_FLAVIO, ORAZIO, HARLEQUIN, and then the CAPTAIN_
Flavio begs Orazio to put aside all rancour and out of
friendship for him to make his peace with the Captain, who is
much more friendly disposed than he supposes. Orazio consents.
The Captain arrives. At sight of him Harlequin runs away,
enters the house and from the window desires to be reassured
that his enemy’s choler has abated. Flavio presently reassures
him and then, having restored peace between Orazio and the
Captain, they all depart rejoicing in this sound friendship.
_PANTALOON, PEDROLINO, then ISABELLA and FLAMINIA_
Pantaloon, who has witnessed the departure of the young people,
thinks that the moment may be favourable to speak to Isabella.
He coughs, scratches the door, and performs other antics to
draw attention to his presence. Isabella shows herself at her
window and out of coquetry announces that she is going for
a walk. At the same time she signs to Flaminia, who is at
the window of her house opposite, to join her in the street.
Isabella and Flaminia enter the stage and allow Pantaloon
and his servant to chat with them. Isabella, pretending to
find his eloquence irresistible, confesses herself in love
with Pantaloon, and Flaminia does the like by Pedrolino. But
Isabella requires a proof of affection, and begs Pantaloon to
come and serenade her that same evening. Pantaloon promises
three serenades, whereafter each lady re-enters her own house,
and Pantaloon, with Pedrolino, both intoxicated with joy, leap
and dance like a pair of fools. This brings out Franceschina
and Burattino, who deride their singular capers. Pantaloon goes
off.
_BURATTINO, FRANCESCHINA, PEDROLINO_
Burattino and his wife continue to jest with Pedrolino. The
latter ends by being angry and threatens vengeance. As the
innkeeper’s laughter is only increased by this, Pedrolino
threatens to make him a _cornuto_. Burattino laughs at the
threat, but Franceschina fetches a broom and falls upon
Pedrolino, who runs away. Thereafter the couple re-enter,
rejoicing in his discomfiture.
_FLAVIO and ISABELLA_
Flavio enters, complaining of his uncertainty on the score
of whether Flaminia loves him or not, and seeking a pretext
for addressing her again. The letter which he has written and
which is in her hands is a means. Isabella, from her window,
has heard the entire monologue, and, to amuse herself, asks
him if he has met Orazio and the Captain, who are seeking him
to invite him to their nuptials, as Orazio is going to marry
Flaminia and the Captain is going to marry herself. This said,
she withdraws, laughing in her sleeve. Flavio is overcome
by this unexpected news. Burattino, seeing him preoccupied,
accosts him and asks him if, by chance, he knows of any means
for the getting of male children. Flavio turns and, without
uttering a word, goes off. Burattino, distressed at not having
received an answer, re-enters his inn.
_PANTALOON, PEDROLINO, three musicians, ISABELLA and FLAMINIA_
Pantaloon and Pedrolino station their musicians under the
windows of Isabella and Flaminia, commanding them to play and
dance. The ladies show themselves and graciously thank the
performers of the serenades for their attention. Pedrolino
and Pantaloon withdraw joyously with the instrumentalists.
Isabella, remaining at her window after their departure, begs
Flaminia, who is also at her window, to honour by her presence
the marriage which she is about to contract with Flavio,
who has long been her lover. The affair, she says, has been
arranged and concluded by her brother the Captain. Flaminia,
wounded to the heart, declines the invitation and withdraws
in tears. Isabella, after this fresh trick, and after having
wounded the hearts of Flavio and Flaminia, but knowing full
well how to heal them, withdraws well pleased.
_PANTALOON, PEDROLINO, BURATTINO_
Pantaloon shows Pedrolino a pair of new shoes which he has
bought for twelve _baiocchi_ (sixpence). Pedrolino, after
having examined them, declares them to be old shoes, and
that it is shameful for a man like Pantaloon to buy such
things. Burattino, who is on his way to consult a doctor,
asks Pantaloon if he will sell him the shoes for the twelve
_baiocchi_ he has paid for them. Pantaloon is quite willing.
“But on one condition,” says Burattino, “that is that each of
you shall stake a halfpenny with me, and that the first to
repent shall lose his halfpenny.” This is agreed. Burattino
takes a knife and begins to cut through the sole of one shoe,
saying, “He who retracts will lose his halfpenny.” Having cut
up one shoe, he takes the other one and begins to perform
upon it the same operation. Thereupon he asks them, “Which
of you two retracts?” and as each replies that he will not
retract, Burattino says, “If neither of you retracts then I
will retract.” Whereupon, throwing down the two shoes, he
continues on his way. Pantaloon and Pedrolino look at each
other and perceive that Burattino has fooled them. They go off
indignantly, and this ends the second Act.