Truth
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     whole
                     Truth
                     :
                     so
                     help
                     thee
                     Cudgel
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     That
                     's
                     a
                     damn'd
                     conclusion
                     of
                     a
                     Sentence
                     :
                     but
                     since
                     it
                     must
                     be
                     so
                     —
                     Back
                     and
                     Sides
                     ,
                     at
                     your
                     own
                     peril
                     —
                     I
                     set
                     out
                     from
                     the
                     Port
                     in
                     an
                     unlucky
                     Hour
                     :
                     the
                     dusky
                     Canopy
                     of
                     Night
                     inveloping
                     the
                     Hemisphere
                     .
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     strikes
                     him
                     .
                  
                   
                     Imprimis
                     for
                     Fustian
                     :
                     —
                     now
                     proceed
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     stand
                     corrected
                     :
                     in
                     plain
                     Prose
                     then
                     ,
                     I
                     went
                     darkling
                     ,
                     and
                     whistling
                     ,
                     to
                     keep
                     my self
                     from
                     being
                     afraid
                     ;
                     mumbling
                     Curses
                     betwixt
                     my
                     Teeth
                     ,
                     for
                     being
                     sent
                     at
                     such
                     an
                     unnatural
                     time
                     of
                     Night
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amp.
                     
                  
                   
                     How
                     Sirrah
                     ,
                     Cursing
                     and
                     Swearing
                     against
                     your
                     Lord
                     and
                     Master
                     !
                     take
                     —
                  
                   
                     [
                     Going
                     to
                     strike
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     Hold
                     ,
                     Sir
                     —
                     pray
                     consider
                     ,
                     if
                     this
                     be
                     not
                     unreasonable
                     ,
                     to
                     strike
                     me
                     for
                     telling
                     the
                     whole
                     Truth
                     ,
                     when
                     you
                     commanded
                     me
                     :
                     I
                     'll
                     fall
                     into
                     my
                     old
                     dogtrot
                     of
                     lying
                     again
                     ,
                     if
                     this
                     must
                     come
                     of
                     plain
                     dealing
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amp.
                     
                  
                   
                     To
                     avoid
                     impertinences
                     ,
                     make
                     an
                     end
                     of
                     your
                     journey
                     ;
                     and
                     come
                     to
                     the
                     House
                     :
                     what
                     found
                     you
                     there
                     a
                     God's
                     Name
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     came
                     thither
                     in
                     no
                     God's
                     Name
                     at
                     all
                     ;
                     but
                     in
                     the
                     Devils
                     name
                     ,
                     I
                     found
                     
                     before
                     the
                     Door
                     a
                     swingeing
                     Fellow
                     ,
                     with
                     all
                     my
                     Shapes
                     and
                     Features
                     ;
                     and
                     accoutred
                     also
                     in
                     my
                     Habit.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amp.
                     
                  
                   
                     Who
                     was
                     that
                     Fellow
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     Who
                     shou'd
                     it
                     be
                     ,
                     but
                     another
                     Sosia
                     !
                     a
                     certain
                     kind
                     of
                     other
                     me
                     :
                     who
                     knew
                     all
                     my
                     unfortunate
                     Commission
                     ,
                     precisely
                     ,
                     to
                     a
                     word
                     ,
                     as
                     well
                     as
                     I
                     Sosia
                     ;
                     as
                     being
                     sent
                     by
                     your self
                     from
                     the
                     Port
                     ,
                     upon
                     the
                     same
                     errand
                     to
                     Alcmena
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amp.
                     
                  
                   
                     What
                     gross
                     Absurdities
                     are
                     these
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     O
                     Lord
                     ,
                     O
                     Lord
                     ,
                     what
                     Absurdities
                     !
                     as
                     plain
                     as
                     any
                     Packstaff
                     .
                     That
                     other
                     me
                     ,
                     had
                     posted
                     himself
                     there
                     before
                     me
                     ,
                     me
                     .
                     You
                     won't
                     give
                     a
                     Man
                     leave
                     to
                     speak
                     Poetically
                     now
                     ;
                     or
                     else
                     I
                     wou'd
                     say
                     ,
                     That
                     I
                     was
                     arriv'd
                     at
                     the
                     Door
                     ,
                     before
                     I
                     came
                     thither
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amp.
                     
                  
                   
                     This
                     must
                     either
                     be
                     a
                     Dream
                     ,
                     or
                     Drunkenness
                     ,
                     or
                     Madness
                     in
                     thee
                     .
                     Leave
                     your
                     Buffooning
                     and
                     Lying
                     ,
                     I
                     am
                     not
                     in
                     humour
                     to
                     bear
                     it
                     ,
                     Sirrah
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     wou'd
                     you
                     shou'd
                     know
                     I
                     scorn
                     a
                     Lye
                     ,
                     and
                     am
                     a
                     Man
                     of
                     Honour
                     in
                     every
                     thing
                     ,
                     but
                     just
                     Fighting
                     .
                     I
                     tell
                     you
                     once
                     again
                     in
                     plain
                     sincerity
                     ,
                     and
                     simplicity
                     of
                     Heart
                     ,
                     that
                     before
                     last
                     Night
                     I
                     never
                     took
                     my self
                     but
                     for
                     one
                     single
                     individual
                     Sosia
                     ;
                     but
                     ,
                     coming
                     to
                     our
                     Door
                     ,
                     I
                     found
                     my self
                     I
                     know
                     not
                     how
                     divided
                     ,
                     and
                     as
                     it
                     were
                     split
                     into
                     two
                     
                     Sosia's
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amp.
                     
                  
                   
                     Leave
                     Buffooning
                     :
                     I
                     see
                     you
                     wou'd
                     make
                     me
                     laugh
                     ,
                     but
                     you
                     play
                     the
                     Fool
                     scurvily
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     That
                     may
                     be
                     :
                     but
                     if
                     I
                     am
                     a
                     Fool
                     ,
                     I
                     am
                     not
                     the
                     only
                     Fool
                     in
                     this
                     company
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amp.
                     
                  
                   
                     How
                     now
                     Impudence
                     !
                     I
                     shall
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     Be
                     not
                     in
                     wrath
                     Sir
                     :
                     I
                     meant
                     not
                     you
                     :
                     I
                     cannot
                     possibly
                     be
                     the
                     only
                     Fool
                     ;
                     for
                     if
                     I
                     am
                     one
                     Fool
                     ,
                     I
                     must
                     certainly
                     be
                     two
                     Fools
                     ;
                     because
                     ,
                     as
                     I
                     told
                     you
                     ,
                     I
                     am
                     double
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amp.
                     
                  
                   
                     That
                     one
                     shou'd
                     be
                     two
                     ,
                     is
                     very
                     probable
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     Have
                     not
                     you
                     seen
                     a
                     Six-pence
                     split
                     into
                     two
                     halves
                     ,
                     by
                     some
                     ingenious
                     School-Boy
                     ;
                     which
                     bore
                     on
                     either
                     side
                     the
                     Impression
                     of
                     the
                     Monarchs
                     Face
                     :
                     now
                     as
                     those
                     moieties
                     were
                     two
                     Three-pences
                     ,
                     and
                     yet
                     in
                     effect
                     but
                     one
                     Six-pence
                     .
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amp.
                     
                  
                   
                     No
                     more
                     of
                     your
                     villanous
                     Tropes
                     and
                     Figures
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     Nay
                     ,
                     if
                     an
                     Orator
                     must
                     be
                     disarm'd
                     of
                     his
                     similitudes
                     .
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amp.
                     
                  
                   
                     A
                     Man
                     had
                     need
                     of
                     patience
                     ,
                     to
                     endure
                     this
                     Gibberish
                     :
                     be
                     brief
                     ,
                     and
                     come
                     to
                     a
                     conclusion
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     What
                     wou'd
                     you
                     have
                     Sir
                     ?
                     I
                     came
                     thither
                     ,
                     but
                     the
                     to'ther
                     I
                     was
                     there
                     before
                     me
                     :
                     for
                     that
                     there
                     was
                     two
                     I's
                     ,
                     is
                     as
                     certain
                     ,
                     as
                     that
                     I
                     have
                     two
                     Eyes
                     in
                     this
                     Head
                     of
                     mine
                     .
                     This
                     I
                     ,
                     that
                     am
                     here
                     ,
                     was
                     weary
                     :
                     the
                     to'ther
                     I
                     was
                     fresh
                     :
                     this
                     I
                     was
                     peaceable
                     ,
                     and
                     to'ther
                     I
                     was
                     a
                     hectoring
                     Bully
                     I.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amp.
                     
                  
                   
                     And
                     thou
                     expect'st
                     I
                     shou'd
                     believe
                     thee
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sos
                     .
                  
                   
                     No
                     ,
                     I
                     am
                     not
                     so
                     unreasonable
                     :
                     for
                     I
                     cou'd
                     never
                     have
                     believ'd
                     it
                     my self
                     ,
                     if
                     I
                     had
                     not
                     been
                     well
                     beaten
                     into
                     it
                     :
                     But
                     a
                     Cudgel
                     you
                     know
                     is
                     a
                     convincing
                     Argument
                     in
                     a
                     brawny
                     Fist
                     :
                     What
                     shall
                     I
                     say
                     ,
                     but
                     that
                     I
                     was
                     compell'd
                     at
                     last
                     to
                     acknowledge
                     my self
                     !
                     I
                     found
                     that
                     he
                     was
                     very
                     I
                     ,
                     without
                     fraud
                     ,
                     cozen
                     ,
                     or
                     deceit
                     .
                     Besides
                     ,
                     I
                     view'd
                     my self
                     ,
                     as
                     in
                     a
                     Mirror
                     ,
                     from
                     Head
                     to
                     Foot
                     :
                     He
                     was
                     Handsome
                     ,
                     of
                     a
                     noble
                     presence
                     ,
                     a
                     charming
                     Air
                     ,
                     loose
                     and
                     free
                     in
                     all
                     his
                     Motions
                     .
                     And
                     saw
                     he
                     was
                     so
                     much
                     I
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     shou'd
                     have
                     reason
                     to
                     be
                     better
                     satisfied
                     with
                     my
                     own
                     Person
                     ,
                     if
                     his
                     Hands
                     had
                     not
                     been
                     a
                     little
                     of
                     the
                     heaviest
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     Once
                     again
                     to
                     a
                     Conclusion
                     :
                     Say
                     you
                     pass'd
                     by
                     him
                     ,
                     and
                     entred
                     into
                     the
                     House
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     am
                     a
                     Friend
                     to
                     Truth
                     ,
                     and
                     say
                     no
                     such
                     thing
                     :
                     He
                     defended
                     the
                     door
                     and
                     I
                     could
                     not
                     enter
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     How
                     ,
                     not
                     enter
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Why
                     ,
                     how
                     shou'd
                     I
                     enter
                     ,
                     unless
                     I
                     were
                     a
                     Spright
                     to
                     glide
                     by
                     him
                     ,
                     and
                     shoot
                     my self
                     through
                     Locks
                     ,
                     and
                     Bolts
                     ,
                     and
                     two-inch-boards
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     O
                     Coward
                     !
                     Didst
                     thou
                     not
                     attempt
                     to
                     pass
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Yes
                     ,
                     and
                     was
                     repuls'd
                     and
                     beaten
                     for
                     my
                     pains
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     Who
                     beat
                     thee
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     beat
                     Me.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     Didst
                     thou
                     beat
                     thy self
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     don't
                     mean
                     I
                     ,
                     here
                     :
                     but
                     the
                     absent
                     Me
                     ,
                     beat
                     me
                     here
                     present
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     There
                     's
                     no
                     end
                     of
                     this
                     intricate
                     piece
                     of
                     Nonsense
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     ▪
                     
                  
                   
                     'T
                     is
                     only
                     Nonsense
                     because
                     I
                     speak
                     it
                     who
                     am
                     a
                     poor
                     fellow
                     ;
                     but
                     it
                     wou'd
                     be
                     Sense
                     ,
                     and
                     substantial
                     Sense
                     ,
                     if
                     a
                     great
                     Man
                     said
                     it
                     ,
                     that
                     was
                     back'd
                     with
                     a
                     Title
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     Eloquence
                     of
                     ten
                     Thousand
                     Pounds
                     a
                     year
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     No
                     more
                     ;
                     But
                     let
                     us
                     enter
                     :
                     Hold
                     ;
                     my
                     Alcmena
                     is
                     coming
                     out
                     ,
                     and
                     has
                     prevented
                     me
                     !
                     How
                     strangely
                     will
                     she
                     be
                     surpriz'd
                     to
                     see
                     me
                     here
                     ,
                     so
                     unexpectedly
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   Enter
                   Alcmena
                   and
                   Phaedra
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     to
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     Make
                     haste
                     after
                     me
                     to
                     the
                     Temple
                     ;
                     that
                     we
                     may
                     thank
                     the
                     Gods
                     for
                     this
                     glorious
                     Success
                     ,
                     which
                     Amphitryon
                     has
                     had
                     against
                     the
                     Rebels
                     .
                     Oh
                     Heavens
                     !
                  
                   
                     [
                     Seeing
                     him
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     Those
                     Heav'ns
                     ,
                     and
                     all
                     their
                     blest
                     Inhabitants
                     ,
                  
                   
                     [
                     Saluting
                     her
                     .
                  
                   
                     Grant
                     ,
                     that
                     the
                     sweet
                     rewarder
                     of
                     my
                     pains
                  
                   
                     May
                     still
                     be
                     kind
                     ,
                     as
                     on
                     our
                     Nuptial
                     Night
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     So
                     soon
                     return'd
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     So
                     soon
                     return'd
                     !
                     Is
                     this
                     my
                     Welcome
                     home
                     ?
                  
                   
                     [
                     Stepping
                     back
                     .
                  
                   
                     So
                     soon
                     return'd
                     ,
                     says
                     I
                     am
                     come
                     unwish'd
                     .
                  
                   
                     This
                     is
                     no
                     Language
                     of
                     desiring
                     Love
                     :
                  
                   
                     Love
                     reckons
                     Hours
                     for
                     Months
                     ,
                     and
                     Days
                     for
                     Years
                     :
                  
                   
                     And
                     every
                     little
                     Absence
                     is
                     an
                     Age.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     What
                     says
                     my
                     Lord
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     No
                     ,
                     my
                     Alcmena
                     ,
                     no
                     :
                  
                   
                     True
                     Love
                     ,
                     by
                     its
                     impatience
                     measures
                     Time
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     the
                     dear
                     Object
                     never
                     comes
                     too
                     soon
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     Nor
                     ever
                     came
                     you
                     so
                     ,
                     nor
                     ever
                     shall
                     ▪
                  
                   
                     But
                     you
                     ,
                     your self
                     are
                     chang'd
                     from
                     what
                     you
                     were
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Pall'd
                     in
                     Desires
                     ,
                     and
                     surfeited
                     of
                     Bliss
                     ;
                  
                   
                     Not
                     so
                     I
                     met
                     you
                     at
                     your
                     last
                     return
                     ;
                  
                   
                     When
                     ,
                     Yesternight
                     ,
                     I
                     flew
                     into
                     your
                     Arms
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     melted
                     in
                     your
                     warm
                     :
                     Embrace
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     How
                     's
                     this
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     Did
                     not
                     my
                     Soul
                     ev'n
                     sparkle
                     at
                     my
                     Eyes
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     shoot
                     it self
                     into
                     your
                     much
                     lov'd
                     Bosome
                     ?
                  
                   
                   
                     Did
                     I
                     not
                     tremble
                     with
                     excess
                     of
                     Joy
                     ?
                  
                   
                     Nay
                     agonize
                     with
                     pleasure
                     at
                     your
                     sight
                     ,
                  
                   
                     With
                     such
                     inimitable
                     Proofs
                     of
                     Passion
                     ,
                  
                   
                     As
                     no
                     false
                     Love
                     could
                     feign
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     What
                     's
                     this
                     you
                     tell
                     me
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     Far
                     short
                     of
                     Truth
                     ,
                     by
                     Heav'n
                     !
                  
                   
                     And
                     you
                     return'd
                     those
                     Proofs
                     with
                     Usury
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     left
                     me
                     ,
                     with
                     a
                     Sigh
                     ,
                     at
                     Break
                     of
                     Day
                     .
                  
                   
                     Have
                     you
                     forgot
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     Or
                     have
                     you
                     dream't
                     Alcmena
                     ?
                  
                   
                     Perhaps
                     some
                     kind
                     ,
                     revealing
                     Deity
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Has
                     whisper'd
                     in
                     your
                     Sleep
                     ,
                     the
                     pleasing
                     News
                  
                   
                     Of
                     my
                     Return
                     ;
                     and
                     you
                     believ'd
                     it
                     real
                     !
                  
                   
                     Perhaps
                     too
                     ,
                     in
                     your
                     Dream
                     ,
                     you
                     us'd
                     me
                     kindly
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     my
                     preventing
                     Image
                     ,
                     reap'd
                     the
                     Joys
                  
                   
                     You
                     meant
                     awake
                     to
                     me
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     Some
                     Melancholy
                     Vapour
                     ,
                     sure
                     ,
                     has
                     seiz'd
                  
                   
                     Your
                     Brain
                     ,
                     Amphitryon
                     ,
                     and
                     disturb'd
                     your
                     Sense
                     :
                  
                   
                     Or
                     Yesternight
                     is
                     not
                     so
                     long
                     a
                     time
                     ,
                  
                   
                     But
                     you
                     might
                     yet
                     remember
                     ;
                     and
                     not
                     force
                     ▪
                  
                   
                     An
                     honest
                     Blush
                     into
                     my
                     glowing
                     Cheeks
                     ,
                  
                   
                     For
                     that
                     which
                     lawful
                     Marriage
                     makes
                     no
                     Crime
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     thank
                     you
                     for
                     my
                     Melancholy
                     Vapour
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alc.
                     
                  
                   
                     'T
                     is
                     but
                     a
                     just
                     requital
                     for
                     my
                     Dream
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     find
                     my
                     Master
                     took
                     too
                     much
                     of
                     the
                     Creature
                     last
                     night
                     ,
                     and
                     now
                     is
                     Angling
                     for
                     a
                     Quarrel
                     ,
                     that
                     no
                     more
                     may
                     be
                     expected
                     from
                     him
                     to
                     Night
                     ,
                     when
                     he
                     has
                     no
                     Assets
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     Aside
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     [
                     In
                     the
                     mean
                     time
                  
                   Amph.
                   and
                   Alch.
                   
                     walk
                     by
                     themselves
                     ,
                     and
                     frown
                     at
                     each
                     other
                     as
                     they
                     meet
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     You
                     dare
                     not
                     justifie
                     it
                     to
                     my
                     face
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     Not
                     what
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     That
                     I
                     return'd
                     before
                     this
                     hour
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     You
                     dare
                     not
                     ,
                     sure
                     ,
                     deny
                     you
                     came
                     last
                     night
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     staid
                     till
                     Break
                     of
                     Day
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     O
                     Impudence
                     !
                     —
                     Why
                     Sosia
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Nay
                     ,
                     I
                     say
                     nothing
                     ;
                     for
                     all
                     things
                     here
                     ,
                     may
                     go
                     by
                     Enchantment
                     (
                     as
                     they
                     did
                     with
                     me
                     )
                     for
                     ought
                     I
                     know
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     Speak
                     ,
                     Phaedra
                     ;
                     Was
                     he
                     here
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     You
                     know
                     ,
                     Madam
                     ,
                     I
                     am
                     but
                     a
                     Chamber-maid
                     ;
                     and
                     by
                     my
                     place
                     ,
                     I
                     am
                     to
                     forget
                     all
                     that
                     was
                     done
                     over-night
                     in
                     Love-Matters
                     ,
                     —
                     unless
                     my
                     Master
                     please
                     to
                     rub
                     up
                     my
                     Memory
                     with
                     another
                     Diamond
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     Now
                     in
                     the
                     name
                     of
                     all
                     the
                     Gods
                     ,
                     Alcmena
                     ,
                  
                   
                     A
                     little
                     recollect
                     your
                     scatter'd
                     Thoughts
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     weigh
                     what
                     you
                     have
                     said
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     weigh'd
                     it
                     well
                     ,
                     Amphitryon
                     ,
                     e're
                     I
                     spoke
                     :
                  
                   
                     And
                     She
                     ,
                     and
                     Bromia
                     ,
                     all
                     the
                     Slaves
                     ,
                     and
                     Servants
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Can
                     witness
                     they
                     beheld
                     you
                     ,
                     when
                     you
                     came
                     .
                  
                   
                     If
                     other
                     Proof
                     were
                     wanting
                     ,
                     tell
                     me
                     how
                  
                   
                   
                     I
                     came
                     to
                     know
                     your
                     Fight
                     ,
                     your
                     Victory
                     ,
                  
                   
                     The
                     Death
                     of
                     Pterelas
                     ,
                     in
                     single
                     Combat
                     ?
                  
                   
                     And
                     ,
                     farther
                     ,
                     from
                     whose
                     hands
                     I
                     had
                     a
                     Jewel
                     :
                  
                   
                     The
                     Spoyls
                     of
                     him
                     you
                     slew
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     This
                     is
                     amazing
                     !
                  
                   
                     Have
                     I
                     already
                     given
                     you
                     those
                     Diamonds
                     ,
                  
                   
                     The
                     Present
                     I
                     reserv'd
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     'T
                     is
                     an
                     odd
                     Question
                     :
                  
                   
                     You
                     see
                     I
                     wear
                     'em
                     ;
                     Look
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     Now
                     answer
                     ,
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Yes
                     ,
                     now
                     I
                     can
                     answer
                     with
                     a
                     fafe
                     Conscience
                     ,
                     as
                     to
                     that
                     point
                     ,
                     all
                     the
                     rest
                     may
                     be
                     Art
                     Magick
                     ;
                     but
                     ,
                     as
                     for
                     the
                     Diamonds
                     ,
                     here
                     they
                     are
                     ,
                     under
                     safe
                     custody
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     Then
                     what
                     are
                     these
                     upon
                     my
                     Arm
                     ?
                  
                   
                     
                       [
                       To
                    
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Flints
                     ,
                     or
                     Pebbles
                     ,
                     or
                     some
                     such
                     Trumpery
                     of
                     enchanted
                     Stones
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     They
                     say
                     the
                     proof
                     of
                     a
                     true
                     Diamond
                     is
                     to
                     glitter
                     in
                     the
                     dark
                     ;
                     I
                     think
                     my
                     Master
                     had
                     best
                     take
                     my
                     Lady
                     into
                     some
                     By-corner
                     ,
                     and
                     try
                     whose
                     Diamond
                     will
                     sparkle
                     best
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Yet
                     now
                     I
                     think
                     on
                     't
                     ,
                     Madam
                     ,
                     did
                     not
                     a
                     certain
                     Friend
                     of
                     mine
                     present
                     'em
                     to
                     you
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     What
                     Friend
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Why
                     another
                     Sosia
                     ;
                     one
                     that
                     made
                     himself
                     Sosia
                     in
                     my
                     despight
                     ,
                     and
                     also
                     unsociated
                     me
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     Sirrah
                     ,
                     leave
                     your
                     nauseous
                     Nonsense
                     :
                     break
                     open
                     the
                     Seal
                     ,
                     and
                     take
                     out
                     the
                     Diamonds
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     More
                     words
                     than
                     one
                     to
                     a
                     Bargain
                     ,
                     Sir
                     ;
                     I
                     thank
                     you
                     :
                     That
                     's
                     no
                     part
                     of
                     prudence
                     for
                     me
                     to
                     commit
                     Burglary
                     upon
                     the
                     Seals
                     :
                     Do
                     you
                     look
                     first
                     upon
                     the
                     Signet
                     ,
                     and
                     tell
                     me
                     in
                     your
                     Conscience
                     ,
                     whether
                     the
                     Seals
                     be
                     not
                     as
                     firm
                     as
                     when
                     you
                     clapt
                     the
                     Wax
                     upon
                     them
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     The
                     Signature
                     is
                     firm
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     Looking
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Then
                     take
                     the
                     Signature
                     into
                     your
                     own
                     custody
                     ,
                     and
                     open
                     it
                     ;
                     for
                     I
                     will
                     have
                     nothing
                     done
                     at
                     my
                     proper
                     peril
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     Giving
                     him
                     the
                     Casket
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     O
                     Heav'ns
                     !
                     Here
                     's
                     nothing
                     ,
                     but
                     an
                     empty
                     space
                     ;
                     the
                     Nest
                     where
                     they
                     were
                     laid
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     Breaking
                     open
                     the
                     Seal
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Then
                     if
                     the
                     Birds
                     are
                     flown
                     ,
                     the
                     Fault
                     's
                     not
                     mine
                     ;
                     here
                     has
                     been
                     fine
                     conjuring
                     work
                     ;
                     or
                     else
                     the
                     Jewel
                     ,
                     knowing
                     to
                     whom
                     it
                     shou'd
                     be
                     given
                     ,
                     took
                     occasion
                     to
                     steal
                     out
                     ,
                     by
                     a
                     natural
                     instinct
                     ,
                     and
                     ty'd
                     it self
                     upon
                     that
                     pretty
                     Arm.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     Can
                     this
                     be
                     possible
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Yes
                     ,
                     very
                     possible
                     :
                     You
                     ,
                     my
                     Lord
                     Amphitryon
                     ,
                     may
                     have
                     brought
                     forth
                     another
                     You
                     my
                     Lord
                     Amphitryon
                     ,
                     as
                     well
                     as
                     
                       I
                       Sosia
                    
                     have
                     brought
                     forth
                     another
                     
                       Me
                       Sosia
                    
                     .
                     and
                     our
                     Diamonds
                     may
                     have
                     procreated
                     these
                     Diamonds
                     ;
                     and
                     so
                     we
                     are
                     all
                     three
                     double
                     ,
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     If
                     this
                     be
                     true
                     ,
                     I
                     hope
                     my
                     Goblet
                     has
                     gigg'd
                     another
                     Golden
                     Goblet
                     :
                     and
                     then
                     they
                     may
                     carry
                     double
                     upon
                     all
                     four
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     Aside
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     My
                     Lord
                     ,
                     I
                     have
                     stood
                     silent
                     ,
                     out
                     of
                     wonder
                  
                   
                     What
                     you
                     cou'd
                     wonder
                     at
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     A
                     chilling
                     Sweat
                     ,
                     a
                     damp
                     of
                     Iealousie
                     ▪
                  
                   
                     [
                     Aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     Hangs
                     on
                     my
                     Brows
                     ,
                     and
                     clams
                     upon
                     my
                     Limbs
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     fear
                     ;
                     and
                     yet
                     I
                     must
                     be
                     satisfied
                     :
                  
                   
                     And
                     ,
                     to
                     be
                     satisfy'd
                     ,
                     I
                     must
                     dissemble
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     Why
                     muse
                     you
                     so
                     ,
                     and
                     murmur
                     to
                     your self
                     ?
                  
