etiam, histriones anno cum in proscaemo hic Iovem invocarunt, venit, auxilio is fuit[9] (92) hanc fabulam, inquam, hic Iuppiter hodie ipse aget, (94) et ego una cum illo. nunc vos animum advortite, dum huius argumentum eloquar comoediae.

Why, just last year when the actors on this very stage called upon Jupiter, he came,[B] and helped them out.  This play, then, Jove himself will act in to-day, and I along with him.  Now give me your attention while I unfold the argument of our comedy.

        [Footnote B:  An allusion to some play in which Jupiter
        appeared in time to save some situation.]

Haec urbs est Thebae. in illisce habitat aedibus Amphitruo, natus Argis ex Argo patre, quicum Alcumena est nupta, Electri filia. is nunc Amphitruo praefectust legionibus, 100 nam cum Telobois bellum est Thebano poplo.

This city here is Thebes.  In that house there (pointing) dwells Amphitryon, born in Argos, of an Argive father:  and his wife is Alcmena, Electrus’s daughter.  At present this Amphitryon is at the head of the Theban army, the Thebans being at war with the Teloboians.

is prius quam hinc abut ipsemet in exercitum, gravidam Alcumenam uxorem fecit suam. nam ego vos novisse credo iam ut sit pater meus, quam liber harum rerum multarum siet quantusque amator sit quod complacitum est semel.

Before he himself left to join his troops, his wife, Alcmena, was with child by him. (apologetically) Now I think you know already what my father is like—­how free he is apt to be in a good many cases of this sort and what an impetuous lover he is, once his fancy is taken.

is amare occepit Alcumenam clam virum usuramque eius corporis cepit sibi, et gravidam fecit is eam compressu suo. nunc de Alcumena ut rem teneatis rectius, 110 utrimque est gravida, et ex viro et ex summo Iove.

Well, Alcmena caught his fancy, without her husband knowing it, and he enjoyed her and got her with child.  So now Alcmena, that you may see it quite clearly, is with child by both of them, by her husband and by almighty Jove.

et meus pater nunc intus hic cum illa cubat, et haec ob eam rem nox est facta longior, dum cum illa quacum volt voluptatem capit; sed ita adsimulavit se, quasi Amphitruo siet.

And my father is there inside this very moment with her in his arms, and it is on this account that the present night has been prolonged while he enjoys the society of his heart’s delight.  All this in the guise of Amphitryon, you understand.

Nunc ne hunc ornatum vos meum admiremini, quod ego huc processi sic cum servili schema:  veterem atque antiquam rem novam ad vos proferam,