Ben. Only a little overstrained, or so, with singing.

Lau. How slept you, after your adventure?

Ben. Faith, lady, I could not sleep one wink, for dreaming of you.

Lau. Not sleep for dreaming?  When the place falls, you shall be bull-master-general at court.

Ben. Et tu, Brute! Do you mistake me for a fool too?  Then, I find there’s one more of that opinion besides my master.

Vio. Sister, look to yourself, my uncle is returning.

Lau. I am glad on’t:  He has done my business:  He has absolutely cured me.  Lord, that I could be so mistaken!

Vio. I told you what he was.

Lau. He was quite another thing last night:  Never was man so altered in four-and-twenty hours.  A pure clown, mere elementary earth, without the least spark of soul in him!

Ben. But, tell me truly, are not you in love with me?  Confess the truth:  I love plain-dealing:  You shall not find me refractory.

Lau. Away, thou animal!  I have found thee out for a high and mighty fool, and so I leave thee.

Mar. Come, now I am ready for you; as little devotion, and as much good huswifery as you please.  Take example by me:  I assure you, nobody debauches me to church, except it be in your company. [Exeunt.

  Manet BENITO.

Ben. I am undone for ever; What shall I do with myself?  I’ll run into some desart, and there I’ll hide my opprobrious head.  No, hang it, I wont neither; all wits have their failings sometimes, and have the fortune to be thought fools once in their lives.  Sure this is but a copy of her countenance; for my heart is true to me, and whispers to me, she loves me still.  Well, I’ll trust in my own merits, and be confident. [A noise of throwing down water within.

  Enter MARIO, FABIO, LAURA, and VIOLETTA.

Lau. [Shaking her clothes.] O, sir, I am wet quite through my clothes, and am not able to endure it.

Vio. Was there ever such an insolence?

Mar. Send in to see who lives there:  I’ll make an example of them.

  Enter FRONTONA.

Fab. Here is the woman of the house herself, sir.

Fron. Sir, I submit, most willingly, to any punishment you shall inflict upon me:  For, though I intended nothing of an affront to these sweet ladies, yet I can never forgive myself the misfortune, of which I was the innocent occasion.

Vio. O, I am ready to faint away!

Fron. Alas, poor sweet lady, she’s young and tender, sir.  I beseech you, give me leave to repair my offence, with offering myself, and poor house, for her accommodation.

Ben. I know that woman:  There’s some villanous plot in this, I’ll lay my life on’t.  Now, Benito, cast about for thy credit, and recover all again.