                   
                     If
                     you
                     repent
                     your
                     Bounty
                     ,
                     take
                     it
                     back
                     ▪
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     Not
                     so
                     :
                     but
                     ,
                     if
                     you
                     please
                     ,
                     relate
                     what
                     past
                     ,
                  
                   
                     At
                     our
                     last
                     Enterview
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     That
                     Question
                     wou'd
                     infer
                     you
                     were
                     not
                     here
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     say
                     not
                     so
                     ;
                  
                   
                     I
                     only
                     wou'd
                     refresh
                     my
                     memory
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     have
                     my
                     Reasons
                     to
                     desire
                     the
                     Story
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     So
                     :
                     This
                     is
                     as
                     good
                     sport
                     for
                     me
                     as
                     an
                     Examination
                     of
                     a
                     great
                  
                   
                     Belly
                     before
                     a
                     Magistrate
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     The
                     Story
                     is
                     not
                     long
                     :
                     you
                     know
                     I
                     met
                     you
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Kiss'd
                     you
                     ,
                     and
                     prest
                     you
                     close
                     within
                     my
                     Arms
                     ,
                  
                   
                     With
                     all
                     the
                     tenderness
                     of
                     Wively
                     Love.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     cou'd
                     have
                     spar'd
                     that
                     Kindness
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     Aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     And
                     what
                     did
                     I
                     ?
                  
                   
                     [
                     To
                     her
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     You
                     strain'd
                     me
                     with
                     a
                     Mafculine
                     Embrace
                     ;
                  
                   
                     As
                     you
                     wou'd
                     squeeze
                     my
                     Soul
                     out
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     Did
                     I
                     so
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     You
                     did
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     Confound
                     those
                     Arms
                     that
                     were
                     so
                     kind
                     —
                  
                   
                     [
                     Aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     Proceed
                     ,
                     proceed
                     .
                     —
                  
                   
                     [
                     To
                     her
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     You
                     wou'd
                     not
                     stay
                     to
                     sup
                     ;
                     but
                     ,
                     much
                     complaining
                     of
                     your
                     drowsiness
                     ,
                     and
                     want
                     of
                     natural
                     Rest
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     Made
                     haste
                     to
                     Bed
                     :
                     Ha
                     ,
                     was
                     't
                     not
                     so
                     ?
                     Go
                     on
                     —
                  
                   
                     [
                     Aside
                     .
                  
                   
                     And
                     stab
                     me
                     with
                     each
                     Syllable
                     thou
                     speak'st
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     So
                     ,
                     now
                     't
                     is
                     coming
                     ,
                     now
                     't
                     is
                     coming
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     have
                     no
                     more
                     to
                     say
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     Why
                     ,
                     went
                     we
                     not
                     to
                     Bed
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     Why
                     not
                     ?
                  
                   
                     Is
                     it
                     a
                     Crime
                     for
                     Husband
                     and
                     for
                     Wife
                     ▪
                  
                   
                     To
                     go
                     to
                     Bed
                     ,
                     My
                     Lord
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     Perfidious
                     Woman
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     Ungratesul
                     Man
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     She
                     justifies
                     it
                     too
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     need
                     not
                     justifie
                     :
                     Of
                     what
                     am
                     I
                     accus'd
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     Of
                     all
                     that
                     prodigality
                     of
                     Kindness
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Giv'n
                     to
                     another
                     ,
                     and
                     usurp'd
                     from
                     me
                     .
                  
                   
                     So
                     bless
                     me
                     Heav'n
                     ,
                     if
                     since
                     my
                     first
                     departure
                     ,
                  
                   
                     I
                     ever
                     set
                     my
                     foot
                     upon
                     this
                     Threshold
                     .
                  
                   
                     So
                     am
                     I
                     innocent
                     of
                     all
                     those
                     Joys
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     dry
                     of
                     those
                     Embraces
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     Then
                     I
                     ,
                     it
                     seems
                     ,
                     am
                     false
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     As
                     surely
                     false
                     ,
                     as
                     what
                     thou
                     say'st
                     is
                     true
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     have
                     betray'd
                     my
                     Honour
                     ,
                     and
                     my
                     Love
                     ?
                  
                   
                     And
                     am
                     a
                     foul
                     Adultress
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     What
                     thou
                     art
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Thou
                     stand'st
                     condemn'd
                     to
                     be
                     ,
                     by
                     thy
                     Relation
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     Go
                     ,
                     thou
                     unworthy
                     Man
                     ;
                     for
                     ever
                     go
                     :
                  
                   
                     No
                     more
                     my
                     Husband
                     ;
                     go
                     thou
                     base
                     Impostour
                     ;
                  
                   
                     Who
                     tak'st
                     a
                     vile
                     pretence
                     to
                     taint
                     my
                     Fame
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     ,
                     not
                     content
                     to
                     leave
                     ,
                     wouldst
                     ruine
                     me
                     .
                  
                   
                     Enjoy
                     thy
                     wish'd
                     Divorce
                     :
                     I
                     will
                     not
                     plead
                  
                   
                     My
                     Innocence
                     ,
                     of
                     this
                     pretended
                     Crime
                     :
                  
                   
                     I
                     need
                     not
                     ;
                     spet
                     thy
                     Venom
                     ;
                     do
                     thy
                     worst
                     :
                  
                   
                     But
                     know
                     ,
                     the
                     more
                     thou
                     wou'dst
                     expose
                     my
                     Vertue
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Like
                     purest
                     Linen
                     laid
                     in
                     open
                     Air
                     ,
                  
                   
                     'T
                     will
                     bleach
                     the
                     more
                     ,
                     and
                     whiten
                     to
                     the
                     view
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     'T
                     is
                     well
                     thou
                     art
                     prepar'd
                     for
                     thy
                     Divorce
                     :
                  
                   
                     For
                     ,
                     know
                     thou
                     too
                     ,
                     that
                     after
                     this
                     Affront
                     ,
                  
                   
                     This
                     foul
                     Indignity
                     ,
                     done
                     to
                     my
                     Honour
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Divorcement
                     is
                     but
                     petty
                     Reparation
                     :
                  
                   
                     But
                     ,
                     since
                     thou
                     hast
                     ,
                     with
                     Impudence
                     affirm'd
                  
                   
                     My
                     false
                     Return
                     ,
                     and
                     brib'd
                     my
                     Slaves
                     to
                     vouch
                     it
                     ,
                  
                   
                     The
                     Truth
                     shall
                     ,
                     in
                     the
                     face
                     of
                     Thebes
                     be
                     clear'd
                     ;
                  
                   
                     Thy
                     Unkle
                     ,
                     the
                     Companion
                     of
                     my
                     Voyage
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     all
                     the
                     Crew
                     of
                     Sea-men
                     ,
                     shall
                     be
                     brought
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Who
                     were
                     embark'd
                     ,
                     and
                     came
                     with
                     me
                     to
                     Land
                     ;
                  
                   
                     Nor
                     parted
                     ,
                     till
                     I
                     reach'd
                     this
                     cursed
                     Door
                     :
                  
                   
                     So
                     shall
                     this
                     Vision
                     of
                     my
                     late
                     Return
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Stand
                     a
                     detected
                     ●ye
                     ;
                     and
                     woe
                     to
                     those
                  
                   
                     Who
                     thus
                     betray'd
                     my
                     Honour
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Sir
                     ,
                     Shall
                     I
                     wait
                     on
                     you
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Amph.
                     
                  
                   
                     No
                     ,
                     I
                     will
                     go
                     alone
                     :
                     Expect
                     me
                     here
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     [
                     Exit
                  
                   Amphitryon
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     Please
                     you
                     —
                     that
                     I
                     —
                  
                   
                     
                       [
                       To
                    
                     Alcmena
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Alcm.
                     
                  
                   
                     Oh!
                     Nothing
                     now
                     can
                     please
                     me
                     :
                  
                   
                     Darkness
                     ,
                     and
                     Solitude
                     ,
                     and
                     Sighs
                     ,
                     and
                     Tears
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     all
                     th'inseparable
                     Train
                     of
                     Grief
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Attend
                     my
                     Steps
                     for
                     ever
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     [
                     Exit
                  
                   Alcmena
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     What
                     if
                     I
                     shou'd
                     lye
                     now
                     ,
                     and
                     say
                     we
                     have
                     been
                     here
                     before
                     ?
                     I
                     never
                     saw
                     any
                     good
                     that
                     came
                     of
                     telling
                     truth
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     Aside
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     He
                     makes
                     no
                     more
                     Advances
                     to
                     me
                     :
                     I
                     begin
                     a
                     little
                     to
                     suspect
                     ,
                     that
                     my
                     Gold
                     Goblet
                     will
                     prove
                     but
                     Copper
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     Aside
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Yes
                     ,
                     't
                     is
                     resolv'd
                     ,
                     I
                     will
                     lye
                     abominably
                     ,
                     against
                     the
                     Light
                     of
                     my
                     own
                     Conscience
                     .
                     For
                     suppose
                     the
                     tother
                     Sosia
                     has
                     been
                     here
                     :
                     perhaps
                     that
                     strong
                     Dog
                     has
                     not
                     only
                     beaten
                     me
                     ,
                     but
                     also
                     has
                     been
                     predominant
                     upon
                     my
                     Wife
                     ,
                     and
                     most
                     carnally
                     misus'd
                     her
                     !
                     Now
                     ,
                     by
                     asking
                     certain
                     Questions
                     of
                     her
                     ,
                     with
                     a
                     Side-Wind
                     ,
                     I
                     may
                     come
                     to
                     understand
                     how
                     Squares
                     go
                     ;
                     and
                     whether
                     my
                     Nuptial
                     Bed
                     be
                     violated
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     Aside
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     Most
                     certainly
                     he
                     has
                     learn'd
                     Impudence
                     of
                     his
                     Master
                     ;
                     and
                     will
                     deny
                     his
                     being
                     here
                     :
                     but
                     that
                     shall
                     not
                     serve
                     his
                     turn
                     ,
                     to
                     cheat
                     me
                     of
                     my
                     Present
                     !
                     —
                     
                       [
                       Aside
                       .
                    
                     Why
                     Sosia
                     !
                     What
                     ,
                     in
                     a
                     brown
                     Study
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     A
                     little
                     cogitabund
                     ,
                     or
                     so
                     ;
                     concerning
                     this
                     dismal
                     Revolution
                     in
                     our
                     Family
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     But
                     that
                     shou'd
                     not
                     make
                     you
                     neglect
                     your
                     duty
                     to
                     me
                     ,
                     your
                     Mistress
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Pretty
                     Soul
                     ;
                     I
                     wou'd
                     thou
                     wert
                     :
                     upon
                     condition
                     that
                     old
                     Bromia
                     were
                     six
                     Foot
                     under
                     ground
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     What!
                     Is
                     all
                     your
                     hot
                     Courtship
                     to
                     me
                     ,
                     dwindl'd
                     into
                     a
                     poor
                     unprofitable
                     Wish
                     ?
                     You
                     may
                     remember
                     ,
                     I
                     did
                     not
                     bid
                     you
                     absolutely
                     despair
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     No
                     ;
                     for
                     all
                     things
                     yet
                     may
                     be
                     accommodated
                     ,
                     in
                     an
                     amicable
                     manner
                     ,
                     betwixt
                     my
                     Master
                     and
                     my
                     Lady
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     mean
                     ,
                     to
                     the
                     Business
                     ,
                     betwixt
                     you
                     and
                     me
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Why
                     ,
                     I
                     hope
                     we
                     two
                     never
                     quarrell'd
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Must
                     I
                     remember
                     you
                     of
                     a
                     certain
                     Promise
                     that
                     you
                     made
                     me
                     at
                     our
                     last
                     parting
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Oh
                     ,
                     when
                     I
                     went
                     to
                     the
                     Army
                     :
                     that
                     I
                     shou'd
                     still
                     be
                     praising
                     thy
                     Beauty
                     to
                     Judge
                     Gripus
                     ,
                     and
                     keep
                     up
                     his
                     Affections
                     to
                     thee
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     No
                     ,
                     I
                     mean
                     the
                     Business
                     betwixt
                     you
                     and
                     me
                     this
                     Morning
                     —
                     :
                     that
                     you
                     promis'd
                     me
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     That
                     I
                     promis'd
                     thee
                     .
                     —
                     I
                     find
                     it
                     now
                     :
                     That
                     strong
                     Dog
                     ,
                     my
                     Brother
                     Sosia
                     ,
                     has
                     been
                     here
                     before
                     me
                     ,
                     and
                     made
                     Love
                     to
                     her
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     Aside
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     You
                     are
                     considering
                     ,
                     whether
                     or
                     no
                     ,
                     you
                     should
                     keep
                     your
                     Promise
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     That
                     I
                     shou'd
                     keep
                     my
                     Promise
                     .
                     —
                     The
                     truth
                     on
                     't
                     is
                     ,
                     she
                     's
                     anotherghess
                     Morsel
                     than
                     old
                     Bromia
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     Aside
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     And
                     I
                     had
                     rather
                     you
                     should
                     break
                     it
                     ,
                     in
                     a
                     manner
                     ,
                     and
                     ,
                     as
                     it
                     were
                     ,
                     and
                     in
                     some
                     Sense
                     .
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     In
                     a
                     manner
                     ,
                     and
                     as
                     it
                     were
                     ,
                     and
                     in
                     some
                     Sense
                     ,
                     thou
                     say'st
                     ?
                     —
                     I
                     find
                     ,
                     the
                     strong
                     Dog
                     has
                     only
                     tickl'd
                     up
                     her
                     Imagination
                     ,
                     and
                     not
                     enjoy'd
                     her
                     :
                     so
                     that
                     with
                     my
                     own
                     Limbs
                     ,
                     I
                     may
                     perform
                     the
                     sweetness
                     of
                     his
                     Function
                     with
                     her
                     .
                     
                       [
                       Aside
                       .
                    
                     No
                     ,
                     sweet
                     Creature
                     ,
                     the
                     Promise
                     shall
                     not
                     be
                     broken
                     ;
                     but
                     what
                     I
                     have
                     undertaken
                     ,
                     I
                     will
                     perform
                     like
                     a
                     Man
                     of
                     Honour
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     To
                     her
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Then
                     ,
                     you
                     remember
                     the
                     Preliminaries
                     of
                     the
                     Present
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Yes
                     ,
                     yes
                     ,
                     in
                     gross
                     I
                     do
                     remember
                     ,
                     something
                     ;
                     but
                     this
                     disturbance
                     of
                     the
                     Family
                     ,
                     has
                     somewhat
                     stupify'd
                     my
                     Memory
                     :
                     Some
                     pretty
                     Quelque
                     chose
                     ,
                     I
                     warrant
                     thee
                     ;
                     some
                     acceptable
                     Toy
                     ,
                     of
                     small
                     value
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     You
                     may
                     call
                     a
                     Gold
                     Goblet
                     ,
                     a
                     Toy
                     :
                     But
                     I
                     put
                     a
                     greater
                     value
                     upon
                     your
                     Presents
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     A
                     Gold
                     Goblet
                     ,
                     say'st
                     thou
                     !
                     Yes
                     ,
                     now
                     I
                     think
                     on
                     't
                     ,
                     it
                     was
                     a
                     kind
                     of
                     a
                     Gold
                     Goblet
                     ;
                     as
                     a
                     Gratuity
                     after
                     Consummation
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     No
                     ,
                     no
                     ;
                     I
                     had
                     rather
                     make
                     sure
                     of
                     one
                     Bribe
                     before
                     hand
                     ,
                     than
                     be
                     promis'd
                     ten
                     Gratuities
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Yes
                     ,
                     now
                     I
                     remember
                     ,
                     it
                     was
                     ,
                     in
                     some
                     Sense
                     ,
                     a
                     Gold
                     Goblet
                     ,
                     by
                     way
                     of
                     Earnest
                     ;
                     and
                     it
                     contain'd
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     One
                     large
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     How
                     ,
                     one
                     large
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Gallon
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     No
                     ;
                     that
                     was
                     somewhat
                     too
                     large
                     ,
                     in
                     Conscience
                     :
                     It
                     was
                     not
                     a
                     whole
                     Gallon
                     ;
                     but
                     it
                     may
                     contain
                     ,
                     reasonably
                     speaking
                     ,
                     one
                     large
                     —
                     Thimble-full
                     :
                     
                     But
                     Gallons
                     and
                     Thimble-fulls
                     are
                     so
                     like
                     ,
                     that
                     in
                     speaking
                     ,
                     I
                     might
                     easily
                     mistake
                     them
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Is
                     it
                     come
                     to
                     this
                     ?
                     Out
                     Traytor
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     had
                     been
                     a
                     Traytor
                     ,
                     indeed
                     ,
                     to
                     have
                     betray'd
                     thee
                     to
                     the
                     swallowing
                     of
                     a
                     Gallon
                     :
                     but
                     a
                     Thimblefull
                     of
                     Cordial-water
                     ,
                     is
                     easily
                     sipt
                     off
                     :
                     and
                     then
                     ,
                     this
                     same
                     Goblet
                     ,
                     is
                     so
                     very
                     light
                     too
                     ,
                     that
                     it
                     will
                     be
                     no
                     Burthen
                     ,
                     to
                     carry
                     it
                     about
                     with
                     thee
                     ,
                     in
                     thy
                     Pocket
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     O
                     Apostate
                     to
                     thy
                     Love
                     !
                     O
                     perjur'd
                     Villain
                     !
                     
                       
                         [
                         Enter
                      
                       Bromia
                       .
                    
                     What
                     ,
                     are
                     you
                     here
                     ,
                     Bromia
                     !
                     I
                     was
                     telling
                     him
                     his
                     own
                     :
                     I
                     was
                     giving
                     him
                     a
                     Rattle
                     for
                     his
                     Treacheries
                     to
                     you
                     ,
                     his
                     Love
                     :
                     You
                     see
                     I
                     can
                     be
                     a
                     Friend
                     ,
                     upon
                     occasion
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     Ay
                     ,
                     Chicken
                     ,
                     I
                     never
                     doubted
                     of
                     thy
                     Kindness
                     :
                     but
                     ,
                     for
                     this
                     Fugitive
                     ▪
                     —
                     this
                     Rebel
                     ,
                     —
                     this
                     Miscreant
                     .
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     A
                     kind
                     Welcome
                     ,
                     to
                     an
                     absent
                     Lover
                     ,
                     as
                     I
                     have
                     been
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     Ay
                     ;
                     and
                     a
                     kind
                     Greeting
                     you
                     gave
                     me
                     ,
                     at
                     your
                     Return
                     ;
                     when
                     you
                     us'd
                     me
                     so
                     barbarously
                     ,
                     this
                     Morning
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     The
                     t'other
                     Sosia
                     has
                     been
                     with
                     her
                     too
                     :
                     and
                     has
                     us'd
                     her
                     barbarously
                     :
                     barbarously
                     ,
                     that
                     is
                     to
                     say
                     ,
                     uncivilly
                     :
                     and
                     uncivilly
                     ;
                     I
                     am
                     afraid
                     that
                     means
                     ,
                     too
                     civilly
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     Aside
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     You
                     had
                     best
                     deny
                     you
                     were
                     here
                     this
                     Morning
                     !
                     And
                     by
                     the
                     same
                     Token
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Nay
                     ,
                     no
                     more
                     Tokens
                     ,
                     for
                     Heaven's
                     sake
                     ,
                     dear
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     Now
                     must
                     I
                     ponder
                     with
                     my self
                     a
                     little
                     ,
                     whether
                     it
                     be
                     better
                     for
                     me
                     ,
                     to
                     have
                     been
                     here
                     ,
                     or
                     not
                     to
                     have
                     been
                     here
                     ,
                     this
                     Morning
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     Aside
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   Enter
                   a
                   Servant
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Servant
                     .
                  
                   
                     Phaedra
                     ,
                     My
                     Lord
                     's
                     without
                     ;
                     and
                     will
                     not
                     enter
                     till
                     he
                     has
                     first
                     spoken
                     with
                     you
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   [
                   Exit
                   Servant
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed
                     
                  
                   
                     Oh
                     that
                     I
                     could
                     stay
                     to
                     help
                     worry
                     thee
                     for
                     this
                     Abuse
                     :
                     
                       To
                       him
                       in
                       private
                       .
                    
                     but
                     the
                     best
                     on
                     't
                     is
                     ,
                     I
                     leave
                     thee
                     in
                     good
                     hands
                     —
                     Farewell
                     Thimble
                     .
                     —
                     To
                     him
                     ,
                     Bromia
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     [
                     Exit
                  
                   Phaedra
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     No
                     ;
                     you
                     did
                     not
                     beat
                     me
                     ,
                     and
                     put
                     me
                     into
                     a
                     Swound
                     ,
                     and
                     deprive
                     me
                     of
                     the
                     natural
                     use
                     of
                     my
                     Tongue
                     for
                     a
                     long
                     Half-hour
                     :
                     You
                     did
                     not
                     beat
                     me
                     down
                     ,
                     with
                     your
                     little
                     Wand
                     :
                     But
                     I
                     shall
                     teach
                     you
                     to
                     use
                     your
                     Rod
                     another
                     time
                     —
                     I
                     shall
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Put
                     her
                     into
                     a
                     Swound
                     ,
                     with
                     my
                     little
                     Wand
                     ,
                     and
                     so
                     forth
                     :
                     That
                     's
                     more
                     than
                     ever
                     I
                     cou'd
                     do
                     .
                     These
                     are
                     terrible
                     Circumstances
                     that
                     some
                     Sosia
                     or
                     another
                     ,
                     has
                     been
                     here
                     :
                     Now
                     ,
                     if
                     he
                     has
                     literally
                     beaten
                     her
                     ,
                     Grammercy
                     ,
                     Brother
                     Sosia
                     ;
                     he
                     has
                     but
                     done
                     ,
                     what
                     I
                     wou'd
                     have
                     done
                     ,
                     if
                     I
                     had
                     durst
                     :
                     But
                     I
                     am
                     afraid
                     it
                     was
                     only
                     a
                     damn'd
                     Love-figure
                     ;
                     and
                     that
                     the
                     Wand
                     that
                     lay'd
                     her
                     asleep
                     ,
                     might
                     signifie
                     the
                     Peace-maker
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     Aside
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     Now
                     you
                     are
                     snuffling
                     upon
                     a
                     cold
                     Scent
                     ,
                     for
                     some
                     pitiful
                     Excuse
                     :
                     I
                     know
                     you
                     :
                     twenty
                     to
                     one
                     ,
                     but
                     you
                     will
                     plead
                     a
                     Drunkenness
                     :
                     You
                     are
                     usd
                     to
                     be
                     pot-valiant
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     was
                     pumping
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     thank
                     her
                     ,
                     she
                     has
                     invented
                     for
                     me
                     .
                     —
                     Yes
                     ▪
                     Bromia
                     ,
                     I
                     must
                     confess
                     I
                     was
                     exalted
                     :
                     and
                     ,
                     possibly
                     ,
                     I
                     might
                     scoure
                     upon
                     thee
                     ,
                     or
                     perhaps
                     be
                     a
                     little
                     more
                     familiar
                     with
                     thy
                     person
                     ,
                     by
                     the
                     way
                     of
                     Kindness
                     ,
                     than
                     if
                     I
                     had
                     been
                     sober
                     ;
                     but
                     ,
                     prithee
                     ,
                     inform
                     me
                     what
                     I
                     did
                     ;
                     that
                     I
                     may
                     consider
                     what
                     satisfaction
                     I
                     am
                     to
                     make
                     thee
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Bromia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Are
                     you
                     there
                     ,
                     at
                     your
                     Dog-tricks
                     !
                     You
                     wou'd
                     be
                     forgetting
                     ,
                     wou'd
                     you
                     ?
                     like
                     a
                     drunken
                     Bully
                     that
                     affronts
                     over-night
                     ,
                     and
                     ,
                     when
                     he
                     is
                     call'd
                     to
                     account
                     ,
                     the
                     next
                     Morning
                     ,
                     remembers
                     nothing
                     of
                     the
                     Quarrel
                     ;
                     and
                     asks
                     pardon
                     ,
                     to
                     avoid
                     fighting
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     By
                     Bacchus
                     ,
                     I
                     was
                     overtaken
                     ;
                     but
                     I
                     shou'd
                     be
                     loth
                     that
                     I
                     committed
                     any
                     folly
                     with
                     thee
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Bromia
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     am
                     sure
                     ,
                     I
                     kept
                     my self
                     awake
                     all
                     night
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     did
                     ,
                     in
                     expectation
                     of
                     your
                     coming
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     Crying
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     But
                     what
                     amends
                     did
                     I
                     make
                     thee
                     ,
                     when
                     I
                     came
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Bromia
                     .
                  
