Passages from this character's speech that contain the most distinguishing words for Cluster 20 (ithimore, nat, invisible, notary, glycerie, humfrey…). Matches are highlighted.
And with and even scruple, for to me The act's as easy as relation. Here are some drugs, but of these some, not one But can command a life where ere it is, And ruinate the strongest workmanship That Heaven ere bragged to have composed of Earth. Powders of speedy Fate, but above all The instruments, which make me near to death
Full speech
It lies then: If that my colour show me disobedient To my good Lord, be I for ever pale: But when shall Galeazzoes wished-for death Show we dare somewhat? 'Tis done my Lord, and now my Lord, it's told (That Galeazzo is no more a man) And with and even scruple, for to me The act's as easy as relation. Here are some drugs, but of these some, not one But can command a life where ere it is, And ruinate the strongest workmanship That Heaven ere bragged to have composed of Earth. Powders of speedy Fate, but above all The instruments, which make me near to death Of such endeared familiarity, This glass has nimblest operation: Whose liquour cast upon the face of man Straight du ls him to and everlasting sleep. And I am for you, Sforza, Not poisoned yet, unless 'twere by thy tear . The other liquour had and Antid e. Happy suspect! had I been credulous And thought his love as free as it would seem I had not been, distrust has ransomed me. But Malatesta is intr pp'd, I know Sforza for nothing did not ask the skill My equal villain p shes, and I Thus being accessary to his death May sin to Innocence, by posting off The Princes fate to him: while a disguise Shall keep alive the fame that I am dead. And thus half truth shall come to light, and I, Be wisely cleared by double villainy. Are those the Instruments? well my black friends, I eased you of a labour: all succeeds According to the flattery of my wish, And my suspicion turns to prophecy. But my so bloody, and so wary Sforza, Your Agent's dead, but not your crime: it'll out, And by this carcase: I will fly to France, Divulge loud papers,—they are writ already,— And here they are, these I will swear were found In the dead pois'ners pockets: by this means Sforza is proclaimed a murderer, I'm freed, And make it be his gilded, which was my deed. First know I am Vitellio. Yes such and one Shall make you love a poison: read, and wonder. I did peruse the spoils Of Malatesta is carcase, whom I found Most strangely guilty, and as strangely dead, Whose pockets furnished me with these instructions. My villainy: my credit is my crime: Had not I stole, you had not understood. On whom deer Lady? My quick dispatch shall make you gladly know I understand, what you desire, and hide. Sforza I live: d'yee stare? I live: these words Are not the found delusions of the Air, As you officiously would gull your self; But from a solid substance, had not we Enter Sans. with two Negroes. Been by your diligent spy too soon surprised, Before our projects full maturity, Thy death more fully should have proved my life. I Wonder Malatesta still survives: Sure Sforza has forgotten himself; my death Does but half clear him, and if th'other live, He cannot look for a full innocence. It is not mercy, certainly: o, no, Mercy with him is folly: but t'may be He fears that had he killed us both at once Rumor would be too busy, and all mouths Would cry, that Chance had too much project in't. This is the place of Destiny, it's here Sforza does actuate his bloody arts, Mistaking privacy for innocence, And thinks he's good, because he is not seen Here must I wait for a discovery. 'Twas a doubtful chance Within this hour who first should own those words. But, Tyrant, weary thy invention To find variety of punishment, Yet all that thou canst do, exceeds not this, A pin could do as much: weak, silly Sforza, All thou canst do to me exceeds not that Which I did on the person of thy Prince: Disease would prove a better murderer. This is the place, and this the time: good heaven! What and odd place, and what and uncouth time? Had I been hired to murder Sforza here, Hell could not prompt more fit occasion. I Like nor it, nor him: but here he comes. MAdame I have some news of that import, That (if you please to command privacy) Will both desire, and fright your patience.
Plot summary
Plot — Lodovic Sforza, Duke of Milan
Sforza is ambitious to rule Milan even though primogeniture has passed him by, leaving him as merely the Protector to his nephew, the Duke Galeazzo. He invites the King of France, who covets the throne of Naples, to invade Italy to press his claim by force, relying on French support for his own usurpation of Milan. He then poisons Galeazzo, and attempts to dispose of the two poisoners; but one of them, Vitellio, survives and plans revenge using forged documents which implicate Sforza in the crime. After the coronation, rumours of foul play begin to circulate. Vittellio is caught lurking around Sforza’s bedchamber, intending to murder him, so Sforza has him strangled. Caiazzo plans to murder Isabella, Galeazzo’s widow, as she visits his tomb, but realizes that he could do better for himself by marrying her. She refuses him, but he promises her revenge on Sforza as a mark of his good faith, When she remains resolute, he threatens to ===== PAGE 305 ===== 1628 rape her, but is prevented by Sforza’s arrival. He claims she tried to persuade him to assassinate Sforza, but the Duke takes no reprisals. Sforza is visited by Galeazzo’s ghost, who foretells that he will fall from power and die in prison, Meanwhile, the French take Naples with ease, frustrating Sforza’s exit strategy: he was expecting them to be tied down in a long war, giving him time to co-ordinate Italian forces to expel them. The French King is taken ill at a tennis match and dies. The deposed Neapolitan ruler retakes his throne, so the French invade Italy again. When they reach Milan, Caiazzo defects with his soldiers, the senators surrender the city, and Isabella hands herself over, only to have her baby son taken from her and sent to be brought up in France. Sforza strengthens his army with Swiss mercenaries, but their captain is persuaded to transfer allegiance to the French; he offers to help Sforza escape disguised as a common soldier, but they are betrayed. The French conquer Milan, and, as the ghost foretold, Sforza spends the rest of his life in captivity.