m coming; and, as ill luck will have it, just by that
quarter where our ladder is placed.

_Cam._ Let us hide in the dark walk till they are past.

_Aur._ But then Benito will be caught, and, being known to be my man,
will betray us.

_Ben._ I hear some in the garden: Sure they are the ladies, that are
taken with my melody. To it again, Benito; this time I will absolutely
enchant them. [_Fums again._

_Aur_: He is at it again. Why, Benito, are you mad?

_Ben._ Ah, madam! are you there? This is such a favour to your poor
unworthy servant. [_Sings._

_But still between kissing Amyntas did say,
Fair Phillis, look up, and you'll turn night to day._

_Aur._ Come away, you insufferable rascal; the house is up, and will
be upon us immediately.

_Ben._ O gemini, is it you, sir?

_Within._ This way; follow, follow.

_Aur._ Leave your scraping and croaking, and step with us into this
arbour.

_Ben._ Scraping and croaking! 'Sfoot, sir, either grant I sing and
play to a miracle, or I'll justify my music, though I am caught, and
hanged for it.

_Enter_ MARIO, _and Servants._

_Mar._ Where is this serenading rascal? If I find him, I'll make him
an example to all midnight caterwaulers, of which this fidler is the
loudest.

_Ben._ O that I durst but play my tune out, to convince him! Soul of
harmony! Is this lewd? [_Plays and sings softly._

_Cam._ Peace, dear Benito: We must flatter him.

_Ben._ [_singing softly._] _Mettez le tete:_ The notes which follow
are so sweet, sir, I must sing them, though it be my ruin--_Parler
d'amour._ [LAURA _and_ VIOLETTA _in the Balcony._

_Lau._ Yes, we are safe, sister; but they are yet in danger.

_Vio._ They are just upon them.

_Lau._ We must do something: Help, help! thieves, thieves! we shall be
murdered.

_Mar._ Where? Where are they?

_Lau._ Here, sir, at our chamber-door, and we are run into the balcony
for shelter: Dear uncle, come and help us.

_Mar._ Back again quickly: I durst have sworn they had been in the
garden. 'Tis an _ignis fatuus_, I think, that leads us from one place
to another. [_Exit_ MARIO, _and Servants._

_Vio._ They are gone. My dear Camillo, make haste, and preserve
yourself.

_Cam._ May our next meeting prove more propitious!

_Aur._ [_To_ BENTIO.] Come, sirrah, I shall make you si