Sal. This is a high and unexpected honour,
What has procured it for me?
Cal. Eagerness
To visit him who for two months has been
Our city's greatest ornament, has brought Me hither; and I trust that Providence
Bernardo! are you here, my worthy friend?
Rav. As surgeon, I've the honour to attend
Our great friend here, who lately broke his arm
By a fall from horseback. (Addressing Salvator,) Now, sir, you must not
Remove the bandages too soon, nor task
Too much your scarcely renovated strength.
(Aside to Salvator,) Pray, if you love me, do not say a word
To this man here, touching our late discourse.—(Exit.)
Scene III.—Salvator. Calmari.
Cal. You are acquainted, then, with this Ravienna?
Salv. You heard him say he was my surgeon.
Cal. Oh!
Merely Your surgeon. Let me speak a word
To you in confidence: he is a fellow
Full of impertinence: he worms himself
Into folks' houses, and do what we will,
We cannot keep him out.
Salv. (cutting him short, and pointing to a seat.) Be seated, sir.
Now, pray, what special mission brings you here?
Is it to buy a picture you are come?
Cal. In part it is.
Sal. In part! part of a picture!
Is that what you would purchase?
Cal. Nay, good sir,
You're jocular. I would not purchase part;
But I would have a bright transcendent whole.
Sal. And so you shall—if you will pay the price.
Cal. I'll pay you handsomely, and you shall see
How falsely I'm abused by the report
Which calls me covetous. But something more
Than payment is concerned in this transaction.
Salvator, the proposal I would make
Is one of a peculiar kind; it is—
It is—you see——
Sal. Come to the point at once.
Cal. You know to-morrow is the day on which
The prizes given by our Academy
Of Painting are to be decided?
Sal. Yes—
I'm perfectly aware of that; the prize
For the best painting is five hundred crowns,
Two hundred for the second.
Cal. Quite correct.
Sal. I'm a competitor myself, and have
Sent in one picture; and I'm now engaged
In finishing a second. ·
Cal. (joyfully.) That will do?
'Tis that which bring me here.
Sal. To purchase?
Cal. Yes,
That very picture.
Sal. Which?
