in whatever way we look at them, affect us in the most sensitive parts;
reason often, often pardons them, when honour and love cannot.

ARGAT. I do not bother my thoughts about that; but I hate your gentlemen
for their disgraceful delay; it is a proceeding which wounds me to the
quick, and one which courageous people will never approve. When any
man has need of us, we ought to throw ourselves headforemost into his
concerns. Argatiphontidas is not one for compromising matters. It is
not seemly for men of honour to listen to the arguments of a friend's
adversary; one should only listen to vengeance at such times. The
proceeding does not please me; in quarrels such as these we ought always
to begin sending the sword through the body, without any nonsense. Yes,
whatever happens, you shall see that Argatiphontidas goes straight to
the point. I entreat you not to let the villain die by any other hand
than mine.

AMPH. Come on.

SOS. I come, Monsieur, to undergo at your knees the just punishment of
cursed audacity. Strike, beat, drub, overwhelm me with blows, kill me
in your anger; you will do well, I deserve it; I shall not say a single
word against you.

AMPH. Get up. What is the matter?

SOS. I have been turned away unceremoniously; thinking to eat and
rejoice like them, I did not think that, as it turned out, I was waiting
there to thrash myself. Yes, the other I, valet to the other you, has
played the very devil with me once more. The same cruel fate seems to
pursue us both today, Monsieur. In short, they have un-Sosied me, as
they un-Amphitryon'd you.

AMPH. Follow me.

SOS. Is it not better to see if anybody is coming?

SCENE VIII

CLEANTHIS, NAUCRATES, POLIDAS, SOSIE, AMPHITRYON,

ARGATIPHONTIDAS, POSICLES

CLE. O Heaven!

AMPH. What frightens you like this? Why are you afraid of me?

CLE. Why! You are up there and I see you here!

NAU. Do not hurry; here he comes to give, before us all, the explanation
we want. If we may believe what he has just said about it, it will
banish away your trouble and care.

SCENE IX

MERCURY, CLEANTHIS, NAUCRATES, POLIDAS, SOSIE, AMPHITRYON,
ARGATIPHONTIDAS, POSICLES

MERC. Yes, you shall all see him; know beforehand that it is the
grand master of the Gods, whom, under the cherished features of this
resemblance, Alcmene has caused to descend here from the heavens. As
for me, I am Mercury. Not knowing what else to do, I have given him
a drubbing whose appe