                   
                     You
                     know
                     well
                     enough
                     ,
                     to
                     my
                     sorrow
                     ;
                     but
                     that
                     you
                     play
                     the
                     Hypocrite
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     warrant
                     ,
                     I
                     was
                     monstrous
                     kind
                     to
                     thee
                     .
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     Yes
                     ,
                     monstrous
                     kind
                     indeed
                     :
                     You
                     never
                     said
                     a
                     truer
                     word
                     :
                     for
                     ,
                     when
                     I
                     came
                     to
                     kiss
                     you
                     ,
                     you
                     pull'd
                     away
                     your
                     Mouth
                     ,
                     and
                     turn'd
                     your
                     Cheek
                     to
                     me
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Good.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     How
                     ,
                     Good
                     !
                     Here
                     's
                     fine
                     Impudence
                     :
                     He
                     justifies
                     !
                     —
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Yes
                     ,
                     I
                     do
                     justifie
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     turn'd
                     my
                     Cheek
                     ,
                     like
                     a
                     prudent
                     person
                     ,
                     that
                     my
                     Breath
                     might
                     not
                     offend
                     thee
                     :
                     for
                     ,
                     now
                     I
                     remember
                     ,
                     I
                     had
                     eaten
                     Garlick
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     Ay
                     ,
                     you
                     remember
                     ,
                     and
                     forget
                     ,
                     just
                     as
                     it
                     makes
                     for
                     you
                     ,
                     or
                     against
                     you
                     :
                     but
                     ,
                     to
                     mend
                     the
                     matter
                     ,
                     you
                     never
                     spoke
                     one
                     civil
                     word
                     to
                     me
                     :
                     but
                     stood
                     like
                     a
                     stock
                     ,
                     without
                     sense
                     or
                     motion
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Yet
                     better
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     Aside
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     After
                     which
                     ,
                     I
                     lovingly
                     invited
                     you
                     to
                     take
                     your
                     place
                     in
                     your
                     Nuptial
                     Bed
                     ,
                     as
                     the
                     Laws
                     of
                     Matrimony
                     oblige
                     you
                     :
                     and
                     you
                     inhumanly
                     refus'd
                     me
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Ay
                     ,
                     there
                     's
                     the
                     main
                     point
                     of
                     the
                     Business
                     !
                     Art
                     thou
                     morally
                     certain
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     refus'd
                     thee
                     :
                     Look
                     me
                     now
                     in
                     the
                     sace
                     ,
                     and
                     say
                     I
                     did
                     not
                     commit
                     Matrimony
                     with
                     thee
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     wonder
                     how
                     thou
                     canst
                     look
                     me
                     in
                     the
                     face
                     ,
                     after
                     that
                     refusal
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Say
                     it
                     once
                     again
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     did
                     not
                     feloniously
                     come
                     to
                     Bed
                     to
                     thee
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     No
                     ,
                     thou
                     cold
                     Traytor
                     ,
                     thou
                     know'st
                     thou
                     didst
                     not
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Best
                     of
                     all
                     ;
                     't
                     was
                     discreetly
                     done
                     of
                     me
                     to
                     abstain
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     What
                     do
                     you
                     insult
                     upon
                     me
                     too
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     No
                     ,
                     I
                     do
                     not
                     insult
                     upon
                     you
                     ;
                     —
                     but
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     But
                     what
                     ?
                     How
                     was
                     it
                     discreetly
                     done
                     then
                     ?
                     Ha!
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Because
                     it
                     is
                     the
                     receiv'd
                     Opinion
                     of
                     Physicians
                     ,
                     that
                     nothing
                     but
                     puling
                     Chitts
                     ,
                     and
                     Booby-Fools
                     ,
                     are
                     procreated
                     in
                     Drunkenness
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     A
                     receiv'd
                     Opinion
                     ,
                     Snivel-guts
                     !
                     I
                     'll
                     be
                     judg'd
                     by
                     all
                     the
                     marry'd
                     Women
                     of
                     this
                     Town
                     ,
                     if
                     any
                     one
                     of
                     'em
                     has
                     receiv'd
                     it
                     :
                     The
                     Devil
                     take
                     the
                     Physicians
                     ,
                     for
                     medling
                     in
                     our
                     Matters
                     :
                     If
                     a
                     Husband
                     will
                     be
                     rul'd
                     by
                     them
                     ,
                     there
                     are
                     five
                     weeks
                     of
                     Abstinence
                     in
                     Dog-days
                     too
                     ;
                     for
                     fear
                     a
                     Child
                     that
                     was
                     
                     got
                     in
                     August
                     ,
                     should
                     be
                     born
                     just
                     nine
                     Months
                     after
                     ,
                     and
                     be
                     blear-ey'd
                     ,
                     like
                     a
                     
                     May-Kitten
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Let
                     the
                     Physicians
                     alone
                     ;
                     they
                     are
                     honest
                     Men
                     ,
                     whatever
                     the
                     World
                     says
                     of
                     '
                     em
                     .
                     But
                     ,
                     for
                     a
                     certain
                     reason
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     best
                     know
                     ,
                     I
                     am
                     glad
                     that
                     Matter
                     ended
                     so
                     fairly
                     and
                     peaceably
                     betwixt
                     us
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     Yes
                     't
                     was
                     very
                     fair
                     and
                     peaceable
                     :
                     to
                     strike
                     a
                     Woman
                     down
                     ,
                     and
                     beat
                     her
                     most
                     outrageously
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Is
                     it
                     possible
                     that
                     I
                     drubb'd
                     thee
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     find
                     your
                     drift
                     :
                     You
                     wou'd
                     fain
                     be
                     provoking
                     me
                     to
                     a
                     new
                     Trial
                     now
                     :
                     but
                     ,
                     i'faith
                     ,
                     you
                     shall
                     bring
                     me
                     to
                     no
                     more
                     handy-blows
                     :
                     I
                     shall
                     make
                     bold
                     to
                     trust
                     to
                     my
                     Tongue
                     hereafter
                     :
                     You
                     never
                     durst
                     have
                     offer'd
                     to
                     hold
                     up
                     a
                     finger
                     against
                     me
                     ,
                     till
                     you
                     went
                     a
                     Trooping
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Then
                     I
                     am
                     a
                     Conqueror
                     :
                     and
                     I
                     laud
                     my
                     own
                     Courage
                     :
                     This
                     Renown
                     I
                     have
                     atchiev'd
                     by
                     Souldiership
                     and
                     Stratagem
                     .
                     Know
                     your
                     Duty
                     ,
                     Spouse
                     ,
                     hencesorward
                     to
                     your
                     supream
                     Commander
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     Strutting
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   Enter
                   Jupiter
                   and
                   Phaedra
                   ,
                   
                     attended
                     by
                     Musicians
                     and
                     Dancers
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Phaedra
                     .
                  
                   
                     Indeed
                     I
                     wondred
                     at
                     your
                     quick
                     return
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Ev'n
                     so
                     Almighty
                     Love
                     will
                     have
                     it
                     ,
                     Phaedra
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     the
                     stern
                     Goddess
                     of
                     sweet-bitter
                     Cares
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Who
                     bows
                     our
                     Necks
                     beneath
                     her
                     brazen
                     Yoke
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     wou'd
                     have
                     mann'd
                     my
                     heart
                     ,
                     and
                     held
                     it
                     out
                     ;
                  
                   
                     But
                     ,
                     when
                     I
                     thought
                     of
                     what
                     I
                     had
                     possest
                     ;
                  
                   
                     Those
                     joys
                     ,
                     that
                     never
                     end
                     ,
                     but
                     to
                     begin
                     ,
                  
                   
                     O
                     ,
                     I
                     am
                     all
                     on
                     fire
                     to
                     make
                     my
                     peace
                     :
                  
                   
                     And
                     die
                     ,
                     Jove
                     knows
                     ,
                     as
                     much
                     as
                     I
                     can
                     die
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Till
                     I
                     am
                     reconcil'd
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     fear
                     't
                     will
                     be
                     in
                     vain
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     'T
                     is
                     difficult
                     :
                  
                   
                     But
                     nothing
                     is
                     impossible
                     to
                     Love
                     :
                  
                   
                     To
                     Love
                     like
                     mine
                     ;
                     for
                     I
                     have
                     prov'd
                     his
                     force
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     my
                     Alcmena
                     too
                     has
                     felt
                     his
                     Dart.
                  
                   
                     If
                     I
                     submit
                     ,
                     there
                     's
                     hope
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     'T
                     is
                     possible
                     I
                     may
                     sollicit
                     for
                     you
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     But
                     wilt
                     thou
                     promise
                     me
                     to
                     do
                     thy
                     host
                     ?
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Nay
                     I
                     promise
                     nothing
                     —
                     unless
                     you
                     begin
                  
                   
                     To
                     promise
                     first
                     .
                     —
                  
                   
                     [
                     Curt'sying
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     I
                     wou'not
                     be
                     ungrateful
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Well
                     ;
                     I
                     'll
                     try
                     to
                     bring
                     her
                     to
                     the
                     Window
                     :
                     You
                     shall
                     have
                     a
                     fair
                     shoot
                     at
                     her
                     :
                     if
                     you
                     can
                     bring
                     her
                     down
                     ,
                     you
                     are
                     a
                     good
                     Markes-man
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     That
                     's
                     all
                     I
                     ask
                     :
                  
                   
                     And
                     I
                     will
                     so
                     reward
                     thee
                     ,
                     Gentle
                     
                       Phaedra
                       .
                    
                     —
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     What
                     ,
                     with
                     Cats-guts
                     and
                     Rosin
                     !
                     This
                     Sol-la
                     ;
                     is
                     but
                     a
                     lamentable
                     ,
                     empty
                     ,
                     sound
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Then
                     there
                     's
                     a
                     sound
                     will
                     please
                     thee
                     better
                     .
                  
                   
                     [
                     Throwing
                     her
                     a
                     Purse
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Phaed.
                     
                  
                   
                     Ay
                     ,
                     there
                     's
                     something
                     of
                     Melody
                     in
                     this
                     sound
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     cou'd
                     dance
                     all
                     day
                     ,
                     to
                     the
                     Musick
                     of
                     
                       Chink
                       ▪
                       Chink
                    
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     [
                     Exit
                  
                   Phaedra
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Go
                     Sosia
                     round
                     our
                     Thebes
                     ,
                  
                   
                     To
                     Polydas
                     ,
                     to
                     Tranio
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     Gripus
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Companions
                     of
                     our
                     War
                     ;
                     invite
                     'em
                     all
                     ,
                  
                   
                     To
                     joyn
                     their
                     Pray'rs
                     to
                     smooth
                     
                     Alomena's
                     Brow
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     ,
                     with
                     a
                     solemn
                     Feast
                     ,
                     to
                     crown
                     the
                     day
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       (
                       Taking
                    
                     Jupiter
                     
                       about
                       the
                       Knees
                       .
                    
                     )
                  
                   
                     Let
                     me
                     embrace
                     you
                     ,
                     Sir.
                     —
                  
                   
                     [
                     Jupiter
                     
                       pushes
                       him
                       away
                    
                     .
                  
                   
                     Nay
                     ,
                     you
                     must
                     give
                     me
                     leave
                     to
                     express
                     my
                     Gratitude
                     ;
                     I
                     have
                     not
                     eaten
                     ,
                     to
                     say
                     eating
                     ,
                     nor
                     drunk
                     ,
                     to
                     say
                     drinking
                     ,
                     never
                     since
                     our
                     villanous
                     encamping
                     so
                     near
                     the
                     Enemy
                     :
                     'T
                     is
                     true
                     ,
                     I
                     scap'd
                     the
                     bloody-Flux
                     ,
                     because
                     I
                     bad
                     so
                     little
                     in
                     my
                     Bowels
                     to
                     come
                     out
                     ▪
                     and
                     I
                     durst
                     let
                     nothing
                     go
                     ,
                     in
                     Conscience
                     ,
                     because
                     I
                     had
                     nothing
                     to
                     swallow
                     in
                     the
                     room
                     on
                     't
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     You
                     ,
                     Bromia
                     ,
                     see
                     that
                     all
                     things
                     be
                     prepar'd
                     ,
                  
                   
                     With
                     that
                     Magnisicence
                     ,
                     as
                     if
                     some
                     God
                  
                   
                     Were
                     Guest
                     ,
                     or
                     Master
                     here
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Or
                     rather
                     ,
                     as
                     much
                     ,
                     as
                     if
                     twenty
                     Gods
                     were
                     to
                     be
                     Guests
                     ,
                     or
                     Masters
                     here
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Brom.
                     
                  
                   
                     That
                     you
                     may
                     eat
                     for
                     to
                     day
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     morrow
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Sosia
                     .
                  
                   
                     Or
                     ,
                     rather
                     again
                     ,
                     for
                     to
                     day
                     and
                     yesterday
                     ;
                     and
                     as
                     many
                     Months
                     backwards
                     ,
                     as
                     I
                     am
                     indebted
                     to
                     my
                     own
                     Belly
                     ▪
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Away
                     both
                     of
                     you
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     [
                     Exeunt
                  
                   Sosia
                   and
                   Bromia
                   severally
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Now
                     I
                     have
                     pack'd
                     him
                     hence
                     ;
                     thou
                     ,
                     other
                     Sosia
                     ,
                  
                   
                     (
                     Who
                     ,
                     tho'
                     thou
                     art
                     not
                     present
                     ,
                     hear'st
                     my
                     voice
                     ,
                     )
                  
                   
                     Be
                     ready
                     to
                     attend
                     me
                     at
                     my
                     Call
                     ;
                  
                   
                     And
                     to
                     supply
                     his
                     place
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     [
                     Enter
                  
                   Mercury
                   to
                   Jupiter
                   .
                
                 
                   Alcmena
                   and
                   Phaedra
                   
                     appear
                     above
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   Jupiter
                   seeing
                   Alcmena
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     See
                     ,
                     she
                     appears
                     :
                  
                   
                     This
                     is
                     my
                     Bribe
                     to
                     Phaedra
                     ;
                     when
                     I
                     made
                  
                   
                     This
                     Gold
                     ,
                     I
                     made
                     a
                     greater
                     God
                     than
                     Jove
                     ,
                  
                   
                     And
                     gave
                     my
                     own
                     Omnipotence
                     away
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   Jupiter
                   
                     signs
                     to
                     the
                     Musicians
                     ;
                     Song
                     and
                     Dance
                     :
                     after
                     which
                     ,
                  
                   Alcmena
                   
                     withdraws
                     ,
                     frowning
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     
                       
                         
                           SONG
                           .
                        
                         
                           
                             I.
                             
                          
                           
                             CElia
                             ,
                             
                               that
                               I
                               once
                               was
                               blest
                            
                          
                           
                             
                               Is
                               now
                               the
                               Torment
                               of
                               my
                               Brest
                            
                             ;
                          
                           
                             
                               Since
                               to
                               curse
                               me
                               ,
                               you
                               bereave
                               me
                            
                          
                           
                             
                               Of
                               the
                               Pleasures
                               I
                               possest
                            
                             :
                          
                           
                             
                               Cruel
                               Creature
                               ,
                               to
                               deceive
                               me
                               !
                            
                          
                           
                             
                               First
                               to
                               love
                               ,
                               and
                               then
                               to
                               leave
                               me
                               !
                            
                          
                        
                         
                           
                           
                             II.
                             
                          
                           
                             Had
                             you
                             the
                             Bliss
                             refus'd
                             to
                             grant
                             ,
                          
                           
                             Then
                             I
                             had
                             never
                             known
                             the
                             want
                             :
                          
                           
                             But
                             possessing
                             once
                             the
                             Blessing
                             ,
                          
                           
                             Is
                             the
                             Cause
                             of
                             my
                             Complaint
                             :
                          
                           
                             Once
                             possessing
                             is
                             but
                             tasting
                             ;
                          
                           
                             'T
                             is
                             no
                             Bliss
                             that
                             is
                             not
                             lasting
                             .
                          
                        
                         
                           
                             III.
                             
                          
                           
                             Celia
                             
                               now
                               is
                               mine
                               no
                               more
                            
                             ;
                          
                           
                             
                               But
                               I
                               am
                               hers
                               ;
                               and
                               must
                               adore
                               :
                            
                          
                           
                             
                               Nor
                               to
                               leave
                               her
                               will
                               endeavour
                            
                             ;
                          
                           
                             
                               Charms
                               ,
                               that
                               captiv'd
                               me
                               before
                               ,
                            
                          
                           
                             
                               No
                               unkindness
                               can
                               dissever
                            
                             ;
                          
                           
                             
                               Love
                               that
                               's
                               true
                               ,
                               is
                               Love
                               for
                               ever
                               .
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     O
                     stay
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Merc.
                     
                  
                   
                     She
                     's
                     gone
                     ;
                     and
                     seem'd
                     to
                     srown
                     at
                     parting
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Jup.
                     
                  
                   
                     Follow
                     ,
                     and
                     thou
                     shalt
                     see
                     her
                     soon
                     appeas'd
                     :
                  
                   
                     For
                     I
                     ,
                     who
                     made
                     her
                     ,
                     know
                     her
                     inward
                     state
                     ;
                  
                   
                     No
                     Woman
                     ,
                     once
                     well
                     pleas'd
                     ,
                     can
                     throughly
                     hate
                     :
                  
                   
                     I
                     gave
                     'em
                     Beauty
                     ,
                     to
                     subdue
                     the
                     strong
                     :
                  
                   
                     (
                     A
                     mighty
                     Empire
                     ,
                     but
                     it
                     lasts
                     not
                     long
                     :
                     )
                  
                   
                     I
                     gave
                     'em
                     Pride
                     to
                     make
                     Mankind
                     their
                     Slave
                     ;
                  
                   
                     But
                     ,
                     in
                     exchange
                     ,
                     to
                     Men
                     I
                     Flattery
                     gave
                     :
                  
                   
                     Th'
                     offending
                     Lover
                     ,
                     when
                     he
                     lowest
                     lies
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Submits
                     ,
                     to
                     conquer
                     ;
                     and
                     but
                     kneels
                     ,
                     to
                     rise
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 The
                 End
                 of
                 the
                 Third
                 Act.
                 
              
            
             
               
               
                 The
                 FOURTH
                 ACT.
                 
              
               
                 Jupiter
                 following
                 Alcmena
                 ;
                 Mercury
                 and
                 Phaedra
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Jupiter
                   .
                
                 
                   O
                   Stay
                   ,
                   my
                   dear
                   Alcmena
                   ,
                   hear
                   me
                   speak
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   No
                   ,
                   I
                   wou'd
                   fly
                   thee
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   ridge
                   of
                   earth
                   ,
                
                 
                   And
                   leap
                   the
                   Precipice
                   ,
                   to
                   scape
                   thy
                   sight
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Jup.
                   
                
                 
                   For
                   pity
                   —
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   Leave
                   me
                   ,
                   thou
                   ungrateful
                   Man.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Jup.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   cannot
                   leave
                   you
                   :
                   no
                   ;
                   but
                   like
                   a
                   Ghost
                
                 
                   Whom
                   your
                   Unkindness
                   murder'd
                   ,
                   will
                   I
                   haunt
                   you
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   Once
                   more
                   ,
                   be
                   gone
                   :
                   I
                   'm
                   odious
                   to
                   my self
                
                 
                   For
                   having
                   lov'd
                   thee
                   once
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Jup.
                   
                
                 
                   Hate
                   not
                   the
                   best
                   and
                   fairest
                   of
                   your
                   kind
                   :
                
                 
                   Nor
                   can
                   you
                   hate
                   your
                   Lover
                   ,
                   tho'
                   you
                   wou'd
                   :
                
                 
                   Your
                   Tears
                   ,
                   that
                   fall
                   so
                   gently
                   ,
                   are
                   but
                   grief
                   :
                
                 
                   There
                   may
                   be
                   Anger
                   ;
                   but
                   there
                   must
                   be
                   Love.
                
                 
                   The
                   Dove
                   ,
                   that
                   murmurs
                   at
                   her
                   Mate's
                   neglect
                   ,
                
                 
                   But
                   counterfeits
                   a
                   coyness
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   courted
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   Courtship
                   ,
                   from
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   after
                   such
                   affronts
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Jup.
                   
                
                 
                   Is
                   this
                   that
                   everlasting
                   Love
                   you
                   vow'd
                   ,
                
                 
                   Last
                   Night
                   ,
                   when
                   I
                   was
                   circled
                   in
                   your
                   arms
                   ?
                
                 
                   Remember
                   what
                   you
                   swore
                   .
                   —
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   Think
                   what
                   thou
                   wert
                   ,
                   and
                   who
                   cou'd
                   swear
                   too
                   much
                   ?
                
                 
                   Think
                   what
                   thou
                   art
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   unswears
                   it
                   all
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Jup.
                   
                
                 
                   Can
                   you
                   forsake
                   me
                   ,
                   for
                   so
                   small
                   a
                   fault
                   ?
                
                 
                   'T
                   was
                   but
                   a
                   Jest
                   ,
                   perhaps
                   too
                   far
                   pursu'd
                   :
                
                 
                   'T
                   was
                   but
                   at
                   most
                   ,
                   a
                   Trial
                   of
                   your
                   Faith
                   ,
                
                 
                   How
                   you
                   cou'd
                   bear
                   unkindness
                   :
                
                 
                   'T
                   was
                   but
                   to
                   get
                   a
                   reconciling
                   Kiss
                   ,
                
                 
                   A
                   wanton
                   Stratagem
                   of
                   Love.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   See
                   how
                   he
                   doubles
                   ,
                   like
                   a
                   hunted
                   Hare
                   ,
                
                 
                   A
                   Jest
                   ,
                   and
                   then
                   a
                   Trial
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   Bait
                   ;
                
                 
                   All
                   stuff
                   ,
                   and
                   dawbing
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Jup.
                   
                
                 
                   Think
                   me
                   jealous
                   ,
                   then
                   :
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   O
                   that
                   I
                   cou'd
                   ;
                   for
                   that
                   's
                   a
                   noble
                   Crime
                   ;
                
                 
                   And
                   which
                   a
                   Lover
                   can
                   ,
                   with
                   ease
                   ,
                   forgive
                   :
                
                 
                   'T
                   is
                   the
                   high
                   pulse
                   of
                   Passion
                   ,
                   in
                   a
                   Fever
                   ;
                
                 
                   A
                   sickly
                   draught
                   ,
                   but
                   shews
                   a
                   burning
                   Thirst
                   :
                
                 
                   Thine
                   was
                   a
                   Surfeit
                   ,
                   not
                   a
                   Jealousie
                   :
                
                 
                   And
                   in
                   that
                   loathing
                   of
                   thy
                   full
                   gorg'd
                   Love
                   ,
                
                 
                   Thou
                   saw'st
                   the
                   nauseous
                   Object
                   ,
                   with
                   disdain
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Jup.
                   
                
                 
                   O
                   think
                   not
                   that
                   :
                   for
                   you
                   are
                   ever
                   new
                   :
                
                 
                   Your
                   fruits
                   of
                   Love
                   ,
                   are
                   like
                   eternal
                   Spring
                
                 
                   In
                   happy
                   Climes
                   ,
                   where
                   some
                   are
                   in
                   the
                   bud
                   ,
                
                 
                   Some
                   green
                   ,
                   and
                   ripening
                   some
                   ,
                   while
                   others
                   fall
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   Ay
                   ,
                   now
                   you
                   tell
                   me
                   this
                   ,
                
                 
                   When
                   rous'd
                   desires
                   ,
                   and
                   fresh
                   recruits
                   of
                   force
                   ,
                
                 
                   Enable
                   languish'd
                   Love
                   to
                   take
                   the
                   field
                   .
                
                 
                   But
                   never
                   hope
                   to
                   be
                   receiv'd
                   again
                   :
                
                 
                   You
                   wou'd
                   again
                   deny
                   you
                   were
                   receiv'd
                   ;
                
                 
                   And
                   brand
                   my
                   spotless
                   Fame
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Jup.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   dare
                   to
                   justifie
                   my
                   Crime
                   ,
                
                 
                   But
                   only
                   point
                   you
                   where
                   to
                   lay
                   the
                   blame
                   :
                
                 
                   Impute
                   it
                   to
                   the
                   Husband
                   ,
                   not
                   the
                   Lover
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   How
                   vainly
                   wou'd
                   the
                   Sophister
                   divide
                   ,
                
                 
                   And
                   make
                   the
                   Husband
                   and
                   the
                   Lover
                   ,
                   two
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Jup.
                   
                
                 
                   Yes
                   't
                   is
                   the
                   Husband
                   is
                   the
                   guilty
                   Wretch
                   :
                
                 
                   His
                   Insolence
                   forgot
                   the
                   Sweets
                   of
                   Love
                   ,
                
                 
                   And
                   ,
                   deeming
                   them
                   his
                   due
                   ,
                   despis'd
                   the
                   Feast
                   .
                
                 
                   Not
                   so
                   the
                   famish'd
                   Lover
                   cou'd
                   forget
                   :
                
                 
                   He
                   knew
                   he
                   had
                   been
                   there
                   ,
                   and
                   had
                   been
                   blest
                   ,
                
                 
                   With
                   all
                   that
                   Hope
                   can
                   wish
                   ,
                   or
                   Sense
                   can
                   bear
                   :
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   Husband
                   ,
                   and
                   Lover
                   ,
                   both
                   alike
                   I
                   hate
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Jup.
                   
                
                 
                   And
                   I
                   confess
                   I
                   have
                   deserv'd
                   that
                   hate
                   :
                
                 
                   [
                   Kneeling
                   .
                
                 
                   Too
                   charming
                   fair
                   ,
                   I
                   kneel
                   for
                   your
                   forgiveness
                   :
                
                 
                   I
                   beg
                   by
                   those
                   fair
                   eyes
                   ,
                
                 
                   Which
                   gave
                   me
                   wounds
                   ,
                   That
                   time
                   can
                   never
                   cure
                   ;
                
                 
                   Receive
                   my
                   Sorrows
                   ,
                   and
                   restore
                   my
                   Joys
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   Unkind
                   ,
                   and
                   cruel
                   !
                   I
                   can
                   speak
                   no
                   more
                   ▪
                
              
               
                 
                   Jup.
                   
                
                 
                   O
                   give
                   it
                   vent
                   Alcmena
                   ,
                   give
                   it
                   vent
                   ;
                
                 
                   I
                   merit
                   your
                   reproach
                   ,
                   I
                   wou'd
                   be
                   curs'd
                   :
                
                 
                   Let
                   your
                   Tongue
                   curse
                   me
                   ,
                   while
                   your
                   Heart
                   forgives
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   Can
                   I
                   forget
                   such
                   Usage
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Jup.
                   
                
                 
                   Can
                   you
                   hate
                   me
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   'll
                   do
                   my
                   best
                   :
                   for
                   sure
                   I
                   ought
                   to
                   hate
                   you
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Jup.
                   
                
                 
                   That
                   Word
                   was
                   only
                   hatch'd
                   upon
                   your
                   Tongue
                   ,
                
                 
                   It
                   came
                   not
                   from
                   your
                   Heart
                   .
                   But
                   try
                   again
                   ,
                
                 
                   And
                   if
                   ,
                   once
                   more
                   ,
                   you
                   can
                   but
                   say
                   ,
                   I
                   hate
                   you
                   ,
                
                 
                   My
                   Sword
                   shall
                   do
                   you
                   justice
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   Then
                   ,
                   I
                   hate
                   you
                   .
                   —
                
              
               
                 
                   Jup.
                   
                
                 
                   Then
                   you
                   pronounce
                   the
                   Sentence
                   of
                   my
                   Death
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   hate
                   you
                   ,
                   much
                   ;
                   but
                   yet
                   I
                   love
                   you
                   more
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Jup.
                   
                
                 
                   To
                   prove
                   that
                   Love
                   ,
                   then
                   say
                   ,
                   that
                   you
                   forgive
                   me
                   :
                
                 
                   For
                   there
                   remains
                   but
                   this
                   Alternative
                   :
                
                 
                   Resolve
                   to
                   pardon
                   ,
                   or
                   to
                   punish
                   me
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   Alas
                   ,
                   what
                   I
                   resolve
                   appears
                   too
                   plain
                   :
                
                 
                   In
                   saying
                   that
                   I
                   cannot
                   hate
                   ,
                   I
                   pardon
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Jup.
                   
                
                 
                   But
                   what
                   's
                   a
                   Pardon
                   worth
                   ,
                   without
                   a
                   Seal
                   ?
                
                 
                   Permit
                   me
                   ,
                   in
                   this
                   Transport
                   of
                   my
                   Joy
                   —
                
                 
                   [
                   Kisses
                   her
                   Hand
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   Forbear
                   ;
                   I
                   am
                   offended
                   with
                   my self
                   ,
                
                 
                   Putting
                   him
                   gently
                   away
                   with
                   her
                   Hand
                   .
                
                 
                   That
                   I
                   have
                   shewn
                   this
                   Weakness
                   .
                   —
                   Let
                   me
                   go
                   ,
                
                 
                   Where
                   I
                   may
                   blush
                   ,
                   alone
                   .
                   —
                
                 
                   [
                   Going
                   ;
                   and
                   looking
                   back
                   on
                   him
                   .
                
                 
                   But
                   come
                   not
                   you
                   :
                
                 
                   Lest
                   I
                   shou'd
                   spoil
                   you
                   ,
                   with
                   excess
                   of
                   Fondness
                   ,
                
                 
                   And
                   let
                   you
                   love
                   again
                   .
                   —
                
              
               
                 
                   [
                   Exit
                
                 Alcmena
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Jup.
                   
