“Thou art encompassed with immodesty.” “Beat me, beat me, thy Zerlina, here she stands, beat me; and I’ll kiss thy hands quite meekly. Beat me, beat me, but forgive me, for I love thee, dear Masetto.” “Thou hast the power of the evil one to overthrow me. Truly, man is weak.” “Beat me, beat me. Masetto, here’s the don.” “Let him approach. I defy him.” “I fain would hide myself.” “And, marry, I fain thou shouldst not. Ho, ho--she fears I shall learn secrets; ho, ho, ho, thou art falsity. I will hide myself.” “Nay, if he find thee, he will beat thee, as thou wattest not of.” “Let him fear me, my arm is strong.” “‘Tis hopeless to speak to him.” This she said softly. “Speak loudly, untruthful woman, speak honestly loud. (I have mine ideas, yes, Masetto, I have mine ideas.)” And he hid behind a tree. Said the little woman to herself, “he hath a wry mind, Masetto;” and then she ran to hiding herself, as she saw the don approach, accompanied by several peasants. He dismissed those people immediately, and then called out “Zerlina, come thou here.” “So please you, let me go.” “My angel, I love thee too well.” “So please you, if thou art merciful, let me go.” “Masetto, come thou here also.” “My faith, he hath marked me,” said the rustic, and came forward sheepishly. “Thy Zerlina is unhappy when thou art not near her, why dost leave her? come, be merry, I will go with you and be merry with you,” and he walked away between them, and entered his house with them. Nor did he see three masked persons following him. Donna Anna, Donna Elvira, and Don Ottavio. They were following him, marking him, bringing home his guilt to him. Suddenly Leporello passing a window of the house within, saw the masks and called out, “O rare, my master, here is fit company for thee, my master; here are ladies, and of a quality! What sayest thou, invite them in. Aye, marry, will I. Masks, list, fair masks; my master greets ye, and prays ye enter; ye shall find good entertainment.” Still watching him, still tracing the crime to him, they entered the house of the murderer. CHAPTER IV. In the house of the don itself, the rustic feast, which he had improvised, was going on-- “Pray ye, Senors, drink; I, Leporello, who talk to ye, will sip chocolate, but ye shall take what ye will--sherbet, sweetmeats, as you like it--as you like it.” “My lovely Zerlina, thou charmest me.” “Thou art very kind Senor!” “My faith,” said Masetto, “she is as a fine lady!” “Oh! rare, I love ye all, ye charmers.” “If thou touchest her, Senor Leporello, I will touch thee,” exclaimed Masetto, who saw the factotum eyeing the simple, charming Zerlina. “Methinks he’s fallen out with me again,” said the simple Zerlina to herself. “Of a verity, I shall go distraught,” said Masetto. Here the masks entered. The don bowed to them, then called out to the musicians, and went gaily up to Zerlina.