Chapter II: Act II: Scene I

_A Chamber in Signior_ Pizalto's _House_.

_Enter Lady_ Pizalta, Lucy.

Lady _Piz._ Did you deliver my Letter to _Ludovico_, _Lucy_?

_Lucy._ Madam, I did; I found him in his Study, reading the Lover's Watch, which he swears does not at all agree with his Constitution. He hates Injunctions of Love, like those of Penance: For the one, says he, is no more pleasurable to the Body, than the other beneficial to the Soul.

L. _Piz._ What a fine Gallant I'm like to have with these Principles! Well----what did he say to a Summons from a Woman of my Quality? Did it not make him wish the Time of Assignation were sooner than the Appointment in the Letter?

_Lucy._ He first hum'd over your Billet; and pausing a while, he desired me to stay for an Answer in a next Room; then coming to me, he ask'd me what Countrywoman you were? For, said he, if she should prove an old Acquaintance, I would use her damnably--But when I had assured him you never saw the Outside of these Walls, he began to have that Desire which all Men have to a new Face.

L. _Piz._ Very well; and what then?

_Lucy._ He strait enquir'd whether you were black, brown, fair, old, young, Maid, Wife, or Widow? I told him you was a wretched Wife to an old, impotent, rich, covetous, noble _Venetian_; beautiful, young, generous, and of a fair Complexion. He hugg'd me at these Words, seem'd transported with the News, and swore that in Intrigues a Wife was most suitable to his Temper; for, said he, there's neither Children to father, nor Honour to repair: And where his Pocket and Liberty are safe, he is contented to venture his Body and Soul.

L. _Piz._ Excellent Maxims!

_Lucy._ In short, Madam, he says he has had several Bills of this Nature drawn upon him of late, and how much his Stock may be exhausted, he knows not; but however he'll meet you, and if he cannot answer your Expectation, he'll give you Earnest.

L. _Piz._ You talk merrily, Girl; I hope you did not tell my Name. I should be loath to trust a Man of his Character with my Reputation at first Dash.

_Luc._ No, Madam, I only told your Quality.

L. _Piz._ That's well: Oh! Reputation, what several Sorts of Slavery do we undergo to preserve thee! for to be thought virtuous, we are forced to be constantly railing against Vice, tho' our Tongues and Maxims seldom agree.

_Lucy._ Alas! Madam, that Pretence is grown too common: For the Men now take it for granted, that a Lady is very near surrendering, when once she holds out that Flag of Defiance.

L. _Piz._ Well--Men use us very barbarously: They will neither suffer us to be honest, nor allow us to be thought so----Here, take this Key, and secure every thing that concerns my Reputation: And if my Husband wakes ere I come back, you may easily find some Excuse to prevent his Enquiries: for the Carnival allows us more Liberty, than at other times we dare pretend to----I know thy Honesty, and will rely upon't.

_Lucy._ Yes, indeed, Madam, I am honest at the Bottom.

L. _Piz._ Well, I'll be gone: 'Tis about the Hour. [_Ex._ L. _Piz._

_Enter_ Pizalto.

_Lucy._ Good Luck attend you, Madam----Oh! Heavens! here's my Lord----Madam, Madam, Madam----Oh! Lord, what shall I say, now she's gone?

_Piz._ Hist, hist, _Lucy_: Don't, don't, don't call your Lady, for I have a Word or two to say to thee in private, and have waited for this lucky Opportunity a great while----

_Lucy, aside._ Now _Venus_ be prais'd. I hope he has found some Business of his own, that may give my Lady an Opportunity to mind her's.

_Piz._ Well, _Lucy_, well,--canst thou guess my Business now?

_Lucy._ No, indeed, Sir--But I'm certain, an old Man's Business can't be great. [_Aside._

_Piz._ [_Gives her a Looking-glass._] Here, Child, this will tell thee--Look in't, look in't, I say----Ah! ah! thou hast a pretty pouting Lip, a delicate roguish Eye, such an Ogle, such a Cast----Ah! Rogue----Faith, thou'rt very pretty: And, in short, if any one rival thy Lady, it will be thee, _Lucy_----Egad, I have Fire in me, yet.

