University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

The Piazza d' Espagna in Venice.
Enter Lady Pizalta sola.
L. Piz.
Not come yet! Ungrateful Man! must a
Woman of my Quality wait?
How have we lost our Pow'r since the Creation?
When the whole World had but one single Lord,
Whom every Creature readily obey'd?
Yet he, that mighty he, caught with a smile,
Flew to th' embraces of the tempting Fair.
But now each puny Sinner dares to cross
A Woman's inclinations—
Enter Ludovico:
Oh! are you come, Signior? I suppose you have
Some other Assignation, that made you miss
My hour—Pursue it pray—I'll not interrupt you—Your
Servant—
Going.
I hope he'll not take me at my word.

Aside.
Lud.
Nay, nay, Signiora, Why this Passion?
Stops her.

You sent me a Challenge, and I like a man of Courage, am come to
answer it—Pray don't let a quarter of an hour break squares—
I own 'twas a Fault to make a Lady wait; but Friends, Madam, Friends,
and good Wine are the Devil—Come, I'll make you amends.

L. Piz.

Friends and good Wine! I suppose those Friends were female
ones—

Lud.

No, faith: You shall judge of that—But suppose they were—
Why should you be angry that I did not fly with the desir'd haste, as
long as I am come time enough to give you satisfaction—Besides, I
han't seen your face yet, and for ought I know, it mayn't reward my
Compliment in coming now—Prithee, Child, unmask, and then I'll
tell thee more of my mind.

L. Pizal.

The Devil take this fellow—and yet methinks I love him
for his indifferency— aside]
You talk as if you were unskill'd in the
Art of Love: Don't you know that Expectation feeds more than twenty
tasted Pleasures?

Lud.

Hum—some sort of Fops it may: But I'm none of those—I
never give my opinion of a Dish till I've tasted Neither do I care to dine
often on one sort of Meat without changing the Sauce—But when
that Cloud's withdrawn, how long I shall keep my Resolution I know
not.

L. Piz.

Say you so! Why then the only way to preserve your Appetite
is to feed you slenderly: or only let you see the food, but not to taste.

Lud.

Faith, Madam, I'm no Cameleon, but Flesh and Blood—

Therefore these Prescriptions are of no use—One sight of that dear
Charming Face of yours, would be more obliging to your humble Servant.

L. Piz.
unmasks.

Well, Sir, what think you? is there any thing in
this Face worth your regard?

Lud.

Ah! By Heaven, an Angel—Oh! Madam, now blame
your self for my neglect, for had you sent the Picture of her, in whom
all those Beauties center, I had in this place waited the coming of my
Goddess, or rather flown on the Wings of eager Love, to meet my fair,
tho in the Arms of ten thousand Dangers—Say, my Charming Angel,
do you forgive me? But why do I ask? your Eyes assure me you do; at
least I'll force a pardon from these dear, soft, ruby lips.

[Kisses her in extasy.
L. Piz.

Hold, hold! Been't so lavish—a sparing Gamester is the
likeliest to keep in stock—whilst a profuse hand at one cast throws all
he has away.

Lud.

To fear, that were to doubt your Charms, in which a Lover is
sure to find constant supplies—But we lose time—Let's retire to my
Lodgings, where I'll give thee the best proofs of my Love I can.

L. Piz.
aside.

Well! He's a charming Fellow—Oh! how happy are
VVives in France and England, where such as he swarm!

Lud.

Come, Madam, come—VVhy what do you
mean by this delay? Consider I'm a man, a mortal, wishing, amorous
man—

L. Piz.

And consider I'm a Woman—

Lud.
aside.

Ay, ay: That I know: At least I hope to find you such—
or I would not be in such haste—

Aside.
L. Piz.

And have a Reputation to preserve.

Lud.

Oh! Lord, what a damn'd Turn's here? Reputation, say you?
Egad, I find all Women make pretence to that mysterious Word

aside.
What! Are not you married, Madam?

L. Piz.

Yes, what then?

Lud.

Why then you have a Reputation to preserve—that's all.

L. Piz.

All, Sir, Yes, and all in all to me—Do you consider what
Country you're in, Sir?

Lud.

Yes, Faith, Madam: and what constitution I am of too. I
know Murder is as venial a Sin here, as Adultery is in some Countries;
And I am too apprehensive of my mortal Part not to avoid Danger—
Therefore, Madam, You have an infallible security—if I should betray
You, I bring my self into jeopardy, and of all Pleasures Self-Preservation
is the dearest,

L. Piz.

A very open Speaker, I vow.

