Hip. Speak you comfort, madam, and tell me you have it, for I am too sure that I have none on't.
Luc. O, unfortunate that we are! day's breaking; the handicrafts' shops begin to open.
[Clock strikes.
Hip. The clock strikes two: Within this half hour we shall be called up to our devotions. Now, good Ascanio—Alas, he's gone too! we are left miserable and forlorn.
Luc. We have not so much as one place in the town for a retreat.
Hip. O, for a miracle in our time of need! that some kind good-natured saint would take us up, and heave us over the wall into our cells.
Luc. Dear sister, pray, for I cannot: I have been so sinful in leaving my cloister for the world, that I am ashamed to trouble my friends above to help me.
Hip. Alas, sister, with what face can I pray then! Yours were but little vanities, but I have sinned swingingly against my vow; yes, indeed, sister, I have been very wicked,—for I wished the ball might be kept perpetually in our cloister, and that half the handsome nuns in it might be turned to men, for the sake of the other.
Luc. Well, if I were free from this disgrace, I would never more set foot beyond the cloister, for the sake of any man.
Hip. And here I vow, if I get safe within my cell, I will not think of man again these seven years.
Re-enter Ascanio.