Passages from this character's speech that contain the most distinguishing words for Cluster 12 (signor, sal, zelmane, handkerchief, absolon, dissemble…). Matches are highlighted.
without thee, in my heart Reign Empress, and be stiled thy Iulio's Sovereign. My only, precious deer: A chance, a chance, it'll off; Suddenly off, forbear, this handkerchief But makes it worse. Spare us a little Gentlemen: speak freely. What were't thou saying dearest? What's this riddle? Thou hast thy self replied to thine own question,
Full speech
What, Our Ladies cast familiar. Th'art a matchless pleasure: No life is sweet without thee, in my heart Reign Empress, and be stiled thy Iulio's Sovereign. My only, precious deer: A chance, a chance, it'll off; Suddenly off, forbear, this handkerchief But makes it worse. Spare us a little Gentlemen: speak freely. What were't thou saying dearest? What's this riddle? Thou hast thy self replied to thine own question, In being married to me, a sure argument Of more then protestation. My Flaviam I understand not what thou wouldst Your bounty and your love, my Lord, must justly Engage a thankfulness. Who they, they know not A Topaze from and Opal. He at last has Bestowed himself upon a glorious service. Storm not at what is passed. Dearest, Thou art my health, my blessing—turn the banque rout out of my doors—sirrah, I'll have thee whipped. If thou comest here again. How i'st my best of joys? A petition, Belike for some new charity. Thy will shall stand a law, my Flaviam, It's more, it's heavenly. I Like your undertakings. Say the man be peevish, Must I petition him? Write to him, and invite him hither, Or go to him thy self. Come, no more sadness, I'll do what thou canst wish. Be thankful (fellow) to a noble Mistress; Two hundred ducats are no trifling sum, Nor common alms. Romanello, And unkind Brother.
Plot summary
Plot — The Fancies Chaste and Noble
Before the start of the action, Lord Julio was advised by his physicians that his malady could be cured b narriage to a particular woman, Flavia. He duly arranged to purchase her from her husband, Fabricio, who procured a divorce by pretending a pre-contract. Flavia's brother Romanello is outraged and refuses to see her. Flavia herself feels ashamed of the arrangement and, at her request, Julio pensions off Fabricio and sends him into exile; he goes to Bologna and becomes a Capuchin monk. The gallants Camillo and Vespucci pursue Flavia, hoping that her track record indicates a propensity to adultery, but later see the error of their ways. Troilo Savelli procures a place at court for his friend Livio; but the price is that he must bring his sister Castamela to join the Bower of Fancies, a group of chaste young women visited by the Marquess Octavio for recreational purposes, and debarred most other company. Livio complies, breaking off Castamela's liaison with Romanello. The situation is not what it may seem, however: Octavio is impotent. Romanello comes to court disguised as a mountebank and manages to see the Fancies. Left alone with Castamela while the Fancies have a singing lesson, Octavio asks for her love, but she refuses, and later vents her annoyance on her brother for bringing her to court. Livio decides after all to give his blessing to her marriage to Romanello. Octavio is annoyed that scandalous rumours are in circulation concerning his relationship with the Fancies. He invites the principal characters to supper and the truth emerges: the Fancies are his nieces, and he was charged by their dead mother to supervise their education. Now that this is complete, he allows the courtiers to woo them. Romanello renounces his claim on Castamela, and she accepts Troilo's offer of marriage. In the sub-plot, Secco the young barber, whom Octavio has married to the Fancies' ancient guardian Morosa, is persuaded by the eunuch Spadone that he has been cuckolded by Octavio's page Nitido. Troilo saves the boy from a thrashing, and Secco takes his revenge by trapping Spadone in his barber's chair. Spadone confesses that he is only pretending to be a eunuch, and that he is the one who cuckolded Secco.