SCENE X.

CRICCA, PANDOLFO.

CRI. Where shall I find my master, to content him With welcome news? he's here. News, news? News of good fortune, joy, and happiness!

PAN. Cricca, my sadness is uncapable Of better tidings: I am undone! most miserable!

CRI. Offend not your good luck, y' are now more fortunate Than when you rose this morning: be merry, sir, Cheer up yourself; y' have what you wish'd, fear nothing.

PAN. Maybe, Antonio newly repents himself, With purpose to restore my Flavia. Cricca, what is't? where's all this happiness?

CRI. Lock'd in Antonio's closet.

PAN. All alone? Sure, that's my Flavia. Is not Eugenio Suffer'd to enter?

CRI. Antonio keeps the key: No creature enters but himself: all's safe, And shall be so restor'd.

PAN. O my sweet Cricca!

CRI. And they that wrong'd you most extremely sorry, Ready to yield you any satisfaction.

PAN. Is't possible they should so soon repent them, That injur'd me so lately? tell me the manner That caus'd them see their error.

CRI. I'll tell you, sir: Being just now at old Antonio's house, One thunders at the back-door, enters, presses To speak in private with young Lelio; Was instantly admitted: and think you, who? 'Twas your astrologer Albumazar. When he had spoke awhile, Lelio and Antonio In haste command me fetch a constable.

PAN. How can this story touch my happiness?

CRI. I up and down, through slimy ale-houses, Cloudy tobacco-shops and vapouring taverns, My mouth full of inquiry, at last found one.

PAN. What of all this? Is't possible a constable Concerns my good?

CRI. And, following my directions, Went to a tippling-house, where we took drinking Three handsome fellows with a great chest, attach'd them, And brought all to Antonio.

PAN. Well, what then?

CRI. These were the astrologer's intelligences that Robb'd you through the south window.

PAN. I thought thou hadst spoke Of Flavia's restoring.

CRI. I mean your plate And treasure. Pray you, sir, is't not great happiness To reobtain three thousand pounds in value, Desperately lost? and you still doat and dream Of Flavia who, by your own consent And oath, is promised to your son Eugenio.

PAN. Forward.

CRI. Within this chest Antonio found your plate, Gold jewels, cloth of silver, nothing perish'd, But all safe lock'd, till you acknowledge it. And since Albumazar of his own accord Freely confess'd, and safe restor'd your treasure; Since 'tis a day of jubilee and marriage, Antonio would entreat you to release And pardon the astrologer: thanking your fortune, That hath restor'd you to your wealth and self. Both which were lost i' th' foolish love of Flavia.

PAN. Reason hath clear'd my sight, and drawn the veil, Of dotage, that so dark'd my understanding. I clearly see the slavery of affections; And how unsuitable my declining years Are for the dawning youth of Flavia. Let the best joys of Hymen compass her And her young husband (my Eugenio), With full content. And since Albumazar By accident caus'd all this happiness, I freely pardon him and his companions; And haste to assist the marriages and feasts.

CRI. Why, now you show yourself a worthy gentleman. [_Exit_ PANDOLFO.