PANTALONA: I don’t give a flying fig. Go jump. The house of Rasponi is worth one hundred houses of Lombardi. Rasponi is an only son and rich, just how I like them.

SILVIO comes out from hiding and berates PANTALONA whilst waving his sword.

SILVIO: Let him keep his temper, I can’t!

SILVIO charges.

DOTTORE holds him back.

PANTALONA: In my house you threaten me like this!

SILVIO: So come out of your house!

PANTALONA: I am shocked!

SILVIO: You are shocking!

PANTALONA: A women of my standing is to be respected!

SILVIO: You are a vile low-life plebeian!

PANTALONA: And you are a coward and a spoilt twit!

SILVIO: I swear to heaven, I don’t know what’s holding me back.

DOTTORE: It is me, I am holding you back.

SILVIO: Oh, yeah.

SILVIO pushes DOTTORE away and charges.

PANTALONA: Aiuto! [Help!]

BEATRICE enters.

BEATRICE: I am here to defend you.

SILVIO: Just the man I want to fight. En guard!

BEATRICE: Bring it.

PANTALONA: Aiuto! [Help!]

PANTALONA exits.

DOTTORE: Aiuto! [Help!]

DOTTORE exits.

BEATRICE and SILVIO fight.

BEATRICE wins. She points the sword at SILVIO’s chest.

CLARICE enters.

CLARICE: Stop!

BEATRICE: Bella Clarice [Beautiful Clarice], at your request I will spare Silvio’s life, and in turn, remember your promise to me.

BEATRICE exits.

SCENE TWO

CLARICE: Dear Silvio, you are safe, my love.

SILVIO: Dear Silvio? Dear lover disdained, fiancé betrayed. Deceitful, treacherous.

CLARICE: Silvio, I don’t deserve your reproaches. I love you. I adore you. I am faithful.

SILVIO: Faithful? Do you call it faithful to promise your hand to another lover? Liar!

CLARICE: But I didn’t. I would die before I abandon you.

SILVIO: Then what is this vow you made to him?

CLARICE: The vow does not oblige me to marry him.

SILVIO: So what have you promised?

CLARICE: Dear Silvio, please understand I cannot tell you.

SILVIO: Dear Silvio. Why?

CLARICE: Because I swore to keep silent.

SILVIO: And that’s a sign of your infidelity.

CLARICE: No, I am innocent.

SILVIO: The innocent don’t keep dark secrets.

CLARICE: Yet I will be guilty if I speak.

SILVIO: And you say you don’t love him. I don’t believe you. You savage, deceitful liar.

CLARICE: If I didn’t love you I wouldn’t have defended your life.

SILVIO: And I would hate my life if I were to be grateful to you for saving it.

CLARICE: I love you with all my heart.

SILVIO: I abhor you with all my soul.

CLARICE: I will die if you don’t placate.

SILVIO: I would rather see you bleed than see you disloyal.

CLARICE takes up the sword.

Yes, that sword will vindicate the wrongs done to me.

CLARICE: So savage with your Clarice?

SILVIO: You have taught me that cruelty.

CLARICE: Then I will please you.

She points the sword to her chest.

Yes, the pain will kill me, I will die and you will be happy. But one day you will discover my innocence, and then it will be too late. You will shed tears for my misfortune and your barbarous cruelty.