+Lod.+ Nay, good my lord, let it be carried with a silent reputation, for the credit of the conclusion. As all here are privy to the passage, I do desire not to be laughed at till after the masque, and we are all ready. I have made bold with some of your grace's gentlemen, that are good dancers. +Ver.+ 'Tis one of my greatest wonders, credit me, To think what way she will devise here openly To perform her so strict penance. +Ven.+ It busies me, believe me, too. +Jas.+ Ye may see now, sir, how possible it is for a cunning lady to make an ass of a lord too confident. +Lod.+ An ass! I will prove a contented cuckold the wisest man in's company. +Ver.+ How prove you that, sir? +Lod.+ Because he knows himself. +Ver.+ Very well brought in. Is all our furniture fit, against the morning, To go for Milan? +Jas.+ Ready, and like your grace. +Ver.+ We are given to understand, the injur'd princess, Whom Count Lorenzo and noble Philippo Are, unknown to one another, gone in search of, Hath been seen there disguis'd. Strict inquisition From the duke himself shall, ere many days, Give our hopes satisfaction. _Enter +Dorothea+, +Ladies+, +Francisco+, and +Clown+._ +Jas.+ The ladies, sir. Francisco keeps before, sir, And Pambo keeps all well behind. +Lod.+ Yes, there's devout lechery between hawk and buzzard. But, please ye, set the ladies: the masque attends your grace. [_Exit._ +Ver.+ Come, ladies, sit. Madonna Dorothea, Your ingenious lord hath suddenly prepar'd us For a conceited masque, and himself, it seems, Plays the presenter. +Dor.+ Now, fie upon this vanity! A profane masque? Chastity keep us, ladies. +Ven.+ What, from a masque? Whereon grounds your wish? +Dor.+ Marry, my lord, upon experience. I heard of one once brought his wife to a masque As chaste as a cold night; but, poor unfortunate fellow, He lost her in the throng; and she, poor soul, Came home so crush'd next morning! +Ven.+ 'Las, that was ill: But women will be lost against their will. +Ver.+ Silence, the masquers enter. _Enter +Lodovico+, +Clown+, and +Masquers+: a stag, a ram, a bull, and a goat._ +Clown.+ Look to me, master. +Lod.+ Do not shake: they'll think th' art out. A masque[154]---- +Clown.+ A masque, or no masque; no masque but a by-clap; And yet a masque yclep'd _A City Nightcap._ +Lod.+ And conve---- +Clown.+ And conveniently for to keep off scorns. Considerately the cap is hedg'd with horns. +Lod.+ We insinuate. +Clown.+ Speak a little louder. +Lod.+ We insinuate. +Clown.+ We insinuate, by this stag and ram so pretty, With goat and bull, court, country, camp, and city. +Lod.+ Cuckold. +Clown.+ Cuckold, my lord?