en out by witchcraft, or else it came by itself a
guide, to her whom it knew it was intended to adorn.

AMPH. O Gods, 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 surpass
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 passed 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
passionate.

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. Assuredly. What a question?

AMPH. Ah; this is the most cruel stroke of all; my jealous passion
trembled to assure 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