MERCURY, SOSIE
MERC.(Under the form of Sosie.) Under this mask which resembles him, I will drive away the babbler from here.His unfortunate arrival may disturb the pleasures our lovers are tasting together.
SOS.My heart revives a little; perhaps it was nothing.Lest anything untoward should happen, however, I will go in to finish the conversation.
MERC.I shall prevent your doing that unless you are stronger than Mercury.
SOS.This night seems to me unusually long.By the time I have been on the way, either my master has taken evening for morning, or lovely Phoebus slumbers too long in bed through having taken too much wine.
MERC.With what irreverence this lubber speaks of the Gods! My arm shall soon chastise this insolence; I shall have a fine game with him, stealing his name as well as his likeness.
SOS.Ah! upon my word, I was right: I am done for, miserable creature that I am! I see a man before our house whose mien bodes me no good.I will sing a little to show some semblance of assurance.
(He sings; and, when Mercury speaks, his voice weakens, little by little.)MERC.What rascal is this, who takes the unwarrantable licence of singing and deafening me like this? Does he wish me to curry his coat for him?
SOS.Assuredly that fellow does not like music.
MERC.For more than a week, I have not found any one whose bones Icould break; my arm will lose its strength in this idleness.I must look out for some one's back to get my wind again.
SOS.What the deuce of a fellow is this? My heart thrills with clutching fear.But why should I tremble thus? Perhaps the rogue is as much afraid as I am, and talks in this way to hide his fear from me under a feigned audacity.Yes, yes, I will not allow him to think me a goose.If I am not bold, I will try to appear so.Let me seek courage by reason; he is alone, even as I am; I am strong, I have a good master, and there is our house.
MERC.Who goes there?