University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Ludovico's Lodgings.
Ludovico Solus.
Lud.

Who waits?

Enter Mountaine
Mount.

Did you call, Sir?

Lud.

Mountaine, run to Signiora Ronquilla, and tell her I have done
with her for ever if she does not send this Evening the hundred Ducats
she promised to lend me—And Harkee, as you come back
acquaint Signiora Cornara I shall be busie to morrow, and desire she
will put off her visit till another day.

Knocking at the Door
Mount.
Sir, there's somebody at the Door.

Lud.
See who 'tis.

Mount.
Sir, a Gentlewoman desires to speak with you.

Lud.
A Gentlewoman! admit her—Well,
'Tis a great Fatigue to oblige the whole Sex.
Enter Lucy.
Oh! what news from your Lady?

Lucy.
This will inform you Sir.

Gives him a Letter.
Lud.
Reads.

Hum, hum, a Letter—Tho it may seem improper for one
of my Sex to make the first steps in an Amour, yet you ought to consider that the
rigorous confinement we are under all the Year round, may, in some measure,
excuse the Liberties we take during the Carnival. If you have the Courage
to meet me, I shall be at four in the afternoon in the Piazza d' Espagna, invisible
to all but yourself.—Well, I believe all Women in Venice are wild
for Gallants.

Lucy.

Sir, What answer shall I return to my Lady?

Lud.
Aside.

Egad—I am in doubt whether I shall throw my
time away on this intrigue or no—Harkee Child, step into the
next Chamber, and I'll answer your Message instantly—

Exit Lucy.

Let me see— [Reads in his Table book]
Monday, at two in the
afternoon I am to meet Signiora Belleza at her Nurse's—She's
a pretty Rogue, and so I'll go—At three of the Clock Signiora Dorinda
the Senator's Wife at the Indian house—Pshaw, she's an old
acquaintance,—I shan't go—At half an hour past three the
Countess Wrinkle, who presented me with a Gold-hilted Sword—
Silly Fool! Does she think I'll bestow one of my Visits on an old shrivelled
Piece of Antiquity, for a trifling Present, not worth above threescore
Pistoles—At a quarter past four, my Semstress Dorothy
Steenkirk, who supplies me with Linnen,—Oh! this Visit may be
put off for a new Intrigue—And so Ill acquaint the Messenger.

Exit Ludovico.