按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
thoughts； both are painted in the same colours by my wounded heart。 Both
are guilty； both have offended me； and both are odious to me。
JUP。 Well！ Then； since you wish it； I must charge myself with the
offence。 Yes； you are right； when you sacrifice me as a guilty victim to
your resentment。 Anger towards me sways you； it is but too just； and all
the terrible wrath you show causes me to suffer only lawful torments。 It is
right you should shun my presence； and in your anger threaten to flee from
33
… Page 34…
Amphitryon
me everywhere。 I must be a detestable object to you； you are right in
thinking ill of me。 My crime in being offensive in your charming eyes
surpasses every horror； it is a crime that offends men and Gods； in short；
as punishment for my insolence I deserve that your hatred should vent its
utmost upon me。 I beg your forgiveness； I beg it upon my knees； I beg it
for the sake of the most lively passion； of the tenderest love for you； which
has ever been kindled in a human breast。 If； charming Alcmene； your heart
refuses me the pardon which I have the audacity to seek； then shall a well…
aimed stroke put an end to my life； and release me from the harsh severity
of a penalty which I can no longer bear。 Yes； this state of things drives me
to despair。 Do not think； Alcmene； that； enamoured as I am of your
celestial charms； I can live a day under your wrath。 Even these moments'
agony is barbarously prolonged and my sad heart sinks under their mortal
blows。 The cruel wounds of a thousand vultures are not comparable in any
way to my lively grief。 Alcmene； you have but to tell me I need not hope
for pardon： and immediately this sword； by a happy thrust； shall pierce the
heart of a miserable wretch before your eyes。 This heart； this traitorous
heart； too deserving of death； since it has offended an adorable being； will
be happy if； in descending into the place of shades； my death appeases
your anger； and； after this wretched day； it leaves in your soul no
impression of hatred in remembering my love！ This is all I ask as a
sovereign favour。
ALC。 Ah！ Cruel husband。
JUP。 Speak； Alcmene； speak。
ALC。 Must I still keep some kindness for you； who insult me by so
many indignities？
JUP。 Whatever resentment an outrage causes us； can it hold out against
the remorse of a heart deeply in love？
ALC。 A heart full of passion would rather expose itself to a thousand
deaths； than offend the object beloved。
JUP。 The more one loves； the easier it is
ALC。 No； do not speak to me any longer about it； you deserve my
hatred。
JUP。 You hate me then？
34
… Page 35…
Amphitryon
ALC。 I make every effort to do so； and it annoys me to feel that all
your insults do not yet carry my vengeance so far as yield to it。
JUP。 But why this violence； since I offer to kill myself to satisfy your
revenge？ Pronounce the sentence and immediately I will obey。
ALC。 It is impossible to wish for another's death if hatred be absent。
JUP。 I cannot live unless you abandon the wrath that overwhelms me；
and unless you grant me the favour of a pardon which I beg at your feet。
Decide to do one or the other quickly： to punish； or to absolve。
ALC。 Alas！ The only resolution I can take is but too clearly apparent。
My heart has too plainly betrayed me； for me to wish to maintain this
anger： is it not to say we pardon； when we say we cannot hate？
JUP。 Ah； charming Alcmene； overwhelmed with delight I must。。。
ALC。 Forbear： I hate myself for such weakness。
JUP。 Go； Sosie； make haste； a sweet joy fills my soul。 See what
officers of the army you can find； and ask them to dine with me。 （Softly
aside。） Mercury can fill his post； while he is away from here。
SCENE VII
CLEANTHIS； SOSIE
SOS。 Come！ Now； you see； this couple； Cleanthis。 Will you follow
their example； and let us also make peace？ Indulge in some slight
reconciliation？
CLE。 For the sake of your lovely mug； Oh yes！ I will； and no mistake。
SOS。 What？ You will not？
CLE。 No。
SOS。 It doesn't matter to me。 So much the worse for you。
CLE。 Well； well； come back。
SOS。 No； not； likely！ I shall not do anything of the kind； I shall be
angry。 I turn now。
CLE。 Go away； you villain； let me alone； one gets tired now and then
of being an honest woman。
END OF THE SECOND ACT
35
… Page 36…
Amphitryon
ACT III
SCENE I
AMPHITRYON
Yes； so doubt fate hides him purposely from me； at last am I tired of
trying to find him。 I do not know anything that can be more cruel than my
lot。 In spite of all my endeavours； I cannot find him whom I seek； all those
I do not seek I find。 A thousand tiresome bores； who do not think they are
so； drive me mad with their congratulations on our feats of arms； although
they know little of me。 In the cruel embarrassment and anxiety that
troubles me； they all burden me with their attentions； and their rejoicings
make my uneasiness worse。 In vain I try to pass them by； to flee from their
persecutions； their killing friendship stops me on all sides； whilst I reply to
the ardour of their expressions by a nod of the head； I mutter under my
breath a hundred curses on them。 Ah！ How little we are flattered by praise；
honour and all that a great victory brings； when inwardly we suffer keen
sorrow！ How willingly would I exchange all this glory to have peace of
mind！ At every turn my jealousy twits me with my disgrace； the more my
mind ponders over it； the less can I unravel its miserable confusion。 The
theft of the diamonds does not astonish me； seals may be tampered with
unperceived； but my most cruel torment is that she insists I gave the gift to
her personally yesterday。 Nature oftentimes produces resemblances； which
some impostors have adopted in order to deceive； but it is inconceivable
that； under these appearances； a man should pass himself off as a husband；
there are a thousand differences in a relationship such as this which a wife
could easily detect。 The marvellous effects of Thessalian magic ha