Act 1
SCENE I
SCENE in Turin
(Break of Day)
Enter ARGENTINA with a Basket of Herbs and Apples, and HARLEQUIN.
She upbraids him for his Curiosity and Insolence in rummaging her Basket. They entertain each other with loving Expressions on each side, tho’ she seems very Coy for being in the Street. Sheweth him her Marketings. Harlequin takes an Apple, bites it, and wou’d fain have her bite it also.
SCENE II
Enter Silvio and Cintio; They congratulate the above mentioned on their Amours. Argentina being asham’d makes Curtzies. [Exit.
Harlequin snubs them for interrupting his Satisfaction, they would attempt to come to the Speech of their Mistresses, or at least with Brighella, Pantalon being jealous of his Daughters.
SCENE III
Enter Brighella
From Pantalon's House, tells them shortly how his Master expected two Persons of Quality from Rome, who were to be married to Diana and Victoria, as they will better learn from the Letter he delivers them from Diana, and saying his Master was up already. [Exit in haste.
The Lovers, full of Sorrow for the bad News, yet willing to know further, longs to peruse the Letter. Set Harlequin to guard Pantalon's Door, and order’d him in case of any Body's coming, to call out, Guards. He comically performs the Centinel. They read the Letter.
SCENE IV
Enter Pantalon
Hearing the Contents of the Letter, would fain advance; but finding Harlequin's Impediment, creeps between his Legs, and snatches the Letter, Harlequin loudly crying out, Guards, Guards. [Exit.
Pantalon reproaches them; they resent his Words. Draws.
SCENE V
Enter Brighella with a Pike Staff.
Seems to take his Master's Part. Silvio and Cintio crouches to him. He desires his Master to walk into the House. Pantalon retires but comes again at the Door; overhears Brighella's Discourse, who not only rails against him but promises assistance to their Amours, in spite of his Master, and desires them to retire. [Exeunt Silvio and Cintio.
Pantalon advances and ironically commends the loyalty and conduct of Brighella; takes from him the Pike Staff, drubs him heartily, and discharges him from his Service. He swears Diana and Victoria shall be married to Silvio and Cintio. Pantalon laughs at his Protestations and [Exit.
SCENE VI
Enter Silvio and Harlequin with a Letter for Diana.
They hear from Brighella the rehearsal of what is past, and how he is discharged from his Master; when hearing Pantalon's Voice within, Brighella desires Silvio to withdraw and leave the Letter with Harlequin, Brighella and Silvio. [Exeunt. Harlequin aside.
SCENE VII
Enter Pantalon and Diana.
He reprimands her Impudence on account of writing the Letter. She is shameful. He proposes her a Marriage, which she disapproves of.
Harlequin sticks the Letter upon Pantalon's Back, gives him a wrap with his wooden Sword. Pantalon turns about; Diana sees the Letter, and takes it off. [Exit Harlequin.
Pantalon, suspecting, orders Diana into the House, and [Exeunt.
SCENE VIII
Enter Silvio and Brighella
Seemingly uneasy and curious to know whether the Letter was safely delivered to Diana.
SCENE IX
Enter Harlequin. Very merrily tells them that the Letter was given to Pantalon, without seeing her or speaking to her. Brighella says it is impossible, Harlequin shews him the possibility. [Exit.
Brighella says how Pantalon was expecting a certain Sempronio, that he had studied an Invention, and, to put a Trick upon the old Gentleman, he desires Silvio to withdraw. [Exit Silvio.
And he going in quest of Cintio and Harlequin, also [Exit.
SCENE X
Enter Pantalon and Diana.
He strives to persuade her to the Marriage with Mr. Sempronio, whom he shortly expected from Florence.
SCENE XI
Enter Doctor
With a Letter in his Hand for Pantalon, which he had taken up at the Posthouse. Pantalon reads it. Its Contents are, that it would not be long e’re the Spouse should arrive. Diana is much concerned at it.
SCENE XII
Enter Brighella in Disguise as a Lackey.
Acquaints them with the arrival of Sempronio, with Madam Pattaffia, or Lady Pancake, a French Lady, his Mother. Pantalon rejoyces at the good News, and tells the Lackey they shall be very welcome, and orders him to bring them directly to his House. [Exit Brighella.
SCENE XIII
Re-enter Brighella as a Lackey, two Footmen.
The one lading an Ass. Harlequin upon it in Woman's Dress as Lady Pancake; Cintio as the Bridegroom Sempronio. Lady Pancake speaks French to Pantalon; he compliments her arrival, and helps her off, taking her in his Arms, but Book-falls. The Footman leads the Beau elsewhere. Lady Pancake compliments Diana in French, and dancing a Minuit with Pantalon, happens to fall. Doctor runs with his Hat and covers Pantalon, orders Diana to give her Hand to the Bridegroom.
SCENE XIV
Silvio observing.
And resolved to interrupt such a Marriage, Draws: Sempronio does the same. Lady Pancake speaks, calls out for help, and runs away. Sempronio and his Lackey discover themselves to Silvio, whilst Pantalon and the Doctor runs after the Lady Pancake, who still running in and out, drops her Headcloths, Gown, &c. The whole Roguery is found out.
The End of the First Act.