Passages from this character's speech that contain the most distinguishing words for Cluster 12 (signor, sal, zelmane, handkerchief, absolon, dissemble…). Matches are highlighted.
repair thy fame, to marry Thee, that vowed, Is done to death for first offence, the second mends not loud. Great shame redounds to Thee, Oh Love, in leaving us in thrall: Andrugio and Polina both, in honouring Thee did fallen. Thou so didst witch our wits, as we from reason strayed quite, Provoked by thee, we did refuse, no vantage
Full speech
Polina cursed, what dame a live hath cause of grief like Thee. Who (won by love) hast yield the spoil of thy virginity? And he for to repair thy fame, to marry Thee, that vowed, Is done to death for first offence, the second mends not loud. Great shame redounds to Thee, Oh Love, in leaving us in thrall: Andrugio and Polina both, in honouring Thee did fallen. Thou so didst witch our wits, as we from reason strayed quite, Provoked by thee, we did refuse, no vantage of delight: Delight, what did I say? nay death, by rash and fowl abuse, Alas I shame to tell thus much, though love do work excuse, So that (fair dams) from such consent, my accydents of barm, Forewarneth you, to keep aloof though love your hearts do arm, But ah Polina, whither runs thy words into advise, When others harms, enforced by love, could never make Thee wise. The cause is plain, for that in love, no reason stands in stude, And reason is the only mean, that others harms we dread. Then, that the world hereafter may, to love infer my ill, Andrugios Tomb with daily tears, Polina worship will. And further more I vowed, whilst life in Me does foster breath, No one shall vaunt of conquered love, by my Andrugios death, These shameful weeds, which forced I were that men my fault may know: While that I live, shall show I morn for my Andrugio, I will not bide the sharp assaults, from sugared words I sent. I will not trust to careless oaths, which often win consent: I will cut off occasions all, which hope of mirth may move, With ceaseless tears isle quench each cause, y e kindleth coals of love: And thus Till death Polina will estrange her self from joy, Andrugio, to reward thy love which did thy life destroy.
Plot summary
Plot — 1 Promos and Cassandra
The King of Hungary appoints Lord Promos as his deputy in the city of Gyula. Believing in the efficacy of judicial severity, Promos re-enacts legislation against promiscuity. The brothel business instantly goes from prosperity to disaster, and Cassandra’s brother, Andrugio, who has had premarital sex with Polina, is condemned to death. Cassandra pleads with Promos, and, attracted to her, he grants a temporary stay of execution to allow her to plead further, At this meeting, ===== PAGE 167 ===== 1577 he offers her a reprieve in return for her love: the price of her brother's life is her participation in the very crime for which he was condemned, She refuses, but he gives her two days to think about it; if she changes her mind, she is to come to court at night dressed as a page. When she visits her brother to tell him to prepare for death, they dispute which is the lesser of two evils, and he persuades her to submit to Promos. Phallax, Promos’s corrupt deputy, is busy making himself rich by taking bribes. His accomplices bring in the courtesan Lamia, but he dismisses them and tries to seduce her. She invites him to her house the following night. Lamia can now live with impunity, and her servants lay in food to entertain Phallax. Grimball is keen to seduce Dalia, the maid, but when he goes to clean himself up, Rosko arranges for him to be robbed while being barbered. Cassandra submits to sex with Promos, but not before extracting from him a promise of marriage. Promos double-crosses her and orders Andrugio secretly beheaded. Cassandra is presented with a severed head; she determines to bury the head and expose Promos’s corruption to the King. In fact, however, Andrugio has been saved by the Jailer, and he goes into exile, leaving Polina to mourn him and Cassandra to seek the King’s justice.