Nick Hern Books

This gives rise to the first of the six rules of the target:

the target is the source of all the actor’s life.

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.