                
                 
                   Forbidding
                   me
                   to
                   follow
                   ,
                   she
                   invites
                   me
                   :
                
                 
                   [
                   Aside
                   .
                
                 
                   This
                   is
                   the
                   Mould
                   of
                   which
                   I
                   made
                   the
                   Sex
                   :
                
                 
                   I
                   gave
                   'em
                   but
                   one
                   Tongue
                   ,
                   to
                   say
                   us
                   nay
                   ;
                
                 
                   And
                   two
                   kind
                   Eyes
                   ,
                   to
                   grant
                   .
                   Be
                   sure
                   that
                   none
                
                 
                   
                     [
                     To
                  
                   Mercury
                   .
                
                 
                   Approach
                   ,
                   to
                   interrupt
                   our
                   privacy
                
              
               
                 
                   [
                   Exit
                
                 Jupiter
                 after
                 Alcmena
                 .
              
               
                 Mercury
                 and
                 Phaedra
                 remain
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Your
                   Lady
                   has
                   made
                   the
                   Challenge
                   of
                   Reconciliation
                   to
                   my
                   Lord
                   :
                   Here
                   's
                   a
                   fair
                   Example
                   for
                   us
                   two
                   ,
                   Phaedra
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   No
                   Example
                   at
                   all
                   ,
                   Sosia
                   :
                   for
                   my
                   Lady
                   had
                   the
                   Diamonds
                   aforehand
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   have
                   none
                   of
                   the
                   Gold
                   Goblet
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   The
                   Goblet
                   shall
                   be
                   forth-coming
                   ;
                   if
                   thou
                   wilt
                   give
                   me
                   weight
                   for
                   weight
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Yes
                   ,
                   and
                   measure
                   for
                   measure
                   too
                   ,
                   Sosia
                   :
                   that
                   is
                   ,
                   For
                   a
                   Thimbleful
                   of
                   Gold
                   ,
                   a
                   Thimbleful
                   of
                   Love.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   What
                   think
                   you
                   now
                   ,
                   Phaedra
                   ?
                   Here
                   's
                   
                     Pulling
                     out
                     the
                     Goblet
                     in
                     a
                     Case
                     ,
                     from
                     under
                     his
                     Cloak
                     .
                  
                   a
                   weighty
                   Argument
                   of
                   Love
                   for
                   you
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Now
                   Jupiter
                   ,
                   of
                   his
                   Mercy
                   ,
                   let
                   me
                   kiss
                   thee
                   ,
                   O
                   thou
                   
                     Taking
                     it
                     in
                     both
                     Hands
                     .
                  
                   dear
                   Metal
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   And
                   Venus
                   ,
                   of
                   her
                   Mercy
                   ,
                   let
                   me
                   kiss
                   thee
                   ,
                   dear
                   ,
                   dear
                   Phaedra
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Not
                   so
                   fast
                   ,
                   Sosia
                   !
                   there
                   's
                   a
                   damn'd
                   Proverb
                   in
                   your
                   way
                   :
                   
                     Many
                     things
                     happen
                     betwixt
                     the
                     Cup
                     and
                     the
                     Lips
                     ,
                  
                   you
                   know
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Why
                   ,
                   thou
                   wilt
                   not
                   cheat
                   me
                   of
                   my
                   Goblet
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Yes
                   ;
                   as
                   sure
                   as
                   you
                   wou'd
                   cheat
                   me
                   of
                   my
                   Maiden-head
                   :
                   I
                   am
                   yet
                   ,
                   but
                   just
                   even
                   with
                   you
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   last
                   Trick
                   you
                   play'd
                   me
                   .
                   And
                   ,
                   besides
                   ;
                   this
                   is
                   but
                   a
                   bare
                   Retaining
                   Fee
                   ;
                   you
                   must
                   give
                   me
                   another
                   ,
                   before
                   the
                   Cause
                   is
                   open'd
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Shall
                   I
                   not
                   come
                   to
                   your
                   Bed
                   side
                   ,
                   to
                   Night
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   No
                   ,
                   nor
                   to
                   Morrow-Night
                   ,
                   neither
                   :
                   but
                   this
                   shall
                   be
                   my
                   Sweet-heart
                   in
                   your
                   place
                   :
                   't
                   is
                   a
                   better
                   Bed-fellow
                   ,
                   and
                   will
                   keep
                   me
                   warmer
                   ,
                   in
                   cold
                   Weather
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   [
                   Exit
                
                 Phaedra
                 .
              
               
                 Mercury
                 alone
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Now
                   ,
                   what
                   's
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   Wit
                   in
                   a
                   Woman's
                   Hand
                   ?
                   This
                   very
                   Goblet
                   I
                   stole
                   from
                   Gripus
                   ;
                   and
                   he
                   got
                   it
                   out
                   of
                   Bribes
                   too
                   .
                   But
                   this
                   is
                   the
                   common
                   fate
                   of
                   ill
                   gotten
                   Goods
                   ,
                   that
                   as
                   they
                   came
                   in
                   by
                   Covetousness
                   ,
                   they
                   go
                   out
                   by
                   Whoring
                   .
                   —
                   Oh
                   ,
                   here
                   's
                   Amphitryon
                   again
                   ,
                   but
                   I
                   'll
                   
                     
                       [
                       Enter
                    
                     Amphitryon
                     .
                  
                   manage
                   him
                   above
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   Balcony
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   [
                   Exit
                
                 Mercury
                 .
              
               
                 
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Not
                   one
                   of
                   those
                   I
                   look'd
                   for
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   found
                   !
                
                 
                   As
                   some
                   Enchantment
                   hid
                   'em
                   from
                   my
                   sight
                   !
                
                 
                   Perhaps
                   ,
                   as
                   Sosia
                   says
                   ,
                   't
                   is
                   Witchcraft
                   all
                   :
                
                 
                   Seals
                   may
                   be
                   open'd
                   ,
                   Diamonds
                   may
                   be
                   stol'n
                   ;
                
                 
                   But
                   how
                   I
                   came
                   ,
                   in
                   person
                   ,
                   yesterday
                   ,
                
                 
                   And
                   gave
                   that
                   Present
                   to
                   
                   Alcmena's
                   hands
                   ,
                
                 
                   That
                   which
                   I
                   never
                   gave
                   ,
                   nor
                   ever
                   came
                   ,
                
                 
                   O
                   there
                   's
                   the
                   Rock
                   ,
                   on
                   which
                   my
                   Reason
                   splits
                   :
                
                 
                   Wou'd
                   that
                   were
                   all
                   !
                   I
                   fear
                   my
                   Honour
                   ,
                   too
                   !
                
                 
                   I
                   'll
                   try
                   her
                   once
                   again
                   :
                   She
                   may
                   be
                   mad
                   :
                
                 
                   A
                   wretched
                   Remedy
                   ;
                   but
                   all
                   I
                   have
                   ,
                
                 
                   To
                   keep
                   me
                   from
                   despair
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Mercury
                   .
                
                 
                   This
                   is
                   no
                   very
                   charitable
                   Action
                   of
                   a
                   God
                   ,
                   to
                   
                     [
                     From
                     the
                     Balcony
                     ,
                  
                   use
                   him
                   ill
                   ,
                   who
                   has
                   never
                   offended
                   me
                   :
                   but
                   my
                   Planet
                   
                     (
                     Aside
                     .
                  
                   net
                   disposes
                   me
                   to
                   Malice
                   :
                   and
                   when
                   we
                   great
                   Persons
                   do
                   but
                   a
                   little
                   Mischief
                   ,
                   the
                   World
                   has
                   a
                   good
                   bargain
                   of
                   us
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   How
                   now
                   !
                   what
                   means
                   the
                   locking
                   up
                   of
                   my
                   Doors
                   ,
                   at
                   this
                   time
                   of
                   day
                   ?
                
                 
                   [
                   Knocks
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Softly
                   ,
                   Friend
                   ,
                   softly
                   :
                   You
                   knock
                   as
                   loud
                   ,
                   and
                   as
                   sawcily
                   ,
                   as
                   a
                   Lord's
                   Footman
                   ,
                   that
                   was
                   sent
                   before
                   him
                   ,
                   to
                   warn
                   the
                   Family
                   of
                   his
                   Honour's
                   Visit
                   .
                   Sure
                   you
                   think
                   the
                   Doors
                   have
                   no
                   feeling
                   !
                   What
                   the
                   Devil
                   are
                   you
                   ,
                   that
                   rap
                   with
                   such
                   Authority
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Look
                   out
                   ,
                   and
                   see
                   :
                   't
                   is
                   I.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   You
                   :
                   What
                   You
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   No
                   more
                   ,
                   I
                   say
                   ,
                   but
                   open
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   'll
                   know
                   to
                   whom
                   first
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   am
                   one
                   that
                   can
                   command
                   the
                   doors
                   open
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Then
                   you
                   had
                   best
                   command
                   'em
                   ,
                   and
                   try
                   whether
                   they
                   will
                   obey
                   You.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Dost
                   thou
                   not
                   know
                   me
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Prithee
                   ,
                   how
                   shou'd
                   I
                   know
                   thee
                   ?
                   Dost
                   thou
                   take
                   me
                   for
                   a
                   Conjurer
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   What
                   's
                   this
                   Midsummer-Moon
                   ?
                   Is
                   all
                   the
                   World
                   gone
                   a
                   madding
                   ?
                   Why
                   Sosia
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   That
                   's
                   my
                   Name
                   indeed
                   :
                   Didst
                   thou
                   think
                   I
                   had
                   forgot
                   it
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Dost
                   thou
                   see
                   me
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Why
                   ,
                   dost
                   thou
                   pretend
                   to
                   go
                   invisible
                   ?
                   If
                   thou
                   hast
                   any
                   business
                   here
                   ,
                   dispatch
                   it
                   quickly
                   ;
                   I
                   have
                   no
                   leasure
                   to
                   throw
                   away
                   upon
                   such
                   pratling
                   Companions
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Thy
                   Companion
                   ,
                   Slave
                   ?
                   How
                   dar'st
                   thou
                   use
                   this
                   insolent
                   Language
                   to
                   thy
                   Master
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   How
                   !
                   Thou
                   my
                   Master
                   ?
                   By
                   what
                   Title
                   ?
                   I
                   never
                   had
                   any
                   other
                   Master
                   ,
                   but
                   Amphitryon
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Well
                   :
                   and
                   for
                   whom
                   dost
                   thou
                   take
                   me
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   For
                   some
                   Rogue
                   or
                   other
                   ;
                   but
                   what
                   Rogue
                   I
                   know
                   not
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Dost
                   thou
                   not
                   know
                   me
                   for
                   Amphitryon
                   ,
                   Slave
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   How
                   shou'd
                   I
                   know
                   thee
                   ,
                   when
                   I
                   see
                   thou
                   dost
                   not
                   know
                   thy self
                   !
                   thou
                   Amphitryon
                   ?
                   In
                   what
                   Tavern
                   hast
                   thou
                   been
                   ?
                   And
                   how
                   many
                   Bottles
                   did
                   thy
                   business
                   ,
                   to
                   metamorphose
                   thee
                   into
                   my
                   Lord
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   will
                   so
                   drub
                   thee
                   ,
                   for
                   this
                   insolence
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   How
                   now
                   ,
                   Impudence
                   !
                   are
                   you
                   threatning
                   your
                   Betters
                   !
                   I
                   shou'd
                   bring
                   you
                   to
                   condign
                   punishment
                   ,
                   but
                   that
                   I
                   have
                   a
                   great
                   respect
                   for
                   the
                   good
                   Wine
                   ,
                   though
                   I
                   find
                   it
                   in
                   a
                   Fool
                   's
                   Noddle
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   What
                   ,
                   none
                   to
                   let
                   me
                   in
                   ?
                   Why
                   
                     Phaedra
                     !
                     Bromia
                  
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Peace
                   Fellow
                   ;
                   if
                   my
                   Wife
                   hears
                   thee
                   ,
                   we
                   are
                   both
                   undone
                   .
                   At
                   a
                   word
                   ,
                   Phaedra
                   and
                   Bromia
                   are
                   very
                   busie
                   ;
                   one
                   in
                   making
                   a
                   Cawdle
                   for
                   my
                   Lady
                   ;
                   and
                   the
                   other
                   in
                   heating
                   Napkins
                   ,
                   to
                   rub
                   down
                   my
                   Lord
                   ,
                   when
                   he
                   rises
                   from
                   Bed.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Amazement
                   seizes
                   me
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   At
                   what
                   art
                   thou
                   amaz'd
                   ?
                   My
                   Master
                   and
                   my
                   Lady
                   had
                   a
                   falling
                   out
                   ,
                   and
                   are
                   retir'd
                   ,
                   without
                   Seconds
                   ,
                   to
                   decide
                   the
                   Quarrel
                   .
                   If
                   thou
                   wert
                   not
                   a
                   meddlesome
                   Fool
                   ,
                   thou
                   woud'st
                   not
                   be
                   thrusting
                   thy
                   Nose
                   into
                   other
                   Peoples
                   Matters
                   .
                   Get
                   thee
                   about
                   thy
                   business
                   ,
                   if
                   thou
                   hast
                   any
                   ;
                   for
                   I
                   'll
                   hear
                   no
                   more
                   of
                   thee
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   [
                   Exit
                
                 Mercury
                 
                   from
                   above
                
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Brav'd
                   by
                   my
                   Slave
                   ,
                   dishonour'd
                   by
                   my
                   Wife
                   ,
                
                 
                   To
                   what
                   a
                   desp'rate
                   plunge
                   am
                   I
                   reduc'd
                   ,
                
                 
                   If
                   this
                   be
                   true
                   the
                   Villain
                   says
                   ?
                   But
                   why
                
                 
                   That
                   feeble
                   ,
                   If
                   !
                   It
                   must
                   be
                   true
                   ;
                   She
                   owns
                   it
                   .
                
                 
                   Now
                   ,
                   whether
                   to
                   conceal
                   ,
                   or
                   blaze
                   th'
                   Affront
                   ?
                
                 
                   One
                   way
                   ,
                   I
                   spread
                   my
                   infamy
                   abroad
                   ;
                
                 
                   And
                   ,
                   t'other
                   ,
                   hide
                   a
                   burning
                   coal
                   ,
                   within
                   ;
                
                 
                   That
                   preys
                   upon
                   my
                   Vitals
                   :
                   I
                   can
                   fix
                
                 
                   On
                   nothing
                   ,
                   but
                   on
                   Vengeance
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Enter
                   to
                   him
                
                 Sosia
                 ,
                 Polydas
                 ,
                 Gripus
                 ,
                 Tranio
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Gripus
                   .
                
                 
                   Yonder
                   he
                   is
                   ;
                   walking
                   hastily
                   to
                   and
                   fro
                   ,
                   before
                   his
                   door
                   ;
                   like
                   a
                   Citizen
                   ,
                   clapping
                   his
                   Sides
                   before
                   his
                   Shop
                   ,
                   in
                   a
                   frosty
                   Morning
                   :
                   't
                   is
                   to
                   catch
                   a
                   Stomach
                   ,
                   I
                   believe
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   I
                   begin
                   to
                   be
                   affraid
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   has
                   more
                   stomach
                   to
                   my
                   Sides
                   ,
                   and
                   Shoulders
                   ,
                   than
                   to
                   his
                   own
                   Victuals
                   .
                   How
                   he
                   shakes
                   his
                   head
                   !
                   and
                   stamps
                   ,
                   and
                   what
                   strides
                   he
                   fetches
                   !
                   He
                   's
                   in
                   one
                   of
                   his
                   damn'd
                   Moods
                   again
                   ;
                   I
                   don't
                   like
                   the
                   Looks
                   of
                   him
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph
                   
                
                 
                   Oh
                   ,
                   my
                   mannerly
                   ,
                   fair-spoken
                   ,
                   obedient
                   Slave
                   ,
                   are
                   you
                   there
                   !
                   I
                   can
                   reach
                   you
                   now
                   ,
                   without
                   climbing
                   :
                   Now
                   we
                   shall
                   try
                   who
                   's
                   drunk
                   ,
                   and
                   who
                   's
                   sober
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Why
                   this
                   is
                   as
                   it
                   shou'd
                   be
                   :
                   I
                   was
                   somewhat
                   suspicious
                   that
                   you
                   were
                   in
                   a
                   pestilent
                   humour
                   ;
                   Yes
                   ,
                   we
                   will
                   have
                   a
                   crash
                   at
                   the
                   Bottle
                   ,
                   when
                   your
                   Lordship
                   pleases
                   :
                   I
                   have
                   summo'nd
                   'em
                   ,
                   you
                   see
                   ;
                   and
                   they
                   are
                   notable
                   Topers
                   ;
                   especially
                   Judge
                   Gripus
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Yes
                   ,
                   'faith
                   ;
                   I
                   never
                   refuse
                   my
                   Glass
                   ,
                   in
                   a
                   good
                   Quarrel
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Why
                   ,
                   thou
                   insolent
                   Villain
                   ;
                   I
                   'll
                   teach
                   a
                   Slave
                   how
                   to
                   use
                   his
                   Master
                   thus
                   .
                
                 
                   [
                   To
                   Sosia
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Here
                   's
                   a
                   fine
                   business
                   towards
                   !
                   I
                   am
                   sure
                   I
                   ran
                   as
                   fast
                   as
                   ever
                   my
                   legs
                   cou'd
                   carry
                   me
                   ,
                   to
                   call
                   'em
                   :
                   nay
                   you
                   may
                   trust
                   my
                   diligence
                   ,
                   in
                   all
                   affairs
                   belonging
                   to
                   the
                   belly
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   He
                   has
                   been
                   very
                   faithfull
                   to
                   his
                   Commission
                   ,
                   I
                   'll
                   bear
                   him
                   witness
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   How
                   can
                   you
                   be
                   witness
                   ,
                   where
                   you
                   were
                   not
                   present
                   ?
                   the
                   Balcony
                   !
                   Sirrah
                   ,
                   the
                   Balcony
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Why
                   ,
                   to
                   my
                   best
                   remembrance
                   ,
                   you
                   never
                   invited
                   the
                   Balcony
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   What
                   nonsence
                   dost
                   thou
                   plead
                   for
                   an
                   Excuse
                   ,
                   of
                   thy
                   foul
                   language
                   ,
                   and
                   thy
                   base
                   replies
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   You
                   fright
                   a
                   man
                   out
                   of
                   his
                   senses
                   ,
                   first
                   ;
                   and
                   blame
                   him
                   ,
                   afterwards
                   ,
                   for
                   talking
                   nonsence
                   :
                   —
                   but
                   't
                   is
                   better
                   for
                   me
                   to
                   talk
                   nonsence
                   ,
                   than
                   for
                   some
                   to
                   do
                   nonsence
                   :
                   I
                   will
                   say
                   that
                   ,
                   what
                   e'er
                   comes
                   on
                   't
                   .
                   Pray
                   Sir
                   ,
                   let
                   all
                   things
                   be
                   done
                   decently
                   :
                   what
                   ,
                   I
                   hope
                   ,
                   when
                   a
                   man
                   is
                   to
                   be
                   hang'd
                   ,
                   he
                   is
                   not
                   truss'd
                   upon
                   the
                   Gallows
                   ,
                   like
                   a
                   dumb
                   Dog
                   ,
                   without
                   telling
                   him
                   wherefore
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   By
                   your
                   pardon
                   ,
                   Gentlemen
                   :
                   I
                   have
                   no
                   longer
                   patience
                   to
                   forbear
                   him
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Justice
                   ,
                   justice
                   ,
                   my
                   Lord
                   Gripus
                   :
                   as
                   you
                   are
                   a
                   true
                   Magistrate
                   ,
                   protect
                   me
                   .
                   Here
                   's
                   a
                   process
                   of
                   Beating
                   going
                   forward
                   ,
                   without
                   sentence
                   given
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   My
                   Lord
                   Amphitryon
                   ,
                   this
                   must
                   not
                   be
                   :
                   Let
                   me
                   first
                   understand
                   the
                   demerits
                   of
                   the
                   Criminal
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Hold
                   you
                   to
                   that
                   point
                   ,
                   I
                   beseech
                   your
                   Honour
                   ,
                   as
                   you
                   commiserate
                   the
                   Case
                   of
                   a
                   poor
                   ,
                   innocent
                   Malefactour
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   To
                   shut
                   the
                   door
                   against
                   me
                   ,
                   in
                   my
                   very
                   face
                   ,
                   to
                   deny
                   me
                   entrance
                   ,
                   to
                   brave
                   me
                   from
                   the
                   Balcony
                   ,
                   to
                   laugh
                   at
                   me
                   ,
                   to
                   threaten
                   me
                   :
                   what
                   proofs
                   of
                   Innocence
                   call
                   you
                   these
                   ?
                   but
                   if
                   I
                   punish
                   not
                   this
                   Insolence
                   —
                   
                     
                       [
                       Is
                       going
                       to
                       beat
                       him
                       and
                       is
                       held
                       by
                    
                     Polydas
                     and
                     Tranio
                     .
                  
                   I
                   beg
                   you
                   let
                   me
                   go
                   —
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   I
                   charge
                   you
                   in
                   the
                   King's
                   name
                   ,
                   hold
                   him
                   fast
                   ;
                   for
                   you
                   see
                   he
                   's
                   bloodily
                   dispos'd
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Now
                   ,
                   what
                   hast
                   thou
                   to
                   say
                   for
                   thy self
                   ,
                   Sosia
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   I
                   say
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   first
                   place
                   ,
                   be
                   sure
                   you
                   hold
                   him
                   ,
                   Gentlemen
                   ;
                   for
                   I
                   shall
                   never
                   plead
                   worth
                   one
                   farthing
                   ,
                   while
                   I
                   am
                   bodily
                   affraid
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Polyd.
                   
                
                 
                   Speak
                   boldly
                   ;
                   I
                   warrant
                   thee
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Then
                   ,
                   if
                   I
                   may
                   speak
                   boldly
                   ,
                   under
                   my
                   Lord's
                   favour
                   ,
                   I
                   do
                   not
                   say
                   he
                   lyes
                   neither
                   :
                   no
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                   too
                   well
                   bred
                   for
                   that
                   :
                   but
                   his
                   Lordship
                   fibbs
                   most
                   abominably
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Do
                   you
                   hear
                   his
                   Impudence
                   ?
                   yet
                   will
                   you
                   let
                   me
                   go
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   No
                   Impudence
                   at
                   all
                   ,
                   my
                   Lord
                   :
                   for
                   how
                   cou'd
                   I
                   ,
                   naturally
                   speaking
                   ,
                   be
                   in
                   the
                   Balcony
                   ,
                   and
                   affronting
                   you
                   ;
                   when
                   at
                   the
                   same
                   time
                   I
                   was
                   in
                   every
                   Street
                   of
                   Thebes
                   ,
                   inviting
                   these
                   Gentlemen
                   to
                   Dinner
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Hold
                   a
                   little
                   :
                   how
                   long
                   since
                   was
                   it
                   that
                   he
                   spoke
                   to
                   you
                   ,
                   from
                   the
                   said
                   Balcony
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Just
                   now
                   ;
                   not
                   a
                   Minute
                   before
                   he
                   brought
                   you
                   hither
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Now
                   speak
                   my
                   Witnesses
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   can
                   answer
                   for
                   him
                   ,
                   for
                   this
                   last
                   half
                   hour
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Now
                   judge
                   equitably
                   ,
                   Gentlemen
                   ;
                   whether
                   I
                   was
                   not
                   a
                   civil
                   well-bred
                   person
                   ,
                   to
                   tell
                   my
                   Lord
                   he
                   fibbs
                   onely
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Who
                   gave
                   you
                   that
                   order
                   ,
                   to
                   invite
                   '
                   em
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   He
                   that
                   best
                   might
                   ;
                   your self
                   :
                   by
                   the
                   same
                   token
                   ,
                   you
                   bid
                   old
                   Bromia
                   provide
                   and
                   't
                   were
                   for
                   a
                   God
                   ;
                   and
                   I
                   put
                   in
                   for
                   a
                   brace
                   ,
                   or
                   a
                   lease
                   ;
                   no
                   ,
                   now
                   I
                   think
                   on
                   't
                   ,
                   it
                   was
                   for
                   ten
                   couple
                   of
                   Gods
                   ,
                   to
                   make
                   sure
                   of
                   plenty
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   When
                   did
                   I
                   give
                   thee
                   this
                   pretended
                   Commission
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Why
                   you
                   gave
                   me
                   this
                   pretended
                   Commission
                   ,
                   when
                   you
                   were
                   just
                   ready
                   to
                   give
                   my
                   Lady
                   the
                   Fiddles
                   and
                   a
                   Dance
                   ;
                   in
                   order
                   ,
                   as
                   I
                   suppose
                   ,
                   to
                   your
                   second
                   bedding
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Where
                   ,
                   in
                   what
                   place
                   ,
                   did
                   I
                   give
                   this
                   order
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Here
                   ,
                   in
                   this
                   place
                   ;
                   in
                   the
                   presence
                   of
                   this
                   very
                   door
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   that
                   Balcony
                   :
                   and
                   if
                   they
                   cou'd
                   speak
                   ,
                   they
                   wou'd
                   both
                   justifie
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   O
                   Heaven
                   !
                   these
                   accidents
                   are
                   so
                   surprizing
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   more
                   I
                   think
                   of
                   'em
                   ,
                   the
                   more
                   I
                   am
                   lost
                   in
                   my
                   imagination
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Nay
                   ,
                   he
                   has
                   told
                   us
                   some
                   passages
                   ,
                   as
                   he
                   came
                   along
                   ,
                   that
                   seem
                   to
                   surpass
                   the
                   power
                   of
                   Nature
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   What
                   think
                   you
                   now
                   ,
                   my
                   Lord
                   ,
                   of
                   a
                   certain
                   twin
                   Brother
                   of
                   mine
                   ,
                   call'd
                   Sosia
                   ?
                   't
                   is
                   a
                   sly
                   Youth
                   :
                   pray
                   Heaven
                   you
                   have
                   not
                   just
                   such
                   another
                   Relation
                   ,
                   within
                   doors
                   ,
                   call'd
                   Amphitryon
                   .
                   It
                   may
                   be
                   it
                   was
                   he
                   ,
                   that
                   put
                   upon
                   me
                   ,
                   in
                   your
                   likeness
                   :
                   and
                   perhaps
                   he
                   may
                   have
                   put
                   something
                   upon
                   your
                   Lordship
                   too
                   ,
                   that
                   may
                   weigh
                   heavy
                   upon
                   the
                   forehead
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   to
                   those
                   who
                   hold
                   him
                   .
                
