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.

_Luc._ What should we do, if it should be lost now?

_Hip._ I have searched myself all over, and cannot find it.

_Asca._ A woman can never search herself all over; let me search you, sister.

_Luc._ Is this a time for raillery? Oh, sweet heaven! speak comfort quickly; have you found it? [_Here_ ASCANIO _slips away._

_Hip._ Speak you comfort, madam, and tell me you have it, for I am too sure that I have none on't.

_Luc._ O, unfortunate that we are! day's breaking; the handicrafts' shops begin to open. [_Clock strikes._

_Hip._ The clock strikes two: Within this half hour we shall be called up to our devotions. Now, good Ascanio--Alas, he's gone too! we are left miserable and forlorn.

_Luc._ We have not so much as one place in the town for a retreat.

_Hip._ O, for a miracle in our time of need! that some kind good-natured saint would take us up, and heave us over the wall into our cells.

_Luc._ Dear sister, pray, for I cannot: I have been so sinful in leaving my cloister for the world, that I am ashamed to trouble my friends above to help me.

_Hip._ Alas, sister, with what face can I pray then! Yours were but little vanities, but I have sinned swingingly against my vow; yes, indeed, sister, I have been very wicked,--for I wished the ball might be kept perpetually in our cloister, and that half the handsome nuns in it might be turned to men, for the sake of the other.

_Luc._ Well, if I were free from this disgrace, I would never more set foot beyond the cloister, for the sake of any man.

_Hip._ And here I vow, if I get safe within my cell, I will not think of man again these seven years.

_Re-enter_ ASCANIO.

_Asca._ Hold, Hippolita, and make no more rash vows: If you do, as I live, you shall not have the key.

_Hip._ The key! why, have you it, brother?

_Luc._ He does but mock us. I know you have it not, Ascanio.

Asca. _Ecce signum;_ here it is for you.

_Hip._ O, sweet brother, let me kiss you.

_Asca._ Hands off, sweet sister, you must not be forsworn; you vowed you would not think of a man these seven years.

_Hip._ Aye, brother, but I was not so hasty but I had wit enough to cozen the saint to whom I vowed; for you are but a boy, brother, and will not be a man these seven years.

_Luc._ But where did you find the key, Ascanio?

_Asca._ To confess the truth, madam, I stole it out of Hippolita's pocket, to take the print of it in wax; for I'll suppose you'll give my master leave to wait on you in the nunnery-garden, after your abbess has walked the rounds.

_Luc._ Well, well, good-morrow. When you have slept, come to the grate for a letter to your lord. Now will I have the headach, or the megrim, or some excuse; for I'm resolved I'll not rise to prayers.

_Hip._ Pray, brother, take care of our masking-habits, that they may be forthcoming another time.

_Asca._ Sleep, sleep, and dream of me, sister: I'll make it good, if you dream not too unreasonably.

_Luc._ Thus dangers in our love make joys more dear; And pleasure's sweetest when 'tis mixed with fear. [_Exeunt._