No More Learning

_Ben. _ No, I can assure your ladyship; I myself am the only wit, who
does him the honour,--not to attend him, but--to bear him company.

_Lau. _ But sure it was another you, that waited on Camillo in the
garden, last night?

_Ben. _ It was no other me, but me signior Benito.

_Lau. _ 'Tis impossible.

_Ben. _ 'Tis most certain.

_Lau. _ Then I would advise you to go thither again, and look for the
wit which you have left there, for you have brought very little along
with you. Your voice, methinks, too, is much altered.

_Ben. _ Only a little overstrained, or so, with singing.

_Lau. _ How slept you, after your adventure?

_Ben. _ Faith, lady, I could not sleep one wink, for dreaming of you.

_Lau. _ Not sleep for dreaming? When the place falls, you shall be
bull-master-general at court.

Ben. _Et tu, Brute! _ Do you mistake me for a fool too? Then, I find
there's one more of that opinion besides my master.

_Vio. _ Sister, look to yourself, my uncle is returning.

_Lau. _ I am glad on't: He has done my business: He has absolutely
cured me. Lord, that I could be so mistaken!

_Vio. _ I told you what he was.

_Lau. _ He was quite another thing last night: Never was man so altered
in four-and-twenty hours. A pure clown, mere elementary earth, without
the least spark of soul in him!

_Ben. _ But, tell me truly, are not you in love with me? Confess the
truth: I love plain-dealing: You shall not find me refractory.

_Lau. _ Away, thou animal! I have found thee out for a high and mighty
fool, and so I leave thee.

_Mar. _ Come, now I am ready for you; as little devotion, and as much
good huswifery as you please. Take example by me: I assure you, nobody
debauches me to church, except it be in your company. [_Exeunt. _

_Manet_ BENITO.

_Ben. _ I am undone for ever; What shall I do with myself? I'll run
into some desart, and there I'll hide my opprobrious head. No, hang
it, I wont neither; all wits have their failings sometimes, and have
the fortune to be thought fools once in their lives. Sure this is but
a copy of her countenance; for my heart is true to me, and whispers to
me, she loves me still. Well, I'll trust in my own merits, and be
confident. [_A noise of throwing down water within. _

_Enter_ MARIO, FABIO, LAURA, _and_ VIOLETTA.

_Lau. _ [_Shaking her clothes. _] O, sir, I am wet quite through my
clothes, and am not able to endure it.

_Vio. _ Was there ever such an insolence?

_Mar. _ Send in to see who lives there: I'll make an example of them.

_Enter_ FRONTONA.

_Fab. _ Here is the woman of the house herself, sir.

_Fron. _ Sir, I submit, most willingly, to any punishment you shall
inflict upon me: For, though I intended nothing of an affront to these
sweet ladies, yet I can never forgive myself the misfortune, of which
I was the innocent occasion.

_Vio. _ O, I am ready to faint away!

_Fron. _ Alas, poor sweet lady, she's young and tender, sir. I beseech
you, give me leave to repair my offence, with offering myself, and
poor house, for her accommodation.

_Ben. _ I know that woman: There's some villanous plot in this, I'll
lay my life on't. Now, Benito, cast about for thy credit, and recover
all again.

_Mar. _ Go into the coach, nieces, and bid the coachman drive apace. As
for you, mistress, your smooth tongue shall not excuse you.

_Lau. _ By your favour, sir, I'll accept of the gentlewoman's civility;
I cannot stir a step farther.

_Fron. _ Come in, sweet buds of beauty, you shall have a fire in an
inner chamber; and if you please to repose yourself a while, sir, in
another room, they shall come out, and wait on you immediately.

_Mar. _ Well, it must be so.

_Fron_. [_Whispering the Ladies. _] Your friends are ready in the
garden, and will be with you as soon as we have shaken off your uncle.

_Ben. _ A cheat, a cheat! a rank one! I smell it, old sir, I smell it.

_Mar. _ What's the matter with the fellow? Is he distracted?

_Ben. _ No, 'tis you are more likely to be distracted but that there
goes some wit to the being mad; and you have not the least grain of
wit, to be gulled thus grossly.

_Fron. _ What does the fellow mean?

_Ben. _ The fellow means to detect your villany, and to recover his
lost reputation of a wit.

_Fron. _ Why, friend, what villany? I hope my house is a civil house.

_Ben. _ Yes, a very civil one; for my master lay in of his last clap
there, and was treated very civilly, to my knowledge.

_Mar. _ How's this, how's this?

_Fron. _ Come, you are a dirty fellow, and I am known to be a person
that--

_Ben. _ Yes, you are known to be a person that--

_Fron. _ Speak your worst of me; what person am I known to be?