                 
                   Let
                   me
                   go
                   :
                   
                     —
                     Sosia
                  
                   may
                   be
                   innocent
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   hurt
                   him
                   :
                   —
                   Open
                   the
                   door
                   ;
                   I
                   'll
                   resolve
                   my
                   doubts
                   immediately
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   The
                   door
                   is
                   peremptory
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   will
                   not
                   be
                   open'd
                   without
                   Keys
                   :
                   and
                   my
                   Brother
                   ,
                   on
                   the
                   inside
                   ,
                   is
                   in
                   possession
                   ;
                   and
                   will
                   not
                   part
                   with
                   '
                   em
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Then
                   't
                   is
                   manifest
                   that
                   I
                   am
                   affronted
                   ;
                   break
                   open
                   the
                   door
                   there
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Stir
                   not
                   a
                   man
                   of
                   you
                   ,
                   to
                   his
                   assistance
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Dost
                   thou
                   take
                   part
                   with
                   my
                   Adultress
                   too
                   ,
                   because
                   she
                   is
                   thy
                   Niece
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   take
                   part
                   with
                   nothing
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   Law
                   ;
                   and
                   ,
                   to
                   break
                   the
                   doors
                   open
                   ,
                   is
                   to
                   break
                   the
                   Law.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Do
                   thou
                   command
                   'em
                   ,
                   then
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   command
                   nothing
                   without
                   my
                   Warrant
                   ;
                   and
                   my
                   Clerk
                   is
                   not
                   here
                   to
                   take
                   his
                   Fees
                   for
                   drawing
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   aside
                   )
                
                 
                   The
                   Devil
                   take
                   all
                   Justice-brokers
                   :
                   —
                   I
                   curse
                   him
                   too
                   when
                   I
                   have
                   been
                   hunting
                   him
                   all
                   over
                   the
                   Town
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   my
                   Witness
                   !
                   —
                   But
                   I
                   'll
                   bring
                   Souldiers
                   to
                   force
                   open
                   the
                   doors
                   ,
                   by
                   my
                   own
                   Commission
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   [
                   Exit
                
                 .
                 Amphitryon
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Pox
                   o'these
                   forms
                   of
                   Law
                   ,
                   to
                   defeat
                   a
                   man
                   of
                   a
                   Dinner
                   ,
                   when
                   he
                   's
                   sharp
                   set
                   :
                   't
                   is
                   against
                   the
                   priviledge
                   of
                   a
                   free-born
                   Stomack
                   ;
                   and
                   is
                   no
                   less
                   than
                   subversion
                   of
                   Fundamentals
                   .
                   [
                   Jupiter
                   
                     above
                     in
                     the
                     Balcony
                  
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Jupit.
                   
                
                 
                   Oh
                   ,
                   my
                   Friends
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                   sorry
                   I
                   have
                   made
                   you
                   wait
                   so
                   long
                   :
                   you
                   are
                   welcome
                   ;
                   and
                   the
                   door
                   shall
                   be
                   open'd
                   to
                   you
                   ,
                   immediately
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   [
                   Exit
                
                 .
                 Jupiter
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Was
                   not
                   that
                   Amphitryon
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Why
                   ,
                   who
                   shou'd
                   it
                   be
                   else
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   In
                   all
                   appearance
                   it
                   was
                   he
                   :
                   but
                   how
                   got
                   he
                   thither
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Polyd.
                   
                
                 
                   In
                   such
                   a
                   trice
                   too
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Tran.
                   
                
                 
                   And
                   after
                   he
                   had
                   just
                   left
                   us
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   And
                   so
                   much
                   alter'd
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   better
                   ,
                   in
                   his
                   humour
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Here
                   's
                   such
                   a
                   company
                   of
                   foolish
                   questions
                   ,
                   when
                   a
                   man
                   's
                   a
                   hungry
                   :
                   You
                   had
                   best
                   stay
                   dinner
                   till
                   he
                   has
                   prov'd
                   himself
                   to
                   be
                   Amphitryon
                   in
                   form
                   of
                   Law
                   :
                   But
                   I
                   'll
                   make
                   short
                   work
                   of
                   that
                   business
                   :
                   for
                   I
                   'll
                   take
                   mine
                   Oath
                   't
                   is
                   he
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   shou'd
                   be
                   glad
                   it
                   were
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   How
                   glad
                   it
                   were
                   ?
                   with
                   your
                   damn'd
                   Interrogatories
                   ,
                   when
                   you
                   ought
                   to
                   be
                   thankfull
                   ,
                   that
                   so
                   it
                   is
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   aside
                   )
                
                 
                   That
                   I
                   may
                   see
                   my
                   Mistress
                   Phoedra
                   ,
                   and
                   present
                   her
                   with
                   my
                   great
                   gold
                   Gobblet
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   ,
                
                 
                   If
                   this
                   be
                   not
                   the
                   true
                   Amphitryon
                   ,
                   I
                   wish
                   I
                   may
                   be
                   kept
                   without
                   doors
                   ,
                   fasting
                   ,
                   and
                   biting
                   my
                   own
                   Fingers
                   ,
                   for
                   want
                   of
                   Victuals
                   ;
                   and
                   that
                   's
                   a
                   dreadfull
                   Imprecation
                   !
                   I
                   am
                   for
                   the
                   inviting
                   ,
                   and
                   eating
                   ,
                   and
                   treating
                   Amphitryon
                   :
                   I
                   am
                   sure
                   't
                   is
                   he
                   that
                   is
                   my
                   lawfully
                   begotten
                   Lord
                   :
                   and
                   if
                   you
                   had
                   an
                   Ounce
                   of
                   true
                   Justice
                   in
                   you
                   ,
                   you
                   ought
                   to
                   have
                   laid
                   hold
                   on
                   t'other
                   Amphitryon
                   ,
                   and
                   committed
                   him
                   for
                   a
                   Rogue
                   ,
                   and
                   an
                   Impostour
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   Vagabond
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   [
                   The
                   Door
                   is
                   open'd
                
                 :
                 Mercury
                 
                   from
                   within
                
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Enter
                   quickly
                   ,
                   Masters
                   :
                   The
                   Passage
                   on
                   the
                   right-hand
                   leads
                   to
                   the
                   Gallery
                   ,
                   where
                   my
                   Lord
                   expects
                   you
                   :
                   —
                   for
                   I
                   am
                   call'd
                   another
                   way
                   .
                
              
               
                 [
                 Gripus
                 ,
                 Tranio
                 ,
                 and
                 Polydas
                 
                   go
                   into
                   the
                   House
                
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   I
                   shou'd
                   know
                   that
                   Voice
                   ,
                   by
                   a
                   secret
                   Instinct
                   :
                   't
                   is
                   a
                   Tongue
                   of
                   my
                   Family
                   ;
                   and
                   belongs
                   to
                   my
                   Brother
                   Sosia
                   :
                   it
                   must
                   be
                   so
                   ;
                   for
                   it
                   carries
                   a
                   cudgelling
                   kind
                   of
                   sound
                   in
                   it
                   .
                   —
                   But
                   put
                   the
                   worst
                   :
                   let
                   me
                   weigh
                   this
                   matter
                   wisely
                   :
                   Here
                   's
                   a
                   beating
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   belly-full
                   :
                   against
                   no
                   beating
                   ,
                   and
                   no
                   belly-full
                   .
                   The
                   beating
                   is
                   bad
                   ;
                   but
                   the
                   dinner
                   is
                   good
                   :
                   now
                   ,
                   not
                   to
                   be
                   beaten
                   ,
                   is
                   but
                   negatively
                   good
                   ;
                   but
                   ,
                   not
                   to
                   sill
                   my
                   belly
                   ,
                   is
                   positively
                   bad
                   .
                   —
                   Upon
                   the
                   whole
                   matter
                   ,
                   my
                   final
                   resolution
                   is
                   ,
                   to
                   take
                   the
                   good
                   and
                   the
                   bad
                   as
                   they
                   come
                   together
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     [
                     Is
                     entring
                  
                   :
                   Mercury
                   
                     meets
                     him
                     at
                     the
                     Door
                  
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Whither
                   now
                   ,
                   you
                   kitchen-skumm
                   ?
                   From
                   whence
                   this
                   Impudence
                   ,
                   to
                   enter
                   here
                   without
                   permission
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   ,
                
                 
                   Most
                   Illustrious
                   Sir
                   :
                   my
                   Ticket
                   is
                   my
                   hunger
                   :
                   shew
                   the
                   full
                   Bowe
                   's
                   of
                   your
                   Compassion
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   empty
                   bowels
                   of
                   my
                   famine
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Were
                   you
                   not
                   charg'd
                   to
                   return
                   no
                   more
                   ?
                   I
                   'll
                   cut
                   you
                   into
                   quarters
                   ,
                   and
                   hang
                   you
                   upon
                   the
                   Shambles
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   You
                   'll
                   get
                   but
                   little
                   credit
                   by
                   me
                   :
                   Alas
                   ,
                   Sir
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                   but
                   mere
                   Carrion
                   !
                   Brave
                   Sosia
                   ,
                   compassionate
                   Coward
                   Sosia
                   :
                   and
                   beat
                   not
                   thy self
                   ,
                   in
                   beating
                   me
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Who
                   gave
                   you
                   that
                   privilege
                   ,
                   Sirrah
                   ,
                   to
                   assume
                   my
                   Name
                   ?
                   have
                   you
                   not
                   been
                   sufficiently
                   warn'd
                   of
                   it
                   ?
                   and
                   receiv'd
                   part
                   of
                   punishment
                   already
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   May
                   it
                   please
                   you
                   ,
                   Sir
                   ,
                   the
                   Name
                   is
                   big
                   enough
                   for
                   both
                   of
                   us
                   :
                   and
                   we
                   may
                   use
                   it
                   in
                   common
                   ,
                   like
                   a
                   Strumpet
                   :
                   witness
                   heaven
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   wou'd
                   have
                   obey'd
                   you
                   ,
                   and
                   quitted
                   my
                   Title
                   to
                   the
                   name
                   ;
                   but
                   ,
                   where
                   ever
                   I
                   come
                   ,
                   the
                   malicious
                   world
                   will
                   call
                   me
                   Sosia
                   ,
                   in
                   spight
                   of
                   me
                   :
                   I
                   am
                   sensible
                   there
                   are
                   two
                   Amphitryons
                   ;
                   and
                   why
                   may
                   not
                   there
                   be
                   two
                   Sosia's
                   ?
                   Let
                   those
                   two
                   cut
                   one
                   anothers
                   throats
                   at
                   their
                   own
                   pleasure
                   :
                   but
                   you
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   be
                   wiser
                   ,
                   by
                   my
                   consent
                   ,
                   and
                   hold
                   good
                   Intelligence
                   together
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   No
                   ,
                   no
                   :
                   Two
                   Sosia's
                   wou'd
                   but
                   make
                   two
                   fools
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Then
                   let
                   me
                   be
                   the
                   fool
                   ;
                   and
                   be
                   you
                   the
                   prudent
                   person
                   :
                   and
                   chuse
                   for
                   your self
                   some
                   wiser
                   name
                   :
                   or
                   you
                   shall
                   be
                   the
                   Elder
                   Brother
                   ;
                   and
                   I
                   'll
                   be
                   content
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   Younger
                   ;
                   though
                   I
                   lose
                   my
                   Inheritance
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Mer.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   tell
                   thee
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                   the
                   onely
                   Son
                   of
                   our
                   Family
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Then
                   let
                   me
                   be
                   your
                   Bastard
                   Brother
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   a
                   Whore
                   ;
                   I
                   hope
                   that
                   's
                   but
                   reasonable
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   No
                   ,
                   Thou
                   shalt
                   not
                   disgrace
                   my
                   Father
                   :
                   For
                   there
                   are
                   few
                   Bastards
                   now-a-days
                   worth
                   owning
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Ah!
                   Poor
                   Sosia
                   !
                   What
                   will
                   become
                   of
                   thee
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Yet
                   again
                   profanely
                   using
                   my
                   proper
                   name
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   I
                   did
                   not
                   mean
                   my self
                   :
                   I
                   was
                   thinking
                   of
                   another
                   Sosia
                   ,
                   a
                   poor
                   fellow
                   ,
                   that
                   was
                   once
                   of
                   my
                   acquaintance
                   ,
                   unfortunately
                   banish'd
                   out
                   of
                   doors
                   ,
                   when
                   dinner
                   was
                   just
                   coming
                   upon
                   the
                   Table
                   .
                
              
               
                 Enter
                 Phaedra
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Sosia
                   ,
                   you
                   and
                   I
                   must
                   —
                   Bless
                   me
                   !
                   What
                   have
                   we
                   here
                   ,
                   a
                   Couple
                   of
                   you
                   ,
                   or
                   do
                   I
                   see
                   double
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   I
                   wou'd
                   fain
                   bring
                   it
                   about
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   might
                   make
                   one
                   of
                   'em
                   :
                   But
                   he
                   's
                   unreasonable
                   and
                   will
                   needs
                   incorporate
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   swallow
                   me
                   whole
                   into
                   himself
                   .
                   If
                   he
                   wou'd
                   be
                   content
                   to
                   be
                   but
                   one
                   and
                   a
                   half
                   ,
                   't
                   wou'd
                   never
                   grieve
                   me
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   'T
                   is
                   a
                   perverse
                   Rascal
                   :
                   I
                   kick
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   cudgel
                   him
                   to
                   no
                   purpose
                   :
                   for
                   still
                   he
                   's
                   obstinate
                   to
                   stick
                   to
                   me
                   :
                   and
                   I
                   can
                   never
                   beat
                   him
                   out
                   of
                   my
                   resemblance
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Which
                   of
                   you
                   two
                   is
                   Sosia
                   ?
                   For
                   t'other
                   must
                   be
                   the
                   Devil
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   You
                   had
                   best
                   ask
                   him
                   that
                   has
                   play'd
                   the
                   Devil
                   with
                   my
                   back
                   and
                   sides
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   You
                   had
                   best
                   ask
                   him
                   who
                   gave
                   you
                   the
                   gold
                   Gobblet
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   No
                   ,
                   that
                   's
                   already
                   given
                   :
                   but
                   he
                   shall
                   be
                   my
                   Sosia
                   ,
                   that
                   will
                   give
                   me
                   such
                   another
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   sind
                   you
                   have
                   been
                   Interloping
                   ,
                   Sirrah
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   No
                   ,
                   indeed
                   ,
                   Sir
                   ;
                   I
                   onely
                   promised
                   her
                   a
                   gold
                   Thimble
                   :
                   which
                   was
                   as
                   much
                   as
                   comes
                   to
                   my
                   proportion
                   of
                   being
                   Sosia
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   This
                   is
                   no
                   Sosia
                   for
                   my
                   money
                   :
                   beat
                   him
                   away
                   t'other
                   Sosia
                   :
                   he
                   grows
                   insufferable
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   (
                   aside
                   )
                
                 
                   Wou'd
                   I
                   were
                   valiant
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   might
                   beat
                   him
                   away
                   ;
                   and
                   succeed
                   him
                   at
                   the
                   dinner
                   ;
                   for
                   a
                   pragmatical
                   Son
                   of
                   a
                   Whore
                   ,
                   as
                   he
                   is
                   —
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   What
                   's
                   that
                   you
                   are
                   muttering
                   betwixt
                   your
                   Teeth
                   ,
                   of
                   a
                   Son
                   of
                   a
                   Whore
                   ,
                   Sirrah
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   I
                   am
                   sure
                   I
                   meant
                   you
                   no
                   offence
                   :
                   for
                   ,
                   if
                   I
                   am
                   not
                   Sosia
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   a
                   Whore
                   ,
                   for
                   ought
                   I
                   know
                   :
                   and
                   ,
                   if
                   you
                   are
                   Sosia
                   ,
                   you
                   may
                   be
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   a
                   Whore
                   for
                   ought
                   you
                   know
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   What
                   ever
                   I
                   am
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   be
                   Sosia
                   ,
                   as
                   long
                   as
                   I
                   please
                   :
                   and
                   whenever
                   you
                   visit
                   me
                   ,
                   you
                   shall
                   be
                   sure
                   of
                   the
                   civility
                   of
                   the
                   Cudgel
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   If
                   you
                   will
                   promise
                   to
                   beat
                   me
                   into
                   the
                   house
                   ,
                   you
                   may
                   begin
                   when
                   you
                   please
                   with
                   me
                   :
                   but
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   beaten
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   house
                   ,
                   at
                   dinner
                   time
                   ,
                   flesh
                   and
                   bloud
                   can
                   never
                   bear
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 Mercury
                 
                   beats
                   him
                   about
                   ,
                   and
                
                 Sosia
                 
                   is
                   still
                   making
                   towards
                   the
                   door
                   :
                   but
                
                 Mercury
                 
                   gets
                   betwixt
                   ;
                   and
                   at
                   length
                   drives
                   him
                   off
                   the
                   Stage
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   In
                   the
                   name
                   of
                   wonder
                   ,
                   what
                   are
                   you
                   ,
                   that
                   are
                   Sosia
                   ,
                   and
                   are
                   not
                   Sosia
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   If
                   thou
                   would'st
                   know
                   more
                   of
                   me
                   ,
                   my
                   person
                   is
                   freely
                   at
                   thy
                   disposing
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Then
                   I
                   dispose
                   of
                   it
                   to
                   you
                   again
                   :
                   for
                   't
                   is
                   so
                   ugly
                   ,
                   't
                   is
                   not
                   for
                   my
                   use
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   can
                   be
                   ugly
                   or
                   handsome
                   ,
                   as
                   I
                   please
                   :
                   go
                   to
                   bed
                   old
                   ,
                   and
                   rise
                   young
                   .
                   I
                   have
                   so
                   many
                   Sutes
                   of
                   persons
                   by
                   me
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   can
                   shift
                   'em
                   when
                   I
                   will.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   You
                   are
                   a
                   fool
                   then
                   ,
                   to
                   put
                   on
                   your
                   worst
                   Cloaths
                   ,
                   when
                   you
                   come
                   a
                   wooing
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Go
                   to
                   :
                   Ask
                   no
                   more
                   questions
                   ;
                   I
                   am
                   for
                   thy
                   turn
                   ;
                   for
                   I
                   know
                   thy
                   heart
                   :
                   and
                   see
                   all
                   thou
                   hast
                   about
                   thee
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Then
                   you
                   can
                   see
                   my
                   back-side
                   too
                   ;
                   there
                   's
                   a
                   bargain
                   for
                   you
                   .
                   —
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   In
                   thy
                   right
                   pocket
                   :
                   —
                   let
                   me
                   see
                   :
                   —
                   three
                   Love
                   Letters
                   from
                   Judge
                   Gripus
                   ,
                   written
                   to
                   the
                   bottom
                   ,
                   on
                   three
                   sides
                   ;
                   full
                   of
                   fustian
                   passion
                   ,
                   and
                   hearty
                   non-sence
                   :
                   as
                   also
                   in
                   the
                   same
                   Pocket
                   ,
                   a
                   Letter
                   of
                   thine
                   intended
                   to
                   him
                   ;
                   consisting
                   of
                   nine
                   lines
                   and
                   a
                   half
                   :
                   scrawl'd
                   and
                   false
                   spell'd
                   ,
                   to
                   show
                   thou
                   art
                   a
                   Woman
                   ;
                   and
                   full
                   of
                   fraudulence
                   ,
                   and
                   equivocations
                   ,
                   and
                   shoeing-horns
                   of
                   Love
                   to
                   him
                   ;
                   to
                   promise
                   much
                   ,
                   and
                   mean
                   nothing
                   ;
                   to
                   show
                   ,
                   over
                   and
                   above
                   ,
                   that
                   thou
                   art
                   a
                   mere
                   Woman
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Is
                   the
                   Devil
                   in
                   you
                   ,
                   to
                   see
                   all
                   this
                   ?
                   Now
                   ,
                   for
                   Heavens
                   sake
                   ,
                   do
                   not
                   look
                   into
                   t'other
                   Pocket
                   .
                   —
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Nay
                   ,
                   there
                   's
                   nothing
                   there
                   ,
                   but
                   a
                   little
                   godly
                   Prayer-book
                   ,
                   and
                   —
                   a
                   bawdy
                   Lampoon
                   ,
                   and
                   —
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   Giving
                   a
                   great
                   frisk
                   .
                   )
                
                 
                   Look
                   no
                   farther
                   ,
                   I
                   beseech
                   you
                   .
                   —
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   And
                   a
                   Silver
                   Spoon
                   —
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   Shreeking
                   .
                   )
                
                 
                   —
                   Ah!
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Which
                   you
                   purloin'd
                   last
                   Night
                   from
                   Bromia
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Keep
                   my
                   Counsel
                   ,
                   or
                   I
                   am
                   undone
                   for
                   ever
                   .
                
                 
                   Holding
                   up
                   her
                   hands
                   to
                   him
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   No
                   :
                   I
                   'll
                   mortifie
                   thee
                   ,
                   now
                   I
                   have
                   a
                   handle
                   to
                   thy
                   Iniquity
                   ,
                   if
                   thou
                   wilt
                   not
                   love
                   me
                   .
                   —
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Well
                   ,
                   if
                   you
                   'll
                   promise
                   me
                   to
                   be
                   secret
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   love
                   you
                   :
                   because
                   indeed
                   I
                   dare
                   doe
                   no
                   other
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   'T
                   is
                   a
                   good
                   Girl
                   ;
                   I
                   will
                   be
                   secret
                   ;
                   and
                   further
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   be
                   assisting
                   to
                   thee
                   in
                   thy
                   filching
                   :
                   for
                   thou
                   and
                   I
                   were
                   born
                   under
                   the
                   same
                   Planet
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   And
                   we
                   shall
                   come
                   to
                   the
                   same
                   end
                   too
                   ,
                   I
                   'm
                   afraid
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   No
                   ;
                   no
                   ;
                   since
                   thou
                   hast
                   wit
                   enough
                   already
                   to
                   couzin
                   a
                   Judge
                   ,
                   thou
                   need'st
                   never
                   fear
                   hanging
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   And
                   will
                   you
                   make
                   your self
                   a
                   younger
                   man
                   ;
                   and
                   be
                   handsome
                   too
                   :
                   and
                   rich
                   ?
                   for
                   you
                   that
                   know
                   hearts
                   ,
                   must
                   needs
                   know
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   shall
                   never
                   be
                   constant
                   to
                   such
                   an
                   ugly
                   old
                   Sosia
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Thou
                   shalt
                   know
                   more
                   of
                   that
                   another
                   time
                   :
                   in
                   the
                   mean
                   while
                   ,
                   here
                   's
                   a
                   cast
                   of
                   my
                   Office
                   for
                   thee
                   .
                
              
               
                 He
                 stamps
                 upon
                 the
                 ground
                 :
                 some
                 Dancers
                 come
                 from
                 underground
                 :
                 and
                 others
                 from
                 the
                 sides
                 of
                 the
                 Stage
                 :
                 A
                 Song
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 fantastiok
                 Dance
                 .
              
               
                 
                 
                   
                     
                       
                         Mercury
                         
                           's
                           SONG
                           to
                        
                         Phaedra
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           I.
                           
                        
                         
                           FAir
                           Iris
                           
                             I
                             love
                             ,
                             and
                             hourly
                             I
                             dye
                             ,
                          
                        
                         
                           
                             But
                             not
                             for
                             a
                             Lip
                             ,
                             nor
                             a
                             languishing
                             Eye
                             :
                          
                        
                         
                           
                             She
                             's
                             fickle
                             and
                             false
                             ,
                             and
                             there
                             we
                             agree
                          
                           ;
                        
                         
                           
                             For
                             I
                             am
                             as
                             false
                             ,
                             and
                             as
                             fickle
                             as
                             she
                             :
                          
                        
                         
                           
                             We
                             neither
                             believe
                             what
                             either
                             can
                             say
                          
                           ;
                        
                         
                           
                             And
                             ,
                             neither
                             believing
                             ,
                             we
                             neither
                             betray
                             .
                          
                        
                      
                       
                         
                           II.
                           
                        
                         
                           
                             'T
                             is
                             civil
                             to
                             swear
                             ,
                             and
                             say
                             things
                             of
                             course
                          
                           ;
                        
                         
                           
                             We
                             mean
                             not
                             the
                             taking
                             for
                             better
                             for
                             worse
                             .
                          
                        
                         
                           
                             When
                             present
                             ,
                             we
                             love
                             ;
                             when
                             absent
                             ,
                             agree
                             :
                          
                        
                         
                           
                             I
                             think
                             not
                             of
                          
                           Iris
                           ,
                           nor
                           Iris
                           
                             of
                             me
                          
                           :
                        
                         
                           
                             The
                             Legend
                             of
                             Love
                             no
                             Couple
                             can
                             find
                          
                        
                         
                           
                             So
                             easie
                             to
                             part
                             ,
                             or
                             so
                             equally
                             join'd
                             .
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
               
                 After
                 ,
                 the
                 Dance
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Phaedra
                   .
                
                 
                   This
                   Power
                   of
                   yours
                   makes
                   me
                   suspect
                   you
                   for
                   little
                   better
                   than
                   a
                   God
                   ;
                   but
                   if
                   you
                   are
                   one
                   ,
                   for
                   more
                   certainty
                   ,
                   tell
                   me
                   what
                   I
                   am
                   just
                   now
                   thinking
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Why
                   ,
                   thou
                   art
                   thinking
                   ,
                   let
                   me
                   see
                   ;
                   for
                   thou
                   art
                   a
                   Woman
                   ,
                   and
                   your
                   minds
                   are
                   so
                   variable
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   's
                   very
                   hard
                   even
                   for
                   a
                   God
                   to
                   know
                   them
                   .
                   But
                   ,
                   to
                   satisfie
                   thee
                   ,
                   thou
                   art
                   wishing
                   ,
                   now
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   same
                   Power
                   I
                   have
                   exercis'd
                   ;
                   that
                   thou
                   mightest
                   stamp
                   ,
                   like
                   me
                   ;
                   and
                   have
                   more
                   Singers
                   come
                   up
                   for
                   another
                   Song
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaedra
                   ,
                
                 
                   Gad
                   ,
                   I
                   think
                   the
                   Devil
                   's
                   in
                   you
                   .
                   Then
                   I
                   do
                   stamp
                   in
                   some
                   body's
                   Name
                   ,
                   but
                   I
                   know
                   not
                   whose
                   ;
                   
                     (
                     stamps
                     .
                     )
                  
                   Come
                   up
                   ,
                   Gentle-folks
                   ,
                   from
                   below
                   ;
                   and
                   sing
                   me
                   a
                   Pastoral
                   Dialogue
                   ,
                   where
                   the
                   Woman
                   may
                   have
                   the
                   better
                   of
                   the
                   Man
                   ;
                   as
                   we
                   always
                   have
                   in
                   Love
                   matters
                   .
                
              
               
                 [
                 New
                 Singers
                 come
                 up
                 and
                 sing
                 a
                 Song
                 .
              
               
                 
                   
                     
                       
                         A
                         Pastoral
                         Dialogue
                         betwixt
                         Thyrsis
                         and
                         Iris.
                         
                      
                       
                         
                           Thyrsis
                           .
                        
                         
                           
                             I.
                             
