Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

DIEGO

in The Maid's Revenge — Shirley, James

Metadata

PlayThe Maid's Revenge
AuthorShirley, James
Year (catalogued)1639
First performance1626
Decade1630s
GenreTragedy
Play typeAdult Professional
CompanyQueen Henrietta Maria's Men
TheaterPhoenix/Cockpit;Indoor Professional
Speech prefix(es)Die. | 〈◊〉 [Diego]
Words1028
Characters5210
Typicality0.51 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA12145
BritDrama no.2173
ClusterCluster 13 — Attendant courtiers & citizens

Important excerpts

No keyword-matching excerpt could be extracted (the cluster label doesn't share vocabulary with this character's speech).

Full speech

I am sent in quest of Antonio. I have herd it a little virtue in some Spanniels to Quest now and then Lady. My Mr. cannot beat me from him Madam, I am one of The oldest appurtenances belonging to him, and yet I Have little moss in my chin. No more wit then will keep my head warm, I beseech you amiable Virgin help my Master Antonio to some intelli gence that a servant of his waits to speak with him from his sister Madonna Castabella. Do you wait on this Lady? We are both of a tribe then, though we ̄ e differ in our sex, I beseech you tax me not of immodesty, or want of breeding, that I did not salute you upon the first view of your person, this kiss be as good as press-money to bind me to your service. Your virginity a good word to save and oath, for all she made me a curs e, it was not good manners to leave me so soon 'yare very welcome by my virginity; was she afraid of breaking, it may be she is cracked already, but here she is again. No beggar sweet, would you have it at length, then My name is Signior Baltazaro Clear Mautado, But for brevities sake they call me Diego. Bazelez manes Signiora, and what my tongue is not able to express, my head shall; it seems you have lived long a Virgin. By Lady a tried Virgin, you have given the world A large testimony of your virginity. Sir, my Lady remembers her love, these letters in form you the state of all things. Sir. With as much tenacity as a servant. Not guilty my Lord. My Lord I have a suit to you before I go. That while other Gentlemen are happy to divide their affections among the Ladies, I may have your honours leave to bear some goodwill to this Virgin: Cupid hath thrown a dart at me, Like a blind buzzard as he was, and theres no recovery without a cooler; if I be sent into these parts, I desire humbly I may be old to rub acquaintance with Mistress Ansilva. Madam, I hope y u will not be and enemy to a poor Fly that is taken in the fl me of the blind God. I honour the Antiqu tie of her maidenhead, thou Mistress of my heart. I have many deer friends too, my Taylor is one To whom I am indebted Yes sir, I saw, herd, and wondered. If the plot please you sir, let me alone to play my partly I warrant you. He commanded me, remember his service to you, I have obtained his leave for a small absence to perfect a suit I lately commenced in this Court. This is my Lady Berinthia, prithee let me show Some manners, Madam my Master Antonio speaks his Service to you in this paper: alas Madam, I was but Half at home, and I am returned to see if I can recover The tother piece of my self, so, was it not a reasonable Compliment. So, we are alone, sweet Mistress Ansilva, J am bold To renew my suit, which least it should either Fallen or depend too long having passed my declaration, I shall desire to come to a judgement. My cause craves noching but justice, That is, that you would be mine; and now since You self is judge also, I beseech you be not partial In your own cause, but give seatence for the plaintiff, and I will discharge the fees of the Court on this fashion. What care I for my Lady Berinthia, and she thinks Much, would she had one to stop her mouth. Would locked up. My journey were to no purp see else Madam I appre hend her isle wait and opport nity, alas poor I ady, is my sweet heart become a j ylor, there's hope of and office with out money. 'Tis I Diego, I am Diego. Ya e undone, undone lost, undone for ever; it is time now to be serious. Where my Master Antonio's Letter. Alas you have undone your self, and your sister, my Lady Catalina hath found it, and is mad with rage, and envy against you; I overtheard your destruction, she hath showed it to Done Valasce, and hath plotted that he shall steal you a way this night, the doors shall be lest open the hour after twelve. Do not cast away your self, by incredulity, upon my life your fate is cast, nay more, worse then that. You must be poisoned too, o she's a cunning devil, and she will carry it so, that Valasco shall be suspected for your deat , what will you do? Madam remember with what noble love my Master Antonio does honour you, and now both save your self, and make him happy, how. Fear not, I will engage my life for your safety, Seem not to have knowledge or suspicion, be careful What you receive, least you be poisoned, leave the Rest to me, I have a crotchet in my pate S all spoil Their music, and prevent all danger I warrant you, By any means be smooth, and pleasant, the devils A knave, your sisters a Traitor, my Master is your noble Friend, I am your honest servant, and Valasco shall Shake his ears Like and annimall. Then cut of my ears, slit my nose, and make a devil of me, shall I about it say, 'tis done. Spur cut and away then. Doubt not, yonder's her chamber, the light speaks it; softly. Who are you? Sir your noble friend done Sebastionc is at the castle gate That was his Father. Go thy ways, and the devil wants a brerder thou Art for him, one spirit and her self are able to furnish Hell and it were unprovided; but I am glad I herd all I shall love hangings the better while I live: I pereeive some good may be done behind em But isle acquaint my Lady Berinthia, Heres her chamber I observed: Madam, Madam Berinthia,

Plot summary

Plot — The Maid's Revenge
PLOT Sebastiano hopes that his friend Antonio will marry one of his sisters, and introduces him to the family, even though the girls both have suitors already. Antonio falls for Berinthia, but her father, Vilarezo, will not allow her to marry until the elder daughter, Catalina, is wed. Catalina herself becomes enamoured of Antonio, which makes her jealous of her sister and annoys her suitor, Montenegro. After Antonio is called away, Catalina plots to frustrate his wooing: she persuades Valasco, Berinthia’s other suitor, to damn her reputation by claiming that Berinthia has promised to marry him; Vilarezo responds by ordering Berinthia’s confinement in Catalina’s custody. Antonio writes to Berinthia, but the letter falls into Catalina’s hands. Catalina proposes that Valasco should force the issue by kidnapping Berinthia; but her real plan is for him to take the blame for Berinthia’s death by poison. Antonio’s servant overhears the plot and warns his master. Antonio comes to rescue Berinthia, and is admitted by Catalina’s chambermaid, who takes him for Valasco; together they escape to Antonio’s castle. Upon realizing that Antonio is his daughter’s abductor, Vilarezo sends Sebastiano to take reprisals. Though told the truth and treated honourably, he feels obliged to fight a duel with Antonio, and wins: Antonio is killed and Berinthia brought home. Antonio’s sister Castabella, who has fallen in love with Sebastiano despite her brother’s death, follows him disguised as a page. Montenegro asks Catalina’s chambermaid to give her a love philtre, but Berinthia overhears the conversation and substitutes a poison; Catalina dies in agony. To avenge Antonio, Berinthia stabs Sebastiano in his sleep, then kills herself. Castabella enters a religious house.