Vera istaec velim.
Ah, I wish it was the truth!
Alc.
Vera dico, sed nequiquam, quoniam non vis credere.
It is the truth,
but what of that, when you refuse to
believe me!
Amph.
Mulier es, audacter iuras.
You’re a woman; you swear boldly.
Alc.
Quae non deliquit, decet
audacem esse, confidenter pro se et proterve
loqui.
A woman who has
done nothing wrong ought to be bold, yes,
and self confident
and forward in her own defence.
Amph.
Satis audacter.
Bold, with a vengeance!
Alc.
Ut pudicam decet.
As innocence should be.
Amph.
Enim verbis proba’s.[21]
Yes, you’re immaculate as far as talk goes.
Alc.
Non ego illam mihi dotem duco esse, quae dos dicitur, sed pudicitiam et pudorem et sedatum cupidinem, 840 deum metum, parentum amorem et cognatum concordiam, tibi morigera atque ut munifica sim bonis, prosim probis.
(quietly) Personally I do not feel that my dowry is that which people call a dowry, but purity and honour and self control, fear of God, love of parents, and affection for my family, and being a dutiful wife to you, sir, lavish of loving-kindness and helpful through honest service.
Sos.
Ne ista edepol, si haec vera loquitur, examussim est optima.
My word!
She’s a regular pattern of perfection, if she’s
telling the truth.
Amph.
Delenitus sum profecto ita, ut me qui sim nesciam.
Upon my soul,
I have been so bewitched I don’t know who I
am!
Sos.
Amphitruo es profecto, cave sis ne tu
te usu perduis:
ita nunc homines immutantur, postquam
peregre advenimus.
You’re Amphitryon right enough, sir—but just look out you don’t lose your title to yourself by limitation, the way folks are getting changed about these days since we came back from abroad.
Amph.
Mulier, istam rem inquisitam certum est non amittere.
(to Alcmena,
sternly) This matter shall not escape
investigation,
madam, I am resolved on that.
Alc.
Edepol me libente facies.
Dear me, sir, do investigate, and welcome!
Amph.
Quid ais? responde mihi. quid si adduco tuom cognatum huc ab navi Naucratem, qui mecum una vectust una navi, atque is si denegat 850 facta quae tu facta dicis, quid tibi aequom est fieri? numquid causam dicis, quin te hoc multem matrimionio?
See here, answer me this—what if I bring your own relative, Naucrates, over from the ship? He made the voyaage with me on the same vessel—now if he denies that I did as you say what do you deserve? Have you any reason to give that I should not divorce you?
Alc.