_Amph._ She justifies it too! _Alcm._ I need not justify: Of what am I accused? _Amph._ Of all that prodigality of kindness Given to another, and usurped from me. So bless me, Heaven, if, since my first departure, I ever set my foot upon this threshold! So am I innocent of all those joys, And dry of those embraces. _Alcm._ Then I, it seems, am false! _Amph._ As surely false, as what thou say'st is true. _Alcm._ I have betrayed my honour, and my love, And am a foul adultress? _Amph._ What thou art, Thou stand'st condemned to be, by thy relation. _Alcm._ Go, thou unworthy man! for ever go: No more my husband: go, thou base impostor! Who tak'st a vile pretence to taint my fame, And, not content to leave, wouldst ruin me. Enjoy thy wished divorce: I will not plead My innocence of this pretended crime; I need not. Spit thy venom; do thy worst; But know, the more thou wouldst expose my virtue, Like purest linen laid in open air, 'Twill bleach the more, and whiten to the view. _Amph._ 'Tis well thou art prepared for thy divorce: For, know thou too, that, after this affront, This foul indignity done to my honour, Divorcement is but petty reparation. But, since thou hast, with impudence, affirmed My false return, and bribed my slaves to vouch it, The truth shall, in the face of Thebes, be cleared: Thy uncle, the companion of my voyage, And all the crew of seamen shall be brought, Who were embarked, and came with me to land, Nor parted, till I reached this cursed door: So shall this vision of my late return Stand a detected lie; and woe to those, Who thus betrayed my honour! _Sos._ Sir, shall I wait on you? _Amph._ No, I will go alone. Expect me here. [_Exit_ AMPHITRYON. _Phæd._ Please you, that I---- [_To_ ALCMENA. _Alcm._ Oh! nothing now can please me: Darkness, and solitude, and sighs, and tears, And all the inseparable train of grief, Attend my steps for ever.---- [_Exit_ ALCMENA. _Sos._ What if I should lie now, and say we have been here before? I never saw any good that came of telling truth. [_Aside._ _Phæd._ He makes no more advances to me: I begin a little to suspect, that my gold goblet will prove but copper. [_Aside._ _Sos._ Yes, 'tis resolved, I will lie abominably, against the light of my own conscience. For, suppose the other Sosia has been here, perhaps that strong dog has not only beaten me, but also has been predominant upon my wife, and most carnally misused her! Now, by asking certain questions of her, with a side-wind, I may come to understand how squares go, and whether my nuptial bed be violated. [_Aside._