1,1
what does it contain? There must be something else in it besides
rose leaves.
Capponi
What else should it contain?
Claudia
Is there not something in it which is often placed in love phil-
tres.. I have good reason to assume that
Cappon
What are you thinking about. My name is Capponi, of good standing
Capponi! I don't deal in all sorts of quaer mixtures like other
people, like Basini, for instance.
Caterina
What does Basini do?
Capponi
God forbid,that I should talk about it.I could send him to the
gallows and the women who buy of him also,
Caterina
What are you saying,
To Claudia)
Why only yesterday I saw your sister go into his shop.
Capponi
He can easily say it is an accident, that he is seen at night
in the laghborhood of the grave aard; also that it is an accident
that in the middle of the night he digs near the wall with
his nails. Well I won’t say any more.What Basini can do others
can do.But we have to be careful about our customers.
Young women go to buy of him who have great need to excite
their lovers. On the other hand the most beautiful women of
Bologna come to yours truly,who only need to while to have
men at their feet.
(Basini enters slowly down the street from up stage.)
He’s a tall,haggard,old man,who treats the others with
consideration.
Basini
Good evening!
Capponi
There he is.
Makes a sign to them.)
I was just speaking to these ladies of your wonderful wares, my
dear Basini.