Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

PISAURO

in The Opportunity — Shirley, James

Metadata

PlayThe Opportunity
AuthorShirley, James
Year (catalogued)1640
First performance1634
Decade1640s
GenreComedy
Play typeAdult Professional
CompanyQueen Henrietta Maria's Men
TheaterPhoenix/Cockpit;Indoor Professional
Speech prefix(es)Pis. | Pis: | Pi. | Pis
Words2307
Characters12096
Typicality0.32 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA12148
BritDrama no.2455
ClusterCluster 11 — Tosspots & tavern railers

Important excerpts

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

Full speech

Trouble me not to answer such dull questions, I see never a handsome girl yet, not a piece Of a bonaroba; and the Duchess hold But the complexion of those we would seen, I wonot be corrupted with the palace To be her bedfellow. To quit that fear le S leave the City instantly; The meal wonot digest women, I eat int. Not stave me from em? We are for the wars; This town will turn my blood, I wonot give A I lio for my courage I twelve hours, Unless they tie their women p. Do you know him? Is not the Gentleman o'th to sides on wits? What did he call you. You should have asked his name. Dee mean both on ? Iigges, shall I after him and knock Him over the pate. For looking on's So scurvily. But whither He meant himself or you I understand not. Good old man, He will rejoice to see him here no doubt on't. Take it upon you. Borgia I must remember you. A handsome gentlewoman, go. No more Jeers Go or be lame for ever. You will be tripping, Your own heals up. Let me alone To remember her, Cornelia for more Security, I'll put her in my table book. I would excuse Her modesty, but she may be converted In time; though sturdy Oak we know, and so forth Kneel down. Do not forget his name now. 'Tis the Duchess, Command Mercutio you wait upon her Presently at Court, and bring young Borgia Along we to expect her graces pleasure. Howes that? his fears? Take heed, be wise, I know not what to think on't Killed I think; you were best Be Aurelio again, and leave your sister But I'll fish out the circumstance, walk melancholy. Although your son has pleased To call me friend, I find he has reserved Something he wood not credit to my bosom; I have observed his trouble, but unwilling By moving questions to renew his sufferings: If my particular knowledge of his fate May be no prejudice, though it be without My verge to serve him, I can willingly Share in their grief that love him. You're not mad Signior Mercutio Expects your graces pleasure, with him his son Borgia What de'e mean Kneel to the Duchess and acknowledge. A pardon for your life. You'll spoil all, She's yet your sister, I do Like her too; Kneel for your pardon, and you may choose your gallows In time, wood I were hanged on no worse piece Of timber, how nimbly would I climb the Ladder, Would you no sense? humble your knees to thank Her highness and that gentleman. Shee'l reverse the pardon. I am converted now, And do believe there are some handsome women; Young Gentleman, not too much, too much at once, Remember you're her brother, he is taken. Now he's put toot, she is Ursinis mistress. As he is Borgia, he can have no Pretence to oppose him, if he discover And be Aurelio again, he destroys all Hope for himself, for I perceive he's taken with her, I know by the motion of his nose, which pants Like the Bellows of and Organ. How will he come off? Thats himself. So so, this was indifferently well carried, I was jealous Of a more lame come off. If the Duchess should be in love with him Here were a purchase, I do verily Believe here will be and end of all our wars, If he have but the grace to march upon This service and charge home: smiles, smiles upon him; Well Aurelio Andreozzi, 'tis very possible You may meet with your match if he mount her, I'll bring a Ladder to his sisters fort And then the town's our own, she calls him to her. She plases with him, good, better, I, is your spirit up my nimble Duchess? Would I had the conjuring of it down Ursini Looks Like a whelp had lost his tail already. I think the Dutćhesse loves thee, and make use on't, Loose no applications, that't her Secretary A degree to more inward indeerements, If she do love thee, and— She knows best What appetite she has, let me ̄ counsel thee, Be not modest, we are made. Thy father a Count, thou a Duke, Ursini A Coxcomb, I a fine gentleman, and one That would be glad of the worst of your New female acquaintances. B not you a Tyrant, I'll do penance In a white sheet with thy sister for't. Where's Pimponio. There is a certain movable ecclip'd a Port-mantue. Wherein there are some golden friends of ours. Let me see their complexions, where are they? look for the Signior your master a month hence? A Prince of Puppets, who Pimponio? Has he betrayed himself, nay then my duty If please your excellence. A Prince cannot be hid though under mountains, But my deer Prince, the bags must go with me While you keep state ith Inn. If I did think thou wouldst carry it handsomely Well, I'll excuse thee to thy master, here When thou hast domineerd away this bag Thou mayest hear more; keep thine own counsel, and Thy master shannot own thee, if thou hast Any fagary, drink, and indulge thy Genius; I'll see thee again before thy reign be out, No words but be a prince, and scorn to know us And so I take leave of your excellence. Save you Gentlemen, what de'e mean? Why stand ye bore? We shall all be Princes In time but Gentlemen lets be more familiar We think so well of things, does he preserve The Duchess smile, or does she use to make At some time of the Moon sport with her Subject's. What prithee? How! What prithee. How? I hope thou art not mad. Dost make a question Loose not the fortune that's presented in The Duchess love, thy stars ordained thee for her; I'll make a shift with Cornelia, look high And prosper, when th'art a Duke, I say no more He is a Prince before you I would made him sure, and swollen him into a pride, He shall not know you, but of that hereafter, Away and please the Duchess. I'll tell you, You're young and handsome. Withal this youth and hansomnesse you're a maid And live at Court too, this I hope's not ordinary. You're found too, or your phisnomy deceives me. I was About to say you're patient too, I see Something would make you angry, but