Go you first, Sosia. (Exit MERCURY.) I’ll follow this instant. (To ALCMENA.) Is there anything you wish?
ALCMENA
Yes; that you’ll come back speedily.
JUPITER
I will;
and sooner than you expect will I be here therefore be of good heart. (ALCMENA goes into the house.) Now Night, thou who hast tarried for me, I permit these to give place to Day, that thou mayst shine upon mortals with a bright and brilliant light. And Night, as much as on this last thou wast too long, so much the shorter will I make the Day to be,545
that a Day of equal disparity may succeed the Night. I’ll go and follow Mercury.550
