Carlo Goldoni

Truly we may say this will be a marriage made in heaven. For had it not been for the death of my agent in Turin, Federigo Rasponi – you know I had promised my daughter to him – well, if he hadn’t died, my dear future son-in-law couldn’t have had her.

That’s true. But when heaven decrees, it will find a way, however unforeseen

Ah well, disasters lie in wait for us all.

She’s probably on the run from the law!

Well, what do you say, Doctor? Has he come just in time?

DOCTOR. Accidit in puncto, quod non contingit in anno. He turns up on the dot, which he couldn’t manage in a whole year.

you and I go over our accounts. As you know, that’s one of the two reasons I’m here in Venice.

PANTALONE. I think you’ll find everything in order, sir, if you care to inspect the books. I have your money ready for you, and we can settle up at your leisure.

If I do that, I won’t be able to achieve anything. Signor Pantalone will insist on taking me under his wing, I’ll be watched constantly – they’ll tell me I can’t do this, can’t do that, it’s not ladylike, and so on. I’ll have no freedom. Just help me, please – I promise you it won’t be for long, something’s bound to happen soon.

PORTER. I couldn’t do any more, sir. I’m just not cut out for portering.

RUFFALDINO. No, sir, to tell the truth, I haven’t.

FLORINDO. You don’t have a master?

TRUFFALDINO. I’m as you see me, sir – masterless. (Aside.) Well, my master isn’t here, so it’s not as if I’m lying!

The other one gave me ten, but I’m not telling him that. I should’ve made it gold, not silver, but that’s not bad. As for that other one, the baby-faced young gentleman from Turin, a bit simple if you ask me – well, he’s nowhere to be seen now. I’ll just leave him to run around the town, and I’ll go to the Post for my new master.