Act 3 — SCENE II.
Reading edition
Before Saint Lorenzo’s Monastery.
Enter Frisco in Fontinelle’s apparel, and Fontinelle making himself ready[671] in Frisco’s: they enter suddenly and in fear.
Fris. Play you my part bravely; you must look like a slave: and you shall see I’ll counterfeit the Frenchman most knavishly. My mistress, for your sake, charged me on her blessing to fall to these shifts. I left her at cards: she’ll sit up till you come, because she’ll have you play a game at noddy.[672] You’ll to her presently?
Font. I will, upon mine honour.
Fris. I think she does not greatly care whether you fall to her upon your honour or no. So, all’s fit. Tell my lady that I go in a suit of durance for her sake. That’s your way, and this pit-hole’s mine. If I can ’scape hence, why so; if not, he that’s hanged is nearer to heaven by half a score steps than he that dies in a bed: and so adieu, monsieur. [Exit.
274Font. Farewell, dear trusty slave. Shall I profane
This temple with an idol of strange love?
When I do so, let me dissolve in fire.
Yet one day will I see this dame, whose heart
Takes off my misery: I’ll not be so rude
To pay her kindness with ingratitude.
Enter Violetta and a Friar apace.
Viol. My dearest Fontinelle!
Font. My Violetta!
O God!
Viol. O God!
Font. Where is this reverend friar?
Friar. Here, overjoy’d young man.
Viol. How didst thou ’scape?
How came Imperia’s man——
Font. No more of that.
Viol. When did Imperia——
Font. Questions now are thieves,
And lie[673] in ambush to surprise our joys.
[O] my most happy stars, shine still, shine on!
Away, come: love beset had need be gone. [Exeunt.