Val. Lucretia! now the mystery is unfolded.

Duke. Do you know her?

Val. When I was last at Rome I saw her often; she is near kinswoman to the present Pope; and, before he placed her in this nunnery of Benedictines, was the most celebrated beauty of the town.

Duke. I know I ought to hate this woman, because she has affronted me thus grossly; but yet, I cannot help it, I must love her.

Val. But, sir, you come on too much disadvantage to be your son’s rival.

Duke. I am deaf to all considerations:  Pr’ythee do not think of giving a madman counsel.  Pity me, and cure me, if thou canst; but remember, there’s but one infallible medicine,—­that’s enjoyment.

Val. I had forgot to tell you, sir, that the governor, Don Mario, is without, to wait on you.

Duke. Desire him to come in.

  Enter Don MARIO.

Mar. I am come, sir, to beg a favour from your highness; and ’tis on the behalf of my sister Sophronia, abbess of the Torr’ di Specchi.

Val. Sir, she’s abbess of that very monastery where your mistress is inclosed. [Aside to the Duke.

Duke. I should be glad to serve any relation of yours, Don Mario.

Mar. Her request is, that you would be pleased to grace her chapel this afternoon.  There will be music, and some little ceremony, in the reception of my two nieces, who are to be placed on pension there.

Duke. Your nieces, I hear, are fair, and great fortunes.

Mar. Great vexations, I’m sure they are; being daily haunted by a company of wild fellows, who buzz about my house like flies.

Duke. Your design seems reasonable:  women in hot countries are like oranges in cold; to preserve them, they must be perpetually housed.  I’ll bear you company to the monastery.—­Come, Valerio; this opportunity is happy beyond our expectation. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.

  Enter CAMILLO and AURELIAN.

Cam. He has smarted sufficiently for this offence.  Pr’ythee, dear Aurelian, forgive him.  He waits without, and appears penitent; I’ll be responsible for his future carriage.

Aur. For your sake, then, I receive him into grace.

Cam. [At the door.] Benito, you may appear; your peace is made.

  Enter BENITO.

Aur. But it must be upon conditions.

Ben. Any conditions, that are reasonable; for, as I am a wit, sir, I have not eaten—­

Aur. You are in the path of perdition already; that’s the principal of our conditions, you are to be a wit no more.

Ben. Pray, sir, if it be possible, let me be a little wit still.