_Ben. _ Why, if you will have it, you are little better than a
procuress: You carry messages betwixt party and party:--And, in one
word, sir, she's as arrant a fruit-woman as any is about Rome.

_Mar. _ Nay, if she be a fruit-woman, my nieces shall not enter her
doors.

_Ben. _ You had best let them enter, you do not know how they may
fructify in her house: For I heard her, with these ears, whisper to
them, that their friends were within call.

_Mar. _ This is palpable, this is manifest; I shall remember you, lady
fruiterer; I shall have your baskets searched when you bring oranges
again. --Come away, nieces; and thanks, honest fellow, for thy
discovery. [_Exeunt_ MARIO _and Women. _

Ben. _Hah couragio! Il diavolo e morto:_ Now, I think I have tickled
it; this discovery has reinstated me into the empire of my wit again.
Now, in the pomp of this achievement, will I present myself before
madam Laura, with a--Behold, madam, the happy restoration of Benito!

_Enter_ AURELIAN, CAMILLO, _and_ FRONTONA, _over-hearing him,_

Oh, now, that I had the mirror, to behold myself in the fulness of my
glory! and, oh, that the domineering fop, my master, were in presence,
that I might triumph over him! that I might even contemn the wretched
wight, the mortal of a grovelling soul, and of a debased
understanding. [_He looks about him, and sees his master. _] How the
devil came these three together? Nothing vexes me, but that I must
stand bare to him, after such an enterprise as this is.

_Aur. _ Nay, put on, put on again, sweet sir; why should you be
uncovered before the fop your master, the wretched wight, the mortal
of a grovelling soul?

_Ben. _ Ay, sir, you may make bold with yourself at your own pleasure:
But, for all that, a little bidding would make me take your counsel,
and be covered, as affairs go now.

_Aur. _ If it be lawful for a man of a debased understanding to confer
with such an exalted wit, pray what was that glorious achievement,
which wrapt you into such an ecstasy?

_Ben. _ 'Tis a sign you know well how matters go, by your asking me so
impertinent a question.

_Aur. _ [_Putting off his hat to him. _] Sir, I beg of you, as your most
humble master, to be satisfied.

_Ben. _ Your servant, sir; at present I am not at leisure for
conference. But hark you, sir, by the way of friendly advice, one
word: Henceforward, tell me no more of the adventure of the garden,
nor of the great looking-glass.

_Aur. _ You mean the mirror.

_Ben. _ Yes, the mirror; tell me no more of that, except you could
behold in it a better, a more discreet, or a more able face for
stratagem, than I can, when I look there.

_Aur. _ But, to the business; What is this famous enterprise?

_Ben. _ Be satisfied, without troubling me farther, the business is
done, the rogues are defeated, and your mistress is secured: If you
would know more, demand it of that criminal [_Pointing to_ FRON. ], and
ask her, how she dares appear before you, after such a signal
treachery, or before me, after such an overthrow?

_Fron. _ I know nothing, but only that, by your master's order, I was
to receive the two ladies into my house, and you prevented it.

_Ben. _ By my master's order? I'll never believe it. This is your
stratagem, to free yourself, and deprive me of my reward.

_Cam. _ I'll witness what she says is true.

_Ben. _ I am deaf to all asseverations, that make against my honour.

_Aur. _ I'll swear it then. We two were the two rogues, and you the
discoverer of our villany.

_Ben. _ Then, woe, woe, to poor Benito! I find my abundance of wit has
ruined me.

_Aur. _ But come a little nearer: I would not receive a good office
from a servant, but I would reward him for his diligence.

_Ben. _ Virtue, sir, is its own reward: I expect none from you.

_Aur. _ Since it is so, sir, you shall lose no further time in my
service: Henceforward, pray know me for your humble servant; for your
master I am resolved to be no longer.

_Ben. _ Nay, rather than so, sir, I beseech you let a good, honest,
sufficient beating atone the difference.

_Aur. _ 'Tis in vain.

_Ben. _ I am loth to leave you without a guide.

_Aur. _ He's at it again! do you hear, Camillo?

_Cam. _ Pr'ythee, Aurelian, be mollified, and beat him.

_Fron. _ Pray, sir, hear reason, and lay it on, for my sake.

_Aur. _ I am obdurate.

_Cam. _ But what will your father say, if you part with him?

_Aur. _ I care not.

_Ben. _ Well, sir, since you are so peremptory, remember I have offered
you satisfaction, and so long my conscience is at ease. What a devil,
before I'll offer myself twice to be beaten, by any master in
Christendom, I'll starve, and that is my resolution; and so your
servant that was, sir. [_Exit. _

_Aur.
_ I am glad I am rid of him; he was my evil genius, and was
always appearing to me, to blast my undertakings: Let me send him
never so far off, the devil would be sure to put him in my way, when I
had any thing to execute. Come, Camillo, now we have changed the dice,
it may be we shall have better fortune. [_Exeunt. _


SCENE II.

