The history of the harlequinade, volume 1 (of 2)

_FLAVIO, ORAZIO, HARLEQUIN, and then the CAPTAIN_

Flavio begs Orazio to put aside all rancour and out of friendship for him to make his peace with the Captain, who is much more friendly disposed than he supposes. Orazio consents. The Captain arrives. At sight of him Harlequin runs away, enters the house and from the window desires to be reassured that his enemy’s choler has abated. Flavio presently reassures him and then, having restored peace between Orazio and the Captain, they all depart rejoicing in this sound friendship.

_PANTALOON, PEDROLINO, then ISABELLA and FLAMINIA_

Pantaloon, who has witnessed the departure of the young people, thinks that the moment may be favourable to speak to Isabella. He coughs, scratches the door, and performs other antics to draw attention to his presence. Isabella shows herself at her window and out of coquetry announces that she is going for a walk. At the same time she signs to Flaminia, who is at the window of her house opposite, to join her in the street. Isabella and Flaminia enter the stage and allow Pantaloon and his servant to chat with them. Isabella, pretending to find his eloquence irresistible, confesses herself in love with Pantaloon, and Flaminia does the like by Pedrolino. But Isabella requires a proof of affection, and begs Pantaloon to come and serenade her that same evening. Pantaloon promises three serenades, whereafter each lady re-enters her own house, and Pantaloon, with Pedrolino, both intoxicated with joy, leap and dance like a pair of fools. This brings out Franceschina and Burattino, who deride their singular capers. Pantaloon goes off.

_BURATTINO, FRANCESCHINA, PEDROLINO_

Burattino and his wife continue to jest with Pedrolino. The latter ends by being angry and threatens vengeance. As the innkeeper’s laughter is only increased by this, Pedrolino threatens to make him a _cornuto_. Burattino laughs at the threat, but Franceschina fetches a broom and falls upon Pedrolino, who runs away. Thereafter the couple re-enter, rejoicing in his discomfiture.

_FLAVIO and ISABELLA_

Flavio enters, complaining of his uncertainty on the score of whether Flaminia loves him or not, and seeking a pretext for addressing her again. The letter which he has written and which is in her hands is a means. Isabella, from her window, has heard the entire monologue, and, to amuse herself, asks him if he has met Orazio and the Captain, who are seeking him to invite him to their nuptials, as Orazio is going to marry Flaminia and the Captain is going to marry herself. This said, she withdraws, laughing in her sleeve. Flavio is overcome by this unexpected news. Burattino, seeing him preoccupied, accosts him and asks him if, by chance, he knows of any means for the getting of male children. Flavio turns and, without uttering a word, goes off. Burattino, distressed at not having received an answer, re-enters his inn.

_PANTALOON, PEDROLINO, three musicians, ISABELLA and FLAMINIA_

Pantaloon and Pedrolino station their musicians under the windows of Isabella and Flaminia, commanding them to play and dance. The ladies show themselves and graciously thank the performers of the serenades for their attention. Pedrolino and Pantaloon withdraw joyously with the instrumentalists. Isabella, remaining at her window after their departure, begs Flaminia, who is also at her window, to honour by her presence the marriage which she is about to contract with Flavio, who has long been her lover. The affair, she says, has been arranged and concluded by her brother the Captain. Flaminia, wounded to the heart, declines the invitation and withdraws in tears. Isabella, after this fresh trick, and after having wounded the hearts of Flavio and Flaminia, but knowing full well how to heal them, withdraws well pleased.

_PANTALOON, PEDROLINO, BURATTINO_

Pantaloon shows Pedrolino a pair of new shoes which he has bought for twelve _baiocchi_ (sixpence). Pedrolino, after having examined them, declares them to be old shoes, and that it is shameful for a man like Pantaloon to buy such things. Burattino, who is on his way to consult a doctor, asks Pantaloon if he will sell him the shoes for the twelve _baiocchi_ he has paid for them. Pantaloon is quite willing. “But on one condition,” says Burattino, “that is that each of you shall stake a halfpenny with me, and that the first to repent shall lose his halfpenny.” This is agreed. Burattino takes a knife and begins to cut through the sole of one shoe, saying, “He who retracts will lose his halfpenny.” Having cut up one shoe, he takes the other one and begins to perform upon it the same operation. Thereupon he asks them, “Which of you two retracts?” and as each replies that he will not retract, Burattino says, “If neither of you retracts then I will retract.” Whereupon, throwing down the two shoes, he continues on his way. Pantaloon and Pedrolino look at each other and perceive that Burattino has fooled them. They go off indignantly, and this ends the second Act.