return To your first temper, and I'll soon acquaint you With all my purpose Lady, to all these Commendations, which meet not in all women, You have birth and fortune, and the favour of The Duchess. No, no, you Are all the wonder Madam that with these Advantages a your side to draw up men's Affections, yet as you despair to have A Husband to the discredit of your sex, Who article at twelve to be dissemblers; You are in love. Nay, nay, you court a Gentleman with eyes That are not lawful. I can say more. No, no, you are mad, worse, I'll prove it, You dote upon your brother, come 'tis impious, Purge, purge betime, your blood is foul, Ime plain There's some ont in your face now that would blush I see through your hearts, a little more Had spoiled him quite, he had forgotten all laws Of nature and religion, and been found To both your shames; a brother, and a sister Tempt one another, good heaven where is conscience And modesty become? preserve your self You have yet a good name, keep it and drink Julips, You'll find the benefit in your veins. I know it better then your Doctor, Come Do not deny it, I make no proclamation; What i'st to me more then my Christian care You should not hurt your souls, he is my friend Betray him not, 'tis no good sisters partly I can assure you, if you be not dull Or blind with giddy passion, you may see Another star shoot influence on him; Be wise and envy not the Duchess favours, Your vessel may be rigged, and trimmed, and launched Into a calmer Sea, and return fraught With lawful prize hereafter, I would stirred her, But must not be too hasty. You are troubled at it, A sign of grace; how ere you think of me Now in the heat of counsel I'm your friend, You'll find it so, I kiss your hand, farewell. De'e hear? but two words more, if you do find As being acquainted best with your own body, No disposition to hold out longer, I have that will cure you, and I'll justify't Before the college—Take me, De'e mark, that does it, I kiss your hand, Again farewell, and have a conscience, I'll tell you more next time, this way may work. Is he so confident? Keep thy shape boy, we wonnot loose the sport, And happily I will acquaint these gentlemen. About it then, I'll have My partly i'th interlude, loose no time boy, Thou shalt be Prince of Pigmieland for this: The Duchess, I'll withdraw. De'e hear, what Prince de'e mean to call your self? Peace I may do you a courtesy, Keep your own counsel and be ignorant Of this strange Creature, say you are— The Duke of—thus disguised for reasons Known to your self. And be not beaten out of't. You wonnot be a fool and loose your self, And heaven knows what scorn to take notice on him, Remember who you are. Stand too't and say he is a counterfeit A mere impostor, be not beaten out on't. Did I fright you Ladies, look better on me. But do not know what's in me. This Lady I hope's not of your mind. If you Remember Lady I was bold to urge A little counsel on you, how it fastens I come to understand. About your brother Signior Borgia. Why it was But this, I had a kind of fear you loved This brother Madam. But you loved him the wrong way de'e hear lustily You understand, with the desire of coupling: There lies no dispensation for that lock, 'Tis impious and abominable, you had better I'th state you are in keep a Pensioner To give you heats, a fellow that will venture His body at all hours; then to offend once With so much sin to nature. Better marry And honest man and make one a great deal: Your husband may be excusdi'th progress Lady, Beside he may have faults, a negligence In's visits, or mistaking of his times, When you are invited by another Lord To a banquet, or take physic, or the air Appointed by your Doctor, there are reasons To excuse and active Lady that is married But to affect your brother so, inexpiable. Marry? o yes. One of that tribe to choose. I'ha read my destiny, she that I shall marry Will be very honest, exceeding chased as I Shall be to her, I did but tell you what Whirligigs are i'th world, and that 'twere better And safer for your conscience to be one Of Venus order, and keep tame a Groom A stallian Dormant then embrace a brother. My charity. Your brother Told me himself you loved him strangely. Nay, nay he was i'th same pickle. Yes, yes, till I tampered with him And sacrificed his flesh with ghostly counsel, Read Law and Lectures, I will tell you Madam He was once so overgrown with love, he had Resolved to tell you he was not your brother, And rather then be frustrate of his Hope's Vowed to forswear it, and suborn testimony He was no kin to you, born I know not where, And never saw the town afore, whose people Had all this while cozened themselves, with and Opinion he was Borgia; here's a youth now, Did he never deal with you to such a purpose. Did you ever hear the Like? you know it now, Thank heaven and a good friend that told you this; A friend that would not see this pretty vessel Lost i'th' quicksands, when both goods and it May be his own another day: I love you And none shall do you wrong. That was my pure meaning, You may requite it if you please. It's the reward my ambition first aims at. Umph, now you bless me Lady, If his Hope's thrive in the Duchess as I doubt not I am made, I'll seek him out, I wish no better Testimony, he shall not gi to you unders hand. He knows me to a thought, nay, nay He shall doo't presently, if I can light on him. It does concern my honour, 'tis done instantly, She may be cold ever morning, I'll not loose This opportunity, I am made for ever. Did not I tell you this. I have told enough already. I am sorry for his impudence. I tell you I did speak to her. Now my happiness. Where's the Duchess? Do not vex Thy self, come wee're at large, our constitution Would ha'beene troubled with a wife, we have The world before us, store of game is necessary The Duchess. Pimponio a my conscience. It's too true Madam, here, here's thy master Thinks your grace so? The service Of my unworthy life is yours, command it, I wood you had another handsome daughter. Cornelia. A good estate, ther's the less cause To mourn for him. No I'll advice you You shall be and Italian Prince in Spanish habit, Now I think better on't, 'tis quaint, and will Be grateful for the witty novelty: Every common Prince goes in his countries fashion Such as you are not ordinary, be bold.

