88 
MORTADELLO 
 
ALESSANDRO.  I sometimes think we are dead, not knowing 
it at all ; 
This solid earth we tread hell’s hated littoral ! 
Damned beyond hope long since ! 
MORTADELLO. 
 
And how does love support your 
Fine theory ? 
ALESSANDRO.  Why, prince, the girls inflict the torture. 
MORTADELLO.  Prince !  Then your jest is sharp.  You make 
me out the devil ! 
ALESSANDRO.  No !  Orpheus with his harp to lure us to the 
level ! 
 
Enter LUCREZIA and MONICA. 
 
MORTADELLO.  Thus far I am with you, the summer rivals 
Hades. 
ALESSANDRO.  The Church is wiser, too, to leave alone the 
ladies. 
LUCREZIA.  What, will you hear it said, the husband of a 
moon ? 
MORTADELLO.  But he has lost his head already. 
ALESSANDRO. 
 
Late in June 
It went to seek my heart that I had lost in May. 
LUCREZIA.  I wish I had the art to find them both to-day. 
ALESSANDRO.  What would you do with them ? 
LUCREZIA. 
 
Why, throw them to the fish. 
MONICA,  And I’ve got a stratagem to win the wench her wish. 
ALESSANDRO.  You jest ? 
MONICA. 
Not I ! 
MORTADELLO. 
 
Indeed, the Princess never smiles. 
MONICA.  You wrong yourself.  I need the City of the Isles.