SCENE I

AMPHITRYON, SOSIE

AMPH. Come here, you rascal, come here. Do you know, Master Villain,
that your talk is sufficient to cause me to knock you down, and that
my wrath waits only for a stick to thrash you as I intend?

SOS. If you take it in that way, Monsieur, I have nothing more to
say; you will be always in the right.

AMPH. So? You scoundrel, you wish to impose upon me as truths tales
which I know to be extravagantly far-fetched?

SOS. No; I am the servant, and you are the master; it shall not be
otherwise than you wish it, Monsieur.

AMPH. Come, I will choke down the anger that inflames me, and hear
all you have to say about your mission. I must unravel this
confusion before I see my wife. Collect your senses, think well over
what you say, and answer each question word for word.

SOS. But, lest I make a mistake, tell me, I beseech you, beforehand,
in what way it would please you to have this affair healed. Shall I
speak, Monsieur, according to my conscience, or as usual when near
the great? Shall I tell the truth or use a certain complaisance?

AMPH. No; I only wish you to give me a perfectly unvarnished account.

SOS. Good. That is enough; leave it to me; you have, but to interrogate me.