Plot summary

Plot — The Opportunity
Arriving in Urbino for the first time, Aurelio is surprised to find the inhabitants greeting him as a long-lost friend. It turns out that he looks identical to Borgia, who had been banished for killing the brother of Ursini, a court favourite. Accepted by Borgia’s father Mercutio, he seizes his opportunity and steps into his alter-ego’s shoes. They are summoned to court, where Ursini, in love with Borgia’s sister Cornelia, has procured a pardon for Borgia in order to gain the family’s favour. Complications arise when Aurelio falls in love with Cornelia himself, while the Duchess falls in love with him and appoints him her secretary. Aurelio decides to keep his options open, maintains his assumed identity, and pursues both ladies, circumventing any suspicion of incest by telling Cornelia that he is acting on Aurelio’s behalf: Aurelio fell for her on seeing her picture, he says, and engaged him to woo her. Other suitors have come to woo the Duchess, including the Duke of Ferrara, posing as his own ambassador; he takes offence at the favours shown to ‘Borgia’. There is a mix-up in the dark: posing as the Duchess, Cornelia tells ‘Borgia’ that she will marry Ferrara; then the Duchess arrives; ‘Borgia’ takes her for Cornelia, and, on hearing she is to marry Ursini, admits his true identity. Having overheard Cornelia’s comments, Ferrara arrives in Urbino in his own person to claim the Duchess as his bride, but she denies ever promising herself to him. Aurelio’s servant Pimponio poses as another potential suitor to the Duchess. Initially he pretends to be a Spanish don, but is advised to adopt an Italian identity instead when he is introduced at court. He duly claims to be the Duke of Ferrara, which infuriates the real Duke further. ‘Borgia’ asks the Duchess directly whether she loves him. She tartly reminds him of the unbridgeable distance between them, then dictates him a love-letter to be delivered to the person who loves her best, asking the recipient to come to an assignation in the garden. Discouraged, Aurelio gives the letter to Ferrara, but then realizes that the Duchess meant it for him. She sets Mercutio to guard the garden gate and let in none but ‘Borgia’, but he mistakenly admits Ferrara instead. Realizing that he has lost his opportunity to court the Duchess, Aurelio turns his attentions to Cornelia; but his friend Pisauro, eager to get the girl for himself, tells her that ‘Borgia’ is incestuously in love with her, and will claim, untruthfully, that…