Act 1
SCENE I. PANDOLFO alone then COLOMBINA
Pandolfo relates how he had sent his son away from home to be nursed, and how he was kidnapped by the Turks while out walking with his nurse and with his servant named Colafronio, and goes on to say that he has never received any information about them, that afterwards Heaven gave him this daughter, Lucinda, whom he loves above everything, and whom he wishes to see well married; after this is done, he, being a widower, will also take a wife. Calls the maid servant, commends his daughter to her, saying that she must not allow her to fall in love; tells her what to do, and that when her young mistress is married, he will also find a husband for her too. The old woman promises. She goes into the house; he out.
SCENE II. PASQUELLA alone.
Says that it is a bad thing to be a widow, and that she who is always arranging matches for others, can do nothing for herself, but that when she has succeeded in making Valerio marry Lucinda, she will begin to act for herself.
SCENE III. VALERIO and STOPPINO.
Valerio expresses his love for Lucinda, applies to the servant, who says that it would be a good thing to speak to Colombina and to make her help him, because Pasquella, who does not live in the house, cannot so easily find an opportunity of speaking to Lucinda, and that it is necessary to give something to the person who helps in such a love affair; that as to himself, he will do what he can. Valerio is uneasy about his father's intention to marry; still he is in good spirits, and they go.
SCENE IV. UBALDO and PANDOLFO.
Ubaldo declares that he is in love with Pandolfo's daughter, catches sight of him, expresses his friendship for him, asks consent to marry his daughter. Pandolfo consents, after which Ubaldo gives him Pasquella, his housekeeper. Ubaldo says that the only thing he has to do now is to get his son married, that he has already written to one of his friends in Venice to ask for a daughter of his, and presently
SCENE V. UBALDO, VALERIO and STOPPINO.
Ubaldo tells Valerio that he has chosen a wife, but that as a good father he will see his son married before celebrating his own wedding; all are pleased; Ubaldo goes out, saying that he is going to the post office to see if there are any letters. Valerio says that he does not know anything about it, expresses his pleasure to the servant; they say that they will find Pandolfo and rejoice with him; presently
SCENE VI. The same, PANDOLFO, COLOMBINA.
Valerio expresses his joy to Pandolfo at the connection between the families; they perform a Scena equivoca, so that the old man thinks he is pleased on his father's account; the mistake is not cleared up; Pandolfo gives Colombina to his servant in marriage.
SCENE VII. OTTAVIO and COLA.
Ottavio says that after many years' slavery he has succeeded by his good qualities in obtaining liberty, not only for himself, but also for his servant, and that for this reason the latter ought to be a good servant to him; they say that they have been staying for many months in this town on their way to Leghorn, their native town, but because he has fallen in love with this Lucinda, he has not been able to tear himself away. The servant acts a scene about his slavery, advises his master to give up his love and to return to his home; he says that he cannot do it, and exit.
SCENE VIII. VALERIO, STOPPINO and PANDOLFO.
They repeat their mutual compliments with double meaning (in equivoca), at last they understand each other, and go away, all in anger.
SCENE IX. PASQUELLA.
Says that she is longing to give Valerio to Lucinda, and that she has observed that Pandolfo is violently in love with her, that when he has given his daughter to Valerio, her wedding with Pandolfo will follow; presently
SCENE X. The same, PANDOLFO.
They act a love scene, whereupon she requests the hand of Lucinda for Valerio, her master; he: that he has promised her to the father; she: that she loves him but that she means to speak to Valerio and persuade him to allow his father to marry Lucinda; Pandolfo exit; presently
SCENE XI. VALERIO, PASQUELLA, COLOMBINA, LUCINDA, and STOPPINO.
Pasquella tells Valerio that his father wants Lucinda, therefore he has ordered her to dissuade Valerio from his love; that if the matter is not arranged, she will not become the wife of Pandolfo; presently Lucinda sees Valerio; they act a love scene; he says she must not doubt that he knows what to do; Pasquella and Colombina remain.
SCENE XII. PASQUELLA and COLOMBINA.
Colombina says how violently she is in love with Stoppino; that if the marriage with Valerio comes to pass, she will not get Stoppino. Pasquella says that if the marriage with somebody else takes place, she will not get Pandolfo; they get angry and fight. End of Act I.