Fron. Why, friend, what villany? I hope my house is a civil house. Ben. Yes, a very civil one; for my master lay in of his last clap there, and was treated very civilly, to my knowledge. Mar. How's this, how's this? Fron. Come, you are a dirty fellow, and I am known to be a person that Ben. Yes, you are known to be a person thatFron. Speak your worst of me; what person am I known to be? Ben. Why, if you will have it, you are little better than a procuress: You carry messages betwixt party and party:-And, in one word, sir, she's as arrant a fruit-woman as any is about Rome. Mar. Nay, if she be a fruit-woman, my nieces shall not enter her doors. Ben. You had best let them enter, you do not know how they may fructify in her house: For I heard her, with these ears, whisper to them, that their friends were within call. Mar. This is palpable, this is manifest; I shall remember you, lady fruiterer; I shall have your baskets searched when you bring oranges again.Come away, nieces; and thanks, honest fellow, for thy discovery. [Exeunt MARIO and Women. Ben. Hah couragio! Il diavolo e morto: Now, I think I have tickled it; this discovery has reinstated me into the empire of my wit again. Now, in the pomp of this achievement, will I present myself before madam Laura, with a-Behold, madam, the happy restoration of Benito! Enter AURELIAN, CAMILLO, and FRONTONA, overhearing him, Oh, now, that I had the mirror, to behold myself in the fulness of my glory! and, oh, that the do mineering fop, my master, were in presence, that I might triumph over him! that I might even contemn the wretched wight, the mortal of a grovelling soul, and of a debased understanding. [He looks about him, and sees his master.] How the devil came these three together? Nothing vexes me, but that I must stand bare to him, after such an enterprise as this is. Aur. Nay, put on, put on again, sweet sir; why should you be uncovered before the fop your master, the wretched wight, the mortal of a grovelling soul? Ben. Ay, sir, you may make bold with yourself at your own pleasure: But, for all that, a little bidding would make me take your counsel, and be covered, as affairs go now. Aur. If it be lawful for a man of a debased understanding to confer with such an exalted wit, pray what was that glorious achievement, which wrapt you into such an ecstasy? Ben. 'Tis a sign you know well how matters go, by your asking me so impertinent a question. Aur. [Putting off his hat to him.] Sir, I beg of you, as your most humble master, to be satisfied. Ben. Your servant, sir; at present I am not at leisure for conference. But hark you, sir, by the way of friendly advice, one word: Henceforward, tell me no more of the adventure of the garden, nor of the great looking-glass. Aur. You mean the mirror. Ben. Yes, the mirror; tell me no more of that, except you could behold in it a better, a more discreet, or a more able face for stratagem, than I can, when I look there. Aur. But, to the business; What is this famous enterprise? Ben. Be satisfied, without troubling me farther, the business is done, the rogues are defeated, and your mistress is secured: If you would know more, demand it of that criminal [Pointing to FRON.], and ask her, how she dares appear before you, after such a signal treachery, or before me, after such an overthrow? Fron. I know nothing, but only that, by your master's order, I was to receive the two ladies into my house, and you prevented it. Ben. By my master's order? I'll never believe it. This is your stratagem, to free yourself, and deprive me of my reward. Cam. I'll witness what she says is true. Ben. I am deaf to all asseverations, that make against my honour. Aur. I'll swear it then. We two were the two rogues, and you the discoverer of our villany. Ben. Then, woe, woe, to poor Benito! I find my abundance of wit has ruined me. Aur. But come a little nearer: I would not receive a good office from a servant, but I would reward him for his diligence. Ben. Virtue, sir, is its own reward: I expect none from you. Aur. Since it is so, sir, you shall lose no further time in my service: Henceforward, pray know me for your humble servant; for your master I am resolved to be no longer. Ben. Nay, rather than so, sir, I beseech you let a good, honest, sufficient beating atone the differ ence. Aur. 'Tis in vain. Ben. I am loth to leave you without a guide. Aur. He's at it again! do you hear, Camillo? Cam. Pr'ythee, Aurelian, be mollified, and beat him. Fron. Pray, sir, hear reason, and lay it on, for my sake. Aur. I am obdurate. Cam. But what will with him? Aur. I care not. your father say, if you part Ben. Well, sir, since you are so peremptory, remember I have offered you satisfaction, and so long my conscience is at ease. What a devil, before I'll offer myself twice to be beaten, by any master in Christendom, I'll starve, and that is my resolution; and so your servant that was, sir. [Exit. Aur. I am glad I am rid of him; he was my evil genius, and was always appearing to me, to blast my undertakings: Let me send him never so far off, the devil would be sure to put him in my way, when I had any thing to execute. Come, Camillo, now we have changed the dice, it may be we shall have better fortune. [Exeunt. SCENE II. Enter the Duke of Mantua in masquerade, FREDERICK, VALERIO, and others. On the other side, enter LUCRETIA, HIPPOLITA, and ASCANIO. Luc. [To ASCA.] The prince I know already, by your description of his masking habit; but, which is the duke, his father? Asca. He whom you see talking with the prince, and looking this way. I believe he has observed us. Luc. If he has not, I am resolved we'll make ourselves as remarkable as we can: I'll exercise my talent of dancing. Hip. And I mine of singing. Duke. [To FRED.] Do you know the company which came in last? Fred. I cannot possibly imagine who they are.At least I will not tell you. [Aside. Duke. There's something very uncommon in the air of one of them. Fred. Please you, sir, I'll discourse with her, and see if I can satisfy your highness. Duke. Stay, there's a dance beginning, and she seems as if she would make one. SONG AND DANCE. Long betwixt love and fear Phyllis, tormented, And a poor shamefaced maid Now cold as ice I am, now hot as fire, Slow hours to parting love; How sweet it is to love, when I discover That fire, which burns my heart, warming my Tis pity love so true should be mistaken : lover! |