Amphitryon (Paperback)

Excerpt: ...understand. ALC. Do you still wish to deny your hasty return, when you have this sensible proof of it? AMPH. No; but if it be possible, deign to tell me what passed at this return. ALC. Since you ask an account of the matter, you still say it was not you? AMPH. Pardon me; but I have a certain reason which makes me ask you to give us this account. ALC. Have the important cares which perhaps engross you made you so quickly lose the remembrance of it? AMPH. Perhaps; but, in short, you would please me by telling me the whole story. ALC. The story is not long. I advanced towards you full of a delighted surprise; I embraced you tenderly, and showed my joy more than once. AMPH. (to himself.) Ah I could have done without so sweet a welcome. ALC. You first made me this valuable gift, which you destined for me from the spoils of the conquered. Your heart vehemently unfolded to me all the violence of its love, and the annoying duties which had kept it enchained, the happiness of seeing me again, the torments of absence, all the care which your impatience to return had given you; never has your love, on similar occasions, seemed to me so tender and so passionate. AMPH. (to himself.) Can one be more cruelly tortured? ALC. As you may well believe, these transports and this tenderness did not displease me; if I must confess it, Amphitryon, my heart found a thousand charms in them. AMPH. What followed, pray? ALC. We interrupted each other with a thousand questions concerning each other. The table was laid. We supped together by ourselves; and, supper over, we went to bed. AMPH. Together? ALC. Assuredly. What a question? AMPH. Ah; this is the most cruel stroke of all; my jealous passion trembled to assure itself of this. ALC. Why do you blush so deeply at a word? Have I done something wrong in going to bed with you? AMPH. No, to my great misery, it was not I; whoever says I was here yesterday, tells, of all falsehoods, the most horrible. ALC. Amphitryon AMPH....