_Ant._ Musick at my Lodgings! it is _Alberto_; Oh, how I love him for’t--if _Clarina_ stand his Courtship, I am made; I languish between Hope and Fear. _Lor._ Stay, Friend, I hear somebody. [Musick ceases. _Pag._ ‘Tis nobody, Sir. Enter _Isabella_. _Isab._ ‘Tis _Lorenzo_, and my Plot’s ripe; [Aside. [_Lorenzo_ being retir’d the while a little further. ‘Twill not sure be hard to get him, under pretence Of seeing _Clarina_, into my Chamber, And then I’ll order him at my pleasure; _Ismena_ is on my side, for I know all her Secrets, And she must wink at mine therefore. [She retires. _Lor._ Thou art in the right, Boy, I think indeed ‘twas nothing. [Plays again. Enter _Alberto_. _Alb._ She yields, bad Woman! Why so easily won? By me too, who am thy Husband’s Friend: Oh dangerous Boldness! unconsidering Woman! I lov’d thee, whilst I thought thou couldst not yield; But now that Easiness has undone thy Interest in my Heart, I’ll back, and tell thee that it was to try thee. _Lor._ No, no, ‘twas my Fears, away with the Song, I’ll take it on your word that ‘tis fit for my purpose. _Fid._ I’ll warrant you, my Lord. SONG. _In vain I have labour’d the Victor to prove Of a Heart that can ne’er give attendance to Love; So hard to be done. That nothing so young Could e’er have resisted a Passion so long. Yet nothing I left unattempted or said, That might soften the Heart of this pitiless Maid; But still she was shy, And would blushing deny, Whilst her willinger Eyes gave her Language the lye. Since, _Phillis_, my Passion you vow to despise, Withdraw the false Hopes from your flattering Eyes: For whilst they inspire A resistless vain Fire, We shall grow to abhor, what we now do admire._ [Ex. _Musick_. _Alb._ What’s this, and at _Clarina’s_ Lodgings too? Sure ‘tis _Antonio_, impatient of delay, Gives her a Serenade for me. Enter _Isabella_. _Isab._ ‘Tis the Fool himself-- My Lord, where are you? _Alb._ How! a Woman’s Voice! ‘tis dark, I’ll advance. _Lor._ Thou Simpleton, I told thee there was somebody. _Pag._ Lord, Sir, ‘tis only _Isabella_ that calls you. _Lor._ Away, Sirrah, I find by my fears ‘tis no Woman. [Goes out with the _Page_. _Isab._ Why don’t you come? here’s nobody. _Alb._ Here I am. _Isab._ Where? _Alb._ Here. [Gives her his Hand. _Isab._ My Lord, you may venture, _Clarina_ will be Alone within this Hour, where you shall entertain Her at your freedom: but you must stay awhile in my Chamber till my Lord’s a bed; For none but I must know of the favour she designs you. _Alb._ Oh Gods! what Language do I hear-- False and Perfidious Woman, I might have thought, Since thou wert gain’d so easily by me, Thou wouldst with equal haste yield to another. _Isab._ It is not _Lorenzo_, what shall I do? [She steals in.