_Merc._ I defy peace and all its works; my arms are out of exercise, they have mauled nobody these three days: I long for an honourable occasion to pound a man, and lay him asleep at the first buffet. _Sos._ [_Aside._] That would almost do me a kindness; for I have been kept waking, without tipping one wink of sleep, these three nights. _Merc._ Of what quality are you, fellow? _Sos._ Why, I am a man, fellow.--Courage, Sosia! _Merc._ What kind of man? _Sos._ Why, a two-legged man; what man should I be? [_Aside._] I must bear up to him, he may prove as arrant a milksop as myself. _Merc._ Thou art a coward, I warrant thee; do not I hear thy teeth chatter in thy head? _Sos._ Ay, ay; that's only a sign they would be snapping at thy nose. [_Aside._] Bless me, what an arm and fist he has, with great thumbs too; and golls and knuckle-bones of a very butcher! _Merc._ Sirrah, from whence came you, and whither go you; answer me directly, upon pain of assassination. _Sos._ I am coming from whence I came, and am going whither I go,--that's directly home; though this is somewhat an uncivil manner of proceeding, at the first sight of a man, let me tell you. _Merc._ Then, to begin our better acquaintance, let me first make you a small present of this box o' the ear---- [_Strikes him._ _Sos._ If I were as choleric a fool as you are now, here would be fine work betwixt us two; but I am a little better bred, than to disturb the sleeping neighbourhood; and so good-night, friend---- [_Is going._ _Merc._ [_Stopping him._] Hold, sir; you and I must not part so easily; once more, whither are you going? _Sos._ Why I am going as fast as I can, to get out of the reach of your clutches. Let me but only knock at the door there. _Merc._ What business have you at that door, sirrah? _Sos._ This is our house; and, when I am got in, I will tell you more. _Merc._ Whose house is this, sauciness, that you are so familiar with, to call it ours? _Sos._ 'Tis mine, in the first place; and next, my master's; for I lie in the garret, and he lies under me. _Merc._ Have your master and you no names, sirrah? _Sos._ His name is Amphitryon; hear that, and tremble. _Merc._ What, my lord general? _Sos._ O, has his name mollified you! I have brought you down a peg lower already, friend. _Merc._ And your name is---- _Sos._ Lord, friend, you are so very troublesome--what should my name be, but Sosia? _Merc._ How, Sosia, say you? how long have you taken up that name, sirrah? _Sos._ Here's a fine question! Why I never took it up, friend; it was born with me. _Merc._ What, was your name born Sosia? take this remembrance for that lie. [_Beats him._ _Sos._ Hold, friend! you are so very flippant with your hands, you won't hear reason: What offence has my name done you, that you should beat me for it? _S. O. S. I. A._ they are as civil, honest, harmless letters, as any are in the whole alphabet.