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. Perfidious woman! ALC. Ah! What madness is this! AMPH. No, no; no more sweetness, no more respect; this rebuff puts an end to all my constancy; at this ghastly moment, my heart breathes only fury and, vengeance. ALC. On whom then would you be avenged? What want of faith in me makes you treat me now as a criminal? AMPH. I do not know, but it was not I; this despair makes me capable of anything. ALC. Away unworthy husband, the deed speaks for itself, the imposture is frightful. It is too great an insult to accuse me of infidelity. If these confused transports mean that you seek a pretext to break the nuptial bonds which hold me enchained to you, all these pretences are superfluous, for I am determined that this day all our ties shall be broken. AMPH. After the unworthy affront, which I now learn has been done me, that is indeed what you must prepare yourself for; it is the least that can be expected; and things may not perhaps remain there. The dishonour is sure; my misery is made plain to me; and my pride in vain would hide it from me. The details are still not clear: My anger is just and I claim to be enlightened. Your brother can positively avouch that I did not leave him until this morning: I will go and seek him, in order that I may confound you about the return falsely imputed to me. Afterwards, we will penetrate to the bottom of a mystery unheard of until now; and, in the fury of a righteous anger, woe to him who has betrayed me! SOS. Monsieur... AMPH. Do not accompany me, but remain here for me. CLE. Must I...? ALC. I cannot hear anything: leave me alone: do not follow me. SCENE III CLEANTHIS, SOSIE CLE. Something must have turned his brain; but the brother will soon finish this quarrel.