_Sos._ No harm, friend; I am only surveying a parcel of earth here, that I find we two are about to bargain for:--He's damnable like me, that's certain. _Imprimis_, there's the patch upon my nose, with a pox to him. _Item_, A very foolish face, with a long chin at end on't. _Item_, One pair of shambling legs, with two splay feet belonging to them; and, _summa totallis_, from head to foot all my bodily apparel. [_To_ MERCURY.] Well, you are Sosia; there's no denying it:--but what am I then? for my mind gives me, I am somebody still, if I knew but who I were. _Merc._ When I have a mind to be Sosia no more, then thou may'st be Sosia again. _Sos._ I have but one request more to thee; that, though not as Sosia, yet as a stranger, I may go into that house, and carry a civil message to my lady. _Merc._ No, sirrah; not being Sosia, you have no message to deliver, nor no lady in this house. _Sos._ Thou canst not be so barbarous, to let me lie in the streets all night, after such a journey, and such a beating; and therefore I am resolved to knock at the door, in my own defence. _Merc._ If you come near the door, I recal my word, and break off the truce, and then expect---- [_Holds up his Cudgel._ _Sos._ No, the devil take me if I do expect; I have felt too well what sour fruit that crab-tree bears: I'll rather beat it back upon the hoof to my lord Amphitryon, to see if he will acknowledge me for Sosia; if he does not, then I am no longer his slave; there's my freedom dearly purchased with a sore drubbing: if he does acknowledge me, then I am Sosia again. So far 'tis tolerably well: but then I shall have a second drubbing for an unfortunate ambassador, as I am; and that's intolerable. [_Exit_ SOSIA. _Merc._ [_Alone._] I have fobbed off his excellency pretty well. Now let him return, and make the best of his credentials. I think, too, I have given Jupiter sufficient time for his consummation.--Oh, he has taken his cue; and here he comes as leisurely, and as lank, as if he had emptied himself of the best part of his almightyship. SCENE II. _Enter_ JUPITER, _leading_ ALCMENA, _followed by_ PHÆDRA. _Pages with Torches before them._ _Jup._ [_To the Pages._] Those torches are offensive; stand aloof; For, though they bless me with thy heavenly sight, [_To her._ They may disclose the secret I would hide. The Thebans must not know I have been here; Detracting crowds would blame me, that I robbed These happy moments from my public charge, To consecrate to thy desired embrace; And I could wish no witness but thyself, For thou thyself art all I wish to please. _Alcm._ So long an absence, and so short a stay! What, but one night! one night of joy and love Could only pay one night of cares and fears, And all the rest are an uncancelled sum!-- Curse on this honour, and this public fame; Would you had less of both, and more of love!