_Aur._ And you are as strange a waiting-woman: You have so stabbed me with your repartees to-night, that I should be glad to change the weapon, to be revenged on you. _Lau._ These, I suppose, are fragments, which you learned from your wild master, Aurelian: many a poor woman has passed through his hands with these very words. You treat me just like a serving-man, with the cold meat which comes from your master's table. _Aur._ You could never have suspected me for using my master's wit, if you had not been guilty of purloining from your lady. I am told, that Laura, your mistress's sister, has wit enough to confound a hundred Aurelians. _Lau._ I shall do your commendations to Laura for your compliment. _Aur._ And I shall not fair to revenge myself, by informing Aurelian of yours. _Enter_ BENITO _with a Guitar._ _Ben._ The poor souls shall not lose by the bargain, though my foolish gadding masters have disappointed them. That ladder of ropes was doubtless left there by the young lady in hope of them. _Vio._ Hark, I hear a noise in the garden. _Lau._ I fear we are betrayed. _Cam._ Fear nothing, madam, but stand close. _Ben._ Now, Benito, is the time to hold forth thy talent, and to set up for thyself. Yes, ladies, you shall be serenaded, and when I have displayed my gifts, I'll retire in triumph over the wall, and hug myself for the adventure. [_He fums on the Guitar._ _Vio._ Let us make haste, sister, and get into covert; this music will raise the house upon us immediately. _Lau._ Alas, we cannot; the damn'd musician stands just in the door where we should pass. _Ben._ singing. _Eveillez vous, belles endormies; Eveillez vous: car il est jour: Mettez la tete a la fenestre, Vous entendrez parler d'amour._ _Aur._ [_aside to_ CAM.] Camillo, this is my incorrigible rogue; and I dare not call him, Benito, for fear of discovering myself not to be Benito. _Cam._ The alarm is already given through the house. Ladies, you must be quick: Secure yourselves and leave us to shift. [_Exeunt Women._ _Within._ This way, this way. _Aur._ I hear them coming; and, as ill luck will have it, just by that quarter where our ladder is placed. _Cam._ Let us hide in the dark walk till they are past. _Aur._ But then Benito will be caught, and, being known to be my man, will betray us. _Ben._ I hear some in the garden: Sure they are the ladies, that are taken with my melody. To it again, Benito; this time I will absolutely enchant them. [_Fums again._ _Aur_: He is at it again. Why, Benito, are you mad? _Ben._ Ah, madam! are you there? This is such a favour to your poor unworthy servant. [_Sings._ _But still between kissing Amyntas did say, Fair Phillis, look up, and you'll turn night to day._ _Aur._ Come away, you insufferable rascal; the house is up, and will be upon us immediately. _Ben._ O gemini, is it you, sir?