Chapter XVII: Prologue

A sport only for Christmas is the play
This hour presents t’ you; to make you merry[577]
Is all th’ ambition 't has, and fullest aim
Bent at your smiles, to win itself a name;
And if your edge be not quite taken off,
Wearied with sports, I hope 'twill make you laugh.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

BRANDINO, _a justice_.
MARTINO, _his clerk_. FRANCISCO. ATTILIO.
RICARDO, _suitor to Valeria_.
_Two Old Men, suitors to Valeria._
LATROCINIO, }
OCCULTO, }
SILVIO, } _Thieves._
STRATIO, }
FIDUCIO, } SERVELLIO. }
_Officers, Servants._

VALERIA, _a widow_.
PHILIPPA, _her sister, wife to Brandino_.
MARTIA, _daughter to one of Valeria’s suitors, and
disguised as Ansaldo_.
VIOLETTA, _waiting-maid to Philippa_.

Scene, CAPO D'ISTRIA and the neighbouring country.

THE WIDOW.