Amphitryo, Asinaria, Aulularia, Bacchides, Captivi | Page 7

there (pointing) dwells
Amphitryon, born in Argos, of an Argive father: and his wife is
Alcmena, Electrus’s daughter. At present this Amphitryon is at the
head of the Theban army, the Thebans being at war with the
Teloboians.
is prius quam hinc abut ipsemet in exercitum, gravidam Alcumenam
uxorem fecit suam. nam ego vos novisse credo iam ut sit pater meus,
quam liber harum rerum multarum siet quantusque amator sit quod
complacitum est semel.
Before he himself left to join his troops, his wife, Alcmena, was with
child by him. (apologetically) Now I think you know already what my
father is like--how free he is apt to be in a good many cases of this sort
and what an impetuous lover he is, once his fancy is taken.
is amare occepit Alcumenam clam virum usuramque eius corporis cepit
sibi, et gravidam fecit is eam compressu suo. nunc de Alcumena ut rem
teneatis rectius, 110 utrimque est gravida, et ex viro et ex summo Iove.
Well, Alcmena caught his fancy, without her husband knowing it, and
he enjoyed her and got her with child. So now Alcmena, that you may
see it quite clearly, is with child by both of them, by her husband and
by almighty Jove.
et meus pater nunc intus hic cum illa cubat, et haec ob eam rem nox est
facta longior, dum cum illa quacum volt voluptatem capit; sed ita
adsimulavit se, quasi Amphitruo siet.
And my father is there inside this very moment with her in his arms,

and it is on this account that the present night has been prolonged while
he enjoys the society of his heart’s delight. All this in the guise of
Amphitryon, you understand.
Nunc ne hunc ornatum vos meum admiremini, quod ego huc processi
sic cum servili schema: veterem atque antiquam rem novam ad vos
proferam, propterea ornatus in novom incessi modum.
Now don’t be surprised at this get-up of mine and because I appear
here in the character of a slave as I do: I am going to submit to you a
new version of a worn and ancient tale, hence my appearance in a new
get-up.
nam meus pater intus nunc est eccum Iuppiter; 120 in Amphitruonis
vertit sese imaginem omnesque eum esse censent servi qui vident: ita
versipellem se facit quando lubet.
The point is, my father Jupiter is now inside there, mark you. He has
turned himself into the very image of Amphitryon, and all the servants
that see him believe that’s who he is. See how he can change his
skin when he likes!
ego servi sumpsi Sosiae mi imaginem, qui cum Amphitruone abiit hinc
in exercitum, ut praeservire amanti meo possem patri atque ut ne, qui
essem, familiares quaererent, versari crebro hic cum viderent me domi;
nunc, cum esse credent servom et conservom suom, haud quisquam
quaeret qui siem aut quid venerim. 130
And as for me, I have assumed the form of Amphitryon’s slave
Sosia, who went away to the army with him, my idea being to subserve
my amorous sire and not have the domestics ask who I am when they
see me busy about the house here continually. As it is, when they think
I am a servant and one of their own number, not a soul will ask me who
I am or what I’ve come for.
Pater nunc intus suo animo morem gerit: cubat complexus cuius
cupiens maxime est; quae illi ad legionem facta sunt memorat pater
meus Alcumenae: illa illum censet virum suom esse, quae cum moecho

est. ibi nunc meus pater memorat, legiones hostium ut fugaverit, quo
pacto sit donis donatus plurimis.
So now my father is inside indulging his heart’s desire as he lies
there with his arms around the lady-love he particularly dotes on. He is
telling Alcmena what happened during the campaign: and she all the
time thinking him her husband when he’s not. On he goes there
with his stories of putting the legions of the foe to flight and being
presented with prizes galore.
ea dona, quae illic Amphitruoni sunt data, abstulimus: facile meus pater
quod volt facit. nunc hodie Amphitruo veniet huc ab exercitu 140 et
servos, cuius ego hanc fero imaginem.
The prizes Amphitryon did receive there we stole--things my father
fancies do come easy to him! Now Amphitryon will return from the
army to-day, and the slave I am representing, too.
nunc internosse ut nos possitis facilius, ego has habebo usque in petaso
pinnulas; tum meo patri autem torulus inerit aureus sub petaso: id
signum Amphitruoni non erit. ea signa nemo horum familiarium videre
poterit: verum vos videbitis.
To make it easier for you to tell us apart I shall always wear this little
plume on my hat: yes, and as for my father he will have a little gold