arance I took. He may now console himself, for
strokes from the wand of a God confer honour on him who has to submit to
them.

SOS. Upon my word, Monsieur God, I am your servant; I could have done
without your attentions.

MERC. I now give you leave to be Sosie. I am tired of wearing such an
ugly mug; I am going to the heavens, to scrape it all off with ambrosia.
(He flies away to the skies.)

SOS. May Heaven forever keep you from the desire of wishing to come near
me again! Your fury against me has been too bitter; never in my life
have I seen a God who was more of a devil than you!

SCENE X

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

JUP. (In a cloud,) Behold, Amphitryon, who has imposed on you; under his
own aspect you see Jupiter. By these signs you may easily know him; they
are sufficient, I think, to restore your heart where it should be to
bring back peace and happiness to your family. My name, which the whole
earth continually adores, thus stifles all scandal that might be spread
abroad. A share with Jupiter has nothing that in the least dishonours,
for doubtless, it can be but glorious to find one's self the rival of
the sovereign of the Gods. I do not see any reason why your love should
murmur; it is I, God as I am, who ought to be jealous in this affair.
Alcmene is wholly yours, whatever means one may employ; it must be
gratifying to your passion to see that there is no other way of pleasing
her than to appear as her husband. Even Jupiter, clothed in his immortal
glory, could not by himself undermine her fidelity; what he has received
from her was granted by her ardent heart only to you.

SOS. The Seigneur Jupiter knows how to gild the pill.

JUP. Cast aside, therefore, the black care that stifles your heart;
restore perfect peace to the ardour which consumes you. In your house
shall be born a son, who, under the name of Hercules, shall cause the
vast universe to ring with his deeds. A glorious future crowned with
a thousand blessings shall let every one see I am your support; I will
make your fate the envy of the whole world. You may boldly flatter
yourself with what these promises confer. It is a crime to doubt them,
for the words of Jupiter are the decrees of fate. (He is lost in the
clouds.)

NAU. Truly, I am delighted at these evident marks...

SOS. Gentlemen, will you please take my advice? Do not embark in
these sugary congratulations; it is a