_Amph._ Now I am gathered back into myself: My heart beats high, and pushes out the blood, [_Drawing his sword._ To give me just revenge on this impostor. If you are brave, assist me--not one stirs! [_To the Guards._ What, are all bribed to take the enchanter's part? 'Tis true, the work is mine; and thus---- [_Going to rush upon_ JUPITER; _and is held by_ TRANIO _and_ POLIDAS. _Pol._ It must not be. _Jup._ Give him his way; I dare the madman's worst: But still take notice, that it looks not like The true Amphitryon, to fly out at first To brutal force: it shews he doubts his cause, Who dares not trust his reason to defend it. _Amph._ Thou base usurper of my name and bed! [_Struggling._ No less than thy heart's blood can wash away The affronts I have sustained. _Tran._ We must not suffer So strange a duel, as Amphitryon To fight against himself. _Pol._ Nor think we wrong you, when we hold your hands: We know our duty to our general; We know the ties of friendship to our friend; But who that friend, or who that general is, Without more certain proofs, betwixt you two, Is hard to be distinguished, by our reason; Impossible, by sight. _Amph._ I know it, and have satisfied myself; I am the true Amphitryon. _Jup._ See again, He shuns the certain proofs; and dares not stand Impartial judgment, and award of right. But, since Alcmena's honour is concerned, Whom, more than heaven, and all the world, I love, This I propose, as equal to us both:-- Tranio and Polidas, be you assistants; The guards be ready to secure the impostor, When once so proved, for public punishment; And Gripus, be thou umpire of the cause. _Amph._ I am content: let him proceed to examination. _Grip._ On whose side would you please that I should give the sentence? [_Aside to_ MERC. _Merc._ Follow thy conscience for once; but not to make a custom of it neither, nor to leave an evil precedent of uprightness to future judges. [_Aside._]--'Tis a good thing to have a magistrate under correction: your old fornicating judge dares never give sentence against him that knows his haunts. _Pol._ Your lordship knows I was master of Amphitryon's ship; and desire to know of him, what passed, in private, betwixt us two at his landing, when he was just ready to engage the enemy? _Grip._ Let the true Amphitryon answer first. _Jup. and Amph. together._ My lord, I told him---- _Grip._ Peace, both of you:--'Tis a plain case they are both true; for they both speak together: but, for more certainty, let the false Amphitryon speak first. _Merc._ Now they are both silent. _Grip._ Then 'tis plain, on the other side, that they are both false Amphitryons. _Merc._ Which Amphitryon shall speak first?