1828.] The Plays of Gherardo da Rossi. 503 



jealous of the Countess's favours, and tries to quarrel with him, but finds 

 little likely to be gained from the encounter. And at once declares fall- 

 ing in love with the lady although " Flutt" did it as he thinks her 

 " genteel/' but not " handsome." The whole of this scene is very good 

 and characteristic ; but that of the second visit strikes us as rather the 

 better ; and, as our limits are somewhat bounded, we shall select it for 

 our extract. 



\^The scenes represents a Saloon in the Count Ernesto's house. Colombina (the 

 Countess's chambermaid) meeting Psctth and Rosbif, whom Folpino (the 

 valet) precedes, introducing 



Vol. This way, gentlemen : this way, if you please. 



Ros. Good day, bella giovine ! Your lady, the Countess is she to be 

 seen ? 



Col. She is dressing. 



Psctth. (looking attentively at Colombina). Your servant, my pretty lass ! 

 (Aside to Rosbif) A good face that girl has, eh ? good fresh complexion ? 



Col. I am your Excellency's very humble servant. 



Ros. (after looking round the room). Oh! that must be the picture ! (To 

 Psctth) 'Milord ! Milord ! See ! Do you take notice ? That is it that 

 is the Correggio ! 



Psctth. (not attending, but keeping to Colombina). Do you live in this house, 

 my darling ? 



Col. I am her ladyship's chambermaid, at your Excellency's commands. 



Psctth. Upon my word, if it was at my command, you should be the lady- 

 ship yourself. 



Ros. (touching him). Signor ! Signer! Look! pray do look! Look at 

 that exquisite picture f That is the Correggio ! 



Psctth. Humph ! Yes: it is good. But it did not hang there when I was 

 here this morning. 



Ros. (aside to him). It is a work that the Count Ernesto does not always 

 keep in sight. But when strangers are here, the Italians are vain, and like to 

 shew the rarities they possess. That is the reason you see it now. 



Psctth. (not attending). She is a fine girl that chambermaid ! 



Ros. Depend on it, that is an acquisition that you ought to make. 



Psctth. Egad ! I'll make it with all my heart ! But how shall we manage 

 the getting to London ? 



Ros. Oh, nothing is easier ! You will pay a slight exportation duty not 

 much. 



Psctth. Exportation ! what? Do they charge a duty here in Rome on the 

 exportation of women ? 



Ros. Women ! How, women ? I speak of the picture the Correggio ! 

 A masterpiece ! 



Psctth. Oh ! the picture ? I was meaning the girl. (Still leaving him) 

 What is your name, my pretty dear, eh ? 



Col. Colombina, at your honour's' service. 



Psctth. Colombina ? a pretty name !* (To Rosbif) She has got a hand- 

 some foot, too, if her shoes were not badly made ! I'll send you some shoes, 

 my dear, from London. 



Col. Very kind of your Excellency. 



Ros. But, Signor ! listen to me. (Aside to him) The picture that was the 

 companion to this Correggio, Signor Flutt bought, and gave four hundred 

 sequins for it. He wanted this too : but he could not get it : it is so much 

 more valuable. 



Psctth. Well ! I'll take it. But they ought to get the hole in it mended. : 



* A rather untranslateable pun occurs here. Psctth says " It is the same as Pigeon- 

 r iua." 