_Enter the Duke of Mantua in masquerade,_ FREDERICK, VALERIO, _and
others. On the other side, enter_ LUCRETIA, HIPPOLITA, _and_
ASCANIO.

_Luc. _ [_To_ ASCA. ] The prince I know already, by your description of
his masking habit; but, which is the duke, his father?

_Asca. _ He whom you see talking with the prince, and looking this way.
I believe he has observed us.

_Luc. _ If he has not, I am resolved we'll make ourselves as remarkable
as we can: I'll exercise my talent of dancing.

_Hip. _ And I mine of singing.

_Duke. _ [_To_ FRED. ] Do you know the company which came in last?

_Fred. _ I cannot possibly imagine who they are. --At least I will not
tell you. [_Aside. _

_Duke. _ There's something very uncommon in the air of one of them.

_Fred. _ Please you, sir, I'll discourse with her, and see if I can
satisfy your highness.

_Duke. _ Stay, there's a dance beginning, and she seems as if she would
make one.

SONG AND DANCE.

_Long betwixt love and fear Phyllis, tormented,
Shunned her own wish, yet at last she consented:
But loth that day should her blushes discover,
Come, gentle night, she said,
Come quickly to my aid,
And a poor shamefaced maid
Hide from her lover. _

_Now cold as ice I am, now hot as fire,
I dare not tell myself my own desire;
But let day fly away, and let night haste her:
Grant, ye kind powers above,
Slow hours to parting love;
But when to bless we move,
Bid them fly faster. _

_How sweet it is to love, when I discover
That fire, which burns my heart, warming my lover!
'Tis pity love so true should be mistaken:
But if this night he be
False or unkind to me,
Let me die, ere I see
That I'm forsaken. _

_Duke_ [_After the dance. _] My curiosity redoubles; I must needs hail
that unknown vessel, and enquire whither she's bound, and what freight
she carries.

_Fred. _ She's not worth your trouble, sir: She'll either prove some
common courtezan in disguise, or, at best, some homely person of
honour, that only dances well enough to invite a sight of herself, and
would look ill enough to fright you.

_Duke. _ That's maliciously said; all I see of her is charming, and I
have reason to think her face is of the same piece; at least I'll try
my fortune.

_Fred. _ What an unlucky accident is this! If my father should discover
her, she's ruined: If he does not, yet I have lost her conversation
to-night.

_Duke approaches_ LUCRETIA.

_Asca. _ 'Tis the duke himself, who comes to court you.

_Luc. _ Peace, I'll fit him; for I have been informed, to the least
tittle, of his actions since he came to town.

_Duke. _ [_To_ Luc. ] Madam, the duke of Mantua, whom you must needs
imagine to be in this company, has sent me to you, to know what kind
of face there is belonging to that excellent shape, and to those
charming motions, which he observed so lately in your dancing.

_Luc. _ Tell his highness, if you please, that there is a face within
the mask, so very deformed, that, if it were discovered, it would
prove the worst visor of the two; and that, of all men, he ought not
to desire it should be exposed, because then something would be found
amiss in an entertainment, which he has made so splendid and
magnificent.

_Duke. _ The duke, I am sure, would be very proud of your compliment,
but it would leave him more unsatisfied than before; for, he will find
in it so much of gallantry, as, being added to your other graces, will
move him to a strange temptation of knowing you.

_Luc. _ I should still have the same reason to refuse him; for 'twere a
madness, when I had charmed him by my motion and converse, to hazard
the loss of that conquest by my eyes.

_Duke. _ I am on fire 'till I discover her. [_Aside. _]--At least,
madam, tell me of what family you are.

_Luc. _ Will you be satisfied, if I tell you I am of the Colonne? You
have seen Julia of that house?

_Duke. _ Then you are she.

_Luc. _ Have I not her stature most exactly?

_Duke. _ As near as I remember.

_Luc. _ But, by your favour, I have nothing of her shape; for, if I may
be so vain to praise myself, she's a little thicker in the shoulders,
and, besides, she moves ungracefully.

_Duke. _ Then you are not she again.

_Luc. _ No, not she: But you have forgotten Emilia of the Ursini, whom
the duke saluted yesterday at her balcony, when he entered. Her air
and motion--

_Duke. _ Are the very same with yours. Now I am sure I know you.

_Luc. _ But there's too little of her to make a beauty: My stature is
more advantageous.

_Duke. _ You have cozened me again.

_Luc. _ Well, I find at last I must confess myself: What think you of
Eugenia Beata? The duke seemed to be infinitely pleased last night,
when my brother presented me to him at the Belvidere.

