Titus Maccius Plautus — Amphitryo (1519)

[Margin notes are largely fragmentary or structural notes on the Latin text and are omitted as per instructions.]

The cavalry prepare from the right with a great
Shout, they fly in with a spirited attack,
They trample and scatter the enemy's forces.
Sosia: Now, some compassion still remains regarding words and history—for I was there in the actual event, and my father [was there] when the fighting took place.
Sosia: The enemies are putting themselves to flight; there, our men's spirit was added [to the struggle].
The Teleboans’ bodies were filled with missiles.
And Amphitryon himself cut down King Pterela with his own hand.
This is the battle that was fought from early morning until evening.
I remember this all the more because I was fasting on that day.
But night finally ended that battle with its intervention.
The next day, the leaders came to us from the city into the camp, weeping,
And, veiling their hands, they beg that we forgive their transgression,
And they surrender themselves, all things divine and human, the city, and their children,
Into the jurisdiction and at the discretion of the whole Theban people.
Afterwards, for his valor, a golden bowl was gifted to the hero Amphitryon,
Which King Pterela was accustomed to use for drinking—this I will say to the mistress.
Now I will proceed to carry out the master’s command and betake myself home.
Mercury: Ah, look, he is going there; I will go to meet him.
Neither will I allow this man to approach these doors today.
Since his image is within me, it is certain that I shall mock the man.
And indeed, since I have taken on his form and stature,
It is fitting that I also have his deeds and customs likewise.
Thus, it behooves me to be evil by guile, crafty, extremely cunning,
And to drive this enemy away from the doorway with his own weapon of malice.
But what is that? He is looking at the sky. I shall observe what he is doing.