508 Modern Italian Comedy : [MAY, 



lady as long as he may stay ; and the Marquis is thus liberated. The 

 Marchioness consents in some ill-humour, proposing only to endure 

 Signor Gerlino till she can find some companion more agreeable. They 

 then retire up the stage. 



M. Liv. (coming forward). This is a most unlucky night for me ! What 

 the deuce did I consent to come with my wife at all for ! This Sigrior Gerlino 

 will be planting her upon me again in a little time. I'm not in safety. 



Enter Mamma Susanna this is the Fat Woman of the play]]. She is an old 

 lady, dressed in flaunting apparel, but shabby and very dirty ; a rusty domino, 

 or masquerade-cloak, soiled mask and gloves, and old dowdy hat or bonnet. 



Sus. Phew ! how hot the room is ! (Fans herself, as she comes on, with a 

 large fan.) Sultry hot, indeed ! (Sits down and calls} Bottega /* 



Pistac. Here, your ladyship. 



Sus. Did Count Spasimo leave orders, that if I wanted refreshment I should 

 have it ? 



Pis. No orders, Mamma Susanna. 



Sus. What! has he not been here with my daughter? Why, then that 

 jade is dancing the second country dance, and never thinks of me, who 

 am dying with thirst ! But, hark ye, young man ! You know me ? You 

 can bring me some lemonade, and the Count will pay for it when he comes. 



Pis. So ! (Aside.) I must run and earn my six paoli.t Rosina is coming. 

 (Looks round for Volpino.) Mamma Susanna, I am very sorry ; but my 

 master has ordered me not to serve any thing to-night without the money. 



Sus. Nothing without money ! What a scandal ! But the Count shall 

 know it, when he comes with Rosina. 



M. Liv. (to Pistacchio observing Susanna). Who is that horrid woman, my 

 friend ? 



Pis. It is " Mamma Susanna," my Lord, at your Excellency's commands. 

 She wants lemonade now, and the Count Spasimo to pay for it, when he 

 comes with her daughter. 



M. Liv. (aside J. The Count Spasimo ! Why, this is excellent ! My wife 

 believes him at home, with the head-ache. If they should meet, what a 

 scene we shall have ! But I shall make use of this opportunity to figure a 

 little with Signora Rosina myself. The deuce is in these girls : it is not one 

 time in ten that we married men have a chance to come near them. However, 

 I see my way now. And so till the daughter appears here goes to divert 

 ourselves with the mother ! A good night to you, good lady ! (Addressing 

 Susanna.) 



Sus. A very good night to you, Signor Maschera !* 



M. Liv. What have you done with Rosina this evening? 



Stis. Rosina ! I don't understand you, Sir. I don't know any Rosina. 



M. Liv. Oh, you don't know Rosina don't you ? Well, but what if 7 

 know, good Mamma Susanna, who you are ? And that you have come here 

 to the masquerade with your daughter ? And what if I know that she is here 

 with Count Spasimo, too, and not with Giacinto ? Oh ! you are playing a 

 pretty game with that poor lad. But I shall tell him of it. 



Sus. Oh, Lord ! But, for charity's sake, now don't ! But who are you, 

 Signor, that know us thus, and all our affairs ? 



M . Liv. Oh, no matter who I am. I am going to Giacinto now, and I shall 

 tell him 



Sus. But, Signor ! pray ! For charity's sake ! for my sake, Signor ! 



M. Liv. Humph ! It is rather late in the day to do any thing for your sake, 

 Mamma Susanna. I might do something for your daughter's. But, come ! 



* " Bottega" is the Italian phrase for calling in a coffee-house. It is equal to the 

 French " gar$on" or the English " waiter." 



f This is the bribe promised him by Volpino, for telling when Rosina conies. 

 The cant address of one mask to another. 



