back in your seat, and enjoy your ride wherever you please but 'tis not so with me; I, who am the messenger of the gods, and traverse more ground, both in heaven and earth, than all of them put together, am, thanks to Fate, the only one that is not furnished with a vehicle.

Night. But if Fate has denied you a vehicle, she has bestowed wings upon your feet.

Mer. Yes, I thank her, that I might make the more haste; but does making more haste, keep me from being tired, d'ye think?

Night. Well, but to the business. What have you to say to me?

Mer. Why, as I told you, I have a message from Jupiter: it is his will and pleasure, that you muffle up this part of the world in your dark mantle, somewhat longer than usual at this time of the year.

Night. Why, what is to be done now?

Mer. Donel-Why, he is this night to be the progenitor of a demi-god, who shall destroy monsters, humble tyrants, and redress the injured; men are to become happy by his labours, and heroic by his example.

Night. Jupiter is very gracious indeed to mankind; but I am not much obliged to him for the honourable employment he has been pleased to assign me in this business?

Mer. Not obliged to him, madam ?-Why so?— You was always a friend to mankind; and he might

reasonably think you would take pleasure in deservin their homage upon so important an occasion.

Night. Pleasure! What, in taking upon me the mos odious character-a character that

Mer. Come, come, madam; that is good of whic good comes: this is a safe principle for us deities whatever it is for mortals, who can no more see th consequences of their own actions, than what is doing behind your curtain.

Night. Sir, I beg pardon-I acknowledge, sir, tha you are much better acquainted with these affairs than I am; and therefore will e'en accept of my employment, relying wholly upon your judgment.

Mer. Not so fast, good Madam Night; none of your inuendoes, if you please: you are reported not to be so shy as you pretend; and I know that you are the trusty confident of many a private treaty, and have as little to boast of, in some particulars, as I.

Night. Well, well, do not let us expose ourselves to the malicious laughter of mankind, by our quarrels.

Mer. About your business, then; put a spoke into your chariot-wheels, and order the seven stars to halt, while I put myself into the habit of a serving-man, and dress up a false Sosia, to wait upon a false Amphitryon. Good night, Night.

Night. My service to Jupiter. Farewell, Mercury. [Night goes backward. Exit Mercury.

SCENE II.

AMPHITRYON's Palace. Enter ALCMENA.
Alc. Why was I married to the man I love?
For, had he been indifferent to my choice,
Or had been hated, absence had been pleasure:
But now I fear for my Amphitryon's life.
At home, in private, and secure from war,
I am amidst an host of armed foes;

Sustaining all his cares, pierced with his wounds;
And, if he falls (which, oh, ye gods, avert 1)
Am in Amphitryon slain. Would I were there,
And he were here-so might we change our fates,
That he might grieve for me, and I might die for him.

Enter PHEDRA, running.

Phad. Good news, good news, madam-Oh, such admirable news, that if I kept it in a moment, I should burst with it.

Alc. Is it from the army?
Phad. No matter.

Alc. From Amphitryon ?

Phad. No matter, neither.

Alc. Answer me, I charge thee, if thy good news be any thing relating to my lord; if it be, assure thyself of a reward.

Phad. Ay, madam, now you say something to the matter. You know the business of a poor waitingwoman here upon earth, is to be scraping up some

thing against a rainy day, called the day of marriage every one in our own vocation. But what matter it to me if my lord has routed the enemy, if I get no thing of their spoils ?

Alc. Say, is my lord victorious?

Phad. Why, he is victorious. Indeed I prayed de voutly to Jupiter for a victory; by the same toker that you should give me ten pieces of gold, if brought you news of it.

Alc. They are thine; supposing he be safe too.

Phad. Nay, that's a new bargain; for I vowed t Jupiter, that then you should give me ten pieces more But I do undertake for my lord's safety, if you wil please to discharge Jupiter of the debt, and take i upon you to pay.

Alc. When he returns in safety, Jupiter and I wil pay your vow.

Phad. And I am sure I articled with Jupiter, tha if I brought you news, that my lord was upon return. you should grant me one small favour more, that wil cost you nothing.

Alc. Make haste, thou torturer; is my Amphitryon upon return?

Phad. Promise me that I shall be your bed-fellow to-night, as I have been ever since my lord's absence unless I shall be pleased to release you of your word.

Alc. That's a small request; 'tis granted.
Phad. But swear, by Jupiter.

Alc. I swear, by Jupiter.

Phad. Then, I believe, he is victorious; and I know he is safe: for I looked through the key-hole, and saw him knocking at the gate.

Alc. And wouldst thou not open to him? Oh, thou traitress!

Phæd. No, I was a little wiser. I left Sosia's wife to let him in; for I was resolved to bring the news, and make my pennyworths out of him, as time shall shew.

Enter JUPITER in the shape of AMPHITRYON, with SOSIA's wife, BROMIA.

ALCMENA.

He kisses and embraces

Jup. Oh, let me live for ever on those lips!
The nectar of the gods to these is tasteless.
I swear, that were I Jupiter, this night

I would renounce my Heav'n to be Amphitryon. Alc. Then, not to swear beneath Amphitryon's oath, (Forgive me Juno, if I am profane)

I swear, I would be what I am this night,
And be Alcmena, rather than be Juno.

Brom. Good, my lord-what's become of my poor bedfellow, your man, Sosia? What, I say, tho' I am a poor woman, I have a husband as well as my lady.

Phad. And what have you done with your old friend, and my old sweetheart, Judge Gripus? If he be rich, I'll make him welcome, like an honourable magistrate; but if not——————

Alc. My lord, you tell me nothing of the battle.