Volume Iv Part 45 (1/2)

_Alb._ What's this, and at _Clarina's_ Lodgings too?

Sure 'tis _Antonio_, impatient of delay, Gives her a Serenade for me.

Enter _Isabella_.

_Isab._ 'Tis the Fool himself-- My Lord, where are you?

_Alb._ How! a Woman's Voice! 'tis dark, I'll advance.

_Lor._ Thou Simpleton, I told thee there was somebody.

_Pag._ Lord, Sir, 'tis only _Isabella_ that calls you.

_Lor._ Away, Sirrah, I find by my fears 'tis no Woman.

[Goes out with the _Page_.

_Isab._ Why don't you come? here's n.o.body.

_Alb._ Here I am.

_Isab._ Where?

_Alb._ Here. [Gives her his Hand.

_Isab._ My Lord, you may venture, _Clarina_ will be Alone within this Hour, where you shall entertain Her at your freedom: but you must stay awhile in my Chamber till my Lord's a bed; For none but I must know of the favour she designs you.

_Alb._ Oh G.o.ds! what Language do I hear-- False and Perfidious Woman, I might have thought, Since thou wert gain'd so easily by me, Thou wouldst with equal haste yield to another.

_Isab._ It is not _Lorenzo_, what shall I do? [She steals in.

Enter _Lorenzo_ and _Page_.

_Lor._ A Pox of all d.a.m.n'd cowardly fear!

Now did I think I had drunk Nature up to Resolution: I have heard of those that could have dar'd in their Drink; But I find, drunk or sober, 'tis all one in me.

_Alb._ The Traitor's here, Whom I will kill whoe'er he be.

_Lor._ Boy, go see for _Isabella_.

_Pag._ I see a Man should not be a Coward and a Lover At once--_Isabella_, _Isabella_, she's gone, Sir. [Calls.

_Alb._ Yes, Villain, she's gone, and in her room Is one that will chastise thy Boldness.

_Lor._ That's a proud word though, whoe'er thou be; But how I shall avoid it, is past my Understanding.

_Alb._ Where art thou, Slave?

[_Alberto_ gropes for him, he avoids him.

_Pag._ Take heart, Sir, here's company which I will Get to a.s.sist you--

Enter _Antonio_.