LUIGI ascends to the balcony of the monastery.

RECITATIVE.

LUIGI.	The Duke and Duchess hither wend their ways, Let us receive them with a song of praise.
ARROSTINO.	With glad acclaim we'll make the welkin ring, The only question is: What shall we sing?

CHORUS.   We know no song That fits a throng     Of friars smug and greasy:   Our worldly lays Of bygone days     Are much too free and easy;   Though suited to A bandit crew,     They're not at all monastic,   And can't be sung By sober tongue     Of mild ecclesiastic. ARROSTINO.   Stout hearted be!     So many here We need not fear       The ordeal before us     No single word Is ever heard       When singers sing in chorus.   So sing with me:

CHORUS.
	La, la, la, la, la, etc.

Enter ALFREDO, dressed magnificently as the Duke, supporting MINESTRA, who is apparently insensible.

ALFREDO.
	The welcome you so feelingly express In words well chosen, touch us, I confess; And my reply conveys, as you may guess Inadequately my indebtedness.
		La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la! la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la,
(As if searching for the word)
		la, la, la, la,

1ST MONK.	La.
ALFREDO. (spoken)		Thank you.
	La la la la!

The Monks are much impressed with ALFREDO's reply and express in gestures their satisfaction with the sentiments he has expressed.

CHORUS.
	La, la, la, la, la, etc.

Exeunt all the Monks except ARROSTINO, GIORGIO, and LUIGI.