Luc. But there’s too little of her to make a beauty:  My stature is more advantageous.

Duke. You have cozened me again.

Luc. Well, I find at last I must confess myself:  What think you of Eugenia Beata?  The duke seemed to be infinitely pleased last night, when my brother presented me to him at the Belvidere.

Duke. Now I am certain you are she, for you have both her stature and her motion.

Luc. But, if you remember yourself a little better, there’s some small difference in our wit; for she has indeed the air and beauty of a Roman lady, but all the dulness of a Dutch woman.

Duke. I see, madam, you are resolved to conceal yourself, and I am as fully resolved to know you.

Luc. See which of our resolutions will take place.

Duke. I come from the duke, and can assure you, he is of an humour to be obeyed.

Luc. And I am of an humour not to obey him.  But why should he be so curious?

Duke. If you would have my opinion, I believe he is in love with you.

Luc. Without seeing me?

Duke. Without seeing all of you:  Love is love, let it wound us from what part it please; and if he have enough from your shape and conversation, his business is done, the more compendiously, without the face.

Luc. But the duke cannot be taken with my conversation, for he never heard me speak.

Duke. [Aside.] ’Slife, I shall discover myself.—­Yes madam, he stood by incognito, and heard me speak with you:  But—­

Luc. I wish he had trusted to his own courtship, and spoke himself; for it gives us a bad impression of a prince’s wit, when we see fools in favour about his person.

Duke. Whatever I am, I have it in commission from him to tell you, he’s in love with you.

Luc. The good old gentleman may dote, if he so pleases; but love, and fifty years old, are stark nonsense.

Duke. But some men, you know, are green at fifty.

Luc. Yes, in their understandings.

Duke. You speak with great contempt of a prince, who has some reputation in the world.

Luc. No; ’tis you that speak with contempt of him, by saying he is in love at such an age.

Duke. Then, madam, ’tis necessary you should know him better for his reputation; and that shall be, though he violate the laws of masquerade, and force you.

Fred. I suspected this from his violent temper. [Aside.] Sir, the emperor’s ambassador is here in masquerade, and I believe this to be his lady:  It were well if you inquired of him, before you forced her to discover.

Duke. Which is the ambassador?

Fred. That farthermost. [Duke retires farther.

Fred. to Luc. Take your opportunity to escape, while his back is turned, or you are ruined.  Ascanio, wait on her.