_St. Nicholas._

They are caught, your ladyship: they are caught, Driving away together: and Frederick Was making love to Laura in the coach.

R. Now now! how’s this? Frederick so soon returned; And taken by the honeysucker!

N. Sir, Your honeysucking Frederick would have robbed My sweetest flower: but like a skimming swallow That takes a fly in his beak, I snapped him up At the park gate.

R. He’ll prove a bitter morsel, I fear, St. Nicholas.

N. My lady, speak. What shall be done to them that have infringed The laws of the court? Whatever punishment, I pray it fall on Frederick with more weight Than on my Laura. I would not have such rigour As might defer our marriage.

(Gregory goes to Laura. Ricardo to Frederick.)

D. I shall award my judgment on you two, Who have mocked not my rules only, but the common Conventions of society, and preferring The unwritten statutes of the court of Milan Have joined to act a lie, and me, your friend, Deceived and wronged, whom ye had done well to trust. One only honourable course is left— My judgment on you is that you be married As soon as may be. Therefore, Frederick, I beg that you will draw the contract up Between yourself and Laura with all speed. And that my sister shall not lack a portion, I will endow her with as goodly a sum As what St. Nicholas promised. Now this time Let there be no mistake.

N. What’s this, Sir Gregory? Cannot you hear?