_Aur._ I'll swear it then. We two were the two rogues, and you the discoverer of our villany. _Ben._ Then, woe, woe, to poor Benito! I find my abundance of wit has ruined me. _Aur._ But come a little nearer: I would not receive a good office from a servant, but I would reward him for his diligence. _Ben._ Virtue, sir, is its own reward: I expect none from you. _Aur._ Since it is so, sir, you shall lose no further time in my service: Henceforward, pray know me for your humble servant; for your master I am resolved to be no longer. _Ben._ Nay, rather than so, sir, I beseech you let a good, honest, sufficient beating atone the difference. _Aur._ 'Tis in vain. _Ben._ I am loth to leave you without a guide. _Aur._ He's at it again! do you hear, Camillo? _Cam._ Pr'ythee, Aurelian, be mollified, and beat him. _Fron._ Pray, sir, hear reason, and lay it on, for my sake. _Aur._ I am obdurate. _Cam._ But what will your father say, if you part with him? _Aur._ I care not. _Ben._ Well, sir, since you are so peremptory, remember I have offered you satisfaction, and so long my conscience is at ease. What a devil, before I'll offer myself twice to be beaten, by any master in Christendom, I'll starve, and that is my resolution; and so your servant that was, sir. [_Exit._ _Aur._ I am glad I am rid of him; he was my evil genius, and was always appearing to me, to blast my undertakings: Let me send him never so far off, the devil would be sure to put him in my way, when I had any thing to execute. Come, Camillo, now we have changed the dice, it may be we shall have better fortune. [_Exeunt._ SCENE II. _Enter the Duke of Mantua in masquerade,_ FREDERICK, VALERIO, _and others. On the other side, enter_ LUCRETIA, HIPPOLITA, _and_ ASCANIO. _Luc._ [_To_ ASCA.] The prince I know already, by your description of his masking habit; but, which is the duke, his father? _Asca._ He whom you see talking with the prince, and looking this way. I believe he has observed us. _Luc._ If he has not, I am resolved we'll make ourselves as remarkable as we can: I'll exercise my talent of dancing. _Hip._ And I mine of singing. _Duke._ [_To_ FRED.] Do you know the company which came in last? _Fred._ I cannot possibly imagine who they are.--At least I will not tell you. [_Aside._ _Duke._ There's something very uncommon in the air of one of them. _Fred._ Please you, sir, I'll discourse with her, and see if I can satisfy your highness. _Duke._ Stay, there's a dance beginning, and she seems as if she would make one. SONG AND DANCE. _Long betwixt love and fear Phyllis, tormented, Shunned her own wish, yet at last she consented: But loth that day should her blushes discover, Come, gentle night, she said, Come quickly to my aid, And a poor shamefaced maid Hide from her lover._