Lud.

Ay, Madam, that's best—Hang your creeping, cringing,
whining, sighing, dying, lying Lovers—Pough! Their Flames are not
more durable than mine, tho they make more noise in the blaze.

Sings.
Hang the whining way of wooing.
Loving was design'd a sport.

Lady Piz.
aside.

The Duce take me if this fellow has not charm'd
me strangely—Well, the Carnival is almost over, and then must I be
shut up like a Nun again—Hey! Hoa! This time will be so short—

Lud.

Let's make the better use on't then, my Dear. We will consider
when we have nothing else to do, but at present there's a matter of
the greatest moment which I must impart to you—Therefore, come
dear Rogue, come—

L. Piz.
(Looking on her Watch.)

Hold—I have out-staid my time,
and must return home instantly to prevent discoveries.

Lud.

Faith, Madam, this is not fair—To raise a man's Expectation,
and then disappoint him! VVould you be serv'd so your self now?

L. Piz.

I'll endeavour to disingage self from my jealous Husband,
and contrive another meeting.

Lud.
But will you be sure to meet me again?

L. Piz.
I give you may Hand as a Pledge—

Lud.
kisses her.
And I this kiss in return—Adieu, my Charmer.

L. Piz.
Signior, Farewel.

Exeunt severally.
Enter Bassino, Alonzo.
Bass.
Well, Sir, Your Business—

Alon.
It is to tell you—
You are a Villain—

Bass.
Ha—

Alon.
And that as such
I ought to have treated you before the Face
Of false Aurelia—But I scorn to follow
The barbarous custom of my Native Country.
I seek with Honour to revenge my wrongs;
Therefore, Sir, draw—

Bass.
This Action speaks you Noble—be likewise Just,
And let me know the cause that moves your Anger.
By Heaven I'd rather call you still my Friend,
Than be your Enemy—Yet, if I wrong'd you,
I'll give you satisfaction—

Alon.
Trifler away—Too well Thou knowst the cause;
And now wouldst sooth my wrongs with Flattery.
But my Resolve is fixt as Heaven's Decrees:
And one of us must fall—Let the Surviver
Dispose of that base, false, perjur'd Aurelia,
As both his Love and Honour shall direct.
If my propitious Stars defend my Life,
You shall not die alone—Th' adulterous Fair
Shall bear you company—Now, Draw.

Bass.
Oh! hold.
One moment hold I must unfold this Riddle:
Adulterous Fair, say you?

Alon.
Yes: She's my Wife.

Bass.
Ha—your Wife!
Sure there's a curse intail'd upon that name.
Aside.
What! Your real Wife?

Alon.
If the Command of an expiring Father
And her own Vows can make her mine, she's so:
Indeed the Marriage Rites are yet to come,
Which slily she delay'd these two Months past,
On slight Pretence of finishing the time
Of Mourning for her Father—But 'tis plain.
I was a Property to your base Love:
And only design'd to fill up your Place,
When surfeited you should return to Turin.
Hell—Furies! Draw, or in my just Revenge,
I'll pin you to the Earth—

Bass.
Oh! Woman! Woman!
Aside.
Yes, I will draw—But e're the fatal stroke
Is past recal, I swear Aurelia's Virtue,
Is clear and spotless like Diana's self:
Nor was I prompted on this early visit,
But with design to take my last Farewel:
Having last night received my Prince's Orders
To haste to Turin—Therefore if I fall,
I hope she'll meet with Mercy—Now come on.

Alon.
Hold, hold, My Lord; Oh! could I credit this,
I would ask Pardon, and entreat your Friendship.

Bass.
'Tis true, upon my Honour—
But if you doubt my words, I'm ready—
Tho' I have reason to decline this Combate,
At least at present—Oh! Placentia!
Aside.
Oh! my Placentia! why should I abuse Thee?

Alon.
My Lord you seem disturb'd—

Bass.
Oh! Alonzo! Alonzo!
Should I acquaint you with my wretched Fate,
You'd find that life it self is grown a Burden,
I cannot bear, since I can ne're be happy.
But 'tis a Story that must nere be told,
Let it suffice to settle your repose,
That Turin holds the cause of my misfortunes.

Alon.
Then I am happy:
Aside.
My Lord, I wish 'twere in my Power to serve you,
I'd do it as a Friend—

Bass.
Generous Sir, I thank you;
As far as I am capable, I am Alonzo's.
Exit Alonzo.
Oh! Force of treacherous Love! to gain my end,
I wrong a Wife, a Mistress, and a Friend.
Exit Bassino.