Knocks within.

_Piet._ Sir, they be the Bravoes and Curtezans. [_Pietro_ goes out.

_Cur._ 'Tis well, I need not talk with them,
They understand their work.

_Piet._ They do, my Lord, and shall be ready at your stamp;
They are all _Neapolitans_, you know, Sir.

_Cur._ Are they the better for that?

_Piet._ Much, Sir, a _Venetian_ will turn to your Enemy,
If he will give him but a Souse more than you have done;
And your _Millanoise_ are fit for nothing but to
Rob the Post or Carrier; a _Genovese_ too
Will sooner kill by Usury than Sword or Pistol;
A _Roman_ fit for nothing but a Spy.

_Cur._ Well, Sir, you are pleasant with my Countrymen.

_Piet._ I'll be so with my own too, Sir; and tell you,
That a _Maltan_, who pretends to so much Honour
And Gravity, are fit only to rob their Neighbours
With pretence of Piety,
--And a _Cicilian_ so taken up with Plots,
How to kill his Vice-Roy, that it keeps them
From being Rogues to a less degree.
But I have done, Sir, and beg your pardon.

_Cur._ Didst leave the Letter, I commanded thee,
For _Laura_?

_Piet._ I did, my Lord.

Enter _Lorenzo_.

_Lor._ Well, here's the Prince just coming.

_Cor._ Pray, Sir, conduct him in,
I'm ready for him.

[Ex. _Cur._ and _Piet._

Enter the Prince, conducted by two Women in Masquerade, with
Lights, he endeavouring to take off their Masks.
[Ex. two Women.
[He walks about while this Song is singing.

_What is the recompence of War,
But soft and wanton Peace?
What the best Balsam to our Scars,
But that which _Venus_ gave to _Mars_,
When he was circled in a kind Embrace?_

_Behold a Prince, who never yet
Was vanquished in the Field;
Awhile his Glories must forget,
And lay his Laurels at the feet
Of some fair Female Power, to whom he'll yield._

_Fred._ What's this the Preparation?

_Lor._ Yes, so it should seem; but had you met
With so many defeats as I have done to night,
You would willingly excuse this Ceremony.

Musick for the Dance.

Enter _Antonio_ with _Ismena_, _Alberto_ with _Clarina_, _Laura_
and _Cloris_ with two Men more, and all dress'd in Masquerade,
with Vizards; they dance. The Prince sets down: the Dance being
done, they retire to one side; and _Alberto_ comes and presents
him _Clarina_, and bows and retires; who puts off her Mask, and
puts it on again, and