have just now told me is
entirely inexcusable.

ALC. Unless it is a vapour which troubles your mind, what I have heard
from you cannot be justified.

AMPH. Let us leave this vapour for a moment, Alcmene.

ALC. Let us leave this dream for a moment, Amphitryon.

AMPH. One cannot jest on the subject in question without being carried
too far.

ALC. Undoubtedly; and, as a sure proof of it, I begin to feel somewhat
uneasy.

AMPH. Is it thus you wish to try to make amends for the welcome of which
I complain?

ALC. Do you desire to try to amuse yourself by this feint?

AMPH. For Heaven's, sake, I beseech you, Alcmene! Let us cease this, and
talk seriously.

ALC. You carry your amusement too far, Amphitryon: let there be an end
to this raillery.

AMPH. Do you really dare maintain to my face that I was seen here before
this hour?

ALC. Have you really the assurance to deny that you came here early
yesterday evening?

AMPH. I! I came yesterday?

ALC. Certainly; and you went away again before dawn.

AMPH. Heavens! Was ever such a debate as this heard before? Who would
not be astonished at all this? Sosie?

SOS. She needs six grains of hellebore, Monsieur; her brain is turned.

AMPH. Alcmene, in the name of all the Gods, this discourse will have a
strange ending! Recollect your senses a little better, and think what
you say.

ALC. I am indeed thinking seriously; all in the house saw your arrival.
I am ignorant what motive makes you act thus; but, if the thing were
in need of proof, if it were true that such a thing could be forgotten,
from whom, but from you, could I have heard the news of the latest of
all your battles, and of the five diamonds worn by Pterelas, who was
plunged into eternal night by the strength of your arm? Could one wish
for surer testimony?

AMPH. What? I have already given you the cluster of diamonds which I had
for my share, and intended for you?

ALC. Assuredly. 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 tak