Act 3

SCENE I

Enter Silvio, Cintio, Brighella, and Harlequin.

All wondering how Argentina came to know their Design, and betray their Contrivance. Brighella says that in spite of all the Devils in Hell, he would still gain his Point; for she could never know all their Designs. He proposes that one of them should feign himself an Armenian Merchant, proposing to Pantalon the Sale of a Giant for a trifling Sum. The old Man being covetous, may soon snap at the Bait, in Hopes of great Profit, by reselling the Bargain. By which Means, being introduced into the House, they’ll have an Opportunity of stealing Diana and Victoria. They all approve and to that effect. [Exeunt.

SCENE II

Enter Argentina.

She had observed and over-heard their Proposal; says she wou’d watch their Motions, and disturb their Intrigues. [Exit.

SCENE III

Enter Pantalon, Diana, and Victoria.

He reprimands them on the Fiction of Madness, and threatens them.

SCENE IV

Enter Doctor.

He congratulates Diana and Victoria on the Recovery of their Health; Pantalon tells him how their Madness was fictitious only to avoid the Proposal of Marriage with the Romans, and through the Insinuation of Brighella.

SCENE V

Enter Cintio in Disguise as an Armenian.

Says he has a fine large Giant to dispose of at a small Price, for want of Money, and offers them the Preference of the Bargain.

Pantalon asks the Price; the Armenian says, It shall be reasonable: It's desir’d he shou’d fetch him, that he may be seen. [Exit Cintio.

Pantalon tells the Doctor that this wou’d be a good Opportunity of making a considerable Profit, designing to sell it to the Marquis of Buella, who much delighted in Rarities. The Doctor approves of it, and the Daughters are desir’d to go into the House. They wou’d willingly stay, and see the Giant; but being promis’d he shou’d come into the House. [Exeunt Diana and Victoria.

SCENE VI

Enter the Armenian and the Giant.

Pantalon likes the Giant, agrees with the Armenian for 50 Crowns; the Giant gets between Pantalon and the Doctor, gives the latter a Box on the Ear, and knocks him down, the other laughs; but is laugh’d at again in his Turn, when the Giant serves him the fame Sauce. Pantalon wou’d feign have him into the House, but fears the Door is not high enough.

SCENE VII

Enter Argentiną, also in Disguise As an Armenian.

Asks How came the Giant there? Pantalon answers, He has bought him. She says she was impos’d upon; for the Giant was her own, and no Man besides had Title to the Sale of him. Cintio argues the Case. The Giant is very uneasy. Argentina discovers her self, tells Pantalon how the Armenian Merchant was Cintio, and the Giant a Composition of Brighella’s Roguery. Pantalon draws, demanding his Money again. The Giant is divided, and proves to be Brighella the upper, and Harlequin the under Part of the Composition. They separately run about the Scene. Argentina well pleased at her Discovery, and laughing. [Exit.

Now Brighella and Harlequin are drove off the Stage, Pantalon and the Doctor retires to the House.

The End of the Third Act.

On to Act Four