ALC.Ah! Cruel husband.
JUP.Speak, Alcmene, speak.
ALC.Must I still keep some kindness for you, who insult me by so many indignities?
JUP.Whatever resentment an outrage causes us, can it hold out against the remorse of a heart deeply in love?
ALC.A heart full of passion would rather expose itself to a thousand deaths, than offend the object beloved.
JUP.The more one loves, the easier it isALC.No, do not speak to me any longer about it; you deserve my hatred.
JUP.You hate me then?
ALC.I make every effort to do so, and it annoys me to feel that all your insults do not yet carry my vengeance so far as yield to it.
JUP.But why this violence, since I offer to kill myself to satisfy your revenge? Pronounce the sentence and immediately I will obey.
ALC.It is impossible to wish for another's death if hatred be absent.
JUP.I cannot live unless you abandon the wrath that overwhelms me, and unless you grant me the favour of a pardon which I beg at your feet.Decide to do one or the other quickly: to punish, or to absolve.
ALC.Alas! The only resolution I can take is but too clearly apparent.My heart has too plainly betrayed me, for me to wish to maintain this anger: is it not to say we pardon, when we say we cannot hate?
JUP.Ah, charming Alcmene, overwhelmed with delight I must...
ALC.Forbear: I hate myself for such weakness.
JUP.Go, Sosie, make haste; a sweet joy fills my soul.See what officers of the army you can find, and ask them to dine with me.
(Softly aside.) Mercury can fill his post, while he is away from here.