                          
                           
                             FAir
                             Iris
                             
                               and
                               her
                               Swain
                               ▪
                            
                          
                           
                             
                               Were
                               in
                               a
                               shady
                               Bow'r
                            
                             ;
                          
                           
                             Where
                             Thyrsis
                             
                               long
                               in
                               vain
                            
                          
                           
                             
                               Had
                               sought
                               the
                               Shepherd's
                               hour
                            
                             :
                          
                           
                             
                               At
                               length
                               his
                               Hand
                               advancing
                               upon
                               her
                               snowy
                               Breast
                            
                             ;
                          
                           
                             
                               He
                               said
                               ,
                               O
                               kiss
                               me
                               longer
                               ,
                            
                          
                           
                             
                               And
                               longer
                               yet
                               and
                               longer
                            
                             ,
                          
                           
                             
                               If
                               you
                               will
                               make
                               me
                               Blest
                               .
                            
                          
                        
                      
                       
                         
                         
                           Iris.
                           
                        
                         
                           
                             II.
                             
                          
                           
                             An
                             easie
                             yielding
                             Maid
                             ,
                          
                           
                             By
                             trusting
                             is
                             undone
                             ;
                          
                           
                             Our
                             Sex
                             is
                             oft
                             betray'd
                             ,
                          
                           
                             By
                             granting
                             Love
                             too
                             soon
                             .
                          
                           
                             If
                             you
                             desire
                             to
                             gain
                             me
                             ,
                             your
                             Suff'rings
                             to
                             redress
                             ;
                          
                           
                             Prepare
                             to
                             love
                             me
                             longer
                             ,
                          
                           
                             And
                             longer
                             yet
                             ,
                             and
                             longer
                             ,
                          
                           
                             Before
                             you
                             shall
                             possess
                             .
                          
                        
                      
                       
                         
                           Thyrsis
                           .
                        
                         
                           
                             III.
                             
                          
                           
                             
                               The
                               little
                               Care
                               you
                               show
                            
                             ,
                          
                           
                             
                               Of
                               all
                               my
                               Sorrows
                               past
                            
                             ;
                          
                           
                             
                               Makes
                               Death
                               appear
                               too
                               slow
                            
                             ,
                          
                           
                             
                               And
                               Life
                               too
                               long
                               to
                               last
                               .
                            
                          
                           
                             Fair
                             Iris
                             
                               kiss
                               me
                               kindly
                               ,
                               in
                               pity
                               of
                               my
                               Fate
                            
                             ;
                          
                           
                             
                               And
                               kindly
                               still
                               ,
                               and
                               kindly
                               ,
                            
                          
                           
                             
                               Before
                               it
                               be
                               too
                               late
                            
                             .
                          
                        
                      
                       
                         
                           Iris.
                           
                        
                         
                           
                             IV.
                             
                          
                           
                             You
                             fondly
                             Court
                             your
                             Bliss
                             ,
                          
                           
                             And
                             no
                             Advances
                             make
                             ;
                          
                           
                             'T
                             is
                             not
                             for
                             Maids
                             to
                             kiss
                             ,
                          
                           
                             But
                             't
                             is
                             for
                             Men
                             to
                             take
                             .
                          
                           
                             So
                             you
                             may
                             Kiss
                             me
                             kindly
                             ,
                             and
                             I
                             will
                             not
                             rebell
                             ;
                          
                           
                             And
                             kindly
                             still
                             ,
                             and
                             kindly
                             ,
                          
                           
                             But
                             Kiss
                             me
                             not
                             and
                             tell
                             .
                          
                        
                      
                       
                         
                           Chorus
                           .
                        
                         
                           
                             V.
                             
                          
                           
                             A
                             RONDEAU
                             .
                          
                           
                             Thus
                             at
                             the
                             height
                             we
                             love
                             and
                             live
                             ,
                          
                           
                             And
                             fear
                             not
                             to
                             be
                             poor
                             :
                          
                           
                             We
                             give
                             ,
                             and
                             give
                             ,
                             and
                             give
                             ,
                             and
                             give
                             ,
                          
                           
                             Till
                             we
                             can
                             give
                             no
                             more
                             :
                          
                           
                             But
                             what
                             to
                             day
                             will
                             take
                             away
                             ,
                          
                           
                             To
                             morrow
                             will
                             restore
                             .
                          
                           
                             Thus
                             at
                             the
                             heighth
                             we
                             love
                             and
                             live
                             ,
                          
                           
                             And
                             fear
                             not
                             to
                             be
                             poor
                             .
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaedra
                   .
                
                 
                   Adieu
                   ,
                   I
                   leave
                   you
                   to
                   pay
                   the
                   Musick
                   :
                   Hope
                   well
                   Mr.
                   Planett
                   ;
                   there
                   's
                   a
                   better
                   Heav'n
                   in
                   store
                   for
                   you
                   :
                   I
                   say
                   no
                   more
                   ,
                   but
                   you
                   can
                   guess
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Mercury
                   ,
                
                 
                   alone
                   .
                
                 
                   Such
                   Bargain-loves
                   ,
                   as
                   I
                   with
                   Phaedra
                   treat
                   ,
                
                 
                   Are
                   all
                   the
                   Leagues
                   and
                   Friendships
                   of
                   the
                   Great
                   :
                
                 
                   All
                   seek
                   their
                   Ends
                   ;
                   and
                   each
                   wou'd
                   other
                   cheat
                
                 
                   They
                   onely
                   seem
                   to
                   hate
                   ,
                   and
                   seem
                   to
                   love
                   ;
                
                 
                   But
                   Int'rest
                   is
                   the
                   point
                   on
                   which
                   they
                   move
                   .
                
                 
                   Their
                   Friends
                   are
                   Foes
                   ;
                   and
                   Foes
                   are
                   Friends
                   agen
                   ;
                
                 
                   And
                   ,
                   in
                   their
                   turns
                   ,
                   are
                   Knaves
                   ,
                   and
                   Honest
                   men
                   .
                
                 
                   Our
                   Iron
                   Age
                   is
                   grown
                   an
                   Age
                   of
                   Gold
                   :
                
                 
                   'T
                   is
                   who
                   bids
                   most
                   ;
                   for
                   all
                   Men
                   wou'd
                   be
                   sold
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   [
                   Exit
                
                 Mercury
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 ACT.
                 V.
                 
              
               
                 Gripus
                 ,
                 Phaedra
                 .
              
               
                 Gripus
                 
                   has
                   the
                   Gobblet
                   in
                   his
                   Hand
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   YOU
                   will
                   not
                   be
                   so
                   base
                   to
                   take
                   it
                   from
                   me
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   'T
                   is
                   my
                   proper
                   Chattel
                   :
                   and
                   I
                   'll
                   seize
                   my
                   own
                   ,
                   in
                   whatever
                   hands
                   I
                   find
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   You
                   know
                   I
                   onely
                   show'd
                   it
                   you
                   to
                   provoke
                   your
                   generosity
                   ,
                   that
                   you
                   might
                   out-bid
                   your
                   Rival
                   with
                   a
                   better
                   Present
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   My
                   Rival
                   is
                   a
                   Thief
                   :
                   and
                   I
                   'll
                   indite
                   you
                   for
                   a
                   Receiver
                   of
                   Stoln
                   Goods
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Thou
                   Hide-bound
                   Lover
                   ▪
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Thou
                   very
                   mercenary
                   Mistress
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Thou
                   most
                   mercenary
                   Magistrate
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Thou
                   Seller
                   of
                   thy self
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Thou
                   Seller
                   of
                   other
                   People
                   :
                   thou
                   Weather-cock
                   of
                   Government
                   :
                   that
                   when
                   the
                   Wind
                   blows
                   for
                   the
                   Subject
                   ,
                   point'st
                   to
                   Priviledge
                   ;
                   and
                   when
                   it
                   changes
                   for
                   the
                   Soveraign
                   ,
                   veers
                   to
                   Prerogative
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Will
                   you
                   compound
                   ,
                   and
                   take
                   it
                   as
                   my
                   Present
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   No
                   :
                   but
                   I
                   'll
                   send
                   thy
                   Rival
                   to
                   force
                   it
                   from
                   thee
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   When
                   a
                   Thief
                   is
                   Rival
                   to
                   his
                   Judge
                   ,
                   the
                   Hangman
                   will
                   soon
                   decide
                   the
                   difference
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   [
                   Exit
                
                 .
                 Phaedra
                 .
              
               
                 Enter
                 Mercury
                 ,
                 
                   with
                   two
                   Swords
                
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Bowing
                   .
                
                 
                   Save
                   your
                   good
                   Lordship
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   From
                   an
                   Impertinent
                   Coxcomb
                   :
                   I
                   am
                   out
                   of
                   humour
                   ,
                   and
                   am
                   in
                   hast
                   :
                   leave
                   me
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   'T
                   is
                   my
                   duty
                   to
                   attend
                   on
                   your
                   Lordship
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   ease
                   you
                   of
                   that
                   undecent
                   Burden
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Gold
                   was
                   never
                   any
                   Burden
                   ,
                   to
                   one
                   of
                   my
                   Profession
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   By
                   your
                   Lordship's
                   permission
                   ,
                   Phaedra
                   has
                   sent
                   me
                   to
                   take
                   it
                   from
                   you
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   What
                   ,
                   by
                   Violence
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   still
                   Bowing
                   .
                
                 
                   No
                   ;
                   but
                   by
                   your
                   Honour's
                   permission
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                   to
                   restore
                   it
                   to
                   her
                   ,
                   and
                   perswade
                   your
                   Lordship
                   ,
                   to
                   renounce
                   your
                   Pretensions
                   to
                   her
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Tell
                   her
                   flatly
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   neither
                   do
                   one
                   ,
                   nor
                   t'other
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   O
                   my
                   good
                   Lord
                   ,
                   I
                   dare
                   pass
                   my
                   word
                   for
                   your
                   free
                   consent
                   to
                   both
                   .
                   —
                   Will
                   your
                   Honour
                   be
                   pleas'd
                   to
                   take
                   your
                   choice
                   of
                   one
                   of
                   these
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Why
                   these
                   are
                   Swords
                   :
                   what
                   have
                   I
                   to
                   do
                   with
                   them
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Onely
                   to
                   take
                   your
                   choice
                   of
                   one
                   of
                   them
                   ;
                   which
                   your
                   Lordship
                   pleases
                   ;
                   and
                   leave
                   the
                   other
                   to
                   your
                   most
                   Obedient
                   Servant
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   What
                   ,
                   one
                   of
                   these
                   ungodly
                   Weapons
                   ?
                   take
                   notice
                   ,
                   I
                   'll
                   lay
                   you
                   by
                   the
                   heels
                   ,
                   Sirrah
                   :
                   this
                   has
                   the
                   appearance
                   of
                   an
                   unlawfull
                   bloody
                   challenge
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   You
                   Magistrates
                   are
                   pleas'd
                   to
                   call
                   it
                   so
                   ,
                   my
                   Lord
                   ;
                   but
                   with
                   us
                   Sword-men
                   ,
                   't
                   is
                   an
                   honourable
                   Invitation
                   to
                   the
                   cutting
                   of
                   one
                   anothers
                   Throats
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Be
                   answer'd
                   ;
                   I
                   have
                   no
                   Throat
                   to
                   cut
                   .
                   The
                   Law
                   shall
                   decide
                   our
                   Controversie
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   By
                   your
                   permission
                   ,
                   my
                   Lord
                   ;
                   it
                   must
                   be
                   dispatch'd
                   ,
                   this
                   way
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   'll
                   see
                   thee
                   hang'd
                   before
                   I
                   give
                   thee
                   any
                   such
                   permission
                   ,
                   to
                   dispatch
                   me
                   into
                   another
                   World.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   At
                   the
                   least
                   ,
                   my
                   Lord
                   ,
                   you
                   have
                   no
                   occasion
                   to
                   complain
                   of
                   my
                   want
                   of
                   respect
                   to
                   you
                   :
                   you
                   will
                   neither
                   restore
                   the
                   Gobblet
                   ,
                   nor
                   renounce
                   Phaedra
                   :
                   I
                   offer
                   you
                   the
                   Combat
                   ;
                   you
                   refuse
                   it
                   :
                   all
                   this
                   is
                   done
                   in
                   the
                   forms
                   of
                   honour
                   :
                   it
                   follows
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   am
                   to
                   affront
                   ,
                   cudgel
                   you
                   ,
                   or
                   kick
                   you
                   ,
                   at
                   my
                   own
                   arbitrement
                   ;
                   and
                   I
                   suppose
                   ,
                   you
                   are
                   too
                   honourable
                   not
                   to
                   approve
                   of
                   my
                   proceeding
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Here
                   's
                   a
                   new
                   sort
                   of
                   Process
                   ,
                   that
                   was
                   never
                   heard
                   of
                   in
                   any
                   of
                   our
                   Courts
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   This
                   ,
                   my
                   good
                   Lord
                   ,
                   is
                   Law
                   in
                   Short-hand
                   ,
                   without
                   your
                   long
                   Preambles
                   ,
                   and
                   tedious
                   Repetitions
                   ,
                   that
                   signifie
                   nothing
                   ,
                   but
                   to
                   squeeze
                   the
                   Subject
                   :
                   therefore
                   ,
                   with
                   your
                   Lordship's
                   favour
                   ,
                   I
                   begin
                   .
                
                 
                   [
                   Phillips
                   him
                   under
                   the
                   Chin.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   What
                   's
                   this
                   for
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   To
                   give
                   you
                   an
                   occasion
                   of
                   returning
                   me
                   a
                   box
                   o'
                   th'
                   Ear
                   :
                   that
                   so
                   ,
                   all
                   things
                   may
                   proceed
                   methodically
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   put
                   in
                   no
                   answer
                   ,
                   but
                   suffer
                   a
                   Non-suit
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   No
                   ,
                   my
                   Lord
                   ;
                   for
                   the
                   Costs
                   and
                   Charges
                   are
                   to
                   be
                   paid
                   :
                   will
                   you
                   please
                   to
                   restore
                   the
                   Cup
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   have
                   told
                   thee
                   ,
                   no.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Then
                   from
                   your
                   Chin
                   ,
                   I
                   must
                   ascend
                   to
                   your
                   Lordship's
                   Ears
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Oh
                   ,
                   oh
                   .
                   Oh
                   ,
                   oh
                   .
                   —
                   Wilt
                   thou
                   never-leave
                   lugging
                   me
                   by
                   the
                   Ears
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Not
                   till
                   your
                   Lordship
                   will
                   be
                   pleas'd
                   to
                   hear
                   reason
                   .
                
                 
                   [
                   Pulling
                   again
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Take
                   the
                   Cup
                   ;
                   and
                   the
                   Devil
                   give
                   thee
                   joy
                   on
                   't
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   still
                   holding
                   him
                   .
                   ]
                
                 
                   And
                   your
                   Lordship
                   will
                   farther
                   be
                   graciously
                   pleas'd
                   ,
                   to
                   release
                   all
                   claims
                   ,
                   titles
                   ,
                   and
                   actions
                   whatsoever
                   to
                   Phaedra
                   :
                   You
                   must
                   give
                   me
                   leave
                   to
                   add
                   one
                   small
                   memento
                   ,
                   for
                   that
                   too
                   .
                
                 
                   [
                   Pulling
                   him
                   again
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   renounce
                   her
                   ,
                   I
                   release
                   her
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 Enter
                 Phaedra
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   to
                   her
                   .
                   ]
                
                 
                   Phaedra
                   ;
                   My
                   Lord
                   has
                   been
                   pleas'd
                   to
                   be
                   very
                   gracious
                   ;
                   without
                   pushing
                   matters
                   to
                   extremity
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   over-heard
                   it
                   all
                   :
                   But
                   give
                   me
                   Livery
                   and
                   Seisin
                   of
                   the
                   Gobblet
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   first
                   place
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   There
                   's
                   an
                   Act
                   of
                   Oblivion
                   shou'd
                   be
                   pass'd
                   too
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Let
                   him
                   begin
                   to
                   remember
                   quarrels
                   ,
                   when
                   he
                   dares
                   ;
                   now
                   I
                   have
                   him
                   under
                   my
                   Girdle
                   ,
                   I
                   'll
                   cap
                   Verses
                   with
                   him
                   to
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   the
                   Chapter
                   .
                
              
               
                 Enter
                 Amphitryon
                 
                   and
                   Guards
                
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   to
                   
                     Gripus
                     .
                  
                   )
                
                 
                   At
                   the
                   last
                   I
                   have
                   got
                   possession
                   without
                   your
                   Lordship's
                   Warrant
                   ;
                   Phaedra
                   ,
                   tell
                   Alcmena
                   I
                   am
                   here
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   'll
                   carry
                   no
                   such
                   lying
                   Message
                   :
                   you
                   are
                   not
                   here
                   ,
                   and
                   you
                   cannot
                   be
                   here
                   :
                   for
                   ,
                   to
                   my
                   knowledge
                   ,
                   you
                   are
                   above
                   with
                   my
                   Lady
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   Chamber
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   All
                   of
                   a
                   piece
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   Witchcraft
                   !
                   Answer
                   me
                   precisely
                   ;
                   do'st
                   thou
                   not
                   know
                   me
                   for
                   Amphitryon
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Answer
                   me
                   first
                   :
                   did
                   you
                   give
                   me
                   a
                   Diamond
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   Purse
                   of
                   Gold
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Thou
                   know'st
                   I
                   did
                   not
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Then
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   same
                   token
                   ,
                   I
                   know
                   you
                   are
                   not
                   the
                   true
                   Amphitryon
                   :
                   if
                   you
                   are
                   he
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                   sure
                   I
                   left
                   you
                   in
                   bed
                   with
                   your
                   own
                   Wife
                   :
                   now
                   you
                   had
                   best
                   stretch
                   out
                   a
                   leg
                   ;
                   and
                   feel
                   about
                   for
                   a
                   fair
                   Lady
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   'll
                   undo
                   this
                   Enchantment
                   with
                   my
                   Sword
                   ;
                   and
                   kill
                   the
                   Sorcerer
                   :
                   Come
                   up
                   ,
                   Gentlemen
                   ,
                   and
                   follow
                   me
                   .
                
                 
                   [
                   To
                   the
                   Guards
                   .
                   ]
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   'll
                   save
                   you
                   the
                   labour
                   ;
                   and
                   call
                   him
                   down
                   to
                   confront
                   you
                   ;
                   if
                   you
                   dare
                   attend
                   him
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   [
                   Exit
                
                 .
                 Phoedra
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   aside
                   )
                
                 
                   Now
                   the
                   Spell
                   is
                   ended
                   ,
                   and
                   Jupiter
                   can
                   enchant
                   no
                   more
                   ;
                   or
                   else
                   Amphitryon
                   had
                   not
                   enter'd
                   so
                   easily
                   .
                   
                     [
                     Gripus
                     
                       is
                       stealing
                       off
                       .
                    
                     ]
                  
                   —
                   Whither
                   now
                   ,
                   Gripus
                   ?
                   I
                   have
                   business
                   for
                   you
                   :
                   if
                   you
                   offer
                   to
                   stir
                   ,
                   you
                   know
                   what
                   follows
                   .
                
              
               
                 Enter
                 Jupiter
                 ,
                 
                   follow'd
                   by
                
                 Tranio
                 and
                 Polydas
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Jupit.
                   
                
                 
                   Who
                   dares
                   to
                   play
                   the
                   Master
                   in
                   my
                   House
                   ?
                
                 
                   What
                   noise
                   is
                   this
                   ,
                   that
                   calls
                   me
                   from
                   above
                   ,
                
                 
                   Invades
                   my
                   soft
                   recess
                   ,
                   and
                   privacy
                   ,
                
                 
                   And
                   ,
                   like
                   a
                   Tyde
                   ,
                   breaks
                   in
                   upon
                   my
                   Love
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   O
                   Heav'ns
                   ,
                   what
                   's
                   this
                   I
                   see
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Tran.
                   
                
                 
                   What
                   Prodigy
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Polyd.
                   
                
                 
                   How
                   ,
                   two
                   Amphitryons
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   have
                   beheld
                   th'
                   appearance
                   of
                   two
                   Suns
                   ;
                
                 
                   But
                   still
                   the
                   false
                   ,
                   was
                   dimmer
                   than
                   the
                   true
                   ;
                
                 
                   Here
                   ,
                   both
                   shine
                   out
                   alike
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   This
                   is
                   a
                   sight
                   ,
                   that
                   like
                   the
                   Gorgon's
                   head
                   ,
                
                 
                   Runs
                   through
                   my
                   limbs
                   ,
                   and
                   stiffens
                   me
                   to
                   Stone
                   .
                
                 
                   I
                   need
                   no
                   more
                   inquire
                   into
                   my
                   fate
                   :
                
                 
                   For
                   what
                   I
                   see
                   ,
                   resolves
                   my
                   doubts
                   too
                   plain
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Tran.
                   
                
                 
                   Two
                   drops
                   of
                   water
                   ,
                   cannot
                   be
                   more
                   like
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Polyd.
                   
                
                 
                   They
                   are
                   two
                   very
                   same
                   's
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   aside
                   )
                
                 
                   Our
                   Jupiter
                   is
                   a
                   great
                   Comedian
                   ;
                   he
                   counterfeits
                   most
                   admirably
                   :
                   sure
                   his
                   Priests
                   have
                   coppy'd
                   their
                   Hypocrisie
                   from
                   their
                   Master
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Now
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                   gather'd
                   back
                   into
                   my self
                   ,
                
                 
                   My
                   Heart
                   beats
                   high
                   ,
                   and
                   pushes
                   out
                   the
                   Blood
                
                 
                   [
                   Drawing
                   his
                   Sword
                   ]
                
                 
                   To
                   give
                   me
                   just
                   revenge
                   on
                   this
                   Impostour
                   .
                
                 
                   [
                   to
                   the
                   Guards
                   .
                   ]
                
                 
                   If
                   you
                   are
                   brave
                   ,
                   assist
                   me
                   —
                   not
                   one
                   stirs
                   :
                
                 
                   What
                   are
                   all
                   brib'd
                   to
                   take
                   th'
                   Enchanters
                   part
                   ?
                
                 
                   'T
                   is
                   true
                   ,
                   the
                   work
                   is
                   mine
                   ;
                   and
                   thus
                   .
                   —
                
                 
                   
                     [
                     Going
                     to
                     rush
                     upon
                  
                   Jupiter
                   ;
                   
                     and
                     is
                     held
                     by
                  
                   Tranio
                   and
                   Polydas
                   .
                   ]
                
              
               
                 
                   Polyd.
                   
                
                 
                   It
                   must
                   not
                   be
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Jupit.
                   
                
                 
                   Give
                   him
                   his
                   way
                   :
                   I
                   dare
                   the
                   Madman's
                   worst
                   :
                
                 
                   But
                   still
                   take
                   notice
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   looks
                   not
                   like
                
                 
                   The
                   true
                   Amphitryon
                   ,
                   to
                   fly
                   out
                   ,
                   at
                   first
                
                 
                   To
                   brutal
                   force
                   :
                   it
                   shows
                   he
                   doubts
                   his
                   Cause
                   ,
                
                 
                   Who
                   dares
                   not
                   trust
                   his
                   reason
                   to
                   defend
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   struggling
                
                 
                   Thou
                   base
                   Usurper
                   of
                   my
                   Name
                   ,
                   and
                   Bed
                   ;
                
                 
                   No
                   less
                   than
                   thy
                   Hearts-blood
                   can
                   wash
                   away
                
                 
                   Th'
                   affronts
                   I
                   have
                   sustain'd
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Tranio
                   .
                
                 
                   We
                   must
                   not
                   suffer
                
                 
                   So
                   strange
                   a
                   Duel
                   as
                   Amphitryon
                
                 
                   To
                   fight
                   against
                   himself
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Polyd.
                   
                
                 
                   Nor
                   think
                   we
                   wrong
                   you
                   ,
                   when
                   we
                   hold
                   your
                   hands
                   :
                
                 
                   We
                   know
                   our
                   duty
                   to
                   our
                   General
                   :
                
                 
                   We
                   know
                   the
                   tyes
                   of
                   Friendship
                   to
                   our
                   Friend
                   :
                
                 
                   But
                   who
                   that
                   Friend
                   ,
                   or
                   who
                   that
                   Gen'ral
                   is
                   ,
                
                 
                   Without
                   more
                   certain
                   proofs
                   betwixt
                   you
                   two
                   ,
                
                 
                   Is
                   hard
                   to
                   be
                   distinguish'd
                   ,
                   by
                   our
                   reason
                   :
                
                 
                   Impossible
                   by
                   sight
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   know
                   it
                   ;
                   and
                   have
                   satisfy'd
                   my self
                   :
                
                 
                   I
                   am
                   the
                   true
                   Amphitryon
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Jupit.
                   
                
                 
                   See
                   again
                   .
                
                 
                   He
                   shuns
                   the
                   certain
                   proofs
                   ;
                   and
                   dares
                   not
                   stand
                
                 
                   Impartial
                   Judgment
                   ,
                   and
                   award
                   of
                   right
                   .
                
                 
                   But
                   since
                   
                   Alcmena's
                   honour
                   is
                   concern'd
                   ,
                
                 
                   Whom
                   ,
                   more
                   than
                   Heav'n
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                   I
                   love
                   ;
                
                 
                   This
                   I
                   propose
                   ,
                   as
                   equal
                   to
                   us
                   both
                   .
                
                 
                   Tranio
                   ,
                   and
                   Polydas
                   ,
                   be
                   you
                   Assistants
                   ,
                
                 
                   The
                   Guards
                   be
                   ready
                   to
                   secure
                   th'
                   Impostour
                   ,
                
                 
                   When
                   once
                   so
                   prov'd
                   ,
                   for
                   publick
                   punishment
                   ;
                
                 
                   And
                   Gripus
                   ,
                   be
                   thou
                   Umpire
                   of
                   the
                   Cause
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   am
                   content
                   :
                   let
                   him
                   proceed
                   to
                   Examination
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   aside
                   to
                   Mercury
                   )
                
                 
                   On
                   whose
                   side
                   wou'd
                   you
                   please
                   that
                   I
                   shou'd
                   give
                   the
                   Sentence
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   aside
                   to
                   him
                   )
                
                 
                   Follow
                   thy
                   Conscience
                   for
                   once
                   ;
                   but
                   not
                   to
                   make
                   a
                   Custom
                   of
                   it
                   neither
                   ;
                   nor
                   to
                   leave
                   an
                   evil
                   precedent
                   of
                   Uprightness
                   to
                   future
                   
                   Judges
                   .
                   
                     (
                     Aside
                     )
                  
                   'T
                   is
                   a
                   good
                   thing
                   to
                   have
                   a
                   Magistrate
                   under
                   Correction
                   :
                   Your
                   old
                   fornicating
                   Judge
                   ,
                   dare
                   never
                   give
                   Sentence
                   against
                   him
                   that
                   knows
                   his
                   haunts
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Polyd.
                   
