AMPH. What? I have already given you the cl.u.s.ter of diamonds which I had for my share, and intended for you?
ALC. a.s.suredly. It is not difficult to convince you thoroughly on that point.
AMPH. How?
ALC. Here it is.
AMPH. Sosie!
SOS. She is jesting: I have it here; Monsieur, the feint is useless.
AMPH. The seal is whole.
ALC. Is it a vision? There. Will you think this proof strong enough?
AMPH. Ah Heaven! O just Heaven!
ALC. Come, Amphitryon, you are joking in acting thus: you ought to be ashamed of it.
AMPH. Break this seal, quickly.
SOS. (Having opened the casket.) Upon my word, the casket is empty.
It must have been taken out by witchcraft, or else it came by itself a guide, to her whom it knew it was intended to adorn.
AMPH. O G.o.ds, whose power governs all things, what is this adventure?
What can I augur from it that does not clutch at my heart?
SOS. If she speaks the truth, we have the same lot, and, like me, Monsieur, you are double.
AMPH. Be silent.
ALC. Why are you so surprised? What causes all this confusion?
AMPH. O Heaven! What strange perplexity! I see incidents which surpa.s.s Nature, and my honour fears an adventure which my mind does not understand.
ALC. Do you still wish to deny your hasty return, when you have this sensible proof of it?
AMPH. No; but if it be possible, deign to tell me what pa.s.sed at this return.
ALC. Since you ask an account of the matter, you still say it was not you?
AMPH. Pardon me; but I have a certain reason which makes me ask you to give us this account.
ALC. Have the important cares which perhaps engross you made you so quickly lose the remembrance of it?
AMPH. Perhaps; but, in short, you would please me by telling me the whole story.
ALC. The story is not long. I advanced towards you full of a delighted surprise; I embraced you tenderly, and showed my joy more than once.
AMPH. (to himself.) Ah! I could have done without so sweet a welcome.
ALC. You first made me this valuable gift, which you destined for me from the spoils of the conquered. Your heart vehemently unfolded to me all the violence of its love, and the annoying duties which had kept it enchained, the happiness of seeing me again, the torments of absence, all the care which your impatience to return had given you; never has your love, on similar occasions, seemed to me so tender and so pa.s.sionate.
AMPH. (to himself.) Can one be more cruelly tortured?
ALC. As you may well believe, these transports and this tenderness did not displease me; if I must confess it, Amphitryon, my heart found a thousand charms in them.
AMPH. What followed, pray?
ALC. We interrupted each other with a thousand questions concerning each other. The table was laid. We supped together by ourselves; and, supper over, we went to bed.
AMPH. Together?
ALC. a.s.suredly. What a question?
AMPH. Ah; this is the most cruel stroke of all; my jealous pa.s.sion trembled to a.s.sure itself of this.
ALC. Why do you blush so deeply at a word? Have I done something wrong in going to bed with you?
AMPH. No, to my great misery, it was not I; whoever says I was here yesterday, tells, of all falsehoods, the most horrible.
ALC. Amphitryon!
AMPH. Perfidious woman!
ALC. Ah! What madness is this!
AMPH. No, no; no more sweetness, no more respect; this rebuff puts an end to all my constancy; at this ghastly moment, my heart breathes only fury and, vengeance.
ALC. On whom then would you be avenged? What want of faith in me makes you treat me now as a criminal?
AMPH. I do not know, but it was not I; this despair makes me capable of anything.
ALC. Away unworthy husband, the deed speaks for itself, the imposture is frightful. It is too great an insult to accuse me of infidelity.
If these confused transports mean that you seek a pretext to break the nuptial bonds which hold me enchained to you, all these pretences are superfluous, for I am determined that this day all our ties shall be broken.
AMPH. After the unworthy affront, which I now learn has been done me, that is indeed what you must prepare yourself for; it is the least that can be expected; and things may not perhaps remain there. The dishonour is sure; my misery is made plain to me; and my pride in vain would hide it from me. The details are still not clear: My anger is just and I claim to be enlightened. Your brother can positively avouch that I did not leave him until this morning: I will go and seek him, in order that I may confound you about the return falsely imputed to me. Afterwards, we will penetrate to the bottom of a mystery unheard of until now; and, in the fury of a righteous anger, woe to him who has betrayed me!
SOS. Monsieur...
AMPH. Do not accompany me, but remain here for me.
CLE. Must I...?
ALC. I cannot hear anything: leave me alone: do not follow me.
SCENE III