University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

—An Ante-Chamber in the Villa.
Enter the Count de Dorio, the Marquis Sapparino, and Jeromo, L.
Count.
My daughter left the villa, didst thou say?

Jer.
To take an evening promenade, my lord,
Attended by her maid and fair companions.

Count.
The time's ill chosen; for should the brigand,
Massaroni, and his band surprize them,
They'll prove so rich a booty, the treasures
Of a dukedom would not pay the ransom.

Mar.
[Coming forward.]
Spake you of Massaroni, noble sir?
If he dare make prisoner of Georgina,
I'll give him such a ransom with my sword,
As very soon shall make him cry “pecavi!”
Therefore no compromise, my lord, I pray,
Or you'll offend my valour.

Count.
I rejoice
To find my future son-in-law so brave;
For I detest a coward in my soul.
Come, Jeromo; my honoured guests e'en now
Assemble in the banquet hall, to share
The sports. [To Sapparino.]
We shall expect you there.

[Exeunt Count Dorio and Jeromo, R.
Mar.
Anon, my most noble father-in-law!
[Calling off, R. S. E.]
What ho! Ladroni!

Enter Ladroni, R. S. E.
Lad.
I am here, my lord.

Mar.
Didst overtake the little flower-girl,
The charming Rosa?

Lad.
After a hard chase,
I did, my lord.

Mar.
What said she to my letter?

Enter Rosa, L. S. E., listening.
Lad.
Kissed it a thousand times, and then cried,
“Yes!”

Mar.
[Delighted.]
Dear, lovely girl!—Then she is sure to come?

Lad.
As sure as fate.

Mar.
Such charms! such modesty!

Lad.
Don't be certain of that, my lord.

Mar.
Why, knave?
Dost dare assert that Rosa is not honest?

Lad.
The saints forbid! I only asked a kiss—

Mar.
Which she most properly refused.

Lad.
I pray you,
Regard me well, my lord—this graceful mein;
Then ask yourself, if it were possible
For any woman to refuse a kiss
To one so handsome as your serving man?

Mar.
Thou'rt a conceited coxcomb!

Lad.
As I said,
I asked a kiss; and—would you credit it?
She gave me twenty; called me her love, and
Swore that I was—

Rosa.
[Suddenly stepping between them.]
A scurvy, lying knave!

Mar.
Ah! charming Rosa!

Rosa.
I insist, my lord,
That you compel yon varlet to retract
His foul aspersions on my reputation.

Mar.
[Drawing his sword.]
He shall do so, or I will run him through!

[Ladroni falls on his knees.
Rosa.
My lord, I will myself dictate the terms
Of the vile slanderer's recantation.

Mar.
[Pointing his sword at Ladroni.]
Thou knave! repeat fair Rosa's words, or die!

Rosa.
[Dictating to Ladroni, who repeats each line after her.]
I, Miguel Ladroni, do declare,
That what I have said against the fair fame
Of Rosa Coralli, the flower-girl,
Was but a tissue of the foulest slander,
And base, unfounded lies!—And this I swear
Is true, as I am a boasting liar!

Rosa.
Enough! I'm satisfied.

Lad.
[Aside, rising.]
That's more than I am!

Mar.
[To Ladroni.]
Go, sirrah, and prepare my domino,
Then await my coming.

Lad.
[Going.]
I obey, my lord.
[Aside, pointing to Rosa.
Though I'm a liar, I'll for once speak true:
When next I shrive, I'll not confess to you.

[Exit, R.
Mar.
Most charming Rosa! fairest of all flowers!

Rosa.
Fairer than your beautiful Georgina?

Mar.
We will not mention her just now, my dear;
But talk a little of our love intrigue.

Rosa.
Fie! my lord. I must go sell my flowers.

Mar.
I'll buy them, and with them thy sweet self.
[Giving her a purse.]
Will this suffice?

Rosa.
For what, most noble sir?

Mar.
To buy thy flowers.

Rosa.
Aye, a hundred times.

Mar.
But to buy you?

Rosa.
Not all that you possess!
[Throwing the purse at him indignantly.
Take back your purse! The price of innocence
Is nothing less than honourable wedlock!

Mar.
[Aside, pocketting the purse.]
A little preacher, this, in petticoats!
[Aloud.]
Be not angry, Rosa;—sell thy flowers,
And meet me at the masquerade.—Adieu!

[Exit, C. D. F.
Rosa.
Yes, I will go; and it shall be my task,
Before them all a villain to unmask!

[Exit, R.