ted
by the Italians in the sixteenth century, but allowed to degenerate, and
then again renovated and carried to perfection by Moliere in France and
by himself in Italy.

A CURIOUS MISHAP

(_UN CURIOSO ACCIDENTE_)

A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

PHILIBERT, _a rich Dutch merchant._
GIANNINA, _his daughter._
RICCARDO, _a broker._
COSTANZA, _his daughter._
DE LA COTTERIE, _a French lieutenant._
MARIANNA, _Mademoiselle Giannina's servant._
GASCOIGNE, _De la Cotterie's servant._

_The Scene is at the Hague, in the house of_ PHILIBERT.

A CURIOUS MISHAP.

ACT I.

SCENE I.--Gascoigne, _packing his master's trunk._

_Enter_ Marianna.

_Mar._ May I wish good-morning to Monsieur Gascoigne?

_Gas._ Yes, my sweet Marianna, I thank you for your good-morning, but
good-night would be more agreeable to me from your lips.

_Mar._ From what I see, I should rather wish you a pleasant journey.

_Gas._ Oh, my precious jewel, such a melancholy departure must be
followed by a most doleful journey!

_Mar._ Then you are sorry to go?

_Gas._ How can you doubt it? After having enjoyed your delightful
society for six months, can I leave you without the deepest sorrow?

_Mar._ And who forces you to do what is so disagreeable?

_Gas._ Do you not know? My master.

_Mar._ Masters are not wanting at the Hague, and you can easily find one
who will give you better wages than a poor French officer, a prisoner of
war, and a man in every way roughly used by fortune.

_Gas._ Pardon me, such language does not become so good a girl as you
are. I have for many years had the honour of serving my excellent
master; his father, I may say, recommended me to him; I have attended
him in the war, and have not shunned danger to show my fidelity. He is
poor, but never man had a better heart. Were he promoted, I am sure I
should share his good fortune. Would you desire me to abandon him, and
let him return to France without me?

_Mar._ You speak like the worthy fellow you are; but I cannot conceal my
affection for you.

_Gas._ Dear Marianna, I am as much distressed as you are, but I hope to
see you again, and then to be able to say, Here I am, I can support you,
and, if you wish it, I am yours.

_Mar._ Heaven grant it! But why is the Lieutenant in such haste to
depart? My master is fond of his company, and I think the daughter not
less so than the fathe