Titus Maccius Plautus — Amphitryo (1519)

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

Sosia: I believe he is merciful, now that my master has made me keep watch—
What will this boor do today with his fists? He will make me sleep.
I am utterly undone. By Hercules, I beseech you, how great and how strong he is.
Mercury: I shall speak clearly so that this fellow hears what I say.
Therefore, he will conceive a greater fear within himself.
Go to it, my fists; it is long since you provided for the belly—
It seems to me as if it has been long since you put four men to sleep, naked.
Sosia: I am terribly afraid that I might change my name and become the fifth Sosia.
He thinks he has put four men to sleep here.
I fear that he might increase the count with me.
Mercury: Lo, now then, I want it this way.
Sosia: He is girding himself; he is certainly preparing himself.
Mercury: He shall not get away without being beaten.
Sosia: What man is this?
Mercury: Whatever man comes hither to me, he shall receive my fists.
Sosia: Go away; I do not like being here at this time of night.
I have eaten just a little while ago, so you, if you are wise, give that feast of fists to those who are hungry.
Mercury: This fist has an evil weight to it.
Sosia: I am undone, he is testing his fists.
Mercury: What if I touch him lightly so that he dies?
Sosia: You would save me; for I have been awake for these three continuous nights.
Mercury: It is a wretched deed, my hand is learning to strike the jaw very badly.
One ought to have a different form after you have struck them in battle.
Sosia: That man will disfigure me; he will fashion my face and mouth anew.
Mercury: He whom you have thoroughly struck ought to be boneless.
Sosia: It is a wonder he does not think to debone me like a lamprey fish.
He is a man who destroys men; I am a dead man if he sees me.
Mercury: This man reeks to his own misfortune.
Sosia: Woe is me, perhaps I have given off an odor.
Mercury: And he must not be far off.
Sosia: The man was far away from here.