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whose place he occupies。
NIGHT。 Really the employment which the great Jupiter reserves for
me is a worthy one！ The service he requires of me passes under a very
respectable name。
MERC。 You are somewhat old…fashioned for a young goddess！ Such
an employment is not debasing except among people of mean birth。 When
one has the happiness of belonging to lofty rank； whatever one does is
always right and good； things change their names to suit what one may be。
NIGHT。 You know more about such matters than I do； I will trust to
your enlightened views and accept this employment。
MERC。 Come； come； now； Madam Night； a little gently； I beseech you。
The world gives you the reputation of not being so scrupulous。 In a
hundred different climes you are made the confidant of many gallant
adventures； and； if I may speak candidly； we do not owe each other
anything。
NIGHT。 Let us cease these reproaches and remain what we are。 Let us
not give men cause to laugh by telling each other the truth。
MERC。 Adieu。 I am going there to play my part in this business；
promptly to strip myself of the form of Mercury and to take in its place the
figure of Amphitryon's valet。
NIGHT。 I am going to keep station in this hemisphere with my sombre
train。
MERC。 Good day； Night。
NIGHT。 Adieu； Mercury。
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Amphitryon
（Mercury descends from his cloud to the earth； and Night goes away in
her chariot。）
END OF THE PROLOGUE。
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Amphitryon
ACT I
SCENE I
SOSIE
Who goes there？ Eh？ My fear grows with every step。 Gentlemen； I am
a friend to all the world。 Ah！ What unparalleled boldness； to be out at this
hour！ My master is crowned with fame； but what a villainous trick he
plays me here！ What？ If he had any love for his neighbour； would he have
sent me out in such a black night？ Could he not just as well have waited
until it was day before sending me to announce his return and the details
of his victory？ To what servitude are thy days subjected； Sosie！ Our lot is
far more hard with the great than with the mean。 They insist that
everything in nature should be compelled to sacrifice itself for them。
Night and day； hail； wind； peril； heat； cold； as soon as they speak we must
fly。 Twenty years of assiduous service do not gain us any consideration
from them。 The least little whim draws down upon us their anger。
Notwithstanding this； our infatuated hearts cling to the empty honour
of remaining near them； contented with the false idea； which every one
holds； that we are happy。 In vain reason bids us retire； in vain our spite
sometimes consents to this； to be near them is too powerful an influence
on our zeal； and the least favour of a caressing glance immediately re…
engages us。 But at last； I see our house through the darkness； and my fear
vanishes。
I must prepare some thought…out speech for my mission。 I must give
Alcmene warlike description of the fierce combat which put our enemies
to flight。 But how the deuce can I do this since I was not there？ Never
mind； let us talk of cut and thrust； as though I were an eyewitness。 How
many people describe battles from which they remained far away！ In order
to act my part without discredit； I will rehearse it a little。
This is the chamber into which I am ushered as the messenger： this
lantern is Alcmene； to whom I have to speak。 （He sets his lantern on the
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Amphitryon
ground and salutes it。） 'Madam； Amphitryon； my master and your
husband； 。。。 （Good！ that is a fine beginning！） whose mind is ever full of
your charms； has chosen me from amongst all to bring tidings of the
success of his arms； and of his desire to be near you。' 'Ah！ Really； my poor
Sosie； I am delighted to see you back again。' 'Madam； you do me too much
honour： my lot is an enviable one。' （Well answered！）
'How is Amphitryon？' 'Madam； as a man of courage should be； when
glory leads him。' （Very good！ A capital idea！） 'When will my heart be
charmed and satisfied by his return？' 'As soon as possible； assuredly；
Madam； but his heart desires a speedier return。' （Ah！） 'In what state has
the war left him？ What says he？ What does he？ Ease my anxiety。' He says
less than he does； Madam； and makes his enemies tremble。' （Plague！
where do I get all these fine speeches？） 'What are the rebels doing？ Tell
me； what is their condition？' 'They could not resist our efforts； Madam； we
cut them to pieces； put their chief； Pterelas； to death； took Telebos by
assault； and now the port rings with our prowess。' 'Ah！ What a success！ Ye
Gods！ Who could ever have imagined it？ Tell me； Sosie； how it happened。'
'I will； gladly； Madam； and； without boasting； I can tell you； with the
greatest accuracy； the details of this victory。 Imagine； therefore； Madam；
that Telebos is on this side。 （He marks the places on his hand； or on the
ground。） It is a city really almost as large as Thebes。 The river is； say； there。
Here； our people encamped； and that space was occupied by our enemies。
On a height； somewhere about here； was their infantry； and； lower down；
on the right side； was their cavalry。 After having addressed prayers to the
Gods； and issued all the orders； the signal was given。 The enemy； thinking
to turn our flank； divided their horse soldiers into three platoons； but we
soon chilled their warmth； and you shall see how。 Here is our vanguard
ready to begin work； there； were the archers of our king； Creon； and here；
the main army （some one makes a slight noise）； which was just going
to 。 。 。 Stay； the main body is afraid'； I think I hear some noise。
SCENE II
MERCURY； SOSIE
MERC。 （Under the form of Sosie。） Under this mask which resembles
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Amphitr