_Lucy, aside._ O' my Conscience, and little too. I believe: Yet I wish he has enough to serve my Ends. I'll make my Fortune----Lord, Sir, what do you mean? I rival my Lady! Heaven forbid; I would not injure so good a Woman for the World----

_Piz._ Pshaw, pshaw--Where's the Injury done to her, Child? Adod, I'll give thee a hundred Crowns.

_Lucy._ No Injury, say you, my Lord? Why, I wonder you should be so jealous of my Lady, and preach such religious Maxims to her, when your own Principles are quite opposite.

_Piz._ Look ye, Child, a Man may do that, which would look abominable in a Wife----A Woman's Reputation is a nice Thing----

_Lucy._ 'Tis so----and therefore 'tis but Reason I should take Care of mine.

_Piz._ Prithee, no more of that: Thy Reputation shall be safe; I'll marry thee to my Gentleman.

_Lucy._ Gentleman--Valet! Faugh--And what Good will a hundred Crowns do me, when my Virginity is gone? Indeed, if you lov'd me as much as you say, and would make my Fortune, (for I should love extreamly to be a Lady) I cannot tell how far you might persuade me----I know my Reputation would be safe in your Hands.

_Piz._ Make thy Fortune! Why, I've known some of our Nobles marry a Wife with less than a hundred Crowns----But adod, thou'rt a charming Girl, and therefore I'll make it a hundred Pistoles--What say'st thou now, _Lucy_? Ah! adod, I must buss thee; [_Kisses her._] Ah! Rogue, methinks I'm a young, lusty, vigorous Fellow again----Thou shalt find I am, Girl.

_Lucy, aside._ I believe I shall fail you, old Gentleman. Well, my Lord, make it up a thousand Pistoles, and I am your's else I'll die a Maid, I'm resolv'd.

_Piz._ A thousand Pistoles, why thou art the most unconscionable Wench in _Italy_: Why, 'tis a Price for a Duchess in some Countries. Come, come, prithee be reasonable, _Lucy_?

_Lucy._ Reasonable! why you don't ask a reasonable Thing----Look you, you know my Mind, I'll not bate a Penny----I'll warrant my Lady will give me two hundred at least for my Discovery. [_Going._

_Piz. aside._ Udslife! she won't tell my Wife, sure, I'm ruin'd if she does; I'd rather give her two thousand----Hold, hold, _Lucy_, sweet _Lucy_, prithee come back----Faith, thou'rt so charming, I can deny thee nothing----Come, it shall be what thou wilt----Come now, Rogue, let's retire to thy Chamber----

_Lucy._ Nay, nay, no ent'ring the Premises, till you have paid the Purchase----

_Piz._ Adod, thou'rt a Wag----Come in then, and I'll discharge the Debt: Thou'rt a cunning Gipsy. [_Exit_ Pizal.

_Lucy._ You shall have Reason to say so, e're I have done with you, old Gentleman----For I am resolv'd to shew you a Trick, and preserve my Virtue. [_Aside._

_For did base Men within my Power fall,_
_T' avenge my injur'd Sex, I'd jilt 'em all._
_And would but Women follow my Advice,_
_They should be glad at last to pay our Price._
[_Exit_ Lucy.

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 it was 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 desired Haste, as long as I am come time enough to give you Satisfaction----Besides, I han't seen your Face yet, and for aught I know, it mayn't reward my Complement in coming now----Prithee, Child, unmask, and then I'll tell thee more of my Mind.

L. _Piz._ 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 Camelion, but Flesh and Blood----Therefore these Prescriptions are of no Use----One Sight of that dear charming Face of your's, 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 yourself 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 Wives in _France_ and _England_, where such as he swarm!

_Lud._ Come, Madam, come----Why, 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----

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 myself 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----Pugh! 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._

L. _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 outstaid 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! Would you be serv'd so yourself now?

L. _Piz._ I'll endeavour to disengage myself from my jealous Husband, and contrive another Meeting.

_Lud._ But will you be sure to meet me again?

L. _Piz._ I give you my Hand as a Pledge----

_Lud. Kisses it._ 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 know'st the Cause;
And now would'st sooth my Wrongs with Flattery,
But my Resolve is fix'd as Heaven's Decrees:
And one of us must fall----Let the Survivor
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 entail'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 ere 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 receiv'd 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 Combat,
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 itself is grown a Burden,
I cannot bear, since I can ne'er be happy.
But 'tis a Story that must ne'er 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.

_The End of the_ SECOND ACT.