beginning of the
scuffle; but I'll examine the ladies.

_Vio._ Now we are lost. [_Duke coming near_ LAURA, _takes notice
of her habit._

_Duke._ [_Aside._] 'Tis the same, 'tis the same; I know Lucretia by
her habit: I'm sure I am not mistaken.--Now, sir, you may cease your
examination, I know the ladies.

_Aur._ [_To_ CAM.] How the devil does he know them?

_Cam._ 'Tis alike to us; they are lost both ways.

_Duke._ [_Taking_ LAURA _aside._] Madam, you may confess yourself to
me. Whatever your design was in leaving the nunnery, your reputation
shall be safe. I'll not discover you, provided you grant me the
happiness I last requested.

_Lau._ I know not, sir, how you could possibly come to know me, or of
my design in quitting the nunnery; but this I know, that my sister and
myself are both unfortunate, except your highness be pleased to
protect us from our uncle; at least, not to discover us.

_Duke._ His holiness, your uncle, shall never be acquainted with your
flight, on condition you will wholly renounce my son, and give
yourself to me.

_Lau._ Alas, sir, for whom do you mistake me?

_Duke._ I mistake you not, madam: I know you for Lucretia. You forget
that your disguise betrays you.

_Lau._ Then, sir, I perceive I must disabuse you: If you please to
withdraw a little, that I may not be seen by others, I will pull off
my mask, and discover to you, that Lucretia and I have no resemblance,
but only in our misfortunes.

_Duke._ 'Tis in vain, madam, this dissembling: I protest, if you pull
off your mask, I will hide my face, and not look upon you, to convince
you that I know you.

_Enter_ BENITO.

_Ben._ So, now the fray is over, a man may appear again with
safety.--Oh, the rogues are caught, I see, and the damsels delivered.
This was the effect of my valour at the second hand.

_Aur._ Look, look, Camillo! it was my perpetual fool that caused all
this; and now he stands yonder, laughing at his mischief, as the devil
is pictured, grinning behind the witch upon the gallows.

_Ben._ [_To_ MARIO.] I see, sir, you have got your women, and I am
glad on't: I took them just flying from the nunnery.

_Duke._ [_To_ LAU.] You see that fellow knows you too.

_Mar._ Were these women flying from a nunnery?

_Ben._ These women? heyday! then, it seems, you do not know they are
your nieces.

_Duke._ His nieces, say you? Take heed, fellow, you shall he punished
severely, if yo