Act 1
SCENE I: OTTAVIO AND VALERIO
They discuss their loves; Valerio says that Ardelia, Lucinda's niece, hinders his designs, as she spends too much time with her. Ottavio talks about his love for Leonora. During this conversation,
SCENE II: LUCINDA, ARDELIA, AND THE ABOVE-MENTIONED CHARACTERS
The women exit the house, saying they are going to the fair. The lovers bow to them; Ardelia gives warnings to Lucinda. The women leave, and the lovers remain. Amidst this,
SCENE III: COLA AND THE BOYFRIENDS
Cola comes from the street where the women entered, with one of Lucinda's gloves, saying he found it on the ground. Inside the glove, there is a letter. Cola teasingly gives it to Valerio, who reads it and learns about the plan of the doctor, that is, to send a false physician (abortionist) so they can confide their pregnancies to him, with the intention of terminating them secretly, so their fathers won't find out. They arrange with Cola to pretend to be the doctor, and he jokingly accepts to do it. Satisfied, they leave.
SCENE IV: PANDOLFO, LEONORA (HIS DAUGHTER), AND THEN OTTAVIO
Pandolfo says he is going to the villa and advises his daughter to behave modestly, before leaving. Leonora remains, and she expresses her feelings for Ottavio. During this, Ottavio sees her, and they have a romantic scene together before parting.
SCENE V: CAPITANO, ZANNI, AND UBALDO
Capitano and his servant arrive to wait for Lucinda, as they have arranged a marriage with Ubaldo through letters, but they don't recognize him at first. Ubaldo comes out of the house, they exchange jokes, and he reveals his identity to them, reading the letter of introduction. Ubaldo embraces him. Amidst this,
SCENE VI: ARDELIA AND THE ABOVE-MENTIONED CHARACTERS
Ardelia comes from the fair and tells them that Lucinda fainted, so she stayed in a shop. She returns to get Lucinda, leaving Ubaldo confused with Capitano and Zanni. Amidst this,
SCENE VII: LUCINDA, ARDELIA, AND THE ABOVE-MENTIONED CHARACTERS
Lucinda pretends to be ill, and Capitano greets her, but she pays little attention to him. Ardelia does the same. Capitano salutes Ubaldo, goes inside, Zanni does the same, and goes inside. Ubaldo remains. Amidst this,
SCENE VIII: COLA (AS THE DOCTOR), VALERIO, UBALDO, LUCINDA, AND ARDELIA
Ubaldo sees the fake doctor, who, jokingly, tells him about his daughter's maladies. He calls her, and she comes with Ardelia. Cola examines her, talks about her condition, and finally asks her to provide a urine sample. The women retire, Ardelia exits with the urine, and Cola discusses it with many foolish aphorisms. The women go to take some exercise on the street, the others leave, and the act ends.