Monipodio
He who has my secret must be my friend—
Quinola You are as watchful here as if you were jealous. What is it? Come let us moisten our clay and wet our whistle with a bottle in some tavern; it is daybreak—
Monipodio Do you see how this palace is lit up for a feast? Don Fregose is dining and gaming at the house of Senora Faustine Brancadori.
Quinola Quite Venetian, Brancadori. 'Tis a rare name! She must be the widow of some patrician.
Monipodio She is twenty-two, subtle as musk, and governs the governor, and, let me tell you between ourselves, has already wheedled out of him all that he picked up under Charles V. in the wars of Italy. What comes from the flute—
Quinola
The air takes. What is the age of the viceroy?
Monipodio
He owns up to sixty years.
Quinola And yet they speak of first love! I know of nothing so terrible as last love; it strangles a man. I am happy that I have been brought up so far with unsinged wings! I might be a statesman—
Monipodio
The old general is still young enough to employ me as a spy upon the
Brancadori, while she pays me for her liberty; and—you can understand
the joyous life I lead by making no mischief!
Quinola Now you want to know all, Old Curiosity, in order to place your thumb upon the throat of opportunity! (Monipodio nods assent.) Is Lothundiaz still alive?