_Hip._ With Ascanio there are two gentlemen; Aurelian and Camillo, I think they call themselves, who came to me, recommended from the prince, and desired to speak with Laura and Violetta. _Soph._ I think they are your lovers, nieces. _Vio._ Madam, they are. _Hip._ But, for fear of discovery from your uncle, Mario, whose house, you know, joins to the monastery, are both in masquerade. _Soph._ This opportunity must not be lost. [_To_ LAURA _and_ VIOLETTA. You two shall take the masking habits instantly, And, in them, scape your jealous uncle's eyes. When you are happy, make me so, by hearing your success. [_Kisses them. Exeunt_ LAU. _and_ VIO. _Luc._ A sudden thought is sprung within my mind, Which, by the same indulgence you have shown, May make me happy too. I have not time To tell you now, for fear I lose this opportunity. When I return from speaking with Ascanio, I shall declare the secrets of my love, And crave your farther help. _Soph._ In all that virtue will permit, you shall not fail to find it. [_Exit_ LUCRETIA. _Hip._ Madam, the foolish fellow, whom we took, grows troublesome; what shall we do with him? _Soph._ Send for the magistrate; he must be punished-- Yet, hold; that would betray the other secret. Let him be strait turned out, on this condition, That he presume not ever to disclose He was within these walls. I'll speak with him. Come, and attend me to him. [_Exit_ SOPHRONIA. _Hip._ You fit to be an abbess! We, that live out of the world, should, at least, have the common sense of those that live far from town; if a pedlar comes by them once a year, they will not let him go, without providing themselves with what they want. [_Exit after_ SOPHRONIA. SCENE II.--_The Street._ _Enter_ AURELIAN, CAMILLO, LAURA, VIOLETTA; _all in Masking-habits._ _Cam._ This generosity of the abbess is never to be forgot; and it is the more to be esteemed, because it was the less to be expected. _Vio._ At length, my Camillo, I see myself safe within your arms; and yet, methinks, I can never be enough secure of you; for now, I have nothing else to fear, I am afraid of you; I fear your constancy. They say possession is so dangerous to lovers, that more of them die of surfeits than of fasting. _Lau._ You'll be rambling too, Aurelian; I do not doubt it, if I would let you; but I'll take care to be as little a wife, and as much a mistress to you, as is possible: I'll be sure to be always pleasant, and never suffer you to be cloyed. _Aur._ You are certainly in the right: Pleasantness of humour makes a wife last in the sweetmeat, when it will no longer in the fruit. But, pray, let's make haste to the next honest priest that can say grace to us, and take our appetites while they are coming. _Cam._ That way leads to the Austin-Friars; there lives a father of my acquaintance.