FLORINDO: I think she’d enjoy that. You are very amorous towards this Pasquale.

TRUFFALDINO: I love him.

BEATRICE: Well?

TRUFFALDINO: [to FLORINDO] Excuse me. I’ll be back in a moment. [To BEATRICE] Did you know he had a servant called Pasquale who is the biggest simpleton in the world? It was him who mixed up your stuff. And because the poor guy was scared that he would get fired, I made up the story about the book and the drowned master. And I just told Signor Florindo that I was to blame for everything.

FLORINDO: This is going on too long. [To TRUFFALDINO] Basta. [Enough.] [To BEATRICE] Signora Beatrice, our servants didn’t do this with malice, and since things have worked out for us, we can forgive them.

BEATRICE: So no beating?

FLORINDO: Maybe later.

BEATRICE: Fine. Now, I need to go to Signora Pantalona’s. [To FLORINDO] Would you join me there?

FLORINDO: Of course, my love.

TRUFFALDINO: [to BEATRICE] Excuse us a moment.

BEATRICE: What now!

TRUFFALDINO: [to FLORINDO] Signor, I’d like to ask you a favour.

FLORINDO: What do you want?

TRUFFALDINO: I too, poor man that I am, am in love.

FLORINDO: Are you in love?

TRUFFALDINO: Signor, sì. And my girlfriend is the mistress of Signora Pantalona. And I’d like you—

FLORINDO: What have I got to do with it?

TRUFFALDINO: Well, seeing as I’m your servant, maybe you can put a good word in for me to Signora Pantalona?

FLORINDO: Well, first we need to see if the girl wants you?

TRUFFALDINO: Oh, she definitely wants me.

FLORINDO: Fine. I just need to wash my hair first.

FLORINDO exits.

BEATRICE: Truffaldino, let’s go!

TRUFFALDINO: [to BEATRICE] Do you mind if I stay and serve this signor, seeing as Pasquale isn’t here?

BEATRICE: Yes, good idea, and you will show him the way to Signora Pantalona’s.

BEATRICE exits.

TRUFFALDINO exits.

SCENE NINE

A room in Pantalona’s house.

SILVIO, DOTTORE and PANTALONA are trying to make amends with CLARICE. SMERALDINA watches.

PANTALONA: Come now, Clarice. Signor Silvio is sorry and begs for your forgiveness. He did it for love. I have forgiven him and so should you.

SILVIO: My pain was just as deep as yours, Signora Clarice. And furthermore, henceforth, I really love you. The fear of losing you drove me to blind fury. The heavens want us to be happy. Don’t let your anger and desire for revenge ruin us forever.

DOTTORE: My dear daughter-in-law, sympathise with him. He was on the verge of madness.

CLARICE is encouraged by SMERALDINA to stay silent.

SILVIO: Cara [Dear] Clarice, is it possible that your lips utter no words? I know I deserve your reproaches, but for pity sake, punish me with your words, not with your silence. Here I am, at your feet. Have mercy on me.

CLARICE continues to ignore him.

If I were to believe that you would want my blood to seek revenge for my cruelty, I will show you now with pleasure. But instead of the blood from my veins, which would really hurt, take that which pours from my eyes.