Sil. What, Madam?
Lau. Madam! ah, foolish Boy, thy feminine Courage will betray us all:— but—call me Count—Sans Coeur.—And tell me, Silvio, how is it I appear? How dost thou like my Shape—my Face and Dress? My Mien and Equipage, may I not pass for Man? Looks it en Prince and Masculine?
Sil. Now as I live, you look all over what you wish, and such as will beget a Reverence and Envy in the Men, and Passion in the Women. But what’s the Cause of all this Transformation?
Lau. Love! Love! dull Boy, cou’dst thou not guess ‘twas Love? that dear Englese I must enjoy, my Silvio.
Sil. What, he that adores the fair young Curtezan?
Lau. That very he; my Window joins to hers, and ‘twas with Charms.
Which he’ad prepar’d for her, he took this Heart,
Which met the welcome Arrows in their flight,
And sav’d her from their Dangers.
Oft I’ve return’d the Vows he’as made to her,
And sent him pleas’d away;
When through the errors of the Night, and distance,
He has mistook me for that happy Wanton,
And gave me Language of so soft a Power,
As ne’er was breath’d in vain to listning Maids.
Sil. But with Permission, Madam, how does this Change of Petticoat for Breeches, and shifting Houses too, advance that Love?
Lau. This Habit, besides many Opportunities ‘twill give me of getting into his acquaintance, secures me too from being known by any of my Relations in Rome: then I have changed my House for one so near to that of Silvianetta’s, and so like it too, that even you and I have oft mistook the entrance: by which means Love, Fortune or Chance, may with my Industry contrive some kind Mistake that may make me happier than the rest of Womankind.
Sil. But what shall be reserv’d then for Count Julio, whose last Letters promise his Arrival within a Day or two, and whom you’re then to marry?
Lau. Reserv’d for him! a Wife! a Wife, my Silvio, That unconcern’d domestick Necessary, Who rarely brings a Heart, or takes it soon away.—