_Alcm._ Some melancholy vapour, sure, has seized Your brain, Amphitryon, and disturbed your sense; Or yesternight is not so long a time, But yet you might remember; and not force An honest blush into my glowing cheeks, For that which lawful marriage makes no crime. _Amph._ I thank you for my melancholy vapour. _Alcm._ 'Tis but a just requital for my dream. _Phæd._ I find my master took too much of the creature last night, [_Aside._] and now is angling for a quarrel, that no more may be expected from him to-night, when he has no assets. [_In the mean time_, AMPH. _and_ ALC. _walk by themselves, and frown at each other as they meet_. _Amph._ You dare not justify it to my face. _Alcm._ Not what? _Amph._ That I returned before this hour. _Alcm._ You dare not, sure, deny you came last night, And staid till break of day? _Amph._ O impudence!--Why Sosia! _Sos._ Nay, I say nothing; for all things here may go by enchantment, as they did with me, for aught I know. _Alcm._ Speak, Phædra,--was he here? _Phæd._ You know, madam, I am but a chamber-maid; and, by my place, I am to forget all that was done over night in love-matters,--unless my master please to rub up my memory with another diamond. _Amph._ Now, in the name of all the gods, Alcmena, A little recollect your scattered thoughts, And weigh what you have said. _Alcm._ I weighed it well, Amphitryon, ere I spoke: And she, and Bromia, all the slaves and servants, Can witness they beheld you, when you came. If other proof were wanting, tell me how I came to know your fight, your victory, The death of Pterelas in single combat? And farther, from whose hands I had a jewel, The spoils of him you slew? _Amph._ This is amazing! Have I already given you those diamonds, The present I reserved? _Alcm._ 'Tis an odd question: You see I wear them; look. _Amph._ Now answer, Sosia. _Sos._ Yes, now I can answer with a safe conscience, as to that point; all the rest may be art magic, but, as for the diamonds, here they are, under safe custody. _Alcm._ Then what are these upon my arm? [_To_ SOSIA. _Sos._ Flints, or pebbles, or some such trumpery of enchanted stones. _Phæd._ They say, the proof of a true diamond is to glitter in the dark: I think my master had best take my lady into some by-corner, and try whose diamond will sparkle best. _Sos._ Yet, now I think on't, madam, did not a certain friend of mine present them to you? _Alcm._ What friend? _Sos._ Why another Sosia, one that made himself Sosia in my despite, and also unsosiated me. _Amph._ Sirrah, leave your nauseous nonsense; break open the seal, and take out the diamonds.