                
                 
                   Your
                   Lordship
                   knows
                   I
                   was
                   Master
                   of
                   
                   Amphitryon's
                   Ship
                   ;
                   and
                   desire
                   to
                   know
                   of
                   him
                   ,
                   what
                   pass'd
                   in
                   private
                   betwixt
                   us
                   two
                   ,
                   at
                   his
                   Landing
                   ,
                   when
                   he
                   was
                   just
                   ready
                   to
                   engage
                   the
                   Enemy
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Let
                   the
                   true
                   Amphitryon
                   answer
                   first
                   .
                   —
                
              
               
                 
                   Jupit.
                   &
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   together
                   .
                   ]
                
                 
                   My
                   Lord
                   I
                   told
                   him
                   .
                   —
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Peace
                   both
                   of
                   you
                   :
                   —
                   'T
                   is
                   a
                   plain
                   Case
                   they
                   are
                   both
                   true
                   ;
                   for
                   they
                   both
                   speak
                   together
                   :
                   but
                   for
                   more
                   certainty
                   ,
                   let
                   the
                   false
                   
                     Amphitryon
                     ▪
                  
                   speak
                   first
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Now
                   they
                   are
                   both
                   silent
                   .
                   —
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Then
                   it
                   's
                   as
                   plain
                   on
                   t'other
                   side
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   are
                   both
                   false
                   Amphitryons
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Which
                   Amphitryon
                   shall
                   speak
                   first
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Let
                   the
                   Cholerick
                   Amphitryon
                   speak
                   ;
                   and
                   let
                   the
                   peaceable
                   hold
                   his
                   peace
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   to
                   Polydas
                   .
                   ]
                
                 
                   You
                   may
                   remember
                   that
                   I
                   whisper'd
                   you
                   ,
                   not
                   to
                   part
                   from
                   the
                   Stern
                   ,
                   one
                   single
                   Moment
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Polyd.
                   
                
                 
                   You
                   did
                   so
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   No
                   more
                   words
                   then
                   ;
                   I
                   proceed
                   to
                   Sentence
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Jupit.
                   
                
                 
                   'T
                   was
                   I
                   that
                   whisper'd
                   him
                   ;
                   and
                   he
                   may
                   remember
                   I
                   gave
                   him
                   this
                   reason
                   for
                   it
                   ;
                   That
                   if
                   our
                   Men
                   were
                   beaten
                   ,
                   I
                   might
                   secure
                   my
                   own
                   retreat
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Polyd.
                   
                
                 
                   You
                   did
                   so
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Now
                   again
                   he
                   's
                   as
                   true
                   as
                   t'other
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Tranio
                   .
                
                 
                   You
                   know
                   I
                   was
                   Pay-master
                   :
                   What
                   directions
                   did
                   you
                   give
                   me
                   the
                   night
                   before
                   the
                   Battle
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   To
                   which
                   of
                   the
                   You's
                   art
                   thou
                   speaking
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   aside
                   )
                
                 
                   It
                   shou'd
                   be
                   a
                   double
                   U
                   :
                   but
                   they
                   have
                   no
                   such
                   letter
                   in
                   their
                   Tongue
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   order'd
                   you
                   to
                   take
                   particular
                   care
                   of
                   the
                   great
                   Bag.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Why
                   this
                   is
                   demonstration
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Jupit.
                   
                
                 
                   The
                   Bag
                   that
                   I
                   recommended
                   to
                   you
                   ,
                   was
                   of
                   Tygers
                   skin
                   ;
                   and
                   mark'd
                   Beta
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   In
                   sadness
                   I
                   think
                   they
                   are
                   both
                   Jugglers
                   :
                   Here
                   's
                   nothing
                   ,
                   and
                   here
                   's
                   nothing
                   :
                   and
                   then
                   
                     hiccius
                     doccius
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   are
                   both
                   here
                   again
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Tran.
                   
                
                 
                   You
                   peaceable
                   Amphitryon
                   ,
                   what
                   Money
                   was
                   there
                   in
                   that
                   Bag
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Jupit.
                   
                
                 
                   The
                   summ
                   in
                   gross
                   ,
                   amounted
                   just
                   to
                   fifty
                   Attick
                   Talents
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Tran
                   ▪
                   
                
                 
                   To
                   a
                   farthing
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Paugh
                   :
                   obvious
                   ,
                   obvious
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Two
                   thousand
                   pieces
                   of
                   Gold
                   were
                   ty'd
                   up
                   in
                   a
                   Handkerchief
                   by
                   themselves
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Tran.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   remember
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Then
                   't
                   is
                   dubious
                   again
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Jupit.
                   
                
                 
                   But
                   the
                   rest
                   was
                   not
                   all
                   Silver
                   ;
                   for
                   there
                   were
                   just
                   four
                   thousand
                   Brass
                   half-pence
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   Being
                   but
                   Brass
                   ,
                   the
                   proof
                   is
                   inconsiderable
                   :
                   if
                   they
                   had
                   been
                   Silver
                   ,
                   it
                   had
                   gone
                   on
                   your
                   side
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   to
                   Jupit.
                   ]
                
                 
                   Death
                   and
                   Hell
                   ,
                   you
                   will
                   not
                   perswade
                   me
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   did
                   not
                   kill
                   Pterelas
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Jupit.
                   
                
                 
                   Nor
                   you
                   me
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   did
                   not
                   enjoy
                   Alcmena
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   That
                   last
                   was
                   poyson
                   to
                   me
                   .
                   —
                
                 
                   (
                   Aside
                   .
                   )
                
                 
                   Yet
                   there
                   's
                   one
                   proof
                   thou
                   canst
                   not
                   counterfeit
                   :
                
                 
                   In
                   killing
                   Pterelas
                   ,
                   I
                   had
                   a
                   Wound
                
                 
                   Full
                   in
                   the
                   brawny
                   part
                   of
                   my
                   right
                   Arme
                   :
                
                 
                   Where
                   still
                   the
                   Scar
                   remains
                   :
                   now
                   blush
                   ,
                   Impostour
                   ;
                
                 
                   For
                   this
                   thou
                   canst
                   not
                   show
                   .
                
                 
                   [
                   Bares
                   his
                   Arme
                   ;
                   and
                   shows
                   the
                   Scar
                   ,
                   which
                   they
                   all
                   look
                   on
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Omnes
                   .
                
                 
                   This
                   is
                   the
                   true
                   Amphitryon
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Jupit.
                   
                
                 
                   May
                   your
                   Lordship
                   please
                   .
                   —
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   No
                   ,
                   Sirrah
                   ,
                   it
                   does
                   not
                   please
                   me
                   :
                   hold
                   your
                   tongue
                   ,
                   I
                   charge
                   you
                   ;
                   for
                   the
                   Case
                   is
                   manifest
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Jupit.
                   
                
                 
                   By
                   your
                   favour
                   then
                   ,
                   this
                   shall
                   speak
                   for
                   me
                   .
                
                 
                   Bares
                   his
                   Arme
                   ;
                   and
                   shows
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Tran.
                   
                
                 
                   'T
                   is
                   just
                   in
                   the
                   same
                   Muscle
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Polyd.
                   
                
                 
                   Of
                   the
                   same
                   length
                   and
                   breadth
                   ;
                   and
                   the
                   Scar
                   of
                   the
                   same
                   blewish
                   colour
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   to
                   Jupit.
                   ]
                
                 
                   Did
                   not
                   I
                   charge
                   you
                   not
                   to
                   speak
                   ?
                   't
                   was
                   plain
                   enough
                   before
                   :
                   and
                   now
                   you
                   have
                   puzzled
                   it
                   again
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Good
                   Gods
                   ,
                   how
                   can
                   this
                   be
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Grip.
                   
                
                 
                   For
                   certain
                   there
                   was
                   but
                   one
                   Pterelas
                   ;
                   and
                   he
                   must
                   have
                   been
                   in
                   the
                   Plot
                   against
                   himself
                   too
                   :
                   for
                   he
                   was
                   kill'd
                   first
                   by
                   one
                   of
                   them
                   ;
                   and
                   then
                   rise
                   again
                   out
                   of
                   respect
                   to
                   t'other
                   Amphitryon
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   kill'd
                   twice
                   over
                   .
                
              
               
                 Enter
                 Alcmena
                 ,
                 Phaedra
                 ,
                 and
                 Bromia
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   turning
                   to
                   Phaed.
                   and
                   Brom.
                   
                
                 
                   No
                   more
                   of
                   this
                   ;
                   it
                   sounds
                   impossible
                
                 
                   That
                   two
                   shou'd
                   be
                   so
                   like
                   ,
                   no
                   difference
                   found
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   You
                   'll
                   find
                   it
                   true
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   Then
                   where's
                   
                   Alcmena's
                   honour
                   and
                   her
                   fame
                   ?
                
                 
                   Farewell
                   my
                   needless
                   fear
                   ;
                   it
                   cannot
                   be
                   :
                
                 
                   This
                   is
                   a
                   Case
                   too
                   nice
                   for
                   vulgar
                   sight
                   :
                
                 
                   But
                   let
                   me
                   come
                   ;
                   my
                   Heart
                   will
                   guide
                   my
                   Eyes
                
                 
                   To
                   point
                   ,
                   and
                   tremble
                   to
                   its
                   proper
                   choice
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     [
                     Seeing
                  
                   Amphitryon
                   ,
                   
                     goes
                     to
                     him
                     .
                  
                   ]
                
                 
                   There
                   neither
                   was
                   ,
                   nor
                   is
                   ,
                   but
                   one
                   Amphitryon
                   ;
                
                 
                   And
                   I
                   am
                   onely
                   his
                   .
                   —
                
                 
                   [
                   Goes
                   to
                   take
                   him
                   by
                   the
                   Hand
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   pushing
                   her
                   away
                   from
                   him
                   .
                
                 
                   Away
                   ,
                   Adultress
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                   Jupit.
                   
                
                 
                   My
                   gentle
                   Love
                   :
                   my
                   Treasure
                   and
                   my
                   Joy
                   ;
                
                 
                   Follow
                   no
                   more
                   ,
                   that
                   false
                   and
                   foolish
                   Fire
                   ,
                
                 
                   That
                   wou'd
                   mislead
                   thy
                   Fame
                   to
                   sure
                   destruction
                   !
                
                 
                   Look
                   on
                   thy
                   better
                   Husband
                   ,
                   and
                   thy
                   friend
                   ,
                
                 
                   Who
                   will
                   not
                   leave
                   thee
                   lyable
                   to
                   scorn
                   ,
                
                 
                   But
                   vindicate
                   thy
                   honour
                   from
                   that
                   Wretch
                
                 
                   Who
                   wou'd
                   by
                   base
                   aspersions
                   blot
                   thy
                   vertue
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   going
                   to
                   him
                   ,
                   who
                   embraces
                   her
                   .
                
                 
                   I
                   was
                   indeed
                   mistaken
                   ;
                   thou
                   art
                   he
                   !
                
                 
                   Thy
                   Words
                   ,
                   thy
                   Thoughts
                   ,
                   thy
                   Soul
                   is
                   all
                   Amphitryon
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   Th'
                   Impostour
                   has
                   thy
                   Features
                   ,
                   not
                   thy
                   Mind
                   ;
                
                 
                   The
                   Face
                   might
                   have
                   deceiv'd
                   me
                   in
                   my
                   choice
                   ;
                
                 
                   Thy
                   kindness
                   is
                   a
                   Guide
                   that
                   cannot
                   err
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   What
                   in
                   my
                   presence
                   to
                   prefer
                   the
                   Villain
                   !
                
                 
                   O
                   execrable
                   cheat
                   !
                   I
                   break
                   the
                   truce
                   ;
                
                 
                   And
                   will
                   no
                   more
                   attend
                   your
                   vain
                   decisions
                   ;
                
                 
                   To
                   this
                   —
                   and
                   to
                   the
                   Gods
                   I
                   'll
                   trust
                   my
                   Cause
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     [
                     Is
                     rushing
                     upon
                  
                   Jupiter
                   ,
                   
                     and
                     is
                     held
                     again
                  
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Jupit.
                   
                
                 
                   Poor
                   Man
                   ;
                   how
                   I
                   contemn
                   those
                   idle
                   threats
                   !
                
                 
                   Were
                   I
                   dispos'd
                   ,
                   thou
                   might'st
                   as
                   safely
                   meet
                
                 
                   The
                   Thunder
                   lanch'd
                   from
                   the
                   red
                   arme
                   of
                   
                     Jove
                     :
                  
                   )
                
                 
                   (
                   Nor
                   Jove
                   need
                   blush
                   to
                   be
                   
                   Alcmena's
                   Champion
                   .
                   )
                
                 
                   But
                   in
                   the
                   face
                   of
                   Thebes
                   ,
                   she
                   shall
                   be
                   clear'd
                   :
                
                 
                   And
                   what
                   I
                   am
                   ,
                   and
                   what
                   thou
                   art
                   ,
                   be
                   known
                   .
                
                 
                   Attend
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   bring
                   convincing
                   proof
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Thou
                   wou'dst
                   elude
                   my
                   Justice
                   ,
                   and
                   escape
                   ;
                
                 
                   But
                   I
                   will
                   follow
                   thee
                   ,
                   through
                   Earth
                   ,
                   and
                   Seas
                   ;
                
                 
                   Nor
                   Hell
                   shall
                   hide
                   thee
                   ,
                   from
                   my
                   just
                   revenge
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Jupit.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   'll
                   spare
                   thy
                   pains
                   :
                   it
                   shall
                   be
                   quickly
                   seen
                   ,
                
                 
                   Bewixt
                   us
                   two
                   ,
                   who
                   seeks
                   ,
                   and
                   who
                   avoids
                   .
                   —
                
                 
                   Come
                   in
                   my
                   Friends
                   :
                   and
                   thou
                   who
                   seem'st
                   Amphitryon
                   ;
                
                 
                   That
                   all
                   who
                   are
                   in
                   doubt
                   ,
                   may
                   know
                   the
                   true
                   .
                
              
               
                 Jupiter
                 
                   re-enters
                   the
                   House
                   :
                   with
                   him
                
                 Amphitryon
                 ,
                 Alcmena
                 ,
                 Polydas
                 ,
                 Tranio
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   Guards
                
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   to
                   Grip.
                   and
                   Brom.
                   who
                   are
                   following
                   .
                
                 
                   Thou
                   Gripus
                   ,
                   and
                   you
                   Bromia
                   ;
                   stay
                   with
                   Phaedra
                   :
                
                 
                   Let
                   their
                   affairs
                   alone
                   ,
                   and
                   mind
                   we
                   ours
                   :
                
                 
                   
                   Amphitryon's
                   Rival
                   shall
                   appear
                   a
                   God
                   :
                
                 
                   But
                   know
                   before-hand
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                   Mercury
                   ;
                
                 
                   Who
                   want
                   not
                   Heav'n
                   ,
                   while
                   Phaedra
                   is
                   on
                   Earth
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Brom.
                   
                
                 
                   But
                   ,
                   and
                   't
                   please
                   your
                   Lordship
                   ,
                   is
                   my
                   fellow
                   Phaedra
                   to
                   be
                   exalted
                   into
                   the
                   Heav'ns
                   ,
                   and
                   made
                   a
                   Star
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   When
                   that
                   comes
                   to
                   pass
                   ,
                   if
                   you
                   look
                   up
                   a-nights
                   ,
                   I
                   shall
                   remember
                   old
                   kindness
                   ,
                   and
                   vouchsafe
                   to
                   twinkle
                   on
                   you
                   .
                
              
               
                 Enter
                 Sosia
                 ,
                 
                   peeping
                   about
                   him
                   :
                   and
                   seeing
                
                 Mercury
                 ,
                 
                   is
                   starting
                   back
                
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Here
                   he
                   is
                   again
                   ;
                   and
                   there
                   's
                   no
                   passing
                   by
                   him
                   into
                   the
                   House
                   ,
                   unless
                   I
                   were
                   a
                   Spright
                   ,
                   to
                   glide
                   in
                   through
                   the
                   Key-hole
                   .
                   —
                   I
                   am
                   to
                   be
                   a
                   Vagabond
                   I
                   find
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Sosia
                   ,
                   come
                   back
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   No
                   I
                   thank
                   you
                   ;
                   you
                   may
                   whistle
                   me
                   long
                   enough
                   ;
                   a
                   beaten
                   Dog
                   has
                   always
                   the
                   wit
                   to
                   avoid
                   his
                   Master
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   permit
                   thee
                   to
                   be
                   Sosia
                   again
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   'T
                   is
                   an
                   unfortunate
                   Name
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   abandon
                   it
                   :
                   he
                   that
                   has
                   an
                   itch
                   to
                   be
                   beaten
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   take
                   it
                   up
                   for
                   
                     Sosia
                     ;
                  
                   —
                   What
                   have
                   I
                   said
                   now
                   !
                   I
                   mean
                   for
                   me
                   ;
                   for
                   I
                   neither
                   am
                   nor
                   will
                   be
                   Sosia
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   But
                   thou
                   may'st
                   be
                   so
                   in
                   safety
                   :
                   for
                   I
                   have
                   acknowledg'd
                   my self
                   to
                   be
                   God
                   Mercury
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   You
                   may
                   be
                   a
                   God
                   ,
                   for
                   ought
                   I
                   know
                   ;
                   but
                   the
                   Devil
                   take
                   me
                   if
                   ever
                   I
                   Worship
                   you
                   ;
                   for
                   an
                   unmercifull
                   Deity
                   ,
                   as
                   you
                   are
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   You
                   ought
                   to
                   take
                   it
                   for
                   an
                   honour
                   to
                   be
                   drubb'd
                   by
                   the
                   hand
                   of
                   a
                   Divinity
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   I
                   am
                   your
                   most
                   humble
                   Servant
                   ,
                   good
                   Mr.
                   God
                   ;
                   but
                   by
                   the
                   saith
                   of
                   a
                   Mortal
                   ,
                   I
                   cou'd
                   well
                   have
                   spar'd
                   the
                   honour
                   that
                   you
                   did
                   me
                   .
                   But
                   how
                   shall
                   I
                   be
                   sure
                   that
                   you
                   will
                   never
                   assume
                   my
                   shape
                   again
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Because
                   I
                   am
                   weary
                   of
                   wearing
                   so
                   villanous
                   an
                   outside
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Well
                   ,
                   well
                   ;
                   as
                   villanous
                   as
                   it
                   is
                   ,
                   here
                   's
                   old
                   Bromia
                   will
                   be
                   contented
                   with
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Brom.
                   
                
                 
                   Yes
                   ,
                   now
                   I
                   am
                   sure
                   that
                   I
                   may
                   chastise
                   you
                   safely
                   :
                   and
                   that
                   there
                   's
                   no
                   God
                   ,
                   lurking
                   under
                   your
                   appearance
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Ay
                   ;
                   but
                   you
                   had
                   best
                   take
                   heed
                   how
                   you
                   attempt
                   it
                   :
                   for
                   as
                   Mercury
                   has
                   turn'd
                   himself
                   into
                   me
                   ,
                   so
                   I
                   may
                   take
                   the
                   toy
                   into
                   my
                   head
                   ,
                   to
                   turn
                   my self
                   into
                   Mercury
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   may
                   swinge
                   you
                   off
                   ,
                   condignly
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   In
                   the
                   mean
                   time
                   ,
                   be
                   all
                   my
                   Witnesses
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   take
                   Phaedra
                   for
                   my
                   Wife
                   of
                   the
                   left
                   hand
                   ;
                   that
                   is
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   nature
                   of
                   a
                   lawfull
                   Concubine
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   You
                   shall
                   pardon
                   me
                   for
                   believing
                   you
                   ,
                   for
                   all
                   you
                   are
                   a
                   God
                   :
                   for
                   you
                   have
                   a
                   terrible
                   ill
                   name
                   below
                   :
                   and
                   I
                   am
                   affraid
                   you
                   'll
                   get
                   a
                   Footman
                   ,
                   instead
                   of
                   a
                   Priest
                   ,
                   to
                   Marry
                   us
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   But
                   here
                   's
                   Gripus
                   shall
                   draw
                   up
                   Articles
                   betwixt
                   us
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   But
                   he
                   's
                   damnably
                   u'sd
                   to
                   false
                   Conveyancing
                   :
                   —
                   Well
                   be
                   it
                   so
                   :
                   for
                   my
                   Counsel
                   shall
                   over-look
                   'em
                   before
                   I
                   Sign
                   :
                   Come
                   on
                   ,
                   Gripus
                   ;
                   that
                   I
                   may
                   have
                   him
                   under
                   black
                   and
                   white
                
                 
                   
                     [
                     Here
                  
                   Gripus
                   
                     gets
                     ready
                     Pen
                     ,
                     Ink
                     ,
                     and
                     Paper
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   With
                   all
                   my
                   heart
                   ;
                   that
                   I
                   may
                   have
                   thee
                   under
                   black
                   and
                   white
                   hereafter
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   to
                   Gripus
                   .
                
                 
                   Begin
                   ,
                   begin
                   ;
                   Heads
                   of
                   Articles
                   to
                   be
                   made
                   ,
                   &c.
                   betwixt
                   Mercury
                   ,
                   God
                   of
                   Thieves
                   —
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   And
                   Phaedra
                   ,
                   Queen
                   of
                   Gypsies
                   .
                   
                     —
                     Imprimis
                  
                   ,
                   I
                   promise
                   to
                   buy
                   and
                   settle
                   upon
                   her
                   an
                   Estate
                   ,
                   containing
                   Nine
                   thousand
                   Acres
                   of
                   Land
                   ,
                   in
                   any
                   part
                   of
                   Boeotia
                   ,
                   to
                   her
                   own
                   liking
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Provided
                   always
                   ,
                   that
                   no
                   part
                   of
                   the
                   said
                   Nine
                   thousand
                   Acres
                   shall
                   be
                   upon
                   ,
                   or
                   adjoyning
                   to
                   Mount
                   Parnassus
                   :
                   for
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   be
                   fobb'd
                   off
                   with
                   a
                   Poetical
                   Estate
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Memorandum
                   ,
                   that
                   she
                   be
                   always
                   constant
                   to
                   me
                   ;
                   and
                   admit
                   no
                   other
                   Lover
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Memorandum
                   ,
                   unless
                   it
                   be
                   a
                   Lover
                   that
                   offers
                   more
                   :
                   and
                   that
                   the
                   Constancy
                   shall
                   not
                   exceed
                   the
                   Settlement
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Item
                   ,
                   that
                   she
                   shall
                   keep
                   no
                   Male
                   Servants
                   in
                   her
                   house
                   :
                   Item
                   ,
                   no
                   Rival
                   Lap
                   Dog
                   for
                   a
                   Bedfellow
                   :
                   Item
                   ,
                   that
                   she
                   shall
                   never
                   pray
                   to
                   any
                   of
                   the
                   Gods.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   What
                   ,
                   wou'd
                   you
                   have
                   me
                   an
                   Atheist
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   No
                   Devotion
                   to
                   any
                   He-Deity
                   ,
                   good
                   Phaedra
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Brom.
                   
                
                 
                   Here
                   's
                   no
                   provision
                   made
                   for
                   Children
                   yet
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   Well
                   remember'd
                   ,
                   Bromia
                   :
                   I
                   bargain
                   that
                   my
                   Eldest
                   Son
                   shall
                   be
                   a
                   Hero
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   Eldest
                   Daughter
                   a
                   King's
                   Mistress
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   That
                   is
                   to
                   say
                   ,
                   a
                   Blockhead
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   Harlot
                   ,
                   Phaedra
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   That
                   's
                   true
                   ;
                   but
                   who
                   dares
                   call
                   'em
                   so
                   ?
                   Then
                   for
                   the
                   Younger
                   Children
                   :
                   —
                   but
                   now
                   I
                   think
                   on
                   't
                   ,
                   we
                   'll
                   have
                   no
                   more
                   ,
                   but
                   Mass
                   and
                   Miss
                   ;
                   for
                   the
                   rest
                   wou'd
                   be
                   but
                   chargeable
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   burden
                   to
                   the
                   Nation
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Yes
                   ,
                   yes
                   ;
                   the
                   Second
                   shall
                   be
                   a
                   False
                   Prophet
                   :
                   he
                   shall
                   have
                   Wit
                   enough
                   to
                   set
                   up
                   a
                   New
                   Religion
                   :
                   and
                   too
                   much
                   Wit
                   to
                   dye
                   a
                   Martyr
                   for
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   O
                   what
                   had
                   I
                   forgot
                   ?
                   there
                   's
                   Pin-money
                   ,
                   and
                   Ali-money
                   ,
                   and
                   Seperate
                   maintenance
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   thousand
                   things
                   more
                   to
                   be
                   consider'd
                   ;
                   that
                   are
                   all
                   to
                   be
                   tack'd
                   to
                   this
                   Act
                   of
                   Settlement
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   I
                   am
                   a
                   fool
                   ,
                   I
                   must
                   confess
                   ;
                   but
                   yet
                   I
                   can
                   see
                   as
                   far
                   into
                   a
                   Mill-stone
                   as
                   the
                   best
                   of
                   you
                   :
                   I
                   have
                   observ'd
                   that
                   you
                   Women-Wits
                   are
                   commonly
                   so
                   quick
                   upon
                   the
                   scent
                   ,
                   that
                   you
                   often
                   over-run
                   it
                   :
                   Now
                   I
                   wou'd
                   ask
                   of
                   Madam
                   Phaedra
                   ,
                   that
                   in
                   case
                   Mr.
                   Heaven
                   there
                   ,
                   shou'd
                   be
                   pleas'd
                   to
                   break
                   these
                   Articles
                   ,
                   in
                   what
                   Court
                   of
                   Judicature
                   she
                   intends
                   to
                   sue
                   him
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Phaed.
                   
                
                 
                   The
                   fool
                   has
                   hit
                   upon
                   't
                   :
                   —
                   Gods
                   ,
                   and
                   great
                   Men
                   ,
                   are
                   never
                   to
                   be
                   sued
                   ;
                   for
                   they
                   can
                   always
                   plead
                   priviledge
                   of
                   Peerage
                   :
                   and
                   therefore
                   for
                   once
                   ,
                   Mounsieur
                   ,
                   I
                   'll
                   take
                   your
                   word
                   ;
                   for
                   as
                   long
                   as
                   you
                   love
                   me
                   you
                   'll
                   be
                   sure
                   to
                   keep
                   it
                   :
                   and
                   in
                   the
                   mean
                   time
                   I
                   shall
                   be
                   gaining
                   experience
                   how
                   to
                   manage
                   some
                   rich
                   Cully
                   ;
                   for
                   no
                   Woman
                   ever
                   made
                   her
                   Fortune
                   by
                   a
                   Wit.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   It
                   Thunders
                   ;
                   and
                   the
                   Company
                   within
                   doors
                   :
                
                 Amphitryon
                 ,
                 Alcmena
                 ,
                 Polydas
                 ,
                 and
                 Tranio
                 ,
                 
                   all
                   come
                   running
                   out
                   ,
                   and
                   joyn
                   with
                   the
                   rest
                   ,
                   who
                   were
                   on
                   the
                   Theatre
                   before
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Amph.
                   
