_Merc._ Trouble not yourself for that: Phœbus is ordered to make a short summer's day to-morrow; so, in four-and-twenty hours, all will be at rights again. _Night._ Well, I am edified 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 myself into the habit of a serving-man, and dress up a false Sosia, 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 _Palace_. _Enter_ ALCMENA. _Alc._ Why was I married 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 host of armed foes, Sustaining all his cares, pierced with his wounds; And, if he falls,--which, O ye gods avert!-- Am in Amphitryon slain! Would 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_ PHÆDRA, _running_. _Phæd._ Good news, good news, madam; O such admirable news, that, if I kept it in a moment, I should burst with it. _Alc._ Is it from the army? _Phæd._ No matter. _Alc._ From Amphitryon? _Phæd._ No matter, neither. _Alc._ Answer me, I charge thee, if thy good news be any thing relating to my lord; if it be, assure thyself of a reward. _Phæd._ 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, called the day of marriage; every one in our own vocation:--But what matter is it to me if my lord has routed the enemy, if I get nothing of their spoils? _Alc._ Say, is my lord victorious? _Phæd._ Why, he is victorious: indeed I prayed devoutly to Jupiter for a victory; by the same token, that you should give me ten pieces of gold if I brought you news of it. _Alc._ They are thine, supposing he be safe too. _Phæd._ Nay, that's a new bargain, for I vowed to Jupiter, that then you should 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. _Phæd._ And I am sure I articled with Jupiter, that, if I brought you news that my lord was upon return, you should grant me one small favour more, that will cost you nothing. _Alc._ Make haste, thou torturer; is my Amphitryon upon return? _Phæd._ Promise me, that I shall be your bedfellow to-night, as I have been ever since my lord's absence; unless I shall be pleased to release you of your word. _Alc._ That's a small request; 'tis granted. _Phæd._ But swear by Jupiter. _Alc._ But why by Jupiter?