_Sos._ Then I am a conqueror; and I laud my own courage: this renown I have atchieved by soldier-ship and stratagem. Know your duty, spouse, hence-forward, to your supreme commander. [_Strutting._ _Enter_ JUPITER _and_ PHÆDRA, _attended by Musicians and Dancers_. _Phæd._ Indeed I wondered at your quick return. _Jup._ Even so almighty love will have it, Phædra; And the stern goddess of sweet-bitter cares, Who bows our necks beneath her brazen yoke. I would have manned my heart, and held it out; But, when I thought of what I had possessed, Those joys, that never end, but to begin, O, I am all on fire to make my peace; And die, Jove knows, as much as I can die, Till I am reconciled. _Phæd._ I fear 'twill be in vain. _Jup._ 'Tis difficult: But nothing is impossible to love; To love like mine; for I have proved his force, And my Alcmena too has felt his dart. If I submit, there's hope. _Phæd._ 'Tis possible I may solicit for you. _Jup._ But wilt thou promise me to do thy best? _Phæd._ Nay, I promise nothing--unless you begin to promise first. [_Curtsying._ _Jup._ I will not be ungrateful. _Phæd._ Well; I'll try to bring her to the window; you shall have a fair shot at her; if you can bring her down, you are a good marksman. _Jup._ That's all I ask; And I will so reward thee, gentle Phædra-- _Phæd._ What, with catsguts and rosin! This _Solla_ is but a lamentable empty sound. _Jup._ Then, there's a sound will please thee better. [_Throwing her a purse._ _Phæd._ Ay, there's something of melody in this sound. I could dance all day to the music of _Chink, Chink_. _Jup._ Go, Sosia, round our Thebes, To Polidas, to Tranio, and to Gripus, Companions of our war; invite them all To join their prayers to smooth Alcmena's brow, And, with a solemn feast, to crown the day. _Sos._ [_Taking_ JUPITER _about the knees_.] Let me embrace you, sir. [JUPITER _pushes him away_.] Nay, you must give me leave to express my gratitude; I have not eaten, to say eating, nor drunk, to say drinking, never since our villainous encamping so near the enemy. It is true, I escaped the bloody-flux, because I had so little in my bowels to come out; and I durst let nothing go, in conscience, because I had nothing to swallow in the room on't. _Jup._ You, Bromia, see that all things be prepared, With that magnificence, as if some god Were guest or master here. _Sos._ Or rather, as much as if twenty gods were to be guests or masters here. _Brom._ That you may eat for to-day and to-morrow. _Sos._ Or, rather again, for to-day and yesterday, and as many months backward, as I am indebted to my own belly. _Jup._ Away, both of you.--[_Exeunt_ SOSIA _and_ BROMIA _severally_. Now I have packed him hence, thou other Sosia, (Who, though thou art not present, hear'st my voice) Be ready to attend me at my call, And to supply his place.