_Duke. _ Now I am certain you are she, for you have both her stature
and her motion.

_Luc. _ But, if you remember yourself a little better, there's some
small difference in our wit; for she has indeed the air and beauty of
a Roman lady, but all the dulness of a Dutch woman.

_Duke. _ I see, madam, you are resolved to conceal yourself, and I am
as fully resolved to know you.

_Luc. _ See which of our resolutions will take place.

_Duke. _ I come from the duke, and can assure you, he is of an humour
to be obeyed.

_Luc. _ And I am of an humour not to obey him. But why should he be so
curious?

_Duke. _ If you would have my opinion, I believe he is in love with
you.

_Luc. _ Without seeing me?

_Duke. _ Without seeing all of you: Love is love, let it wound us from
what part it please; and if he have enough from your shape and
conversation, his business is done, the more compendiously, without
the face.

_Luc. _ But the duke cannot be taken with my conversation, for he never
heard me speak.

_Duke. _ [_Aside. _] 'Slife, I shall discover myself. --Yes madam, he
stood by _incognito_, and heard me speak with you: But--

_Luc. _ I wish he had trusted to his own courtship, and spoke himself;
for it gives us a bad impression of a prince's wit, when we see fools
in favour about his person.

_Duke. _ Whatever I am, I have it in commission from him to tell you,
he's in love with you.

_Luc. _ The good old gentleman may dote, if he so pleases; but love,
and fifty years old, are stark nonsense.

_Duke. _ But some men, you know, are green at fifty.

_Luc. _ Yes, in their understandings.

_Duke. _ You speak with great contempt of a prince, who has some
reputation in the world.

_Luc. _ No; 'tis you that speak with contempt of him, by saying he is
in love at such an age.

_Duke. _ Then, madam, 'tis necessary you should know him better for his
reputation; and that shall be, though he violate the laws of
masquerade, and force you.

_Fred. _ I suspected this from his violent temper. [_Aside. _] Sir, the
emperor's ambassador is here in masquerade, and I believe this to be
his lady: It were well if you inquired of him, before you forced her
to discover.

_Duke. _ Which is the ambassador?

_Fred. _ That farthermost. [_Duke retires farther. _

_Fred. _ to _Luc. _ Take your opportunity to escape, while his back is
turned, or you are ruined. Ascanio, wait on her.

_Luc. _ I am so frighted, I cannot stay to thank you.
[_Exeunt_ LUC. ASCA. _and_ HIP.

_Duke_ to _Fred. _ 'Tis a mistake, the ambassador knows nothing of her:
I'm resolved I'll know it of herself, ere she shall depart. --Ha! Where
is she? I left her here.

_Fred. _ [_Aside. _] Out of your reach, father mine, I hope.

_Duke. _ She has either shifted places, or else slipped out of the
assembly.

_Fred. _ I have looked round: She must be gone, sir.

_Duke. _ She must not be gone, sir. Search for her every where: I will
have her.

_Fred. _ Has she offended your highness?

_Duke. _ Peace, with your impertinent questions. Come hither, Valerio.

_Val. _ Sir?

_Duke. _ O, Valerio, I am desperately in love: That lady, with whom you
saw me talking, has--But I lose time; she's gone; haste after her,--
find her,--bring her back to me.

_Val. _ If it be possible.

_Duke. _ It must be possible; the quiet of my life depends upon it.

_Val. _ Which way took she?

_Duke. _ Go any way,--every way; ask no questions: I know no more, but
that she must,--must be had. [_Exit_ VALERIO.

_Fred. _ Sir, the assembly will observe, that--

_Duke. _ Damn the assembly; 'tis a dull insignificant crowd, now she is
not here: Break it up, I'll stay no longer.

_Fred. _ [_Aside. _] I hope she's safe, and then this fantastic love of
my father's will make us sport to-momorrow. [_Exeunt. _


SCENE III.

_Enter_ LUCRETIA, ASCANIO, _and_ HIPPOLITA.

_Luc. _ Now that we are safe at the gate of our convent, methinks the
adventure was not unpleasant.

_Hip. _ And now that I am out of danger, brother, I may tell you what a
novice you are in love, to tempt a young sister into the wide world,
and not to show her the difference betwixt that and her cloister. I
find I may venture safely with you another time.

_Asca. _ O, sister, you play the brazen-head with me,--you give me
warning when time's past. But that was no fit opportunity: I hate to
snatch a morsel of love, and so away. I am for a set-meal, where I may
enjoy my full gust; but, when I once fall on, you shall find me a
brave man upon occasion.

_Luc. _ 'Tis time we were in our cells. Quick, Hippolita; where's the
key?

_Hip. _ Here, in my pocket--No, 'tis in my other pocket:--Ha, 'tis not
there neither. I am sure I put it in one of them.