                
                 
                   Sure
                   't
                   is
                   some
                   God
                   :
                   he
                   vanish'd
                   from
                   our
                   sight
                   ,
                
                 
                   And
                   told
                   ,
                   us
                   we
                   shou'd
                   see
                   him
                   soon
                   return
                   ▪
                
              
               
                 
                   Alcm.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   know
                   not
                   what
                   to
                   hope
                   ,
                   nor
                   what
                   to
                   fear
                   .
                
                 
                   A
                   simple
                   Errour
                   ,
                   is
                   a
                   real
                   Crime
                   ;
                
                 
                   And
                   unconsenting
                   Innocence
                   is
                   lost
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   A
                   second
                   Peal
                   of
                   Thunder
                   .
                   After
                   which
                   ,
                
                 Jupiter
                 
                   appears
                   in
                   a
                   Machine
                
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Jupit.
                   
                
                 
                   Look
                   up
                   ,
                   Amphitryon
                   ,
                   and
                   behold
                   above
                   ,
                
                 
                   Th'
                   Impostour
                   God
                   ,
                   the
                   Rival
                   of
                   thy
                   Love
                   :
                
                 
                   In
                   thy
                   own
                   shape
                   ,
                   see
                   Jupiter
                   appear
                   ,
                
                 
                   And
                   let
                   that
                   sight
                   ,
                   secure
                   thy
                   jealous
                   fear
                
                 
                   Disgrace
                   ,
                   and
                   Infamy
                   ,
                   are
                   turn'd
                   to
                   boast
                   :
                
                 
                   No
                   Fame
                   ,
                   in
                   
                   Jove's
                   Concurrence
                   can
                   be
                   lost
                   :
                
                 
                   What
                   he
                   enjoys
                   ,
                   he
                   sanctifies
                   from
                   Vice
                   ;
                
                 
                   And
                   by
                   partaking
                   ,
                   stamps
                   into
                   a
                   price
                   .
                
                 
                   'T
                   is
                   I
                   ,
                   who
                   ought
                   to
                   murmur
                   at
                   my
                   Fate
                   ;
                
                 
                   Forc'd
                   by
                   my
                   Love
                   ,
                   my
                   Godhead
                   to
                   translate
                   ;
                
                 
                   When
                   on
                   no
                   other
                   terms
                   I
                   cou'd
                   possess
                   ,
                
                 
                   But
                   by
                   thy
                   form
                   ,
                   thy
                   features
                   ,
                   and
                   thy
                   dress
                   ;
                
                 
                   To
                   thee
                   were
                   giv'n
                   ,
                   the
                   Blessings
                   that
                   I
                   sought
                   ,
                
                 
                   Which
                   else
                   ,
                   not
                   all
                   the
                   bribes
                   of
                   Heav'n
                   had
                   bought
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   Then
                   take
                   into
                   thy
                   Armes
                   thy
                   envy'd
                   Love
                   ;
                
                 
                   And
                   ,
                   in
                   his
                   own
                   despight
                   ,
                   triumph
                   o'er
                   Jove
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Amphitryon
                   and
                   Alcmena
                   ,
                   both
                   stand
                   mute
                   ,
                   and
                   know
                   not
                   how
                   to
                   take
                   it
                   .
                
                 
                   (
                   aside
                   )
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   Our
                   Soveraign
                   Lord
                   Jupiter
                   is
                   a
                   sly
                   Companion
                   ;
                   he
                   knows
                   how
                   to
                   gild
                   a
                   bitter
                   Pill
                   .
                
                 
                   (
                   aside
                   )
                
              
               
                 
                   Jupit.
                   
                
                 
                   From
                   this
                   auspicious
                   Night
                   ,
                   shall
                   rise
                   an
                   Heir
                   ,
                
                 
                   Great
                   ,
                   like
                   his
                   Sire
                   ,
                   and
                   like
                   his
                   Mother
                   ,
                   fair
                   :
                
                 
                   Wrongs
                   to
                   redress
                   ,
                   and
                   Tyrants
                   to
                   disseize
                   ;
                
                 
                   Born
                   for
                   a
                   World
                   ,
                   that
                   wants
                   a
                   Hercules
                   .
                
                 
                   Monsters
                   ,
                   and
                   Monster-men
                   he
                   shall
                   ingage
                   ,
                
                 
                   And
                   toil
                   ,
                   and
                   struggle
                   ,
                   through
                   an
                   Impious
                   Age
                
                 
                   Peace
                   to
                   his
                   Labours
                   ,
                   shall
                   at
                   length
                   succeed
                   ,
                
                 
                   And
                   murm'ring
                   Men
                   ,
                   unwilling
                   to
                   be
                   freed
                   ,
                
                 
                   Shall
                   be
                   compell'd
                   to
                   Happiness
                   ,
                   by
                   need
                   .
                
              
               
                 [
                 Jupiter
                 
                   is
                   carry'd
                   back
                   to
                   Heaven
                
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Omnes
                   .
                
                 
                   We
                   all
                   Congratulate
                   Amphitryon
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Merc.
                   
                
                 
                   Keep
                   your
                   Congratulations
                   to
                   your selves
                   ,
                   Gentlemen
                   :
                   'T
                   is
                   a
                   nice
                   point
                   ,
                   let
                   me
                   tell
                   you
                   that
                   ;
                   and
                   the
                   less
                   that
                   is
                   said
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                   the
                   better
                   .
                   Upon
                   the
                   whole
                   matter
                   ,
                   if
                   Amphitryon
                   takes
                   the
                   favour
                   of
                   Jupiter
                   in
                   patience
                   ,
                   as
                   from
                   a
                   God
                   ,
                   he
                   's
                   a
                   good
                   Heathen
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sosia
                   .
                
                 
                   I
                   must
                   take
                   a
                   little
                   extraordinary
                   pains
                   to
                   night
                   ,
                   that
                   my
                   Spouse
                   may
                   come
                   even
                   with
                   her
                   Lady
                   ,
                   and
                   produce
                   a
                   Squire
                   to
                   attend
                   on
                   young
                   Hercules
                   ,
                   when
                   he
                   goes
                   out
                   to
                   seek
                   Adventures
                   ;
                   that
                   when
                   his
                   Master
                   kills
                   a
                   Man
                   ,
                   he
                   may
                   stand
                   ready
                   to
                   pick
                   his
                   Pockets
                   ;
                   and
                   piously
                   relieve
                   his
                   Aged
                   Parents
                   .
                   Ah
                   ,
                   
                     Bromia
                     ,
                     Bromia
                  
                   ;
                   if
                   thou
                   hadst
                   been
                   as
                   handsome
                   and
                   as
                   young
                   as
                   Phaedra
                   ;
                   I
                   say
                   no
                   more
                   ,
                   but
                   some-body
                   might
                   have
                   made
                   his
                   Fortunes
                   as
                   well
                   as
                   his
                   Master
                   ,
                   and
                   never
                   the
                   worse
                   Man
                   neither
                   .
                
                 
                   For
                   ,
                   let
                   the
                   wicked
                   World
                   say
                   what
                   they
                   please
                   ,
                
                 
                   The
                   fair
                   Wife
                   makes
                   her
                   Husband
                   live
                   at
                   ease
                   :
                
                 
                   The
                   Lover
                   keeps
                   him
                   too
                   ;
                   and
                   but
                   receives
                   ,
                
                 
                   Like
                   Jove
                   ,
                   the
                   remnants
                   that
                   Amphitryon
                   leaves
                   :
                
                 
                   'T
                   is
                   true
                   ,
                   the
                   Lady
                   has
                   enough
                   in
                   store
                   ,
                
                 
                   To
                   satisfie
                   those
                   two
                   ,
                   and
                   eke
                   ,
                   two
                   more
                   :
                
                 
                   In
                   fine
                   ,
                   the
                   Man
                   ,
                   who
                   weighs
                   the
                   matter
                   fully
                   ,
                
                 
                   Wou'd
                   rather
                   be
                   the
                   Cuckold
                   ,
                   than
                   the
                   Cully
                   .
                
              
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               EPILOGUE
               ,
            
             
               Spoken
               by
               Phaedra
               .
               Mrs.
               Mountfort
               .
            
             
               
                 I
                 'M
                 thinking
                 ,
                 (
                 and
                 it
                 almost
                 makes
                 me
                 mad
                 ,
                 )
              
               
                 How
                 sweet
                 a
                 time
                 ,
                 those
                 Heathen
                 Ladies
                 had
                 .
              
               
                 Idolatry
                 ,
                 was
                 ev'n
                 their
                 Gods
                 own
                 trade
                 ;
              
               
                 They
                 Worshipt
                 the
                 sine
                 Creatures
                 they
                 had
                 made
                 .
              
               
                 Cupid
                 ,
                 was
                 chief
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Deities
                 ;
              
               
                 And
                 Love
                 was
                 all
                 the
                 fashion
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Skies
                 .
              
               
                 When
                 the
                 sweet
                 Nymph
                 ,
                 held
                 up
                 the
                 Lilly
                 hand
                 ,
              
               
                 Jove
                 ,
                 was
                 her
                 humble
                 Servant
                 ,
                 at
                 Command
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Treasury
                 of
                 Heav'n
                 was
                 ne're
                 so
                 bare
                 ,
              
               
                 But
                 still
                 there
                 was
                 a
                 Pension
                 for
                 the
                 Fair.
              
               
                 In
                 all
                 his
                 Reign
                 ,
                 Adultry
                 was
                 no
                 Sin
                 ;
              
               
                 For
                 Jove
                 ,
                 the
                 good
                 Example
                 did
                 begin
                 .
              
               
                 Mark
                 ,
                 too
                 when
                 he
                 usurp'd
                 the
                 Husband's
                 name
                 ,
              
               
                 How
                 civilly
                 he
                 sav'd
                 the
                 Ladies
                 fame
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 secret
                 Joys
                 of
                 Love
                 ,
                 he
                 wisely
                 hid
                 ;
              
               
                 But
                 you
                 ,
                 Sirs
                 ,
                 boast
                 of
                 more
                 ,
                 than
                 e'er
                 you
                 did
                 .
              
               
                 You
                 teize
                 your
                 Cuckolds
                 ;
                 to
                 their
                 face
                 torment
                 'em
                 ;
              
               
                 But
                 Jove
                 gave
                 his
                 ,
                 new
                 Honours
                 to
                 content
                 '
                 em
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 kind
                 remembrance
                 of
                 the
                 Fair
                 ,
              
               
                 On
                 each
                 exalted
                 Son
                 ,
                 bestow'd
                 a
                 Star.
              
               
                 For
                 those
                 good
                 deeds
                 ,
                 as
                 by
                 the
                 date
                 appears
                 ,
              
               
                 His
                 Godship
                 ,
                 flourish'd
                 full
                 Two
                 thousand
                 Years
                 .
              
               
                 At
                 last
                 ,
                 when
                 He
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 Priests
                 grew
                 old
                 ,
              
               
                 The
                 Ladies
                 grew
                 in
                 their
                 devotion
                 cold
                 ;
              
               
                 And
                 ,
                 that
                 false
                 Worship
                 wou'd
                 no
                 longer
                 hold
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Severity
                 of
                 Life
                 did
                 next
                 begin
                 ;
              
               
                 (
                 And
                 always
                 does
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 no
                 more
                 can
                 Sin.
                 )
              
               
                 That
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 too
                 ,
                 so
                 hard
                 ,
                 in
                 Practice
                 ,
                 lyes
                 ,
              
               
                 That
                 ,
                 the
                 next
                 Age
                 may
                 see
                 another
                 rise
                 .
              
               
                 Then
                 ,
                 Pagan
                 Gods
                 ,
                 may
                 ,
                 once
                 again
                 ,
                 succeed
                 ;
              
               
                 And
                 Jove
                 ,
                 or
                 Mars
                 ,
                 be
                 ready
                 ,
                 at
                 our
                 need
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 get
                 young
                 Godlings
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 so
                 ,
                 mend
                 our
                 breed
                 .
              
            
             
               FINIS
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               A
               CATALOGUE
               of
               Mr.
               
               DRYDEN'S
               WORKS
               ,
               as
               they
               are
               bound
               in
               Three
               Volumes
               
                 in
                 quarto
              
               ,
               in
               the
               order
               they
               were
               written
               .
            
             
               
                 In
                 the
                 First
                 Volume
                 .
              
               
                 ESSAY
                 on
                 Dramatick
                 Poetry
                 .
              
               
                 Wild
                 Gallant
                 .
              
               
                 Rivall
                 Lady
                 .
              
               
                 Indian
                 Emperour
                 .
              
               
                 Maiden
                 Queen
                 .
              
               
                 Sir
                 Martin
                 Marr-all
                 .
              
               
                 Tempest
                 .
              
               
                 Evening
                 Love.
                 
              
               
                 Royal
                 Martyr
                 .
              
               
                 Conquest
                 of
                 Granada
                 ,
                 in
                 two
                 Parts
                 .
              
               
                 Marriage
                 A-la-mode
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 In
                 the
                 Second
                 Volume
                 .
              
               
                 LOve
                 in
                 a
                 Nunnery
                 .
              
               
                 Amboyna
                 .
              
               
                 State
                 of
                 Innocence
                 .
              
               
                 Aurenzebe
                 .
              
               
                 All
                 for
                 Love.
                 
              
               
                 Limberham
                 .
              
               
                 Oedipus
                 .
              
               
                 Troilus
                 and
                 Cresside
                 .
              
               
                 Spanish
                 Fryar
                 .
              
               
                 Duke
                 of
                 Guise
                 .
              
               
                 Vindication
                 of
                 the
                 Duke
                 of
                 Guise
                 .
              
               
                 Don
                 Sebastian
                 .
              
               
                 Amphitryon
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 In
                 the
                 Third
                 Volume
                 .
              
               
                 
                   ANnus
                   Mirabilis
                
                 ,
                 or
                 ,
                 The
                 Year
                 of
                 Wonders
                 .
              
               
                 A
                 Poem
                 on
                 the
                 Return
                 of
                 King
                 Charles
                 II.
                 
              
               
                 A
                 Panegyrick
                 on
                 the
                 Coronation
                 of
                 King
                 Charles
                 II.
                 
              
               
                 A
                 Poem
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 Chancellor
                 Hide
                 .
              
               
                 Absalom
                 and
                 Achitophel
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Medall
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Religio
                   Laici
                
                 .
              
               
                 Elegy
                 on
                 the
                 Death
                 of
                 King
                 Charles
                 II.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 Hind
                 and
                 Panther
                 .
              
            
          
        
      
       
         
           
             
             
               THE
               SONGS
               IN
               AMPHITRYON
               ,
               WITH
               THE
               MUSICK
               .
            
             
               Composed
               by
               Mr.
               
                 HENRY
                 PVRCELL
              
               .
            
             
               LONDON
               ,
               Printed
               by
               
                 J.
                 Heptinstall
              
               for
               
                 Jacob
                 Tonson
              
               at
               the
               Judge's-Head
               in
               Chancery-Lane
               .
               MDCXC
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
             
               
                 First
                 Song
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 third
                 Act.
                 
              
               
                 
                   
                   
                     CE
                     —
                     lia
                  
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   once
                   was
                   Blest
                   ,
                
                 
                   
                   is
                   now
                   the
                   torment
                   of
                   —
                   my
                   Breast
                   ;
                
                 
                   
                   Since
                   to
                   curse
                   me
                   you
                   bereave
                   me
                   ,
                
                 
                   
                   of
                   the
                   plea-sure
                   —
                   I
                   pos
                   —
                   sess't
                   ;
                
                 
                   
                   Cru
                   —
                   el
                   Creature
                   to
                   deceive
                   me
                   ;
                   —
                
                 
                   
                   first
                   —
                   to
                   Love
                   and
                   then
                   to
                   leave
                   me
                   ;
                
                 
                   
                   cru
                   —
                   el
                   Creature
                   to
                   —
                   de-ceive
                   me
                   ,
                   —
                
                 
                   
                   first
                   —
                   to
                   Love
                   and
                   —
                   then
                   to
                   leave
                   me
                   ;
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   II.
                   
                
                 
                   Had
                   you
                   the
                   Bliss
                   refus'd
                   to
                   grant
                   ,
                
                 
                   I
                   then
                   had
                   never
                   known
                   the
                   want
                   ;
                
                 
                   But
                   possessing
                   ,
                
                 
                   Once
                   the
                   Blessing
                   ,
                
                 
                   Is
                   the
                   cause
                   of
                   my
                   complaint
                   :
                
                 
                   Once
                   possessing
                   ,
                   is
                   but
                   tasting
                   ,
                
                 
                   'T
                   is
                   no
                   Bliss
                   that
                   is
                   not
                   lasting
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   III.
                   
                
                 
                   Celia
                   now
                   is
                   mine
                   no
                   more
                   ,
                
                 
                   But
                   I
                   am
                   hers
                   and
                   must
                   adore
                   ;
                
                 
                   Nor
                   to
                   leave
                   her
                   ,
                
                 
                   VVill
                   endeavour
                   ;
                
                 
                   Charms
                   that
                   captiv'd
                   me
                   before
                
                 
                   No
                   unkindness
                   can
                   dissever
                   ;
                
                 
                   Love
                   that
                   's
                   true
                   ,
                   is
                   Love
                   for
                   ever
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 The
                 second
                 Song
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 fourth
                 Act.
                 
              
               
                 
                   
                   For
                   
                     I
                     —
                     ris
                  
                   I
                   —
                   sigh
                   ,
                   —
                   and
                   —
                   houre
                   —
                   ly
                   dye
                   ,
                
                 
                   
                   but
                   —
                   not
                   for
                   a
                   —
                   Lip
                   ,
                   —
                   nor
                   a
                   —
                   languishing
                   —
                   Eye
                   ;
                
                 
                   
                   —
                   she
                   's
                   
                   Fickle
                   and
                   false
                   ,
                   and
                   there
                   we
                   a
                   —
                   gree
                   ,
                
                 
                   
                   O
                   these
                   —
                   are
                   the
                   Vir
                   —
                   tues
                   that
                   Captivate
                   me
                   ;
                
                 
                   
                   we
                   nei
                   —
                   ther
                   be
                   —
                   leive
                   what
                   ei
                   —
                   ther
                   can
                   —
                   say
                   ,
                   —
                
                 
                   
                   and
                   nei
                   —
                   ther
                   be
                   —
                   lei
                   —
                   ving
                   ,
                   we
                   —
                   nei
                   —
                   ther
                   be
                   —
                   tray
                   ,
                   we
                   —
                   tray
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   II.
                   
                
                 
                   'T
                   is
                   civill
                   to
                   Swear
                   and
                   say
                   things
                   of
                   course
                   ,
                
                 
                   VVe
                   mean
                   not
                   the
                   taking
                   ,
                   for
                   better
                   for
                   worse
                   ;
                
                 
                   VVhen
                   present
                   we
                   Love
                   ,
                   when
                   absent
                   agree
                   ,
                
                 
                   I
                   think
                   not
                   of
                   Iris
                   ,
                   nor
                   Iris
                   of
                   me
                   ;
                
                 
                   The
                   Legend
                   of
                   Love
                   ,
                   no
                   couple
                   can
                   find
                   ,
                
                 
                   So
                   easy
                   to
                   part
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   easily
                   joyn'd
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 Last
                 Song
                 .
                 A
                 Dialogue
                 betwixt
                 Thyrsis
                 and
                 Iris.
                 
              
               
                 
                   
                   FAir
                   
                     I
                     —
                     ris
                  
                   and
                   her
                   Swain
                   ,
                   were
                   in
                   a
                   sha-dy
                   Bow'r
                
                 
                   
                   where
                   Thyrsis
                   long
                   —
                   in
                   —
                   Vain
                   had
                   sought
                   the
                   happy
                   —
                   hour
                   :
                
                 
                   
                   at
                   length
                   his
                   hand
                   advancing
                   upon
                   her
                   Snowy
                   Breast
                   ,
                
                 
                   
                   he
                   said
                   ;
                   O
                   kiss
                   me
                   longer
                   ,
                   and
                   —
                   long
                   —
                   er
                   ,
                   yet
                   and
                   long
                   —
                   er
                   ;
                   if
                   —
                   you
                   —
                   will
                   —
                   make
                   me
                   blest
                   :
                
                 
                   
                   —
                   an
                   —
                   
                   easy
                   yeild-ing
                   Maid
                   ,
                   by
                   trusting
                   is
                   un
                   —
                   done
                   ;
                
                 
                   
                   our
                   Sex
                   is
                   oft
                   betray'd
                   by
                   —
                   grant
                   —
                   ing
                   Love
                   —
                   too
                   soon
                   ;
                   —
                
                 
                   
                   if
                   you
                   de
                   —
                   sire
                   —
                   to
                   —
                   gain
                   me
                   ,
                   your
                   suff'rings
                   to
                   re
                   —
                   dress
                   ,
                
                 
                   
                   prepare
                   to
                   Love
                   me
                   lon
                   —
                   ger
                   —
                   and
                   —
                   long
                   —
                   er
                   yet
                   ,
                
                 
                   
                   and
                   long
                   —
                   er
                   ,
                   —
                   be
                   —
                   fore
                   you
                   
                   shall
                   pos
                   —
                   sess
                   :
                
              
               
                 
                   [
                   Thyrsis
                   .
                   ]
                
                 
                   
                   The
                   lit-tle
                   care
                   you
                   show
                   ,
                   of
                   all
                   my
                   sorrows
                   past
                   ,
                
                 
                   
                   makes
                   Death
                   appear
                   too
                   slow
                   ,
                   and
                   life
                   —
                   too
                   long
                   to
                   —
                   last
                   .
                
                 
                   
                   Fair
                   
                     I
                     —
                     ris
                  
                   —
                   kiss
                   me
                   kindly
                   ,
                   —
                   in
                   pit-ty
                   of
                   my
                   Fate
                   ,
                
                 
                   
                   and
                   kind
                   —
                   ly
                   still
                   ,
                   and
                   kind
                   —
                   ly
                   —
                   still
                   ,
                   —
                   before
                   it
                   be
                   too
                   late
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   [
                   Iris.
                   ]
                
                 
                   
                   You
                   fond
                   —
                   ly
                   court
                   your
                   bliss
                   ,
                   and
                   no
                   advances
                   
                   make
                   ,
                
                 
                   
                   't
                   is
                   not
                   for
                   Maids
                   to
                   give
                   ,
                   but
                   't
                   is
                   for
                   men
                   to
                   take
                   :
                
                 
                   
                   so
                   you
                   may
                   kiss
                   me
                   kind
                   —
                   ly
                   ,
                   and
                   kindly
                   still
                   and
                   kindly
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   re-bell
                   ;
                
                 
                   
                   but
                   doe
                   not
                   kiss
                   and
                   tell
                   ,
                   —
                   but
                   doe
                   not
                   kiss
                   and
                   —
                   tell
                   ,
                   —
                   no
                   ,
                   ne
                   —
                   ver
                   kiss
                   and
                   —
                   tell
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   
                   Yes
                   you
                   may
                   kiss
                   me
                   kind-ly
                   ,
                   -
                   and
                   kindly
                   still
                   ,
                
                 
                   
                   and
                   and
                   may
                   I
                   kiss
                   you
                   kindly
                   ,
                   —
                   and
                   —
                   kindly
                   still
                   ,
                
                 
                   
                   and
                   kindly
                   ,
                   and
                   —
                   kindly
                   still
                   ,
                   and
                   kindly
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   rebell
                   .
                
                 
                   
                   Yes
                   you
                   may
                   kiss
                   me
                   kindly
                   still
                   ,
                   and
                   will
                   you
                   not
                   re
                   —
                   bell
                   ?
                
                 
                   
                   —
                   and
                   may
                   I
                   kiss
                   you
                   kindly
                   ,
                   —
                   and
                   kindly
                   still
                   ,
                   and
                   
                   kindly
                   still
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   re-bell
                   ;
                
                 
                   
                   but
                   doe
                   not
                   kiss
                   and
                   tell
                   ,
                   but
                   doe
                   not
                   kiss
                   and
                   kind-ly
                   still
                   ,
                   and
                   you
                   will
                   not
                   re
                   —
                   bell
                   ?
                
                 
                   
                   —
                   no
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   —
                   no
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   —
                   tell
                   ,
                   —
                   no
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   —
                   no
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   —
                   no
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   —
                   no
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   —
                   no
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   —
                   I
                   'le
                   no
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   I
                   'le
                   never
                   kiss
                   and
                   tell
                   ,
                
                 
                   
                   no
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   I
                   'le
                   never
                   kiss
                   &
                   tell
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   
                   never
                   ,
                   never
                   ,
                   —
                   never
                   —
                   no
                   never
                   ,
                   never
                   ,
                   never
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   never
                   kiss
                   and
                   tell
                   .
                
                 
                   
                   I
                   'le
                   ne
                   —
                   ver
                   ,
                   ne-ver
                   ,
                   never
                   ,
                   I
                   'le
                   never
                   ,
                   never
                   ,
                   never
                   kiss
                   and
                   tell
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   [
                   Chorus
                   .
                   ]
                
                 
                   
                   Thus
                   at
                   the
                   height
                   we
                   Love
                   and
                   —
                   live
                   and
                   fear
                   not
                   ,
                   —
                   fear
                   not
                   —
                
                 
                   
                   Thus
                   at
                   the
                   height
                   we
                   Love
                   and
                   live
                   and
                   fear
                   not
                   —
                   fear
                   not
                   —
                   to
                   —
                   be
                   —
                   poor
                   ;
                   —
                
                 
                 
                   
                   We
                   —
                   give
                   ,
                   and
                   we
                   —
                   give
                   ,
                   we
                   —
                   give
                   and
                   we
                   —
                   to
                   be
                   —
                   poor
                   ;
                
                 
                   
                   We
                   give
                   and
                   we
                   —
                   give
                   ,
                   we
                   —
                   give
                   ,
                   —
                   we
                   give
                   and
                   we
                   give
                   till
                   we
                   can
                   give
                   no
                   more
                   :
                   —
                
                 
                   
                   give
                   and
                   we
                   give
                   ,
                   —
                   and
                   give
                   till
                   we
                   can
                   give
                   no
                   more
                   :
                   —
                
              
               
               
                 The
                 first
                 strain
                 again
                 .
              
               
                 
                 But
                 what
                 to
                 day
                 will
                 take
                 a
                 —
                 way
                 ,
                 to
                 morrow
                 ,
                 to
                 mor
                 —
                 row
              
               
                 
                 But
                 what
                 to
                 day
                 will
                 take
                 a
                 —
                 way
                 ,
                 to
                 morrow
                 ,
                 to
                 mor
                 —
                 row
              
               
                 
                 will
                 re
                 —
                 store
                 .
              
               
                 
                 will
                 re
                 —
                 store
                 .
              
               
                 End
                 with
                 the
                 First
                 Strain
                 .
              
               
                 End
                 with
                 the
                 First
                 Strain
                 .
              
               
                 End
                 with
                 the
                 First
                 Strain
                 .
              
            
             
               FINIS
               .