Act 2
SCENE I
Enter Brighella.
With a Letter in his hand, whereby he reveals to Diana and Victoria a new Invention, and says he is so much taken up with his Ponctiglio against Pantalon, that he had neglected his Affections for Argentina, whom he entirely lovės. He hearing her Voice within, rejoyces at her approaching.
SCENE II
Enter Argentina.
Brighella runs chearfully to meet her, and offers to embrace her. She gives him a Box on the Ear, and upbraids him for his Impudence. He craves her Excuse, imputing his Rashness to the excess of his Love. She tells him ’twas rude to expose a Virgin's Reputation in the publick Street. Brighella laughs at her Modesty. She vilifies him, and tells him he may go to the Devil, for Harlequin was her only Favourite. He swears he shall never have him. She bids him Defiance; and with the Challenge [Exit.
SCENE III
Enter Silvio and Cintio.
Brighella tells them of the Letter he had prepared, and how he wanted Harlequin for its delivery. The Contents are, that Diana and Victoria should feign themselves distracted; Harlequin, and himself, would feign themselves Physicians, with Cintio and Silvio their Practitioners.
SCENE IV
Argentina observing.
Overheard their Plot. They in search of Harlequin. [Exit.
Argentina says, the opportunity offer’d for her Revenge against Brighella, and [Exit.
SCENE V
Pantalon and Diana.
He says, that Brighella's Persecution should never prevail, for he’d be cautious enough to shun them; and advises her to be obedient. She alledges, that her Freewill should not be imposed upon, nor Violence made to her Affections.
SCENE VI
Enter Harlequin with a large Umbrella.
Having the Letter given him by Brighella in his hand, strives to deliver it, as he had done the first, by clapping it on Pantalon's Shoulders; but Diana being disgusted at her father's Discourse, minds not the Letter: But Harlequin, by the help of his Umbrella, comically conveys it in her hand. Pantalon kicks him off the Stage. [Exit Harlequin.
Diana is ordered to retire. [Exit.
Pantalon remains, swearing Vengeance against Brighella.
SCENE VII
Enter Doctor.
With the Writings of Jointure to be allowed and settled on Diana and Victoria by the Roman Gentlemen, proposed Bridegrooms, according to Pantalon's Order. He approves on’t, and tells the Doctor, he’ll satisfy him. Diana squeals within. The old ones are surprized.
SCENE VIII
Enter Diana.
She acts mad Tricks with Pantalon, and the Doctor without speaking dances with her Father the Venetian Dance call’d Furlana.
SCENE IX
Brighella observing.
Seeing that Diana acted according to the Letter, says, the time was then proper to execute his Invention. [Exit.
SCENE X
Enter Victoria.
She speaks, she storms, she upbraids her Father and the Doctor talking at random. Pantalon in great Confusion, not knowing the meaning of this Madness, desires the Doctor to lead them into the House. [Exeunt.
Remains Pantalon very thoughtful.
SCENE XI
Enter Silvio and Ciatio in Disguise as Physicians.
They differ about their Master's Learning. The one pretends that Æsculapius, the other insists that Avicena, is the best and most learned Master of the two. Pantalon asks the reason of their Quarrel. They answer, that their Difference is only about the two Physicians their Masters, who make wonderful Cures of all sorts of Diseases, without taking one Penny reward. Pantalon tells them, how his two Daughters are run distracted and would fain speak with their so celebrated Masters. The Practitioners call from the Street Pantalon from his House.
SCENE XII
Enter Harlequin and Brighella, in Disguise as Physicians, and the Doctor leading Diana and Victoria distracted.
Diana and Victoria act madly. Brighella tells Harlequin he doth not like the Doctor's being there. Harlequin sends him to the Apothecary for a certain Powder he comically prescribes. [Exit Doctor.
Harlequin performs according to Art.
SCENE XIII
Enter Argentina in Disguise as a Physician.
Sets her self between the two other Physicians, and asks divers Questions about Distempers and Cures. Harlequin refuses to answer, saying He would not make publick the Essentiality of his great Learning. Silvio and Cintio, as well as the two Physicians, are troubled at the appearing of the third unknown to them. She makes a Discourse both on Diseases and Cures; adding she understands Astronomy, insomuch that she can tell, that the Physicians there were Harlequin and Brighella and the Practitioners Silvio and Cintio, at which Pantalon taking Arms, puts them to the Flight.
End of the Second Act.