SOS.He does not tell a single lie at any turn: I begin to doubt myself in earnest.He has already cowed me into believing him to be Sosie; and he might even reason me into thinking him so.Yet, when Itouch myself, and recollect, it seems to me I am myself.Where can Ifind some light that will clearly make my way plain? What I have done alone, and what no one has seen, cannot be known to any one else: that, at least, belongs to me.I will astonish him by this question: it will confound him, and we shall see.When they were at close quarters, what were you doing in our tents, whither you ran to hide yourself away?
MERC.Off a hamSOS.That is it!
MERC.Which I unearthed, I soon cut two succulent slices: they suited me nicely.I added to them a wine which was usually kept dark, and, gloated over the sight of it before I tasted it.So Itook heart for our fighters.
SOS.This unparalleled proof ends matters well in his favour; and, unless he were in the bottle, there is nothing to be said.From the proofs you show me, I cannot deny that you are Sosie: I admit it.
But, if you are he, tell me whom you wish me to be; for I must be someone.
MERC.When I shall no longer be Sosie, you may be he, I consent to that; but I promise you it shall be the death of you if you take up such a fancy while I am he.
SOS.All this confusion turns me inside out, for reason is against what I see.But I must end this by some means; and the shortest way for me is to go in there.
MERC.Oh! You gallows-bird, you want to taste the stick.
SOS.What is the matter? Great Gods! He makes the blows ring again;my back will ache for a month.I will leave this devil of a fellow, and return to the harbour.O just Heavens, what a fine ambassador I have been!
MERC.At last, I have made him fly; this treatment has paid him out for many of his deeds.But here is Jupiter, gallantly escorting his lover Alcmene.